Do you guys get fomo?

[MaD]

So I have my ranger but I would like to get an obs f150 or f250. I'm fixing up the ranger and I recently picked up an engine to rebuild to learn and have. But I window shop for other obs trucks on my down time. I came across someone selling an 1996 f250 with a 7.5 and manual for 3k. It's in good shape but needs work. Transmission is leaking, oil leaks, ac compressor is shot, minor rust but the truck seems to have good compression. I was gonna go buy it but I think I'm getting ahead of myself because I have my ranger and another project. But I have fear of missing out and I sure as heck don't wanna pay big bucks for one. I would prefer an automatic also. It's has 230k miles which is what scares me too. What do you guys think?

 

[superj]

If i have two projects, another one is not enough to cause issue since the first two really arent getting worked on anyways.

Its the city who gets bothered having all the peojects. Code enforcement, really

 

[Curious Hound]

You can't have them all. As mentioned, most of us have code enforcement to deal with and we can't have a bunch of rarely driven or undriveable projects sitting around. Further, it's just more financial burden that most of us shouldn't get into - parts, time to work on them, insurance and registration, etc. There will always be trade-offs or compromises. Auto vs manual, AC vs no AC, 4x4 vs rwd, 4-banger vs v8, solid axle vs. IFS or TTB. If you want "the perfect truck", you're probably going to have to build it based on something close. That brings us back to limiting the number of projects so you have time and resources to really get it done right in that one project you like best.

If you live out in the sticks and you're tripping over piles if money, buy them all.

 

[lil_Blue_Ford]

So, I love projects and good deals on projects…

But what are you trying to get an OBS for? My dump truck is a 94 F-350 with a 7.5L (460 CI). Every 460 I’ve ever seen has a drinking problem, both oil and gas. The manual transmission ones get 8 mpg around town and 9 on the highway, the auto ones get more like 6 mpg. The valve guides like to wear super quick and then it will start drinking oil through the valves. That’s the position I’m in with mine, the heads need to go to a machine shop to be rebuilt. Two quarts of oil per 120 miles.

I‘m at the point where I need that truck for cleaning up my property and building my dream. Plus a lot of other stuff. But if you want an OBS truck and don’t need something really big, one with a 4.9 (300 CI) is considered ideal. Tough as nails and puts out diesel type power numbers (pathetic HP but torque for days). The other common choice for reliability is the 5.0 (302). If you need big work and want some fuel economy, then you want the 7.3 IDI.

My 95 F-150 with the 4.9 and ZF5 manual does big work. I’ve put it through its paces. But it’s not legally rated high enough and it doesn’t have a dump bed so I need the dump truck too. But that mighty 4.9 is a workhorse. It doesn’t do anything fast, but the old joke is that it would drag a Sequoia up a mountain, both the tree and the SUV, at the same time. Which is probably true, lol

 

[sgtsandman]

It depends on where you live as to if you can have more than one project vehicle sitting around.

Me personally, I wouldn't have more than one. It's hard enough keeping up with the three fully operating vehicles at the house as it is. Having more than one project vehicle would just be too much.

Plus, it seems that some locations where having a few inoperative vehicles sitting around being ok, is no longer is ok. So, check with your local ordinaces before you pull the trigger. Otherwise, you could end up in legal trouble because of code violations.

 

[rusty ol ranger]

Personally....after being burned by a couple 460's....id look for a 351 (or even a I6) truck.

The power on a 460 is great...but the ones ive had have been problem children.

Plus...230k is quite a bit of miles (IMO) for any big block.

I know the "nice" obs trucks everyone flaunts about go for big money...but there are still quite a few respectable driver quality ones for somewhat sane prices.

 

[superj]

That 300 inline 6 is a great engine and will pull anything. I almost got an older 85ish f250 single cab and five speed for 1k dollars a few years ago because the old dude didnt drive anymore. But it was about 2 hours drive. I told them i was on the eay and they sold it to someone else while i was driving. It would have been my trailer pulling truck.

 

[ekrampitzjr]

Where I live the city used to allow vehicles without current tags in your yard as long as they were covered. That changed about 15 years ago and you cannot keep vehicles without current tags in sight. In a garage or carport out of sight is all right.

 

[Snoranger]

Another deal will come along… they always do. If you’re not ready to start and focus on another project, let it go. There’ll be something else you “really want”

 

[MaD]

Thanks guys! I think I'm doing the right decision by passing on it.

 

[avid]

Where I live the city used to allow vehicles without current tags in your yard as long as they were covered. That changed about 15 years ago and you cannot keep vehicles without current tags in sight. In a garage or carport out of sight is all right.

That's what I thought it was in my city too: that as long as it had a current registration its fine. But I learned the vehicle must also be driveable and complete when I got a tow notice for my ranger being up on jackstands in the back of my driveway.

 

[MaD]

That 300 inline 6 is a great engine and will pull anything. I almost got an older 85ish f250 single cab and five speed for 1k dollars a few years ago because the old dude didnt drive anymore. But it was about 2 hours drive. I told them i was on the eay and they sold it to someone else while i was driving. It would have been my trailer pulling truck.

Would the 300 pull a trailer with a vehicle on it? That's mainly what I wanna get a bigger truck for.

 

[lil_Blue_Ford]

Would the 300 pull a trailer with a vehicle on it? That's mainly what I wanna get a bigger truck for.

How big of a trailer and how big of a vehicle? And how legal so you want to be?

 

[rusty ol ranger]

Would the 300 pull a trailer with a vehicle on it? That's mainly what I wanna get a bigger truck for.

What kind of vehicle and what trailer?

My dad used to haul a 3 horse gooseneck with 3 horses in it all over the place with a 94 F250 (light duty) with a 300 and an auto, 2wd with a 3.55 gear. Itd pull it 65-70 on the freeway with no real issue. It didnt accelerate up ramps and stuff nearly as good as his previous 351W did, but it wasnt bad. From a dead stop it pulled it with hardly any effort....and it had well north of 200k at the time.

I had a 96 F150 with a 300 that i once pulled 10k of skidsteer with. It did it, but it wasnt real happy. That was a 4wd with 3.55's and an auto. However i did tow my 77 LTDII (4100lbs) on a 20ft car trailer (2300lbs IIRC) with it and it motored right on down the road with no issue.

So yes....i think youd be fine unless you were doing alot of mountain running or wanted to tow an excursion on a stupid heavy trailer.

Also...just a note...up untill i think 81 or 2 ford used the 300 (with a few tweaks) in trucks up to the F700 (20k GVWR). So they are capable of more then you would think. Plus they are beyond bulletproof...basically nukeproof.

The thing about the 300 is empty they feel pretty slow...but you hook a load on them and they are basically the same amount of slow.

 

[MaD]

How big of a trailer and how big of a vehicle? And how legal so you want to be?

View attachment 127760

Basically this! I want to get a dolly to start off with. Maybe eventually get a trailer big enough to put a vehicle on.