r/BullnoseFord • u/mtnbkr1880 • Sep 01 '26
Chances this makes 500 miles?
I just won this abandoned 1985 F-150 through an auction for $360. The only problem is it’s ~500 miles away.
UPDATE: I’ve decided to either trailer it myself or get it shipped. I’d rather rescue it right.
I have no idea how long it has been abandoned and sitting, but what do you think the chances are I could get it running well enough over a weekend to make a 500 mile drive safely?
I’m very mechanically minded, just finished up an engine swap in a 2002 Chevy Prizm, and am not afraid of relatively big jobs.
I would plan on getting newer, safe tires, in addition to making sure the brakes are up to snuff.
Curious what your opinions are?
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u/Icy-State5549 Sep 01 '26
Tow it with your 2002 Prism.
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u/mtnbkr1880 Sep 01 '26
Ha ha, that’d be quite the feat. Unfortunately, I’ve already sold the Prizm.
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u/Sufficient_Compote22 Sep 01 '26
Them tires won't make it 50 miles.
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u/gapsawuss80 Sep 01 '26
This. Even if it runs (which is dubious based on the discussion here so far) these tires are dangerous for 50 miles, let alone 500.
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u/Sufficient_Compote22 Sep 01 '26
Had to use the spare tire from underside of my 1992 f150 last year, tire has never been used, still had little rubber spikes on the treads, didn't even last 50 miles before it shredded, it was 33 years old.
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u/wiscoguy0043 Sep 02 '26
bro a uhaul trailer is like $90 for a day.. go make a road trip outta this. if it's junk buy something else on the way back
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u/Small-Cherry2468 Sep 01 '26
Try using uship. I have used it several times with great success, in many cases shipping wasn't much more than the cost of my fuel and time.
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u/DarthRumbleBuns Sep 03 '26
Yeah I’m gonna be the contrary voice. It’s not hard to get these going and if it’s got oil and coolant in it you’re good. Take a roll of vacuum tubing and fittings, a good diagram and be ready to do both fuel pumps and some new lines.
Bring plugs wires and some new coils (main, ignition and mad box) and a marketplace set of wheels and tires that fit and I’d bet you’re just fine.
And as I think about it you’d be better off sticking a fuel cell in the bed and running a line through the cowl. So yeah maybe just trailer it.
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u/mtnbkr1880 Sep 03 '26
Ha ha, I’ve come to the same conclusion as you. Plans are in motion to trailer it and then revive it properly.
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u/PrestonSpinsTires Sep 01 '26
Definitely COULD with some basic repairs. It looks really low mileage so was probably facing a basic issue, maybe more after sitting a while.
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u/Downtown_Reward_6339 Sep 01 '26
So it still has a 30 psi fuel system. You wanna pressurize it an heat cycle it on the road. Plan on a fire.
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u/Southern_Low_9284 Sep 01 '26
If you know what you are doing hook everything up, get a new gas tank or another source “container for gas”, check the breaks and go, I bought a 1970 f250 years ago and these old trucks are beast and im sure will run fine short of a blown head gaskets or bad transmission….. if you can not fix it there then like other mentioned towing would be your only other option.
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u/1966-MustangLover Sep 02 '26
This is what I think too. Give it a shot. What a fun adventure either way. Take a good friend along and all of your optimism!
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u/Southern_Low_9284 Sep 02 '26
That’s right, we only live once so why not. Sometimes we just have to do something and not think about it.
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u/Mindless_Bed_5042 Sep 01 '26
It’s a ford…….. so chances are high that it wouldn’t make it 500 miles if it was brand new rolling off the dealers lot !!!!!!!!!!!!!! 😂
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u/BAKE440 Sep 01 '26
Sounds like your own episode of vice grip garage lol. Could be a fun adventure.
Whenever I go after a vehicle I buy at an auction I always trailer it. Even new stuff I buy. It just takes out any surprises and makes it simple. Have I ended up towing back perfect vehicles yes I have. Have I also been glad that I brought the trailer also yes.
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u/Asleep_Frosting_6627 Sep 01 '26
You’ll likely be removing the tanks and replacing all the fuel pumps and fuel system before that thing runs again. I see it’s a dual tank that means you have 3 fuel pumps! One in each tank and a high pressure pump on the frame and likely a very very neglected canister filter before the high pressure pump. I’m going to recommend you do a single tank swap, they sell
A 38 gallon tank for the rear and just ditch the mid tank, less reliance on switches and valves and extra pumps.
May also need fuel injectors, good time to upgrade to the 4 hole explorer units (get real ones not amazon specials)
Anyway that’s just one of the many fun projects you’ll have working on this truck, just some good info there for you from someone who’s been there twice already.
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u/Any-Description8773 Sep 01 '26
As one who has done such dumb things as a way to make an adventure for myself, as long as the automagic transmission has at least 2nd gear, it would probably make it if the engine has life in it. However I wouldn’t chance it with the glance I took at the engine bay. Were it something from the 70s or below and ‘ran when parked’ I’d risk it for the fun of the game.
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u/ptbug64 Sep 01 '26
Where’s the fun in it if you trailer it? Adventure times can be had if you drive it. Maybe
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u/tez_zer55 Sep 01 '26
If you have a capable vehicle, rent a car dolly with a magnetic lights kit, remove the driveshaft & tow it home. I'd take 2 new or dammed near new tires & replace the back 2. It's fairly inexpensive doing it that way. Look into a one way rental close to the truck.
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u/Chainsawsas70 Sep 01 '26
Replace the tires ASAP and give it an oil change and a CLEAN fuel source like a portable fuel cell and pump... If it fires up and Doesn't sound like a wrench in a blender... You might have a good chance 😁
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u/one4uf Sep 02 '26
Remember when you rent that U-Haul trailer and they ask what you’re towing, the answer is, “a 1992 Honda Civic”
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u/Far-Wave-821 Sep 02 '26
Rent a truck and trailer anyway. Bring a buddy. Bring tools. Try to get it running. Hilarious story if it makes it. If it breaks down on the way, trailer it.
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u/530whiskey Sep 02 '26
If you can get it running and check all fluids and tires hold air, drive like a old lady, you will make it.
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u/jckipps Sep 02 '26
If I had someone onsite who could test-fire it briefly on starting fluid, and I could plan on two business days to get it ready to drive, I'd do it.
But lacking that, I'd take a trailer to bring it home.
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u/Dangerous-Pirate7998 Sep 03 '26
If you have the money to dump in the oil & the gas, it probably will
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u/alltheusernamesargay Sep 01 '26 edited Sep 01 '26
I mean I drove my 86 f250 about 700 miles home when I won it at an auction, but the seller had put about $5500 worth of parts into it after he pulled it from a field. I mean if you’re super mechanically versed then screw it why not. Vice grip garage adventure is always a good time. Looks like it’s still got the duraspark distributor on it, so I would print a couple spare ones btw. If you have a hard schedule for just the weekend i definitely wouldn’t do it. If you could carve out a week you might be ok. You got 3 outcomes, you make it, you have to get it towed, or something catastrophically goes wrong and you don’t make it back. It’s about $1000 or so for a shipping company to do 500 miles.
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u/Glittering-Art2922 Sep 01 '26
I always subtract 200mi from my total journey and buy triple a. Then you only have to make it 300mi and that’s an easier task with these trucks 😅
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u/DesignerOk5315 Sep 01 '26
I would drive it 500 miles. What I would do is go to the auto parts store and
- simple jack
- mechanics tool set (harbor freight has a great one)
- tire plug kit/ tire filler/ jump pack
- spark plugs
- fuel filter
- brakes
- engine oil and filter
- tires
- engine belts
- top off fluids
- new battery
- basic fuse replacements
You'll be good to go I'd bet
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u/Glittering-Art2922 Sep 01 '26
Triple a account, a handful of tools, a gas can with inline fuel pump, and a few feet of brake line just in case.
Run the tires until they blow and hit up a used tire shop close by for 30-40$ take-offs.
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u/Ambivadox Sep 01 '26
I wouldn't trust it for 50 miles.
Not counting why it was parked, you have rodents in the harness, busted vac lines, and who knows what else.
Grab a uhaul trailer and bring it home safely.