Henry Rifle Forums

Been looking for an older simpler pickup. Wanted crank up windows, carburetor/distributor....you know, something I could work on. Found this 3/4 ton California farm truck 90 miles away. Solid with no rust and 106000 miles with a 350 engine and a 470 rear end. Needs a rear brake line a thermostat and a tuneup but was good enough shape to drive home without any problems. A little time and a little money but hopefully the last truck I need to buy.

Looks good for its age Ernie. And its in my favorite vehicle color white. How is the interior?

The bench seat was replaced with bucket seats. They are not comfortable and take up too much space so I am going to look for a bench seat. Other than that is is surprisingly good. It has a trailer brake system that I doubt I will ever use but it stays. Had two offers on it already but it is not for sale.

very nice find .... do hope you will post comments along the way

When pick-up trucks were trucks. Very nice find.

Four Speed Ernie or Auto trans.

automatic transmission. Thought I really wanted a standard to make it more theft proof but I don't mind not shifting. Toying with replacing the 470 rear end with a 411 to make it more highway friendly but really only plan on using it locally so it would be ok as is. Also checking out NHOU treatment before winter since it has not gotten the salt treatment from winter yet.

I was thinking with that rear end it has to be running some higher RPMS down the Hwy.

Very nice Ernie! Yep a 4.70 is a bit steep for the highway depending on the tire size. 3.70-4.10 would be great match for town and country.

Nice find Ernie.
It was nice when we could more easily work on our vehicles. Kudos to Ya!

That's a real nice truck, slap a 700R4 tyranny in it and you can really drop the rpm. Them old fuel systems don't care for ethanol you got a place to get straight gas ?

Looks Good... Always liked the older trucks... that one does look very clean for it's age.

I miss our old truck. It wasn't fast, but it would have pulled the house off the foundation if you asked.
The kids called it Bubba Truck. '80 Ford F150.

I bet w it the that tall-geared rear ended it gets off the line fast.

Sweet! Gotta love the ol'trucks! GREAT find!

The white spoke wheels look great with the white body. Will that rear wheel clean up or is it a rust/corrosion problem? The front wheel is nice and really compliments the white paint.

Hatchdog wrote: ↑

Mon Apr 17, 2023 9:56 am

The white spoke wheels look great with the white body. Will that rear wheel clean up or is it a rust/corrosion problem? The front wheel is nice and really compliments the white paint.

It's just dirty.

Back in the day I had the same year with a posi-traction rear end. I did a lot of gravel road commuting to work so I put studded tires on it for winter. When the going got ruff, V bar tire chains were added, then it was a tank. It had a great heater, and a decent ride, life was simpler (better) then.

Put a set of glass pack mufflers (Cherry Bombs) with side discharge dual exhaust halfway between rear wheels and the front of the box. It'll sound purdy without headers.

Congrats, that is a great find.

Our 80 Ranger F150 was a Camper Special made for the cab over campers. Had heavy duty suspension, dual gas tanks and a four speed trannie. Had the six cylinder 300 engine. Talked to a lot of guys that drove commercial vehicles... and they said the 6 cylinder 300 pulled better than the 302 V8 when delivering batteries, hauling heavy loads. Our trannie had a grannie low gear that was good only to about 6 miles per hour. But it would have pulled the house off the foundation.


When I finally bought a new truck and sold the F150, we had upgraded the running gear and put in a new crate engine at 400,000 miles. When we moved from VA to OK, the young boy who bought the truck was still driving it ten years later.

Great looking vehicle for it's age and has low miles to!

Been climbing around it some. Thinking it had taken a hit to the front or someone replaced the front fenders, doors and hood. Frame is straight and don't find any putty in the body. Going to do a tune up tomorrow and putter with it a bit. Solid farm truck. I am very pleased to have gotten it.