Need Help about a pickup

Since the cougar blew Ive been looking for a new vehicle.

So today I went looking at some trucks.

Found a 1984 F-150 4x4 extended cab truck.

It has a bit of rust of course, but it has these things done to it.

4 new tires
New Clutch
Engine with 20,000 miles
New Battery
New Fuel tank sender

The pickup is definitely and old farm truck but still looks pretty good.
It has tilt, cruise, 4 speed, captains chairs, center console. Big old 5 inch tach on the column.

The one problem it has is that the steering is loose. Can wiggle the steering wheel about a total of 5 inches back and forth.

I did look at it some more and had someone wiggle the wheel for me and I noticed a couple of worn tie rod joints.


Okay the price for the truck is 1800 bux, and the dealer that has it, is willing to take 1000 bux upfront and then carry the rest.

I figure the tie rods would probably cost between 100-200 bux.


So is this truck worth it or should I take the money and put it into the old chevy?

That needs 2 tires, a battery, and to be relicensed. (been sitting 2 yrs). Right now it only has 2wd on it but I do have a transfer case and transmission to put back in it.
There is a new GM 350 with about 20,000 miles on it.

What do you guys think?

What engine in the Ford? 84 was the beginning of the feedback carbs and they can be a pain in the butt. Is it a granny 4 speed or the one with overdrive? How does the front end sit? does it have the wheels tipped out a little at the top, or in. If they are noticeably in the front end is probably tired.

feedback carbs can leave ya stranded--i learned the hard way---if it's a 300 6 that issue could be remedied with the intake and carb off your 67

other than that what JB said is right on(i didn't know the little tidbit on the innee/outtee thing)


i don't think it would take a grand to put the 80 on the road and use it while you shop for a commuter rig

Tilt column could have loose screws or be worn out. A used column shouldn't be hard to come by. The carb thing could be a big problem. If it's a varible venturi unit walk, on second thought fuck the walking, run away from it.

Sorry, thought I put the motor on there.

Its a 302, with a regular carb.

The tranny seems to be the granny low 4 speed.

The tilt steering is tight, the play is when it goes down the road. I did look at it again and it looks like the tie rods are worn out.

At this time I think Im gonna pass on the ford, and put the money into the cheby.

The ford is a much better looker, and rides WAY better than the chevy.

Also I had realized that the engine in the chevy has 20,000 miles on a NEW GM engine, not a rebuilt one.

Thanks for all your input guys. I really appreciate it.

AlleyCat wrote:Tilt column could have loose screws or be worn out. A used column shouldn't be hard to come by. The carb thing could be a big problem. If it's a varible venturi unit walk, on second thought fuck the walking, run away from it.

I hear ya about those POS variable venturi carbs.

Folks had one on a Merc Grand Marquis, and it reminded me of a rochester Q-junk. Fine when it was new, but not worth a rebuild when its worn.