Hello all,

I'm in the process of aquiring a new ride. I'm looking for some imput from all of you on the truck I am currently looking at. Everything from common issues, quirks, annoyances the usual, to what it is you like about this truck!

Here's what I know so far;
1976 Ford F-150 4x4, with a 390, 4 speed Manual, and a short box










I'm looking at the truck in person this weekend, hoping to drive it away too. So anything you have to offer is much appreciated!

Thanks!!

 

Awesome! Ford hasn't made a real truck since the '73-'79s.

Unless it is a swap, not a 390. More people claim 390s than Ford ever made. No visual exterior differences between a 352, 360, and a 390. You have to pull a spark plug, and measure the depth at bottom dead center to figure what is there.

Not a fan of the body lift, but other than that I'd pick it up and run 'er.

Adrianspeeder

 

The 390 was in fact a factory option in a 1976 F-150.

240, 300, 302, 360, 390, and 460.

 

Yeah, there was a 390 in 76. Adrian was probably thinking 79 when he posted that. The truck has an obvious repaint and it looks more like the guy did it in his garage than a paint shop job. The air cleaner is not original and it's had some rewiring under the hood. Doesn't look like a hack job though. It's missing the jack that is supposed to be in front of the washer box. Looks like the hold down is also missing. I'd take a close look at the rear axle. He has a pan under it- that can't be a good sign. You didn't say what he wants for it. The short box 4x4 is a rare truck around here. All of mine are long beds and even they are getting rare to see these days. When you drive it, as you take off listen for a light ping sound like a pebble hitting the driveshaft. If you heard it, the U Joints are toast. On a short box I don't remember there being a center bearing on the driveshaft but if it has one, the center bearing is also going to be bad. Drive the truck with the engine idling and in gear. Let it roll on its own for a minute. If it starts to buck immediately, the compression is probably bad. If it does it after a while, the carb is probably not right and will need servicing. Work everything, turn on everything, roll all the windows down and up, open all the doors, look under the truck for rust or repairs, smell the gas tank- does it smell like fresh gas or yer grandmas undies. Is there a spare tire or at least the spare rack under the truck at the gas tank. Do the gauges still work. Just give it a good work out. My bet says it will steer like grandpas old John Deere so expect it. I'd ask if the heads have been updated to use unleaded gas. Some of the old 390's didn't have the harden valve seats and if the guy has replaced the heads, they may not necessarily have the right seats. I'd ask a lot of questions about the engine especially any work the seller knows about and what parts he used. Frankly, it looks like an old junkyard engine but that may be wrong. Ask if it's the original engine. These oldies are a hoot to drive. I can't imagine life without one anymore. They are a truck, not a bloated open trunk car like the F150s of today. These are what Ford made their reputation on as being Ford Tough. But they can be a money pit too.

 

I'd love to have that! I love that body style

 

Great pointers labnerd, I would have never thought about the heads. The guy is asking $4700 for the old bute.

 

My understanding was not in a 4x4 though.

Adrianspeeder

 

$4700 would be a hard pill for me to swallow considering I can find '99-'02s for that price around here.

BUT from the looks of it -- with no rust, good engine, doors that shut, and good 4wd -- it'd be one I'd consider.

 

Look real close at the wheel well openings, rocker panels, and doors for signs of patch jobs that are done improperly. The 70's were notorious for rust through at those points. Might take a magnet to check them. If just patched with filler, they will be gone soon with more rust.
Fortunately new panels can be had from places like LMC truck.

Edit - One other place I forgot to mention is the bottom of the tailgate. Can't tell you how many of those I have seen rusted out over the years.

 

Check on the back on the inside of the leading edge of the hood for signs of rust. Those were pretty common too...

FWIW, if I had the $$ to have a daily driver, and a project truck I would pick one of those, or a 78-79 Bronco up in a hot second...

 

Have to agree. My first truck was a 78 F150 Explorer 2wd with a 351. Wish it had been 4wd. Loved it, just have to make sure you clean out underneath to prevent as much as possible the rust. Unfortunately rust prevention was not as good back then as it is now.

 

If it runs and drives alright and the body seems relatively rust free, I think that's a good price. I'd buy it if I had somewhere to put it haha

 

Thanks for all the hints, I'm making the long trip down this weekend. I will be sure to let you all know how it goes, and I'll be sure to post plenty of pictures of whatever I end up driving home.

 

So the guy finally returned my call today... He picked it up off of someone else, seems to be rather clueless about most everything as well. He said the engine is updated for unleaded (but he didn't know if it was original, a junkyard swap, or full rebuild), I'm sure he just runs unleaded, but that don't mean it's updated. Is there any way to check if it's updated, just short of tearing it apart? I will look to see if the VINs match frame and motor, but I doubt it.
He knew nothing of the wiring, or paint job as well. Made a point to mention that there was minimal if any body work done. Also claimed the pan and cardbord underneath was simply storage. I'll be sure to look real close.
As for the lift... I've never been a big fan of lifts, all I've ever been told is they cause more problems than thier worth, but he said it was just a body lift. I'll take a good look at axles as well, to see if the factory driveshafts are streached or if extended driveshafts were installed. Anyone have anything they can offer up on this? I don't quite know what to look for here. Hints please!

Trips set for Saturday Morning. I'll post picks first thing when I return! Of a new truck or an empty garage...

Thanks again!

 

Oh, and I do plan on bringing an old 8-Track to test out. Possibly David Bowie, should get a good look out of the guy anyways!