Scotty, I am looking to buy an old truck to fix up and make my daily driver, I found a 1980 Ford f100 ($6,000)that someone has put a lot of time into, the truck runs and drives with 68,000 km on it, what are your thoughts on it and what would be a better option if this isn’t a good one. I plan to rebuild the engine at the earliest possible point and don’t mind doing some extra work for the truck.
$6000 sounds like an awful lot of money for a 40 year old truck that needs an engine rebuild! For that kind of money, you should be able to get something either newer, or in better shape - 68K km/42K miles is pretty early for an engine rebuild.
Not a good idea.
The seller put time into it but what is the quality of their work? Is it just a 40 year old truck with a wash job or has any real work been done such as upholstery, like new trim and good glass without any frosting? Does the motor look like it has leaked oil for the last ten years? Wide bed? Narrow bed? Six and straight drive? Long wheelbase of short?
For that money I would think it is very clean and great condition mechanically. Have you already talked them down some or is this a starting price? You say it will get a motor rebuild is that because it needs a rebuild or you just want to have a "new" motor? Will they reduce by price of rebuild or come down some to help?
I think the price is high for a average condition truck but I'm a tight ass.
@jimz
the truck was barley driven over 11 years, the owner kept it very clean, the paint job is not original (owner said old paint faded), the motor looks clean, but looks can be deciving, glass was replaced when he first got the truck because there was a chip, it has a wide bed, short wheelbase, all original interior, only superficial frame rust, i would like to rebuild the motor because its a project ive been looking to do for a while and i figured why not try and get that "new" engine feel and cross of an item on my bucket list. also $6000 is the starting price.
the seller is also giving all the parts he hasnt installed yet, mainly suspension parts that he wanted to install for ride comfort
It sounds like you have mostly made up your mind. YOu can have a collector truck and a project all wrapped in one. That can be valuable at any price, LOL!
The value of most things is what the buyer gives them. It is always a good idea to ask if they will drop in price an dmention what you can see needing repair as a reason for you "to save money". If seller drops price, good and you can pocket some change. If not, buy it anyway and enjoy your newest project.
The real value is what you give it and not what anyone else thinks. Enjoy your new truck, project and future money pit.
If the motor is original to the truck I would try to save it for future value. Try to find a same model, size to rebuild and install. Might help hold some value later on.
F100s are nice trucks. Put a factory remanufactured engine and transmission in it. New gas tank and convert the brakes to disc brakes all around.
It is and will always be better than any of the modern day recycled steel and soda can trucks built today.
