350 Bump Dump

[67 ford f100s rule]

So I was on craigslist for my town and I found a posting for a 67 F350 with 352 and 4 speed. I called the guy yestertday and went to take a look at it. I am thinking about buying it. The truck has been used and abused but the engine has been rebuilt and the brakes are all new. The dump bed works well and the tranny shifts good. I am really thinking about buying it. I am thinknig that if I can score it for 1000 then it will be a good deal. Anyone on here think that there is any problems I should look for in particular?

[robroy]

Good day Jeff!

Generally speaking, the main problem you should look for is RUST! Here's a thread I started long ago to ask about the most vulnerable rust locations on Bumpsides:

What key areas of the cab get rusty?

I think it also wouldn't hurt to crawl around under the truck, looking closely at the frame. Make sure it hasn't been cut up or bent or modified in any weird ways. That type of problem could be truly awful to correct later.

If you're thinking of working with the truck right away, I guess you'll want to check out the bed's dump mechanism too.

Maybe my #1 suggestion would be to take a nice camera with you (borrow one if need be), take photos of everything, and post here on FORDification for feedback before making the purchase. I know it can be hard to wait though--especially when you "get the hots" for an old truck! You don't want it to "walk away" on you.

Robroy

[Bumpside Collector]

I don't think there are any problems other than the normal associated with these trucks. Look at the rims to see if they are the originals. Here a couple of threads that might help with that:
http://www.fordification.com/forum/view ... els+coined
http://www.fordification.com/forum/view ... ed#p535804

I love my 72 F350! It is a real workhorse. I have a parts truck that I am removing the dump mechanism from to put on my Bump to make it Dump. I loaded 2.5 yards of topsoil on it and it did good. I think another half yard would have been too much though.

[67 ford f100s rule]

Thank you for the advice guys. I took a look at the frame and underbody. The current owner said he shortened the frame. It looked like it was done well.(It was hard to find the weld). The cab mounts are toast. But I already have a complete floor I want to put into it. He operated the dump and it worked well it is clear that the pto and hydros are working pretty good. The engine has been recently rebuilt and has a brand new holley 650 topping it. I drove the truck around his pasture and it shifts well. Its got a couple problems but I think it will do the work I want to do with it until I can afford to restore it and modify it. When I can I want to do a 4 wheel convert on it and then maybe replace the 352 with something else.

The tires on the rear are brand new. The seller says he has new rims to put on it since the old ones are pretty rusted. If it is still around when I come into my graduation money, Then I am thinking it is going to be mine.

[robroy]

Good day Jeff!

I think you'd have lots of fun with this truck regardless, and I don't want to sound like a "wet blanket," yet the fair value of an F-350 with a modified frame and toasted cab mounts may be much less than $1,000. I'm not sure how often you see Bumpsides for sale in your area, or what condition they're typically in, yet if you plan on keeping this F-350 long-term I suspect you'd be better off looking for a more original and preserved truck.

Also as you know, there doesn't seem to be any simple and economical way to convert a 4x2 Bumpside to a 4x4, other than basically replacing its frame, suspension and driveline with 4x4 parts, at which point you've basically replaced the truck (only keeping the body).

But often having adventures and experiencing things is a lot more fun and important than trying to be selective and efficient.

Robroy

[67 ford f100s rule]

Good day Jeff!

I think you'd have lots of fun with this truck regardless, and I don't want to sound like a "wet blanket," yet the fair value of an F-350 with a modified frame and toasted cab mounts may be much less than $1,000. I'm not sure how often you see Bumpsides for sale in your area, or what condition they're typically in, yet if you plan on keeping this F-350 long-term I suspect you'd be better off looking for a more original and preserved truck.

Also as you know, there doesn't seem to be any simple and economical way to convert a 4x2 Bumpside to a 4x4, other than basically replacing its frame, suspension and driveline with 4x4 parts, at which point you've basically replaced the truck (only keeping the body).

But often having adventures and experiencing things is a lot more fun and important than trying to be selective and efficient.

Robroy

I see what you are saying. the only problem with the area I live, Is that all the bumps that are in relatively good shape are all overpriced. I have been trying to find a nice hauler bump F-350. I think you havejust proved to me the 4 wheel drive convert isnt worth it. I know I will have fun with it and that I would be hard pressed to find something I couldnt reasonably do with it.

[robroy]

Hey Jeff!

Yeah that makes sense! If you want to have fun and give it a whirl, then yeah just run down and buy it!!! And you're right; it would take a tremendous load to make a Bumpside F-350 struggle; I think many of them had 10,000lb GVW ratings.

Robroy

[Bumpside Collector]

Mine has the 10000 GVW and the only time it was working hard was when I had the topsoil on it. I have hauled off trailer loads of scrap without any trouble at all. The truck really needs about 500 pounds on the bed to smooth the ride out! Did you notice if the rear axle had shocks? That seems to be a rare option on DRW F350's.