should I buy this 68 f100 short bed stepside w/ a 289 2v?

[roseplumbing]

pasted below is the link of a truck I am considering purchasing. I intend to use it for my drain cleaning business. My business is founded on "old style" service, and I want a work truck that will help show that kind of company image to my customers. I knew nothing of old ford f100's until this last week as I found this one near my home on craigslist. can someone tell me if this is a good truck to use for my purpose? also, I will be hauling a trailer that weighs approximately 1,000 lbs empty and a max of 2,000 lbs when the 200 gallon water tank is full. Also, I live in houston so it will be subject to Texas heat. I was quoted 1,800 to 2,000 to add an aftermarket a/c system, and it has no power steering. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Respectfully,
Andrew J. Humphrey
Owner, Rose Plumbing

http://houston.craigslist.org/cto/2406803443.html

[fordman]

that would be a shame to see a nice truck like that to be put to work towing and having a sewer machine or jetting system in the bed. you would also have to remove the roll pan to put a hitch of some kind on the truck.

[roseplumbing]

Only thing in the bed would be a $10,000 sewer camera system. Had plans to protect the bed. I'm just curious if the truck can handle it?

[fordman]

yes it could handle it as long as it hasnt been modified.

[Mancar1]

I would get myself a good looking work horse for under $3,000.

[Ranchero50]

200 gallons of water is @1700lbs. I'd look for a F250 just to keep the tail from wagging the dog and it gives a more serious 'workmanlike' appearance. The pricing on the 250's is better and honestly with the rear spring setup they ride nice. Look for power steering and disc brakes, or a ('70+) Ranger package truck that probably has AC.

Jamie

[ford4x4fun]

The truck would be an eye catcher for sure. Seems just a bit over prised but than again, how much would it cost to make a truck look that good. Your questions was could the truck handle it, yes it can. A giant tank of water would make it sag though. But the truck could handle the work.

[cowbay]

The price is fair. If it is complete and turnkey than it is not bad. I look at it if you are going to buy a truck and not paint it yourself how much are you going to save really. For me I was able to paint it in my shop and saved some money, I bought mine for $3K, painted in the shop and we did our own mechanical repairs, so I saved some money not alot thought.

As for the truck handling the weight I see no problem with that. The only thing I wold suggest is adding a set of air springs to supplement the rear leaf springs. That is what I did with my F100. With mine I find the truck to be no problem without power steering once you have it rolling a little bit the wheel turns fairly easy.

I love mine. I bought mine for two reasons 1) midlife crisis 2) Advertisement for work. People have mentioned to me that they see around and when I pull up to a customers house to do an estimtate we start talking about the bump first then the potential work. Great ice breaker. So my vote is go for it you won't regret it.

[91Bear]

The flaresides are pretty rare and a longbed (see above) would suit your purposes better, in my opinion. If you want that flareside, get it for a "fun" truck or show truck but I'd get something else for a work truck.

[71fordkid]

If I were you, I wouldnt buy it just because I woundnt want to subject that "rare" and nice of a truck to a life of working and hauling. You can find some nice longbed F-250's with power brakes, power steering, and disk front brakes for under 3k... Id honestly go that route.

[ford4x4fun]

AC units can be bought in a bolt on kit for about 800 dollars. Tomorrow sometime I will go through the ones I have looked at buying and sent you the links. It sounds to me like you want to use the truck as an advertising piece. No where in your post do I get the feeling that you want to beet the truck to death and take away from it. Honestly I can't think of a better life for this kind of truck. Being used for what it was meant to do WORK. Power steering you can get easily probably off of members on this site. There was a 58 ford posted awhile ago that a guy uses as a welding truck. They will do the work, and if you keep it nice it will be a great advertising piece. This is all my would an F250 do a better job yes it would. But this truck would do the job too!