Shared by @donarrhenius. The timeline and plans reflect the owner’s original account.
Don bought his 1971 Ford in April 2023 after a search that included driving from Idaho City to northern Idaho and returning empty-handed. The truck he finally chose was much closer, in Caldwell.
He reported that its first owner bought it new at a Portland Ford dealership in 1971, kept it for years and passed it to his grandson. Don bought it from the grandson with 88,000 original miles reported. A dealer-installed winch still had its original manual. Don’s account describes the original 360 becoming a 390 through the grandfather’s engine work; his wording is retained below.
The work and the years behind it
New top-end gaskets, re-arched front springs and bushings, repaired gauges, batteries and a fuel pump were the first jobs. Some rust remained, but the interior was good. Custom steps, polishing and drives around the hills were the plans he shared. He already loved it.
Read the owner’s original account and build details
Truck year:
1971
Ownership when this account was shared:
Bought it April of 2023
How the truck came home
Any highboy
The memories behind the truck
Haven’t had it long enough for any good experiences yet but it was purchased new in Portland at Webster Wolfard Ford in 1971 by a guy that kept it all these years then passed it down to his grandson and I bought it off him. It has 88k original miles came with the 360 and the grandpa changed heads and made it the 390. He had the winch put on by dealer and I have the original manual for it. Interior is pretty darn good some rust but good old truck.
Build details, in the owner’s words
I pulled top end and put new gaskets, had the front springs re'arched and put new bushings in also fixed all the gauges plus new batteries and fuel pump so far.
Plans at the time of the story
Next will build custom steps and more polishing basically just tinker with it and drive it some around the hills.
More from the owner
All I can say so far is I just love this truck. Drove from Idaho City to north Idaho and had to come back empty then found this one in Caldwell close to me so I had to get it.
Keep the old Ford story going
Find your kind of truck in our Bumpside merchandise, or choose a year’s front end from the Grille Series.
Visit Highboy University for truck guides. Read Bumpside vs. Dentside: Ford Truck Generations Explained, then meet the people behind Big Red’s 1971 Ford: Grandpa’s Truck, Dents and All.
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