F150CANADA

So you're thinking of buying an Old Body Style Ford...
or you already bought one and you're wondering where to start to get it ready for the road.  This website is designed to highlight 1992 to 1996 (9th generation) trucks but the basic principles apply to most trucks. The prices for these vehicles can range from $1500 to well over $20,000 and the amount of in-depth checking you need to do can vary as widely, but we'll cover the basics of what to be looking for on an average truck in fairly good shape in the $3500 to $5000 dollar range. Don't expect to buy a truck with a mint body and no mechanical issues in that price range - it does happen, but very rarely so to expect that is being a little unrealistic.
 

Body: This is the first thing to look at very closely. If the truck still has the original paint on it, that's a bonus: at least nothing's hidden. You can expect to see some rust; usually the rear wheel wells, the bottom of the front fenders and the very back corner of the door sills are the first places to get it. Depending on what you plan to use the truck for, this may or may not be an issue, but body and paint work can be very expensive, so keep that in mind. The really serious places to have rustout are the cab mounts, the rails underneath the box where it's bolted down and the rad saddle mounts at the front. These 3 places commonly rust very badly and they're not an optional repair - it won't pass a safety check if the body isn't securely mounted to the frame.
 

Frame: Again you can expect to see rust, especially from the rear wheels back. Light surface rust or even a heavy coat of it is common - big ugly chunks of rust that are falling off it are a real warning sign that the frame may be getting weak. Check all the mounts for serious rust especially the rear spring mounts, which commonly rust out. They can be changed, but it is another expense - and again, it's not going to pass a safety until they're fixed. Also inspect it very closely for cracks, especially around the steering box and engine crossmember.

 

Driveline: Unless you're shelling out big money for the truck, in which case it should be going to a shop for a complete inspection (not a bad idea anyway), there's not a whole lot to do here except listen to it start and run and see if you can hear any funny noises at all that don't seem normal, then you can check that the oil doesn't look too dirty, check the transmission fluid for serious discolouration or a burnt smell and maybe  take it for a drive around and see if it feels like it's all operating normally. Flashing lights or lights that stay on on the dash are an indication of a problem. I have heard people talk about running compression tests etc. but in the real world, not too many people are going to let you start messing around under their hood with your tool kit in their driveway. Just not going to happen.

 

Fuel System; Gas tanks, fuel lines and filter should be given a close inspection for leaks. If the tanks are new, good - if not, you may end up having to change one or both. Have a good look at the fuel filter - does it look like it's been changed recently ? If it's old and rusty it tells you more than that you need a new one - it tells you how well the truck has been maintained. Checking out the rest of the fuel system is just not really a driveway job.
 

Brakes: First off, any steel brake lines that aren't new probably need to be changed. A 25 year old rusty steel brake line is a leak waiting to happen. Rubber brake hoses can't have any cracks to pass a safety check but they can also deteriorate (swell) on the inside which is going to affect braking. The front and rear brakes themselves have to be in tip-top working order to pass a safety; you would want them that way anyway. Even if they're still working good you might put new ones in your budget. New brakes are just one of those expenses of driving.

 

Tires, Exhaust, Emissions; These kinds of things, if they're new - great, That adds value to the truck. If not, they may pass inspection and be ok for a while but you'll probably be changing them out in the foreseeable future. For emissions, make sure that the catalytic convertors and other emissions equipment are still there, check for lights on the dash that indicate an issue (check engine light).

Those are some of the main things to look at on these trucks.

 

In General Buying Tips; don't wear your best clothes to go look at an old truck. Take something to lie on. Bring a flashlight - that's the best tool to have with you. Ask pertinent questions, listen to the answers and don't get sidetracked with storytelling. Remember that appearances can be deceiving - an old farm truck may be a little dirty inside but it may well be better maintained than anything else you'll look at. But mostly, take a good look at who you're buying from - I'd sooner buy a used truck from someone's grandfather than their teenager; not only will they have a different driving style but they will probably have a completely different set of priorities when they think about what's important when it comes to maintaining a vehicle.

 

Lastly, price: Sometimes it's better to pay more for a truck that's already had the necessary upgrades done to it, but if you think the truck is overpriced for it's condition, don't be afraid to offer what you think is a fair price. If you keep it close to reasonable, no one should be offended. After all, you ARE going to find things wrong with it later that you didn't see. That's just the way it goes.

On the other hand, if the truck is in extremely good, well maintained condition and fairly priced, just pay the man his money.

And if the truck is in too bad of condition to make it worthwhile or you feel it's overpriced, just leave it right where it is. You don't have to make up a story, just say "thank you for showing it to me, I don't think it's what I'm looking for". Don't be in a hurry, there are thousands of these trucks out there, there will be others to look at.

This is one of those situations where patience can really pay off - when you find the truck you really want, it will have been worth waiting for.