Look what the daughter bought

[1973grandeklar]

Well she had been wanting a vehicle for about 6 months and she will be starting college classes this fall at the local community college. Found this on CL:

1986 F150 with a 5.0L and automatic. Runs and drives asking $1000.





We went to go see it last night and test drove it. Offered $800 and the took it with no haggling. Well that got me a little nervous, but the truck did sound good and drove straight.

I drove the truck home about 50+ miles and had no issues. I am going to pull all the wheels and check the brakes, the front two tires are worn with little tread depth left, and the window channel felts are mostly ripped and missing.

Sure the paint is faded and some surface rust on the hood, but the rest of the truck is solid, interior is in great shape, transmission seems to shift fine, the motor is fairly clean (no major oil leaks), and no ticks/knocks/or rattles.




I have to add this to the story. My three children have now formed a club. My oldest son has a 1981 F150 that he bought for $500 and fixed up. My second son bought a 1981 F150 (seen in the background of last picture) and fixed it up. This 1986 is the same body style and nearly everything is interchagable amoungst these three trucks. My second son gave his sister the LMC truck catalog and told her "Welcome to the F150 club!" Makes a dad proud that siblings get along and share interests.

 

[Steven Harris]

You, your daughter and your sons have done well.

My daughter and I purchased a 1986 Ranger XLT 4X4 and spent time fixing it up for her college.

 

[73MustangCoupe]

Hey 73grandeklar, Welcome to the 7th Gen F150 club!

I've got an 86 F150 short wheel base, regular cab, that looks very much like the truck your daughter bought. Is your daughters truck Shadow Blue Metallic, code 7B?

Here's a picture of mine.



My father-in-law bought it new in 86 and gave it to me around 97 or 98. It started life with the 4.9L but I'm doing a frame off resto-mod on it, and it now has a 408W stroker. I lowered it 3 inches up front, 5 inches out back, boxed the frame, custom dual exhaust, eaton posi, etc. You get the idea. Currently, it's at Bay One Customs up in Springfield, TN for body work and paint, and I think I might let TC finish up the plumbing, wiring, and interior just to get it done. That way I can spend more time on the mustang.

 

[1973grandeklar]

Hey 73grandeklar, Welcome to the 7th Gen F150 club!

I've got an 86 F150 short wheel base, regular cab, that looks very much like the truck your daughter bought. Is your daughters truck Shadow Blue Metallic, code 7B?

Here's a picture of mine.



My father-in-law bought it new in 86 and gave it to me around 97 or 98. It started life with the 4.9L but I'm doing a frame off resto-mod on it, and it now has a 408W stroker. I lowered it 3 inches up front, 5 inches out back, boxed the frame, custom dual exhaust, eaton posi, etc. You get the idea. Currently, it's at Bay One Customs up in Springfield, TN for body work and paint, and I think I might let TC finish up the plumbing, wiring, and interior just to get it done. That way I can spend more time on the mustang.

Sweet! I have not decoded the truck for original color, but the inside of the doors appears to be a light blue. The truck is painted a black (and not very good at that). I talked to my daughter and we may just give it a quick spray in satin black, blackout the grill, and remove the badges. Do the whole stealth federal government vehicle look. About the only upgrade she would like to make in the near future is add a dual exhaust. It currently has a y-pipe into a single exhaust. Also, she would like to restore the A/C to operating condition. It appears to all be there, but the pump will not turn on. Will check, but my guess is the freon has leaked out.

 

[CZ-75]

I love that series of F150! Classic, tough look.

 

[73MustangCoupe]

Hey 73grandeklar, Welcome to the 7th Gen F150 club!

I've got an 86 F150 short wheel base, regular cab, that looks very much like the truck your daughter bought. Is your daughters truck Shadow Blue Metallic, code 7B?

Here's a picture of mine.



My father-in-law bought it new in 86 and gave it to me around 97 or 98. It started life with the 4.9L but I'm doing a frame off resto-mod on it, and it now has a 408W stroker. I lowered it 3 inches up front, 5 inches out back, boxed the frame, custom dual exhaust, eaton posi, etc. You get the idea. Currently, it's at Bay One Customs up in Springfield, TN for body work and paint, and I think I might let TC finish up the plumbing, wiring, and interior just to get it done. That way I can spend more time on the mustang.

Sweet! I have not decoded the truck for original color, but the inside of the doors appears to be a light blue. The truck is painted a black (and not very good at that). I talked to my daughter and we may just give it a quick spray in satin black, blackout the grill, and remove the badges. Do the whole stealth federal government vehicle look. About the only upgrade she would like to make in the near future is add a dual exhaust. It currently has a y-pipe into a single exhaust. Also, she would like to restore the A/C to operating condition. It appears to all be there, but the pump will not turn on. Will check, but my guess is the freon has leaked out.

If the compressor won't cut on, will the clutch engage and disengage. My guess is the compressor has gone, which means that you'll need not only a new compressor, but condensor, drier, and orifice tube. Fortunately, in these trucks, that's SOooo much easier than in something like a Focus. But it will drive without AC, so it's not critical, but it sure is nicer with it.

 

[rpmcarter]

THAT is a good buy!

 

[whitesoc]

Would love to find a deal like that for my son.....but here in Canada they are usually scrap at that price.