Crossing a line?

[thelastkeg]

I didn't really mean to collect this many Ford trucks.  They found me.  It started with my Papaw's 1985 F250 that my Mamaw gave to me in 2012, a few years after he died.  I was born in 1984, and he bought this truck used in about 1989-1990. It's very sentimental and brings back memories every time I see it and drive it.

A few years later we bought a cheap old 5th wheel camper and it was too much for my ex-US Forest Service Chevy 3500 with a 5.7.  So an older gentleman at church sold me this 2000 F-350 diesel for very little money.

In 2020 another friend at church inherited this 1986 F-150 that was needing freeze plugs.  He was a Chevy guy, and he knew how much I loved my blue bullnose, so he sold this one to me.  Due to y'alls generous help and information on this site, I've fixed quite a few of the issues with it.

Early last year I was out of town at a friend's house picking out one rifle to buy from his large collection of Lee Enfield rifles, and noticed a 95 F150 covered in dirt under a lean-to.  He was going to scrap it, so I bought it for scrap price. It was parked about 8 years prior for 2 dead fuel pumps.  302, 5 speed, interior is mint.

At some point during all this, I had been daily driving the F350 but diesel fuel got really expensive, so I cycled through several beater daily drivers for a few years.  Just buying and flipping cheap stuff that I never really liked, until a coworker approached me about selling his dad's 98 F150 with 112k miles earlier this year.  So I bought it.

Which brings me to November 2023.  The only truck that isn't currently roadworthy is the 95 which I haven't even touched yet.  The other day another friend at church told me his wife's dad died, and they were cleaning off some properties, and he had some trucks he needed to get rid of.  So for scrap price I bought this 390k mile 95 F150 with a tired 300 and a busted 5 speed, and this 85 F150 4x4 302.  And a 50's Ford truck bed trailer that I failed to get a picture of.  This 85 and 95 are destined to become parts trucks.  I had hoped the 85 would have a good body so that I could turn my burgandy 95 into a bullnose, but it's in terrible shape.  


Yes, I have a very kind and loving wife.  And no, contrary to what it looks like, I don't like red vehicles.  
 

[Gary Lewis]

You are a magnet for Ford trucks!  And, you must go to the right church.  

But I like your Pawpaw's truck the best.  

[BigBrother-84]

thelastkeg wrote

I didn't really mean to collect this many Ford trucks.  They found me.
[...]
Yes, I have a very kind and loving wife.  And no, contrary to what it looks like, I don't like red vehicles.

And, yes (I suppose), Alan you have plenty of space to keep them around and still have some piece of land "free of truck".

[salans7]

You have some great looking trucks!

I know the feeling. I've had the same daily driver Ranger (White) for 13 years. I'm it's forever home. I made the mistake of selling my 1980 F150 in 2017, and won't ever do that again.

Then came my 1990 F350 in 2019 because I missed the F150.

Then came my uncle's Ranger (Red) in 2020 when he was no longer able to drive.

I have another uncle in advanced age, and I'm likely to inherit his Ranger should he still have it at TOD.

I'm not the kind to sell, but I don't know what to do with that many trucks. It's a balancing act for sure.

[Gsmblue]

Enfield rifle, that brings back memories. I was born and brought up in Enfield, London and know the rifles and bikes and the locations of the factories. Spoiler - now been developed in to houses.

Anyway, nice truck collection!!

[thelastkeg]

salans7 wrote

I made the mistake of selling my 1980 F150 in 2017, and won't ever do that again.

src="https://forum.garysgaragemahal.com/file/n142723/370477340_10223535611993524_4761012164286872563_n.jpg" border="0"/>

I've kept an excel list of all the vehicles I've cycled through either flipping or parting out, and there's really only one that I regret selling, which has caused me to now hang onto a few more than I probably should.  But I enjoy them all, and have a lot less tied up in them than 1 new truck, so I guess I'll keep going for now.  I sure don't need this many but at least I can pull from my fleet when my two kids get to be driving age.  

Gsmblue, it's neat hearing that you were born and raised in Enfield England.  I'd like to vist England one day, and some of the WWII sites in Europe.  I wish I had bought into more surplus rifles before costs skyrocketed.  The M1 Garands are out of my reach.  I do have a couple of war-time Mosin Nagants I've had for years from when they were $100, a 1944 Lee-Enfield, and a 1915 M96 Swedish Mauser that my dad bought in the 90s when it was cheap too.  Too bad ammo prices have limited how often we shoot them though.  My 12 year old son killed his first deer over Thanksgiving break using the open sight Enfield.  

[mat in tn]

just reading up on recent posts and found this one "familiar". i too have a very understanding wife and a handful of trucks. mostly bullnose. but one of my "dailies" is a 93 flareside. by far my best mpg truck.  

[thelastkeg]

I'm still interested in getting an 80-86 flareside bed, the right one just hasn't come along yet.  Pull-a-part had a very good flareside bed with tailgate on a 95ish truck a couple of weeks ago.  It was tempting but I passed.  

Here's a picture of the old Ford truck bed trailer (no tailgate), and also a 1959 David Bradley Suburban (and an 87-91 tailgate) that I got from the same family recently.  I think I picked them clean except I still have to go back for a stack of angle iron and tubing that they were going to scrap.  

[mat in tn]

I have a soft spot for old truck bed trailers. my wife thought it was the most redneck idea I had come up with in years when I made mine.  mine needs sway bars badly. it follows me like one of those little duck toys with the egg-shaped wheels. be sure to be careful if you back that thing up. it's so short it will jack in a few feet.

[ArdWrknTrk]

Think about what this family has going.....  
You'd never pick them clean in this lifetime.

https://www.thedrive.com/news/house-with-nearly-300-classic-cars-on-18-acres-is-one-rough-diamond-for-400k

[Gary Lewis]

Wow!  The property is worth something, but all of those parts might be worth more - if you want to work for it.  

[thelastkeg]

Update on my hoard.  My 86 4x4 is now wearing 33s.  They rub a little at full lock, and certainly ride rougher, but I'm enjoying the look.

The 1995 F150 extended cab is 95% parted out.  Just a few miscellaneous small things left, and some of the frame.  But then I bought another Ford from a friend.  It's a 1994 F250 extended cab, with the 7.3 non-turbo and automatic transmission.  Was running when parked by the grandmother about 9-10 years ago.  Some rodent damage to wiring, and the windshield is loose which has allowed moisture inside.  Engine turns over fine, but is not getting fuel.  I'm expecting the windshield area to be rusted out, but I haven't investigated it yet.  The floor, frame, bed, and everything that I can see is not rusted out though.  I'm unsure yet if this one will be resurrected or parted out.  I've had a 1952 Chevy 1.5 ton truck sitting around for several years that could really use a 7.3 diesel....

[Gary Lewis]

I like 33's on an F250.  Just about right.  Makes that 86 look tough.  

But your 52 looks a whole lot better than my 50.  But mine is about to get a 235 to replace the cracked 216.

[viven44]

Nice Hoard/Herd!

This would be me living on some acreage. I've had to sell mine due to lack of room.

[thelastkeg]

That red truck with 33s is an F150 4x4 though, stock suspension.  

The 52 is in pretty good shape, I’ve had it running well enough to drive around the yard.  The brakes don’t even try to stop it.  The bed is a flimsy piece of junk, it is missing all glass, and most of the wiring is either missing or poor condition.  Just another project in the long list of projects that I may or may not ever get around to.  But I hope to one day.  

[Gary Lewis]

Ahh!  I thought the red truck is a 250.  My bad.  That probably explains the rubbing.

You are describing my 50.  There is no wood in the bed, little floor in the cab, and the reason it got parked in a field is because the brakes went out.

[mat in tn]

yes, the 150 4wd really needs lift and more wheel for that size. 31 is about the best fit with stock 7.5 wheels