Oppo - Feed My Daydreaming

"Jcarr" (jcarr) 04/19/2016 at 14:34 • Filed to: None

0

7

Last week I found myself filling some idle time by perusing Craigslist for older (70s-80s) pickups. I’ve got it in my head lately that I wouldn’t mind owning one some day as a 3rd vehicle for hauling, tinkering with, etc. Kind of like Luc and his Project Big Steel.

Ideally I’d like something that’s already in pretty good shape so I don’t have to do a ton of rehab work as I am not a super experienced wrencher. I can handle things like brakes, spark plugs, oil changes, etc. but I’ve never done anything like pulling an engine or rebuilding a transmission.

Got any recommendations on particular trucks that would relatively plentiful and forgiving to work on? I wouldn’t be real picky about 2WD vs. 4WD, but I’d probably want something regular cab with a V8. I like the look of old Chevy CKs or late 70s F Series, but I’m open to ideas. After all, it’s just daydreaming at this point.

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > Jcarr 04/19/2016 at 14:37

1

Both the Chevy’s and Ford’s should be easy to work on.

Depending on what size you get the Ford could be basically the same style engine and trans as my Montego. The F-150's commonly had 351's with C4's or 390's with C6's

Luc - The Acadian Oppo > Jcarr 04/19/2016 at 14:44

0

WOW I’m famous!

I’m not a chevy/gmc fanboy but for these old trucks I would recommend a square body since parts are just so readily available for these.

There is not a single part you could possibly need that you can no longer buy.

Jcarr > Luc - The Acadian Oppo 04/19/2016 at 14:46

0

Planning to trade our Jetta in for a 2013-2015 Fusion later this year, too.

I’m basically just becoming you.

Luc - The Acadian Oppo > Jcarr 04/19/2016 at 14:52

1

This is getting weird.

Pickup_man > Jcarr 04/19/2016 at 15:01

0

As much as a Ford truck fanboy that I am, I say find a clean square body. There’s tons of them around, small block 350, or 305 (not preferred) easy to work on, and parts are really easy to come by. All of that plus they’re still dirt cheap. In my mind the squarebody is the quintessential pickup truck.

I love the Fords personally, and would rather have one myself, but the market on them is funny. Dentsides are old enough to be desirable, but not old enough for every truck to be priced high. You can still find cheap ones fairly easily, but it’s not uncommon to find some expensive ones either. They’re still easy to work on, and parts are common as well. Either way it’s hard to go wrong.

loki03xlh > Jcarr 04/19/2016 at 15:02

1

I'm partial to GMC/Chevy '73-'87 trucks. My dad had a '81, and a '87. Plenty of room to tinker under the hood. Parts are easy to come by and not to $$$$.

acarr260 > loki03xlh 04/19/2016 at 15:44

1

I had an ‘87 Chevy Custom Deluxe. You can literally just climb into the engine bay. So much space for activities!