truck project

[Donald]

I am somewhat considering the following truck project. Vehicle is a 1987 F350 4WD with aluminum dump. Truck ran and was driven to the owners home. The cab was in rough shape so he swapped on a cab from a 1989 F150, and sandblasted and painted the frame. But they cannot get it started because of wiring problems. And after messing with it he is giving up. The asking price is $3300 but I think he wants to get rid of it and admits he is not an electrical guy.

So we have a cab with a different year, model and maybe different engine.

Also I cannot really test drive it. I am sure I could turn to engine over and check compression.

Then there is getting it home. Its about an hour away. I do have a 12K lb GVW trailer, but the truck was to pull the trailer. So I would need to give some thought as how best to get it home.

 

[eljefino]

Rent a uhaul box truck, they have trailer hitches. The 26k ones are only a dime a mile more.

Electrics can't be that bad. Do you have to pass an emissions inspection? Should be able to hotwire it just to hear it run.

 

[Donald]

I am pretty handy at electrical things as my Dad worked at Bell Labs and I have been using a VOM or DVM since before high school. High school was late 60s.

 

[TooManyWheels]

I'm trying to remember whether the 87 and 89 models had the same engine management. I think they did, but if not, is the 87 harness still available, assuming they swapped it away along with the cab? If the management systems are the same, or they retained the original harness, it shouldn't be hard to fix as it is a pretty rudimentary design.

I hope there is negotiation room on the price. It seems awfully high for a twenty five year old vehicle that can't even be test driven.

 

[Donald]

Originally Posted By: eljefino
Rent a uhaul box truck, they have trailer hitches. The 26k ones are only a dime a mile more.

Electrics can't be that bad. Do you have to pass an emissions inspection? Should be able to hotwire it just to hear it run.


I am thinking I looked at a UHaul awhile ago to pull a trailer and the ball was welded on and was smaller than 2 5/16". But that was awhile ago.

 

[Donald]

Originally Posted By: TooManyWheels
I'm trying to remember whether the 87 and 89 models had the same engine management. I think they did, but if not, is the 87 harness still available, assuming they didn't swap it away along with the cab?

I hope there is negotiation room on the price. It seems awfully high for a twenty five year old vehicle that doesn't even run.


I think he has the old cab, and I am sure there it a lot of room to dicker.

But even if I had a 1987 wiring harness, the dash is 1989 with its gauges and switches.

 

[DrDusty86]

Swap a 2 5/16" ball onto the Uhaul..

 

[OVERKILL]

Originally Posted By: Donald
Originally Posted By: TooManyWheels
I'm trying to remember whether the 87 and 89 models had the same engine management. I think they did, but if not, is the 87 harness still available, assuming they didn't swap it away along with the cab?

I hope there is negotiation room on the price. It seems awfully high for a twenty five year old vehicle that doesn't even run.


I think he has the old cab, and I am sure there it a lot of room to dicker.

But even if I had a 1987 wiring harness, the dash is 1989 with its gauges and switches.


They should be the same or darn near identical. My only question would be the engine harness, which may be different depending on which engine each vehicle had.

What engine is in this truck?

 

[Donald]

Originally Posted By: OVERK1LL
Originally Posted By: Donald
Originally Posted By: TooManyWheels
I'm trying to remember whether the 87 and 89 models had the same engine management. I think they did, but if not, is the 87 harness still available, assuming they didn't swap it away along with the cab?

I hope there is negotiation room on the price. It seems awfully high for a twenty five year old vehicle that doesn't even run.


The guy said it was a 460 (Ford).

I think he has the old cab, and I am sure there it a lot of room to dicker.

But even if I had a 1987 wiring harness, the dash is 1989 with its gauges and switches.


They should be the same or darn near identical. My only question would be the engine harness, which may be different depending on which engine each vehicle had.

What engine is in this truck?

 

[Donald]

I believe a 460 Ford.

 

[Zaedock]

I'd pass for $3300. I've seen comperable running trucks in Craigslist for that or less. Even if you have to drive longer to see it, messing with someone elses project is a motorheads nightmare.

 

[OVERKILL]

Yes, and the F-150 would have had a 300 I6, 302 or 351 in it. Which may explain the wiring if he tried to use the wrong ECM for example.

Not difficult to sort out however.

 

[01rangerxl]

I think the 460 may have still been carbed in '87, so that's something to consider. 1987 may have been a year where both a carb'd version and EFI version were available. I know carb'd and EFI 351s were offered simultaneously.

 

[Donald]

Here are some pics. What would an aluminum dump body be worth? (If it went bust).