I'll start by saying that my first road legal truck I learned to drive was a 79 F159 5 speed 4X4. Oddly I still know where that truck is today although it has not been running in the past several years.
Then 10 years ago I picked up a F100, rusted to death and running very poorly only to discover that the last person under the hood had 3 of the plug wires in the wrong order!
Then there is tomorrow the 8th of FEB 2011, I am all set to go pick up a 85 F150 4X4. A nice looking truck that had some major engine work done in the past year (oh a 5.8L). Tires look nice, the body is very straight and nice except for two small rust holes on the drivers side door seal (floor). I might try to weld the new replacement part in myself with my small mig welder if I get brave enough.
The truck started right up and ran very smooth but I did notice that the rear differential was leaking oil out the front end so I'll need to get that fixed shortly.
For a Maine truck, the frame did not see as badly rusted as my in-laws Chevy which would no longer pass inspection due to the frame rust. The nice thing with the 85 is that it can be registered as an antique and then exempt from the yearly inspection.
The seat has a tear in it on the drivers side and I would like to find one of those rugged "horse blanket" seat covers at a good price.
After market radio is no good and the dash has a crack over the speaker area so a dash cover will be found as well.

I have been wanting a F150 for many years now and have been waiting for the right financial timing to get a mid 90's model, however this one came up at a good price, registered as antique to save taxes and inspection fees and I get to tinker and fix it as I want.

The exhaust pipe has broken off after the muffler and I might consider going headers and dual exhaust with suggestions from the group. I do not want anything loud but some deep sound would be fine with me. (missing my flowmasters cat back on a 5.0 mustang)........

I will also be looking for a hitch and would like to know if there is a wire "kit" to fit this truck for a trailer setup.
Finally I need to locate the passenger rear view mirror which is missing.

Thanks for your time and suggestions...............
Guy

 

Welcome to F150forum.com ... Lots of good guys and info here.. Be sure to post some pictures

 

Well I got the F150 home today.
I noticed going down the road it did not shift into overdrive. I stopped by my transmission guy and he looked under there and stood up with a smile and asked if this was a heavy truck. Of course he knew the year to the T when I drove in. I asked why and he said it had a heavy duty 3 speed transmission. One of the best transmissions they used as long as I keep the oil level checked.

I went through the paperwork to see where 10 years ago this month, they put a new motor in it at the cost of nearly 5K. The paperwork had two different mileages on it so I have no real idea what the mileage was 10 years ago but it says 64K now. Perhaps adding a 1 or 200 to that.

So I need to do the following;
Oil change
Battery hold down replacement
Find seat cover
Find a radio, something simple.
Fix a mirror
Fix two small rust holes in door sill

Drive!
Of course the list goes on but these are important ones to get done soon.

 

I would like to find;
Rear view mirror
Cable to control heater (discontinued everywhere I checked)
Dash cluster with OEM Tach
Factory lighter socket and plug

Anyone?