Okay, I'll try to make this as short as possible...

I'm planning on making a sizable order to Summit in the next week or two. Probably about $400-$500. Getting some engine goodies for the 318. This statement is just to confirm I have some liquid assets... (I ain't broke)

Well, the other day my buddy, who is a big fan of '70's model Ford trucks (he has a really nice '78 302, auto, long bed), and has been wanting a short bed for quite some time, calls me up and tells me he's found one. It's a 75 (I think) 390, auto, short bed. I went by and looked at it tonight. Appears to be almost rust free. It was dark, and the paint was old, but no rust was showing, so I can't say for sure yet, probably go back and look again tomorrow if I have time. It needs some body work. Had a large grain truck slowly back into it. Ripped the passenger's side of the hood, and mashed/tore the passenger's side of the cowl. It apprently didn't get into the cab though, just the cowl piece. It creased the door, and fender, but all appears to be repairable. Until recently it served as a farm truck, and has a large dent in the passenger's side of the bed from being rammed by a cow. For you city folk, yeah, they're big, and the can hurt your peekup... (They don't just taste good)

So, my buddy is really interested. He's got a '79 F250 parts truck (460, auto). Cab is in good shape, except a large tree branch creased the roof. So, venturing off here for a second, I say good time to put the two cabs together, and chop it a little, but you never know... anyway...

So, this short bed has power steering, manual discs, and appears to be in very good shape for a 30 year old farm truck... It's also a Ranger XLT by the way, so got all the goodies. It had air, but the compressor was gone. I forget to ask about it. He fired it up, and it ran pretty good. Says he's even got a new or rebuilt carb that goes with it... It's two tone brown/tan, with full wheel covers, dual exhaust, and other than the afformentioned damage, overall decent shape...

So, my buddy probably can't scrape together the cash right now. He's got a kid and bills, and just doesn't have the cash. The guy is asking $400 firm. I'm thinking, it runs, and my buddy really wants it. I could spot him a lone, or go half if he can go half. I told him I'd be really interested in just buying the truck, using it for a parts hauler while I work on the Belvedere, and when I'm done sell it to him. Or go half, and sell out when I'm done...

Does this sound like a bad idea??? I don't really need it, but it wold be nice to have around, and short bed fords with sheet metal sans iron-oxide are not just laying around over here... Besides I know it's something he's been wanting for a long time, and I love projects, and I've spent many hours with him working on the '78, I'm sure this could be another buddy project. At least until his little one is old enough to help out...

So, just curious. What do you guys think I should do????????

BTW, I'll try to get some pix of his '78...

 

If you buy it and use it would he get angry at you for "buying it out from under him"? I'm not sure paying half would be a good idea, I don't know your friend but I do know that many times money deals with friends tend to sour the friendship. Maybe it wouldn't happen, I'd just be cautious. If you have the money and your friend doesn't mind that you buy it and use it first then I'd say go with that option.

 

Well, I mentioned buying it to him, and at first he sounded a little... well, sad more than upset... But I assured him that I have no interest in the truck other than a hauler/driver, and that I would be doing it as a favor to him, since I know he doesn't have the money, and if he did get the truck it would probably just get parked beside his house right now anyway...

As far as going half with him I don't see it as a problem. I've known the guy for about 22 years (78.5% of my life), and I would/could handle losing $200, should the occasion arise, to save a 22 year old friendship...

To be honest, if I buy it, it would really be only as a favor to him. I would rather use that money for a cam, lifters, valve springs, timing chain, oil pump, gasket set, freeze plugs, head studs, valve cover studs, and engine paint... although, having my own Ford Truck around again would be kinda nice, and justify my presence here, even if only for a little while...

 

You know you don't have to justify your presence here!! Sheesh!!

I understand wanting to buy yourself presents, we all would like to do that!! But sometimes helping out a friend can bring its own set of rewards that are more valuable than all the engine parts on the market today. A 22 year friendship is something that should nurtured, I say buy yourself a Ranger and have fun with it for a while!

I hate to sound cliché but this seems appropriate. . .

Cam, lifters, valve springs, timing chain, oil pump, gasket set, freeze plugs, head studs, valve cover studs, and engine paint: $$$$$$$

A friendship that has spanned 22 years: Priceless

 

Don't you have a wedding coming up next year? MY personal experiences tell me that unless you can just buy it and hand it over as a gift today, then don't get involved with it. Your buddy doesn't need the truck, he already owns a pickup (plus a second parts truck). Don't let yourself get all wrapped up in the moment and blow your cash reserves. You have higher priorities for that money.

 

do what you want because you never know what the future brings





you could get hit by a bus tomorrow and that would be that now would'nt it?




...zap!

 

Go half with your buddy. I mean really, if you have it, whats $200 for a life long friendship. Just know that its possible you will never see that money again and make sure you're OK with that. I know I would, because i've been there before. But then again, I love to do nice things for my friends. It makes me happy to see my family and friends happy. I honestly dont think $200 or $400 for that matter is going to make or break your wedding plans. And im sure, een if he can't pay you back with cold hard cash, he will repay you in some other way, somewhere down the road. Turn the table, put yourself in his shoes...wouldnt you?

I say do it


BREW

 

While I commend you for trying to help your friend, I would say don't get involved in his vehicle purchases. Use your money as you originally intended.

Let's say you buy the truck with the intent to sell it to him later. But he never has the money, or something happens to the truck. You're stuck with an old truck you don't want, and everytime you look at it or him, you might think of the Belvedere parts you could have had.

Let's say you loan him the money, at terms favorable to him. He doesn't pay, or can't meet the terms. You may forgive him, but he will likely avoid you, even if you say it does not matter to you.

Let's say you give him the truck. He may really appreciate it. But in the long term, he may feel he 'owes you' in a way he could not repay. That puts a strain on the friendship.

 

I would talk to him, and point out how nice a find this is and that it is better than the two of you have it instead of someone else. If he can get together the 200 for half fine if not and you can aford the whole deal, explain you are going to buy it and use it until he is ready for it or you are done, which ever comes first. Obviously you can't sell it to him for your purchase price, so figure that out up front, say the 200 or what ever feels right, hell maybe just give it to him, as the two of you will no doubt have many hours of rebuilding and restoring the truck together, which will make up for a small financial loss on your part.

The only bad thing with the whole idea is, what happens if you are in the truck and that bus from above creams you, and destroys the truck, now good times could go bad.

This is bases on my ideas, for I have only have one friend, and we aren't that close, but I would do this sort of thing for him if i was able to.

 

It really depends on your guys relationship. Some friends I could buy it and just hand them the keys, others I would have to buy it, wait a few months then decide that I didn't have time for it and sell it to them for $50. Then others wouldn't be happy unless they gave me what I gave for it. 23 years in the garage together, I'm sure you know which type of friend he is.

 

As long as it wasnt 23 years in the closet together...then you would deff. know what kind of friend he is

Sorry, closer...Just trying to make light of the subject. Anybody that I've been friends with for 23 years.....I would give them the shirt off my back and ask for nothing in return.


BREW

 

Thanks for the replies everyone. I'm just going to talk it over with him, see what he wants to do. He's the kind of guy that would pay me back what I paid for it, and probably wouldn't want the truck until he paid the last dime.

I'm not worried about getting stuck with it. For $400 unless it was wrecked I don't see a problem getting my money back even if I had to part it out.

I just don't want him to feel bad. I know I don't like being helped financially... I could use the truck, and I think he'd be okay with that, knowing he had dibs when I was ready to sell.

But again, I'll just see what he wants to do. It does appear to be a good deal, and I'd hate to see him miss out on it. He hopes to turn the keys to the '78 over to his son, and build this for himself, but he's got almost 13 years till his boy will need a truck...