I purchased this truck sight unseen from an eBay auction early 2020. It was the scariest click of the mouse I’ve ever done. Two trucks of the same model and nearly the same year had sold within the previous month and each earned bids higher than I could afford to compete with.

I’ve always loved the classic Ford bump and dent-sides, and nearly bid on a crazy clean F150 standard cab that had 3-days remaining on it’s auction when this Crew Cab came up for auction. Because I’ve never really won anything on eBay, I practiced on “how to win” on a few items under 10-dollars each. I ended up winning the auction with the highest bid — by $15.00!

But buyer’s remorse set in on delivery day when after being advertised as a great running truck, something was amiss. A simple test revealed such a wide variance in cylinder compression that I learned I had few options. If the engine was original I did not know, and neither did the seller claim knowing. Upon removal for rebuild I learned of it being rebuilt twice, and no possibility of rebuilding it a third.

With the engine out, I set out to repaint the engine bay while the machine shop did their work on a 400 we found with low miles. We installed flat-top pistons and a racing cam for some mojo, then properly complimented the engine with new Hooker porcelain headers offering a boost in HP and a respectable growl. The Weiand intake and Carter 4-barrel were in very good condition so I saved some costs there. In Idaho, it can get cold, but we have a few very hot months of summer where I’m kept very cool with the completely new, retro heating and cooling system. With an auto trans and 4WD, I’m ready for all and any terrain Idaho can throw at me.

While the engine was being rebuilt, I cleaned, scrubbed and brushed and sanded before painting the undercarriage. Once the balanced and blueprinted engine was installed and fired up, I needed to address the transmission. To compliment the new, engine, I installed a completely rebuilt, HD-gear transmission and new shift kit, while thoroughly servicing the transfer case and differentials, rebalanced the drive shafts and serviced all U-joints before finally dressing the diffs with HD Yukon covers.

The previous owner had the metal work, paint and interior upholstery completed prior to the sale, but LMC is helping me with the parts to level-up the interior and trim work needed to get her ready for the prom!

As a kid, I grew up with Chevy’s, and bloodied more that a few knuckles when I finally owned a few of my own, but I’ve always found the 70′ and 80’s era F-series truck-body styles to be very attractive and flat out boss! This is not my first restoration, but it is the first Ford vehicle I’ve ever owned–and I absolutely love my truck.

I hope you like it as well.

-Jason