My Old Ford Pictures Added!!!!

[Slowly Sinking]

Ok as I explained on the welcome page, my truck has sentimental value, my dad and I have turned off the highest paved road in the US, and went 4 wheeling in places that weren’t even meant for trucks in this thing. I had my first beer in this truck with him, and also got my love for country music in this truck mainly George Jones.... Dad's Favorite... Anyhow I bit off one heck of a project.

The truck was painted in 92, complete frame off restoration... Now from Colorado to Kentucky, the humid weather, and salt they use in the winter have taken its tole on the old ford. Mechanically the truck is sound. Minor things will need to be done to get it ready for the road. It has one broke break line, and will need a tune up and belts and hoses, this just to be safe.

Now back to the problem, the front fenders are bad, front cab mounts almost gone, and the bed isn't much better. Just below the doors are gone, and it is hard telling what else is rusted out once I get it into the shop. A plus for me is my Uncle is a body man, but he is one of those guys that holds his information, and I know this is going to be a hard job, but he is pretty negative about the whole thing. But the truck has no sentimental value to him. Advice, do I pay to have the parts sent to me, to repair or do I find a parts truck. I am afraid that if I find a parts truck, I am going to wind up with some of the same problems. I am trying to have the truck ready by the time I get home from Iraq which means I am going to pay someone to do the work. And I just would like to know from other people that have some experience, parts truck or let whoever paints the truck get the parts. Or would I get a better deal ordering the parts myself. I have about 2,000 grand to fork out to this thing right now, and than about another 1,000 dollars to fork out in the next pay period. I don't want a show truck just something that looks good, and good to drive on the weekends. Do I fix the existing body by ordering each piece, or do I find a parts truck. A couple issues, for all the things that I listed that I know was wrong, for the replacement sheet metal, parts and shipping comes to about 700 dollars. Than I have to pay someone to fix it, and pay more if my Uncle decides he doesn't have the time or the patience to deal with it. A parts truck from the other side of the country where rust isn't so bad, about 300-700 dollars, than 800 dollar shipping fees, than I have to pay someone to change the parts... I really have to stick to about 3,000 dollars for this for now.... So any help would be greatly appreciated... In that 3,000 dollars I have to do the tune up and all that stuff too...

Thanks in advance for your help....
....

[Leadfoot]

sounds like the hole body is soft and yes you could tack so metal and patch panels over it but for the time and money a parts truck with a good body would be the way to go.

[FORDification]

It definitely sounds like you'll have a lot fewer headaches and time/money invested by just replacing the sheetmetal than trying to fix them. These trucks are still pretty plentiful, so finding good replacement sheetmetal isn't really that hard. By keeping an eye on E-bay, Craigslist and the forums here, you'll be able to get just about anything, and for the money you'd need to invest you'd be way ahead by finding a good parts truck and then swapping the parts.

However, I do understand the sentimental aspect. It almost might seem like a different truck if you replace the cab and box, but just think of it more as getting a makeover. And it'll help if you can use as many parts from the original truck as possible.

[Slowly Sinking]

Well the truck is in the shop today, I got a about 30 percent off of all the parts, so the truck should roll out of the garage for about 300 dollars... I have 3 body shops going to come do appraisals on the body today... I don't really know what to expect for a price, the last truck I had painted cost me 800 dollars, it was an 88 Ford F-150, that had no rust on it what so ever. I am a little nervous about the numbers that they are going to give back to me....

I can’t afford much over 2,000 dollars, for the paint job, and am afraid there going to come back with like a 3,000 dollar appraisal. I will find a way to fork it out if at all possible… If need be… Anyhow thanks for the advice thus far…

[Slowly Sinking]

Well I got further clarification, each of the three body shops are going to give me two estimates, one with just labor, and one with me buying the parts. So we will see what they come up with. Hopefully it isn’t to steep, I would hate to have to take a loan out on my dog or something to get this done… Lord Knows I am going to have to take a loan out to drive it once a week.

I should have pictures this evening of the truck... Get the whole Before, During, and After shots.

I am checking out Dennis-Carpenter.com...

[Slowly Sinking]

Well I found another truck, to use as parts; it is 1969 Ford F-100 with a 289 in it... They want 800 for it, it has a little rust, but not as much Cancer as mine has in it. I am going to use the bed front fenders, hood and doors off of it, and have the body shop repair my actual cab.

I also have made a deal with one of the body shops that are doing an estimate on it. They said they would give me between 15, and 20 percent off, if I let him put a sticker in the window for awhile, and drive it through the 4th of July Parade, with advertisements for him... We will see when it is all said and done.

I got it in the shop, and for headers, new Battery, all new hoses, belts, spark plugs, wires, points, distributor cap, Carb rebuilt, front break lines, breaks all around, and every drop of fluid changed, I walked out with only a 550 dollar bill.

So right now I am right on track with the amount of money I wanted to have invested...

Now I am impatiently waiting for the body shops to get back to me. My pictures didn't come through hopefully tonight...

[71 LONG BED]

Can't wait to see pics!! Sounds like it's going to be great!

[flyboy2610]

Sounds like a plan to me!

[Slowly Sinking]

Ok Update...

Well I have been looking for a complete truck to use as parts, after chasing some loose ends that just ended with dissapointment, I asked my Girlfriend, to ask her dad if he new where I could find one...

I called her back about 2 days after the question, and she says her dad knows where to find one. What really blew my mind, was that is was a 1970 long bed, and it was sitting in his garage. Now the price... This is even better, he said as long as I made a nice truck out of the parts, I could have it. So even if it is in worse shape than what he says, which is unlikely, I have a complet bed, cab, front fenders, inner fenders, and any other little part that I might need. I still havent recieved pictures, I hope soon that I will be able to post some of my truck.

[71 LONG BED]

Good score dude!

[69F110]

Awesome deal. That is great news. Man, I am excited for you. I sure hope that joker turns out good. Oh yeah...sonds like this girl is a keeper...and her dad too! How cool is that? Just reminds us there are still good folks in this world.

Are you out of Ft. Campbell? I was there a long time ago (89-92 and 95-97). Bought a beautiful 69 F100 SWB there off a guy going through a bad divorce. He didn't want his soon to be ex to get her hands on it. I drove away and he was standing there crying. I sure did feel for him, but...man that was one sweet truck. I barked them casings all over Clarksville and Ft. Campbell.

I do miss that one. I traded it in on a brand new 91 Ford Ranger. Got better gas mileage, but it wasn't even close other wise.

[Slowly Sinking]

Well Some Bad news....

The truck he had was a 73, no big deal he found me a truck that was a 72 with good fenders doors, and cab...

I am out of FT Campbell Right Now, I have 4 years hear, and 4 years at Drum... I can also see where a ford ranger just wouldn't stand up to that F100, but I know how that guy feels, I spent all of my Bosnia money, fixing up my 88 Ford F150. It was sweet, looked like the one the Rock had in "Walking Tall" I sold it so my ex wouldn't get her hands on it.... Oh! Well! Live and learn...

Since you brought up that girl and quoted her as a keeper... I have to brag... Doesn't like to shop... Would Rather Go Camping than Clubbing... But does like to go out and have a good time, but doesn't drink... I have my DD, my dance partner, my camping partner, and she makes more money than I do.... Why she hangs out with a guy like me I don't have a clue.... But hey I am not going to ask questions... Just count my blessings...

Anyhow hopefully my parents will email me those pictures sometime... They are slow sometimes about some things...

[460 crew]

Sounds like you have a good deal going, with the truck and your partner. I was hopping pics would be at the bottom of the thread as I read on but..... We need pics! Good luck with your rebuild their worth every penny in the end.

[Slowly Sinking]

http://www.fordification.com/galleries/ ... truck1.JPG

http://www.fordification.com/galleries/ ... truck2.JPG

Here are the pics of my truck I hope this works!!!

[71 LONG BED]

Looks like a great truck to me!!