Faults:

I just bought this truck, and I call him BRUTUS! He's tough! LOL, but I bought him for $800.00, and a manual choke was installed.

The breather was detached, and needed new plugs and wires.

The A.C. belt was missing, and other belts squeak bad at start up.

He stalls on a downshift too; I think it's the breather / vacuum or carb.?

There's a drop of oil every 10 minutes.

Brake line rotted.

He back fires out of first and second gear. Maybe distributor or timing?

Surface rust mostly, but bad at the rear wheel wells and in the side door rocker panel corners.

I will update ASAP.

General Comments:

I'm about to give a ton of TLC and a good chunk of money to invest in another 141k miles!

He's got that granny low, and will pull a double wide trailer! I popped the hood and I saw that straight 6... Had to have it, they outlast the vehicles they come with, plus the torque. I believe that's why they stopped making them; a conspiracy of the car companies buying out all the patents for fuel efficient and effective engines decades ago, and letting them out as if they were a new thing when the competition catches up... or the government steps in.

Either way, Brutus shall live on as long as I do. Preventative maintenance and good driving habits keep vehicles on the road. Take care of your truck, and it will take care of you!

Faults:

I own a 1986 ford F-150 XL Stepside with a 302 fi V8 engine with AC, love it, had it 23 years now.

Other than regular oil changes, a few batteries and distributor caps, and other small replacements, the truck's been great.

Horn quit 5 years ago, dash still good, all original, seat torn on driver's side last year, and a slit in floor rubber cover.

Original radio and speakers still work.

98% all original, prime shape..

I drive it daily... I think it has a lot to do with how you care for it. Still has original wood tongue and groove bed in it. Never had the problems others are having, so I can't help you there, sorry for your troubles though.

Keep on trucking, Joe Michigan.

Faults:

I have replaced all steel and rubber flex lines once, and the master cylinder as well as calipers, rotors and pads three times. Rear drums and shoes once. E-brake cables three times, but that should be regular maintenance.

Right, I have replaced the water pump once and had the radiator re-cored, and replaced shocks three or four times. Nothing else, and it still is a great truck.

General Comments:

I have owned eight pick ups. A Mazda, Toyota, Jeep and GMC as well as four Fords. The Fords are easy to work on, parts are relatively cheap to buy and the trucks do what is required of them. The GMC was 1968, and if GM's were still as good as that, perhaps I would have stayed with them, but Fords of the early 80's are one of the toughest there is right now.