Is it worth it?

ive been searching for a cheap winter vehicle for a while now and my wife's grandmother is offering to give me an '85 ford truck with a 351W. theres only one problem: the truck has been sitting for about 5 years out in the open and doesnt start. ive never brought a vehicle back from the dead but i assume ill probably need things like a battery, fuel filter, carb work, etc. like i said, the truck will be free but in your opinions, is it worth the money ill be putting into it? i want a truck, not a money pit.

Pics of said truck?

no pics. ive only seen the truck once since its about 45 minutes away. i should add that the truck ran right before she parked it. she said there may have been an ignition problem. kind of one of those "old lady cant fix it so she parks it" type things.

Get it. If you can't get it running sell it or junk it.

All you can really do is do the typical maintenence stuff....Drain the fuel in it...replace the fuel pump if you have to drop the tank anyways, new fuel filter, change the battery, Change fluids, start her up....if shes junk shes junk

Cash for clunkers part 2. Take the freebie.

the 351W is a pretty tough old girl. If the truck as in good condition 5 years ago and ran when parked, fresh gas and a battery should get it cranked over.

Change your oil, toss a little gas into the carb and fire it up. I brought one back after 6 years with the old gas still in it... but as soon as it was running i drove it down and got fresh gas.

Do not freak if when you start it up you get a bunch of smoke... it happens sometimes and should clear up.

if its not a 4x4 its not worth it.

I'll take it.

All you can really do is do the typical maintenence stuff....Drain the fuel in it...replace the fuel pump if you have to drop the tank anyways, new fuel filter, change the battery, Change fluids, start her up....if shes junk shes junk

I believe the pump on the 85 is still a manual style not an in tank electric.

If it's free, I say get it. If you do get it and need help with it, let me know.

You should be able to get it running with just a battery. My friend and I revived an old 63 Jeep(buick V6) that had been sitting outside for 17 years and been through a tornado lol. A little gas down the carb, a fresh battery and we had it fired up and doing burnouts in no time.

I believe the pump on the 85 is still a manual style not an in tank electric.

Didnt realize that...thanks

if its not a 4x4 its not worth it.

x2, almost defeats the purpose of a winter vehicle

You could also do what I did and get a late 80's Montero/Raider, crazy cheap and you can't get one without 4x4.

If the truck is free get it. DO what you can to make it run be it 4x4 or not. I have never had a 4x4 and managed to get anywhere I wanted in our oh so nasty oklahoma winters. Worse case is you spend another $100 on a set of tire chains.