I made the decision after my wife wanted a new Jeep, we bought a new 2012 4 door Rubicon. I looked at the new F-150's. They are very nice, but I guess I'm just old school. To me a Ford truck goes backwards from 1996 to the 80's, 70's, 60's, you know what I mean.

My faithful truck now has 205k+ miles on it. Still runs strong and looks good, but she is now 16 years old and I want to keep her around for another 16 plus years.

Only things that were ever replaced in the trucks life was an alternator, O2 sensors, and the harmonic balancer. That's it other than routine maintenance replaced parts.

The rust over the rear wheel wells is getting worse and a little spot on the lower bed quarter is showing. Looking into total replacement bed skins, but still doing my research.

Plans-

Exterior:
Body work
Repainted original 2-tone color

Interior:
Total overhaul of the seat
New carpet
New window and lock controls
Leather wrap steering wheel

Total motor rebuild, been looking at what they have out for the 300.
Exhaust.

Trans rebuild with shift kit.

Transfer case seems to be fine,

Rear axle rebuild (keeping the 373LS)... well, might look into a locker.

Total new suspension, might go 2-3".

Whatever else I come across that needs repair or replacing.

My truck has never let me down over the years and now that I'm retired, time to not let my truck down. Going to take pics of the entire rebuild and make this my online progress start to finish report.

Any suggestions or comment would be greatly appreciated.

 

Well, always good to start with a solid truck to throw money at.

You are correct though on the new trucks being another word for kitty. My opinion is Ford stopped building real trucks after '79.

Adrianspeeder

 

You definitely are old school. In 1980 they lightened everything, and at the time there was a lot of rumbling that this was going to seriously affect durability.