build or buy?

[Cali]

My advice has been for quite some time to spend as much as you can when you purchase a truck - but obviously a properly-priced truck. You'll pay less in the long run doing it that way.

I say that because I've pulled trucks out of a field several times and it cost me more to get them running than what I sold them for. Because you can't initially drive those trucks there are always many more problems than you expect.

Looking at your list:

• wiring harness replaced: This won't be easy nor cheap. This, alone, makes buying another truck a consideration.

• brakes (in progress): Not terribly expensive and the parts are available.

• floor pans replaced: Not terribly expensive - if you can do it. But if you have to hire it done it can be costly.

• window crank gear: Also not expensive and fairly easily done.

• all weather stripping: Not expensive, and fairly easily done. Plus, almost any truck you find is likely to need this as well.

• cluster replaced: Ditto. Not expensive nor hard to do.

• ac system: This can really run into money if you farm it out. DAHIK. And if your truck doesn't have all the components then that is another push to buy something that is running and, hopefully, has working A/C.

• weather stripping edges: Not sure how this is different from the "all weather stripping" above.

• windshield replaced: This is something you really need to farm out and you are looking at $200+ to get it done.

So if you can find a truck that has good wiring, A/C, and little rust then you could swap your 4WD onto it and not only be money but also time ahead.

I bought a '95 ranger (supercab, 4x4, 3.0) for $200. It sat in a forest for 10 years. Literally had to cut down trees to get it out. (Thank God the windows had been rolled up).

New battery, 3 bucks in gas and it started and idled.

Sure the tires were rotted out from under it and the clutch disc/pressure plate was fused together but I was going to replace all that anyways.

Still has factory paint on the bottom side of the cab and bed.

Ran into a few unexpected issues (radius arm mounts wallowed out) but at this point I'm into it about $2k and have a truck that would pull an easy $5k on Craigslist or FB marketplace (thanks rockauto!!).

Know what you're looking at but don't be afraid of a "project".

We're talking about Fords here, right?

I have a 1966 with the original diff.

And the original FX transmission with just new discs and bands.