One of the drawbacks of modern vehicles is that nearly everything is controlled by computer. These onboard computers evidently now need regular software updates. Even if you own your vehicle outright, the manufacturer can charge you for updates, as I just learned concerning my personal truck. There is a solution to this madness. If you are looking for a reliable vehicle that doesn’t require costly computer updates, then check out this 1960 Ford F-250 for sale on craigslist in Livingston, Illinois. You will not find a computer chip anywhere in this truck. That’s a guarantee. The only obstacle may be the price. Is this truck worth anywhere near the $18,000 it is being offered at? Thanks to the unstoppable T.J. for the tip!
So, after a long day of work making money to pay the payment on this 2019 truck I have, I got home and promptly walked down to the mailbox to get the mail. I pulled said mail out and started going through it on the way back up the driveway. Imagine my surprise when I see a post card from Ford telling me that it is time to update my Sync Navigation. For the bargain price of $199, I can purchase an update for five years. If I need a USB to complete the update, those will be $40 per USB, and I will need a new one every year.
I don’t really appreciate that considering none of this was discussed with me when I purchased the vehicle. Evidently, I am not alone in this either. I groaned about this to a co-worker yesterday and he promptly told me that Toyota wants him to pay a per month fee to access the remote start on his new truck. Reflecting on this, two things stand out to me. The first is that the whole “you will own nothing and be happy” rumblings may have some truth to them. These companies want you to subscribe to everything. It is a way to get a little bit out of you every month.
The second thing to stand out to me is the idea that I need an older truck that is easy to work on. In my mind, a 1987-1991 Ford F-150 with a 300 ci inline six and a five speed would be about the perfect truck to live with for a long time. The radio could be upgraded to play from a smart phone. Everything else is unnecessary. Nice to have, but not crucial to getting from point A to point B.
To really get serious about divesting yourself from the shackles of computer control, you could really just fix up nearly any old truck that it is still easy to get parts for. This 1960 Ford F-250 may fall a little outside that definition, but it does have a lot going for it if you decided to return it to regular use. These are well built trucks that are designed to do hard work on a daily basis. Parts are still out there, and a drunken monkey with a Crescent wrench, a hammer, and a screwdriver can fix anything on the truck.
The only thing that would make me hesitate on this truck would be the price. $18,000 is an awful lot to pay for a truck with surface rust that is not particularly rare. Powered by a 292 cubic inch V-8 and backed up by a 4-speed manual transmission, this truck is currently running on a boat tank in the bed. While I like the idea of the fuel tank being out of the cab, there are better and more beautiful ways to handle this. Another concern would be rust. A look at the pictures reveals surface rust that should be taken care of. However, there doesn’t appear to be a rust through problem anywhere.
I can’t tell you why the price is so high. It is a long bed and it is an F-250. At this point, anyone buying this truck is looking for a collector vehicle rather than a work truck. Long beds are just more difficult to park and maneuver, but I can see the value in having one to pick up lumber on Saturday mornings at Home Depot. The fact that the truck is an F-250 may scare other buyers off. Bigger loads require stiffer springs, and unloaded trucks with stiff springs are a bit rough riding when empty.
Still, I can’t help but think I could make something like this truck work for me if I were able to find a job closer to home. Fuel prices don’t eat up your wallet much if you only drive a few miles per day. I can do without air conditioning, and it could be fixed with even my pathetically limited mechanical skills. I wouldn’t even need to rent a drunk monkey to fix it.
You cannot deny that new cars are miraculously more user friendly in every way. However, when we are getting to the point where you are on the hook forever to pay for certain features to work, then maybe they should give you the vehicle for free. We may be headed that way. Well, probably not the free part.
Am I out of touch with the modern world here? Are any of you thinking of an older vehicle as a daily? What are your thoughts on “pay for play” technology in a vehicle you have purchased? I would love to know what all of you think about this.
While I was taught never to gloat, oh dear, ( wiping tear from eye), Ol’ Howard had some merit to his ramblings after all. NOT TO GLOAT, I feel bad for folks like the author, spending half the post discussing how upset they are with the modern automotive world today, thinking, as a last resort, get an older vehicle, a seemingly win-win. Not so. ( BTW, Colorado charges $8 bucks extra per year on registration, for “age of vehicle”) It’s a familiar ring, something, being retired, I’ve outlived, my Jeep should take me to the bitter end, but I understand, a 30-50 year old vehicle for many just won’t cut it, due to our lifestyles. The argument is strong on both sides. One simply can’t argue the advantages of a newer vehicle. Regarding the added things they bombard you with, the old saying was never truer, “Buyer beware”. A commute with an older truck, isn’t so nice, trust me, fact is, it’s a downright PITA. Since most of these are geared for 1958, and dangerous beyond it’s design, you are a hazard to others behind you. Colorado has an unwritten law, 4-5 vehicles behind you, you must pull over, I kid you not.
I’m happily, no VERY happily done with the vintage truck scene, sold my squarebody for $2500( with a bad clutch), and I feel a plausible price. If this truck sells for $18grand, the hobby,,no the WORLD is in worse shape than I think. 1st big bump steer( a what, grandpa?) with that straight axle and no P/S, will make a novice surely take notice.
Well Jeff, we can tell what was on your mind as you wrote up this old Ford. A thought-provoking writeup, I’d say.
I’m with Howard on this one. I’ll quickly admit I like, no let’s say love, my newish F-150 for all its modern features and conveniences. I also love old trucks, but I would want one only as a collector vehicle. This old F-250 as it stands would frankly be a chore to drive more than occasionally, for short distances.
Businesses long ago figured out the subscription model is a good way to reel in then keep customers. Ever had difficulty canceling a Sports Illustrated subscription?
This truck is priced as, if it is a 1/2 ton short box.
I had one like this except it was a F100 – 292 – 4 speed – it was cool to drive around the city but you were always steering and shifting – I bought it to flip for $1800 – I put a set of used white spoked rims on it with good used tires and replaced one door hinge that was rusted and the battery and generally cleaned it up. Then I put it on craigslist and sold it to a guy in Germany for $5000, he shipped it from Littleton Colorado to Houston and then on a boat to Germany. This was 10 yrs ago but still $18000 is just wrong.
I think the price is wrong. Should it not be 1800.00 It is a long boc and very rusty, and that will always be against it. Of course if I owned it the price as listed would be about right!!!!!!!
Morley
Ignoring the price (way too high), and for whatever it’s worth, I’m still driving a 54 year old, 3/4 ton pickup. Referring to Jeff’s ramblings on new stuff, I’m not willing to have any of it. I’ll be driving my old pickup until ‘my end’, which I assume can’t be real far off. I won’t be subjected to ‘subscriptions’, big brother watching me, and all the other bs that comes with modern vehicles. And, from what friends tell me about their newer rides, my old pickup runs substantially cheaper, all things considered. And, even at my (advanced) age, I’m still running around 25-30K miles per year. I realize this is not for everyone, but it is working for me. (Oh, my concession to comfort… I have ps, pdb, auto trans, and a/c)
I agree with bobh – I dive a 97 Volvo wagon with close to 300000 miles on it I keep fixing what ever wears out – I do the work myself so far – but I also have a 2012 mustang with a V6 305hp 6 speed auto for any long trips I take. The Mustang gets 30 mpg + on the hwy – best I’ve gotten is 34 mpg but it still does 0-60 in 5.9 sec at sea level factory specs say. The Volvo has ps, pb, auto, radio, air it’s a great driving car and can haul some stuff with the seats down – I won’t be buying a $50K to 70K pick up in this life time.
When I see the Y-block in these, I have a Dr. Phil moment.
“What were you thinking Ford?”
Having the exhaust crossover in the front of the engine, right below the upper radiator hose.
They were thinking that it would work just fine. And they were right. I’ve been driving single-exhaust Y-blocks for 57 years, and it’s never caused a problem with overheating, hose life, or with anything else.
I couldn’t agree with you gentlemen
any more if I tried. Gotta figure out
how to fix my SIL’s Hyundai Accent.
Sounds like an alternator went bye bye. East fix, right? NOT! Can’t get my hands in there if my life depended
on it! Add to that, I was told that all
the tools and fasteners have QR codes on them that must match up
otherwise you can’t get the part off that needs replacing. How I long for
the good old days when you could fix
just about anything with a half inch
or 9/16 inch wrench or even a decent
pair of pliars!
Well this certainly brought out some objective points of view. For me a 60 Ford would not be my choice of an old pickup, but then Everyone makes their own choices. I agree about how they rip us off on new vehicles with hidden charges, but they do the same thing with laptops, I have to pay to get word 365 if I want to do much more that play solitaire. I did get a free word program but it’s limited as to what can be done on it. That’s just the world we live in. Like others I’m glad I’m getting close to the end of my life. My daily driver is a 2019 Ford Transit connect XLT. It has three row seating that hardly ever gets used. I don’t listen to the radio in any car so that part don’t bother me. I have a 1964 Buick Riviera that has all the creature comforts I desire, p/s p/b a/c p/seat and tilt steering wheel, what else do you need. Now I do have a 76 Chevy LUV PICKUP I’ve been restoring for about a year. It don’t have any extras except a/c. but it’s good enough for runs to the Home Depot which is basically the only thing I use it for. So, now it comes down to the truck that’s for sale here, I don’t want or need it but someone else might, I hope someone does save the beast, but know this straight axles have kingpins and if you’ve never changed any of them out get ready for some hard work as they do tend to get rusted and worn to the point it takes a lot of pressure to get them out. there is a trick but you must learn that on your own.
God Bess America
I have a rust free ’60 short bed. It has a Mustang II front end, power rack, vintage air, power front discs, 3-point belts, TMI seat, along with a new power train and 3.23 9″ rear. Even with all the mods it’s still not equivalent to a new truck, but it gets the job done, it’s fun and I use it quite often. Can I say the same thing about one in stock form? Absolutely not…….
Good write up, Jeff! Agree completely!
Like you, I join with many friends who desire the very same simplicity that can be gotten by driving old trucks and cars and motorcycles, etc. This site is ABOUT older vehicles and our relationships with them; how they interest us, bring us together and enrich our lives.
Not sure I understand those who seem to have turned their backs on classic vehicles in exchange for the comforts of the modern IN THIS FORUM. Good golly, what’s the point of that?
I love this write up I drive a 63 valiant every day just 225 slant six and pushbutton auto its a base car with no ps or pb with drums all the way around and not even a radio. I wouldn’t ever trade it for a new car ever If I drive easy I get 25-30 mpg. It just gets a set of snow tires for the winter. It’s a car that gets me from point a to b every time and I don’t think maintenance time is about the same from a new car things ware out or break they are just different parts. I just keep up on it and it rarely lets me down and when it does it’s usually my fault. The only problem it has is a slight tranny leak it just uses a quart every few months or so. I leave it because it forces me to be under the hood and check all the fluids and everything regularly.
What is that exhaust “cross over” tube for?
For burning your arm, mostly. Not sure what the idea was, maybe a clearance issue? Regardless, a muffler shop can make one, but try and find a muffler shop these days. Original ones have got to be getting scarce.
Where to find the muffler shop? In between the TV & Radio repair shop and the Fotomat. Look for the phone booth, right out front.
Due to the closeness of the steering gear and shifting linkages, the driver’s side exhaust was routed across the front of the engine to the passenger side of the engine compartment. My ‘55 F100 is the same way.
I owned and recently sold my 1960 similar to this but mine had a short box for $5500. Shipped it to KC.
I bought it in the late 99’s for a staggering $600 and it was a daily driver for years before it became a lodge truck, got a new paint job and nifty logos on the doors.
I never had any issues with it, it started every time no matter what but it was an SOB to drive. It wandered at anything over 40 mph and the lack of modern conveniences made driving it a focused activity.
At $18k that’s the I don’t want to sell it or let’s see who I can fudge price.
Not sure why some folks are saying steering and shifting are a PITA?! For sure, technology is killing the driving experience for some of us. I basically own the very same truck except mine is a straight six 223, still fun to drive and starts conversations where ever I drive it, and it continues to earn it keeps (not a garage Queen). As for the price, consider what a new F250 goes for. My 2 cents.
You got it right Jeff. But what I see most commenters missing is that your ideal would be a late 80’s, early 90’s f-150. A basically modern truck without any internet connect!
I recently bought a short bed 93 f150 for the same basic reasons. Do we really need an internet connected screen to get us from point a to point b!
My daily driver is a 94 w124 Mercedes’ wagon for the same reasons.
Oh and the 60 pickup is a nice truck. When I was young I had a 57 step side somebody had dropped a 429 into. King pins and all. That was a good solid truck that didn’t have any trouble keeping up with traffic once I had it sorted out.
I agree – I loved my ’96 F150 Super Cab 4WD/351,
but 12 mpg was too low to commute with.It was a really
nice driving truck,& probably one of the best Ford ever made.
A few years back,I had a ’68 F250 Camper Special.It was
a cool truck,but not fun to drive all the time.
I wonder how many people buy old trucks like this,pay WAY-
TOO MUCH for them,& then regret it a short time later,after actually
driving them?
It amazes me that anyone would buy something like this
off of the internet (again,paying a really high price) without seeing
it in person,& driving it.