1983 F250 4X4 with 460 Value thoughts

[JEK]

Hello all,

This is my first ever post/question on any forum. I just looked at a 1983 F250 4X4 with a 460 engine and manual transmission. This is all I know at this moment. Its a California truck (I'm in Indiana) with no rust at all on any of the body with original paint and all molding in in good shape...few dings here and there, but other than that really decent shape. The frame is in good shape no major rust visible. The truck starts and sounds good (though I'm not a mechanic at all), and the engine and tranny have plenty of oil and dirt on it. Interior is in fair condition at best for the year. Needs new tires and exhaust. The brakes were just done. So, the truck has a solid body and frame with a potentially good engine, goes down the road straight and stops. ...I know really nothing else. I want the truck as a project to repaint, have my mechanic go through the engine and transmission and replace everything that needs to be replaced so that I can and keep it for a while as I really love the year and model. Hagerty shows the truck value from $8500 to $45,000 and I can pick this truck up for $5,500. I know that this is a tough question, may not be the right forum or place to ask the question, but it is where I am on this truck and I sure could use some seasoned Ford owners input on this.. Thank you all....Jim

 

[Fellro]

Being from a fellow rust belt state, I feel your pain finding a good rust free truck. Keep in mind not only is it already $5500, but you have to get it to your location too, which will easily add a couple thousand to that. Prices lately have been so crazy it is hard to even give a decent opinion on price. Basically, value is subjective to whoever is wanting such a thing. It doesn't seem overly high, but again, still have to get it back to you. In our markets, it is worth more as such a thing is just isn't readily available here. To a Southerner or such, maybe not as much. Prety much go with your financial comfort, is it worth it to you and focus on that. If you were to find one like that locally, what would you be willing to give for it? Use that as your gauge.

 

[JEK]

Hi Fellro,

Thanks for the input...The truck is already here in Indian where I'm at (moved here last April from CA) , so its down the road from me... I was just wondering as there is no documents other then title, to verify anything and I see a truck that is very solid body and frame wise with a dirt oily engine if getting it for $5500 would be wise due to that year truck is going for much more when taken care of and documented??? I feel based on what inventory I can find right now that $5500 seems like a great price, even if I had to rebuild the engine, redo the interior and put new tires on it. I figure that I would be into the truck at about $12,000.... These are just the thoughts I am having on this truck. I agree with you, its really how mush I want that tuck bottom line..

Recently I purchased A 1992 Ford Ranger with 36,000 miles in mint original condition out of Michigan for $6800..I broke 3 fingers getting that cash out of my pocket as I knew how felt on that. This 83 is potentially a great deal if everything is in good shape and just dirty with nothing major really wrong that I cant see....Oh, well.

Thanks Again for taking time to give me your opinion. It does mean a lot, as I said in my profile; I love older Ford trucks but have no real mechanical skills.

Jim

 

[holdover]

Hi Fellro,

Thanks for the input...The truck is already here in Indian where I'm at (moved here last April from CA) , so its down the road from me... I was just wondering as there is no documents other then title, to verify anything and I see a truck that is very solid body and frame wise with a dirt oily engine if getting it for $5500 would be wise due to that year truck is going for much more when taken care of and documented??? I feel based on what inventory I can find right now that $5500 seems like a great price, even if I had to rebuild the engine, redo the interior and put new tires on it. I figure that I would be into the truck at about $12,000.... These are just the thoughts I am having on this truck. I agree with you, its really how mush I want that tuck bottom line..

Recently I purchased A 1992 Ford Ranger with 36,000 miles in mint original condition out of Michigan for $6800..I broke 3 fingers getting that cash out of my pocket as I knew how felt on that. This 83 is potentially a great deal if everything is in good shape and just dirty with nothing major really wrong that I cant see....Oh, well.

Thanks Again for taking time to give me your opinion. It does mean a lot, as I said in my profile; I love older Ford trucks but have no real mechanical skills.

Jim

What is the mileage???? The start price is not bad considering what vehicles are going for, tires and exhaust are wear items but good stuff will not be cheap. Good luck