Rebuild the old vs. Replace with newer

[turkeyfeather]

I have ran into a dilemma that I can't seem to decide what to do. I have a 1978 F 150 supercab 4x4. This was the fully loaded lariat with all the options at the time (so it's not tht common of a truck). Iabsolutely love the truck that my family affectionately calls "the beast". Here's my issue....we have recently decided that we want to purchase a travel trailer (not a huge one, 22-24 ft), and I have three boys. I am not sure if I should spend 5k-7k to fix up the old girl or just look at a newer truck. I know newer I would get much better mpgs, and 4 doors. However there is something about keeping an old Ford on the road that I take some pride in. What to do?

[jackelope]

Reliability, mpg's, room for the family for road trips, etc. I'm not sure what your budget is for a new truck. The beast will run you through a couple hundred bucks in gas towing a trailer a few hours round trip.

[jackelope]

It's a cool truck though.

[b23]

I would vote to preserve/rebuild the one you have.  When I was a kid my folks bought a brand new 1979 F350 Lariat 4x4 supercab.  In high school I had a short bed F150 4x4.  Both had the 400 motor with AT trans.  The one I had was used when I bought it in 1986 and I'm not sure if I was 2nd or 3rd owner but the ONLY thing I ever had to replace in the 6yrs that I owned it was the radiator, battery, and the pos. battery cable.  My dad owned his from new till 1996 and never had to replace a single thing.  He did put the Edelbrock Performer cam, manifold, and 4 barrel on his which made a pretty significant improvement in power, especially pulling power, and didn't change gas mileage.  Not sure what motor yours has but any of the 400's I've ever been around were 10-12mpg and it didn't seem to matter a great deal if they were loaded, towing or empty.  Reliable? Absolutely! Great gas mileage getter?  Not so much.  But, one of the things I really miss about those older trucks is there wasn't anything I couldn't fix, replace, or work on myself.  And, there is just something about the square headlight 78 and 79 Ford trucks I've always really liked and I really miss the ability to work on my own stuff. 

Creature comforts of the new or newer trucks is certainly nice and I don't think I'd want my old 79 with its 6in. lift and 38 Super Swampers as my current daily driver but if I already had one and it was our 3rd vehicle, I would have no problem spending a few thousand dollars fixing it up to be my tow rig or camping vehicle.  And, for what it's worth, unless you have a diesel, none of the new or newer gas trucks get very good mpg when they are towing.

[aaronoto]

Buy something newer but keep this truck and repair it as time/money allows.

My grandpa bought a 1971 Ford F250 Camper Special new that's still in the family, "old green" as it's affectionately called.  I've had many fond memories as a kid hauling the trailer over to Moses Lake in that thing.  I helped my dad rebuild the engine, it's been stolen and was later recovered, we blew a head gasket in it coming back from a camping trip, and I can remember as a teenager hating to drive that thing because it could be so finicky to start!  Lots of good memories….. My dad bought a newer F150 several years back now, but still keeps "old green" around for quick trips around town.  When I get the space at my place I'd like to do some body work and repaint it.  I'll pass it down my son when he's old enough and we'll keep it in the family until we can't get parts for it anymore or it gets wrecked.

[Alchase]

I would keep your 78 and make it a project truck

If you have the funds, there really would be no comparing the drivability of the new over the 78.

But that 78 would be an awesome project to completely upgrade the running gear and motor, brakes, deck out the interior, but leave the outside just as it is, just throw a few coats of clear coat on it and call it good, lol

[turkeyfeather]

It does have the 400 in it. I could only wish to get 10-12. I currently get about 8 mpgs. It is the camper special as well so it has the factory dana front and rear ends and tranny cooler. If I do keep it I plan on redoing all the running gear, interior and beefing up the brakes. I actually wanted to get a nice paint job and new race track trim, but my wife said no. She said if I keep it, it has to stay camo. Was thinking of maybe replacing my wifes 17 year old Caravan (198,000 miles  ) with a newer truck and have both. 

[HillSlick]

I vote you rebuild the old, just because I doubt you'll find very much in the way of newer for 7k or less, Ford Rangers go for about that, and while they're great they have a little 4.0 lol

Or As has been mentioned find somethin and keep that beauty for a project,


"WAIT! Looks dangerous...you first"

[huntnphool]

Why do you have to choose, why not do both?

[sled]

It's a cool truck though.

[raydog]

If your are only looking to spend 5-7 for a rebuild or a new truck, I vote for the rebuild. The truck might pay it's self off by getting more valuable as she gets older. A fresh 400 with a few upgrades will tow the trailer. Have you looked at the self tuning Efi systems. They are very spendy but they should pay for themselves by getting you more power and better MPG . I always thought they were neat but have no experience with one.http://www.edelbrock.com/media/news/2012/automotive/103012.html
I think tis is the one I saw on powerblock. But they are VERY EXPENSIVE!!!!!

[Special T]

YOU HAVE 3 BOYS! What a great opportunity to teach your kids about vehicles and their Maintenance, How they work etc. If you want a newer truck buy one, but  get your boys "helping" so that they have a rig when they can drive.

[raydog]

YOU HAVE 3 BOYS! What a great opportunity to teach your kids about vehicles and their Maintenance, How they work etc. If you want a newer truck buy one, but  get your boys "helping" so that they have a rig when they can drive.

[TommyH]

For 5k to 7k you could
Do a lot to your current truck. You could drop a Cummings motor/tranny in it for less than that.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[ballpark]

Spend the money on a new engine, the money you will save in gas will pay for your brake upgrade.  A new engine will at least double your MPG.  Besides you already know everything about this truck and its payed for.  Just my 2 cents.