How much is it worth?

[Trucker_Eric]

ok, i am looking at this truck, and the guy told me to make him an offer, but i have no clue what price to offer. its a 1979 ford f150 explorer, 2wd, supercab, long bed, 351 and aut transmission. it looked like the odometer rolled over but im not sure at all. it says 64k and the guy said the 64k was all original, but it looks otherwise. heres some pics, maybe somebody can help me


it has a major rust hole on the drivers side roof, right near the drip rails, the front grille is bent, there is some surface rust on the bottom of both the cab and bed, and there is rust around the explorer emblem that sticks out of the hood. the brake lines are shot,i think the master cylinder is also, trans lines are new, the engine runs, it needs tires eventually, and the interior roof on the drivers side has mold from water damage. thats all i know about it other than there is some corrosion on the engine, not sure which parts, but the pics explian it.

also, i need some bargaining advice to get this truck cheap, i was going to offer him 200 bucks, but i dont want to insult him or get ripped off either. just some advice for a newbie at truck buying for classics.

is there anything i should lookk for other than this?

 

[Trucker_Eric]

 

[TexasNomad]

ewww, thats some heavy duty rust, thats going to take a heck of a lot of surgery to fix. me personally, i'd walk away from it..

 

[Trucker_Eric]

really? i reallylike the truck as well as the project of fixing it...

 

[1985 Ford F-150]

I honestly wouldnt touch it with a ten foot pole.

 

[Trucker_Eric]

so it would be worth very little if anything? the guy said it was his fathers truck and it has sentimental value so idk if he will budge on a cheap price...

 

[polarbear]

I think it's gonna cost a heckuva lot more to make that right than you'd ever dream possible- that's what I think.

 

[TexasNomad]

The engine and trans are well worth 200, and parts for super cabs are hard to find at best, mostly junk yard finds.. There is so much rust hiding under that paint I strongly feel your going to need a whole new cab bed doors fenders and from the look of the best I bet the frame has been eaten through here and there..
Find some thing else, some things are just to far gone to save. But the engine and trans would be all right to pull as well some dash and gauges.. So for a parts truck I would say its a good price..

 

[1985 Ford F-150]

Yeah youd probly get ripped off pretty good. Id go for a different truck.

 

[Trucker_Eric]

ok, well, i might get it cuz i know a guy who can help me with the body work at school and i think it can be a good project for school, like i said im in the auto shop where i have all the tools. i need a project for my senior year but mostly i am looking for an old truck to drive around and not be afraid to beat it up.

 

[Mil1ion]

$300.00 with the canopy

 

[1985 Ford F-150]

Your time and money not mine.

 

[Trucker_Eric]

canopy? youmean the bed cover? if i got it i would scrap that, i hate them damn things...

 

[Trucker_Eric]

and Dan, you have to realize that im 17. i am just looking for the best in this truck not the worse, but i will take the advice you guys give me. my buddy is also selling a rust free, beat to **** 77 f150 custom with a straight six 2wd regular cab. 800 bucks for it, lol

 

[1985 Ford F-150]

Im 18 I know where your comin from. But I had to fix my 76 almost nonstop and I got sick of workin on it all the time and pourin money into it and it wouldnt show nothin for it so I dumped it for 800. If I were you id find a truck that some old guy has had on a farm or just used it for huntin trips or rare ocaisions.

 

[tanman722001]

That thing has too much rust.You will need to change almost all the sheet metal.Mainly you would have to find another Cab.And like alot has said the frame maybe to far gone in spots.Whick would mean another frame.

 

[5.0Flareside]

WALK AWAY VERY QUICKLY!!! just keep looking dude. im 18 and my old 82 F100 had quite a few minor problems that would never go away when i would fix them and i traded it and 500 dollars for my Flareside and i've dumped another 1k in my Flareside but the Flareside is worth it. find a vehicle thats solid and not totally rusted.

 

[john112deere]

I live in Maine and that things rusty enough I'd run, not walk, away from it.

In Florida, you can find better for a whole lot less headache, heartache, and expense than it will take to make that thing halfway decent, let alone nice.

 

[polarbear]

ok, well, i might get it cuz i know a guy who can help me with the body work at school and i think it can be a good project for school, like i said im in the auto shop where i have all the tools. i need a project for my senior year but mostly i am looking for an old truck to drive around and not be afraid to beat it up.

I look at it this way- there's "project," and there's "total restoration." A straight pickup with a few dents and a blown motor is a project. That truck looks more like a total restoration. The difference is about $50,000. Seriously.

Now here's where math comes in. My good friend is restoring a '70 Olds 442 W-30 Convert that started out in about the condition that truck looks to be. He figures the restoration, done right (but with a lot of work done by himself) will run about $50-$60,000. But he's also looking at a potential $75-80,000 car when all's said and done. His last project was a high-option '56 Bel Air convert, that sold in the six-figures.

Bottom line- you can't throw tons of money at something with little or no potential return.

 

[john112deere]

and Dan, you have to realize that im 17. i am just looking for the best in this truck not the worse,

Looking for the best not the worst will empty your wallet faster than you would believe.

I look at it this way- there's "project," and there's "total restoration." A straight pickup with a few dents and a blown motor is a project. That truck looks more like a total restoration. The difference is about $50,000. Seriously.

$50k would make it nice. But you're still talking thousands of dollars to make it drivable...if you do ALL the work yourself.