Talked to a guy i know but haven't seen for sometime today.
Still driving his 78 Ford pickup, so i asked him about this truck as he seems to have had it forever.
He bought this truck new in 78, 4x4, 302 stick, for $6900 with taxes in, (still has all the paperwork,)and has been driving it steady since then, now 36 years he has owned it.
This is the second engine, it has had two body jobs, still has the original trans and rear diff, same axle and trans seals, never been apart.
Front end still has one original ball joint! Truck still looks great!
This truck has been not only his daily driver, but also his shop truck for service calls etc., and has had a snowplow on it since new as he not only plows his garage/business yard , but several nighbours driveways etc
Retired mechanic now, and still plowing in winter with it and as he states one of his best buys ever.
Talked to a guy i know but haven't seen for sometime today.
Still driving his 78 Ford pickup, so i asked him about this truck as he seems to have had it forever.
He bought this truck new in 78, 4x4, 302 stick, for $6900 with taxes in, (still has all the paperwork,)and has been driving it steady since then, now 36 years he has owned it.
This is the second engine, it has had two body jobs, still has the original trans and rear diff, same axle and trans seals, never been apart.
Front end still has one original ball joint! Truck still looks great!
This truck has been not only his daily driver, but also his shop truck for service calls etc., and has had a snowplow on it since new as he not only plows his garage/business yard , but several nighbours driveways etc
Retired mechanic now, and still plowing in winter with it and as he states one of his best buys ever.
I love these trucks - especially for plowing and trailer maneuvering. Their short wheelbase is great for plowing in tight spaces and no 3-point turns are necessary for U-turns on most 2 lane roads. The awesome turning radius really comes in handy when backing up a trailer. You would think that the short wheelbase and higher centre of gravity would hinder it's towing ability, but I've done quite a bit of long distance car hauls with zero drama utilizing an equalizer hitch.
Great topic! Very informative - feel good story of the week! Thanks for posting!!!
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"If I could get back all the money I've ever spent on cars...I'd spend it ALL on cars !!!
I forgot to mention in the 36 years he has owned this truck he has replaced the U joints once, and 10?? years ago put a clutch and pressure plate in it.
HI SASQUATCH : That's a great service record your friend has enjoyed with his Ford truck -- Please pass on to him our pleasure in hearing his story -- LATER -- fleet 51
i had a 79 f250 camper special years ago. the only reason i got rid of it was i couldn't afford to feed the 460. i still remember driving thru the rockies with the 55 on a car trailer passing sports cars up the long grades. man that thing had power.
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There are 106 miles to Chicago. We have a full tank of gas, half a pack of cigarettes, it's dark, and we're wearing sunglasses.
Son in law is a diesel mechanic for the city. He tells me the diesel ambulances are starting to be phased out, going back to gas engines. This is also happening with the smaller city works trucks,, too complicated, too costly to maintain, and too costly now for fuel.
Can't imagine what gas engines they would get in those big one ton ambulance chassis, or one-two ton city works trucks.
