Tetanus Shot on Standby: 1973 Ford F250 4WD
Every once in a while, we post a Barn Finds story about a former volunteer fire department vehicle. The farther out in the country, the better chance that VFD is making do with a vehicle or two that was new when high-button shoes were still in style. Usually, these vehicles are well-maintained and have relatively little in the way of miles. Despite this care and lack of use, problems can lurk under the surface. This 1973 Ford F250 for sale on eBay in Manassas, Virginia is a perfect example of a piece of fire apparatus that looks great on the outside but has problems underneath. Would rust damage in the floor and door sills spray cold water on your desire to own a running and driving heavy-duty four-wheel drive? Is the $2,650 current bid fair for this bright red brush truck?
In the seventies, competition between the sixth-generation Ford F-Series and the third-generation C/K Series trucks from General Motors was fierce. Both companies put out great trucks in an era when trucks weren’t as widely used as solely personal transportation as they are now. These were trucks built for work, with creature comforts and nothing else describing most sales. You could order a highly optioned truck, but seeing one was rare in the early seventies. As the decade wore on, the truck market started a slow metamorphosis into what we see now.
One of the drawbacks to trucks of this era is that pristine survivors are few and far between. Most of these trucks were driven into the ground. They were expected to earn their keep, were rarely garaged, and as they passed through a succession of owners, the elements and continued abuse took its toll. Once they entered the junkyard, all of the parts that wore prematurely or were needed to keep other trucks on the road were scavenged relentlessly until the remnants had a date with the crusher. Another factor to consider was that rampant corrosion was a problem for nearly every domestic car and truck of the era. I have never been given a satisfactory answer to why the steel of this era was such a welcome home for rust. What was going on with U.S.-produced steel at this time?
I am sure some of the vollies who have had to use the 1973 Ford F250 you see here have asked that question a time or two. The seller tells us that this otherwise running and driving truck is in good condition for its age. The big exception would be the floor and door sills on both sides of the cab. As you can see from the picture above, the rust damage is extensive. There are other spots on the hood and elsewhere where rust is becoming an issue on this repainted truck. It is the cab, however, where the most damage is located. The seller will include new panels that were intended for the truck with the sale. However, one cannot imagine that this will be anything but an extensive, cab-off repair.
The good news here is that this is otherwise a very solid F250 that runs and drives. It comes with a Knapheide service body and a working winch, both of which may find new homes if the buyer decides to convert this into a regular F250 with a bed and a conventional front bumper. It is powered by a 360 cubic inch V-8 and backed by a manual transmission. This four-wheel-drive truck has benefitted from a rebuild of the braking system and has two batteries installed due to the winch. While it still proudly wears its VFD badging, the wiring to the siren has been disconnected.
In all, this is certainly a project. The 22,120 miles on the odometer may be authentic, as most trucks used in this type of service usually never roll past 100,000 miles while in service. The service they do see is rough though. Being a brush truck isn’t easy work and rarely calls for travel on paved roads. This would be a good truck for someone with a parts truck lying around to do some transplanting. Perhaps they could start by replacing the later wheels with a proper set from 1973.
Bidding at this writing is at $2,750. Do you think this is a fair price for an otherwise good truck with rust issues such as this? How would you proceed if this was your truck? Please share your thoughts in the comments.
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Comments
Would be a cool rig IF you could find a replacement frame,
& do the swap yourself.
I bought a ’95 Dakota in Manassas.A couple of years later I
had the steering box pull off of the frame,& a rear shock top mount
break because of the rust.
After looking at the pictures again,I think I’d run from this thing.
You’d end up replacing almost everything on it.
I wonder how this ever passed Virginia’s annual inspection?
They must have passed a bunch of caustic fluids over this truck during its firefighting years. We bought one that was a brush truck with a foam tank mounted on it. Had all of the pumps and fittings with it too. Surprisingly the only rust was in the tank system so the frame and body were ok. Got it for 1800, and sold it a couple of years later and made a few bucks.
The ACB( air cleaner bandit) strikes again. I picture a room full of errant air cleaners, and the bandit laughing with glee. It’s one of the single most important pieces to an ICE, clean air is a must.
You know, regarding the banner headline, “tetanus”, in all my years of working on rusty vehicles in all types of dirty situations, ( farms) and hung around others that did the same, we all had PLENTY of gouges, cuts, and what not, and never once did I ever hear of anyone contracting tetanus. Oh, we’s satisfied mom after almost taking our finger off, to get a shot, but I just never heard of it.
There’s no question the sturdiness of this truck,,when new, but it’s had a rough life, and not good for much as is. If the rust is near the front cab mounts, they can be replaced, but a big job. Not sure what to do with it.
I always hope the air cleaner was merely removed for the photo then replaced. My Dad always said never buy a car someone was running without an air cleaner.
Back in the early 70s I worked at an American steel mill in the Detroit area. When the cars of the time started to rust, my boss was quick to blame the auto companies for importing some ‘cheap’ steel from France. Whether it’s true or not, idk. He might’ve just been placing blame elsewhere. Oddly enough, it wasn’t limited to Ford. All of the ‘Big 3’ had corrosion issues in the early/mid 70s.
In my neck of the woods in rural New England, this truck would be a prime candidate for replacement floor pans and some cab mounts. Low miles, solid frame, and good running gear would definitely make this one a keeper. I have started with worse to resurrect a good work truck, and with more mechanical and operating issues as well. How different expectations are in different geographical areas. I hope someone will be able to keep this one on the road, perhaps with a Southern replacement cab.
I’m not far away from Warrenton VA. Which is where this truck was out. I’m former Warrenton 1 Co. Wow it’s sat there is rust. The GMC which one was newer. Sad to see. I don’t have the funds to fix. Co.7 I saw and would love that but… I can’t do that kind of rust.
Batesville here
Then you know what happened in 1989 at Co. 7. I was known what happened when I was in the Marine Corps. I would not mention the fact. But the truck was on the route that late in that accident. I have was told by my mother on the call.
” rampant corrosion was a problem for nearly every domestic car and truck of the era.” I guess you never saw any import of the same time ? they just about dissolved if you got them wet
West coast guy here, Sorry I don’t buy in on the steel is bad idea, if that was true we would not have all these rust free vehicles out west. We don’t salt the roads out west in most areas and as long as your not driving on the beaches our vehicles stay free from any major rust. But that being said, old 4×4 pickups are always in demand so I hope someone will give it some love.
In the 70’s, Ford was using LOTS of scrap/recycled steel, cars and trucks just rotted out right up to the roof gutters. My dad’s 68 f250 4×4 was no exception. Every model Ford produced had horrible rust/rot problems, even with extensive expensive so called undercoating and rust proofing.