Comparing F-100's to other half ton trucks

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slim_chance
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Comparing F-100's to other half ton trucks

Post by slim_chance »

I don't know if anyone posted anything like this before I tried to look but no thread was found. I suck at searching.

On to the direction I am going with this. I am comparing by my observations the situations that I seem to come across classic trucks from the big three.

Chevy- I seem to come across these always in the middle of a resto or customization either lowered or on monster size tires. They seem to be the easiest to get custom parts for 67-pretty much now than any other truck I have ever seen. So much that I being a Ford guy have owned a 71 once. I usually see them going for higher prices than I would pay for them. Completed trucks tend to have an insane price. Pretty much the truck version of the Comaro when it comes to popularity.

GMC- I realize that GMC and Chevy share a lot even from the same parent company. But from what I have seen of these from 67-at least the early 80's the GMC is the better of the two trucks. I find GMC's to be a lot rarer than the Chevys. When you find one that maybe worthy of resto or modding the owners want cazy prices for them. If you find a late 70's long bed you have hit pay dirt. I know a 77 GMC truck has been passed down through my family everybody wants the dang thing to include me. Most of these seem to be gone due to them being used as what they where marketed for (work trucks) or bad body rust.

Dodge- Most I find have been sitting in the junkyards so long they are not worth touching. I don't know what mopar parts go for these days but I know they use to be expensive back in the day. Where I am from the mechanics circle I ran is had a saying "You can build 2 chevy engines and a ford engine all together for what it would cost you to build a dodge" I have rarely seen a classic dodge on the street. Truck that is. Heck I cant tell the difference between a late 70's Dodge and a early 90's Dodge. I have come across a late 50's panel truck I want though.

Ford- My favorite of all trucks I still see so many classic f-100/F150's around. A lot are still on the job. I know a few farmers that just wont give up their old Ford farm trucks. I have learned these trucks are tough as nails. My best friend has a 70 short bed that use to be his grandfathers work truck when he use to be in the logging business. The old 302 is still in the truck and working just fine. When I come across these trucks they are usually not to expensive and are still running with original gear in them. My first vehicle was a 72 long bed that my dad bought in 78. I know what that truck went through. I never have seen another truck other than F-100's that could be loaded so much that the bumper is almost on the ground as often as these and still keep on working. Now I am lumping in the Mercury M-100's with the Fords because from what I have heard is they are pretty much the same truck and I have never actually seen a M-100 in person. I would love to have one though. I think the F-100's/F-150's are the easiest to get for a decent price and not be a complete wreck. Yest they cost more to lower or raise if you have a 2wd but I think its worth it and from my experience the old Twin I Beam suspension is a rock solid set up. (ok so I might be a little biased when it comes to classic trucks) :evil: I think the 67-72 are the best examples of these trucks.

I really don't know what started me on this post but there it is. These are just my observations. I could be completely wrong. I take criticism well. :thup:
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Re: Comparing F-100's to other half ton trucks

Post by MrMajestyk »

Excellent Post & a Fantastic Read :thup:

The only thing I'll comment on is the GMC, When acquired the intent was that Buick , Oldsmobile, Pontiac & Cadillac
dealerships could offer a trucks without carrying the entire Chevrolet line.

Except some trim differences they are the same right down to the ordering codes.
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Re: Comparing F-100's to other half ton trucks

Post by slim_chance »

MrMajestyk wrote:Excellent Post & a Fantastic Read :thup:

The only thing I'll comment on is the GMC, When acquired the intent was that Buick , Oldsmobile, Pontiac & Cadillac
dealerships could offer a trucks without carrying the entire Chevrolet line.

Except some trim differences they are the same right down to the ordering codes.
Thats good to know about the GMC. I in no way claim to be an expert on any of these trucks. The only reason I stated that is when my brother had to get a new Chassis for the 77 because the truck go rear ended by some on doing 60. He got a same year chevy chassis and we noticed the chassis from the GMC was heavier and had what appeared to be a beefed up suspension compared to the chevy one. Also been told that since the GMC was a special order company truck that it could very well be a 5/8 ton instead of a 1/2 ton even though it is a 1500. I never really heard of 5/8 tons before this truck. any one ever heard of these?
Thanks for the info though.
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Re: Comparing F-100's to other half ton trucks

Post by forrestbump »

I completely agree with your assessment of Ford trucks being the best, but I too am extremely biased.

The Chevy compared to GMC thing is moot these days but back in the mid 50's GMC's were manufactured with Pontiac V8 motors which offered more torque and horse power than little block Chevys, so the GMC was the better truck in that time period. Almost forgot, you could also get a 4 speed hydramatic transmission in a GMC but NOT a Chevy. Much better trans than a Powerglide.

...just an old guys observation...
1970, 2WD, F-250, C/S, Dual Tanks, 390 FE (of course), C6, Power Steering, Power Disc Brakes, Dana 60 3.73, Sky View Blue, Ranger XLT

1970, 2WD, F-250, C/S, A/C, Dual Tanks, 390 FE (again, of course), C6, Power Steering, Power Disc Brakes, Dana 60 3.73, Wimbledon White & Sky View Blue, Ranger (almost twin brothers!)

"One of the greatest discoveries a man makes, one of his great surprises, is to find he can do what he was afraid he couldn't do" - Henry Ford

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