Looking for project truck

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Nick R

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Well, in the next month or two I'm looking to pick up a project car. I'm looking either for an old Jeep Wrangler or Cherokee, or possibly an older pickup truck. I am looking to spend $1,500 or less, and I want it to be able to actually drive it, though I may also use it for off roading in nicer weather. If it's a truck, it will be used for work in nicer weather.


I'm looking at possibly either an old GM Pickup with the V8, old (95ish) Ford F-150 sort of thing. Any suggestions as to what I should look for?
 
If you are keeping the engine stock, you could get an F-150 4x4 with the 300 I-6.

If you want to modify it, you are better finding one with the 302 or 351W, which have massive aftermarket support.
 
Originally Posted By: joegreen
what do you consider old,60s 70s,80s 90s 2000s



Early 00's, 90s... Basically depends on the condition and price. I would rather have a good condition early 90s/late 80s model than a piece of junk 00s model or late 90s. I would say that 85 would be the earliest I would go. We used to have a 1994 Sierra that I liked, something like that would be nice. Or a good condition Cherokee.
 
Originally Posted By: joegreen
what do you consider old,60s 70s,80s 90s 2000s
I was wondering that too. I don't consider a car older unless its 25 yrs old. I reciently got rid of my 73 international.
 
Originally Posted By: Chris142
Originally Posted By: joegreen
what do you consider old,60s 70s,80s 90s 2000s
I was wondering that too. I don't consider a car older unless its 25 yrs old. I reciently got rid of my 73 international.


Again, 80s, 90s. I'm more focused on general condition and price. This is a project/fun thing for me, so I'm setting a hard price limit at $1,500. If I can find something in good condition and it's an 80s model, that's ok with me.
 
Exploder or Trailblazer

I would wait for the price of gas to jump 30 cents in a week then buy it off someone with ADD for cheap.

I think Dakota1820 was thinking of dumping his F150 but the gas to get it from MO to NY would probably be a bunch.

I had a 94 mazda b4000 4x4 that was a cutie and cheap at $500 but just getting it up to spec was another $300 in parts... and I'm talking cheap stuff from advance and rock auto. It still needed tires to be a real off road machine.

32.gif
Life wants to equalize its challenges, now that you're comfortable in a new Focus you want to poke the bear a little.
laugh.gif
 
Originally Posted By: Nick R
Any suggestions as to what I should look for?


How about starting with what is available on Craigslist? That would be a good start...
 
Originally Posted By: ram_man
How about a power ram?
laugh.gif




No objections if I find a decent one and the price is right. It has to be able to get home under it's own power. That applies to anything though :P
 
Last edited:
Originally Posted By: dishdude
An 87-92 Comanche would be unique and cool! Finding one would be a challenge though.

My thought exactly. NickR can get his Jeep fix and have a utility truck. Plus, a nice Comanches catches my eye before any Wrangler, which around here, are a dime a dozen.
 
Originally Posted By: OVERKILL
http://albany.craigslist.org/cto/3685601324.html
http://albany.craigslist.org/cto/3685455881.html

A weapon, but it has the 7.3L diesel!
http://albany.craigslist.org/cto/3666527786.html

http://albany.craigslist.org/cto/3685257185.html

Comes with a new box (the one that is on it is dented):
http://albany.craigslist.org/cto/3684503974.html

Somebody else's project:
http://albany.craigslist.org/cto/3610957028.html

http://albany.craigslist.org/cto/3626737466.html


For starters
grin.gif



There's a lot of good scrap iron in that list... The junkyard might pay $300 for each of them.
 
If you can find a Jeep with an inline 6 4 liter engine that is in good shape, consider it because those engines last a long time, have timing chains, easy to work on, and good parts available. Good luck in the hunt
 
Originally Posted By: Nick R

Again, 80s, 90s. I'm more focused on general condition and price. This is a project/fun thing for me, so I'm setting a hard price limit at $1,500. If I can find something in good condition and it's an 80s model, that's ok with me.


You're probably going to want something no newer than a ~1995 to keep it out of OBDII. Old, high mile OBDII compliant vehicles and NYS's mandatory yearly inspections will empty your wallet quick.

How deep do you want to get into this thing? $1500 isn't going to buy you much and wrenching on an 18yr/old rust-belt vehicle is not fun.
 
Do you have the time, space, energy, tools or expertise for a 'project' truck? What is the end game of this 'project'?

JTK said a mouthful with this:

Originally Posted By: JTK
How deep do you want to get into this thing? $1500 isn't going to buy you much and wrenching on an 18yr/old rust-belt vehicle is not fun.


Put the $1500 toward your current financed vehicle and reward yourself with a project vehicle when the Focus paid off in full.
 
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