Opinions on a Falcon and drivetrain daily driver

I have a bunch of project cars, all are not driveable, so I've been driving my tow vehicle, a 98 Ford Explorer 5.0 V8. It is reliable, but it gets like 14mpg and the cost of gas is killing me. Particularly because my last shop was a 26 mile one way drive, but maybe even more so I live on my fixed SS budget, so a $20/day gas"payment" isn't appealing. I was using my stepsons honda civic I fixed up for him, but I gave it back to him a while ago, so back to the Explorer.

I do have a 98 Toyota Rav4, which is a rare 2 door convertible, made only 1 year, think only 4000ish sold in the USA. After it developed an engine issue I could not fix after some effort, it was put away for about 7 years. I finally got it out and was determined to fix it, and 4 issues later I did and it p***ed smog and runs great even with over 300k miles. But the DMV would like to charge me $800 to register it. So another story itself, I can't drive that as I expected now for at least 1-3 months while the DMV decides if my rav4 is of "historical interest".

So I'm looking to build something to drive that won't break my fixed income with expensive gastank fills, at least until I can finish some of my other projects I intend to daily drive, for example the 3-wheeled Angry Echo or the Thames Panel or the Volvo 1800es or the Geo Metro or the Willys Panel.

I need to build this car quickly as otherwise I can just try to finish one of these projects. And it needs to cost as little as possible, $500 would be too much. So yeah you think I'm crazy right? Well yes I am, but that is not specific to this project. I call my youtube channel, "Murray Madness", and that is important because I'm going to start posting videos again leading with this super cheap daily driver project.
While I have looked far and wide for anything super cheap I could fix quickly and drive, this is a real challenge because smog checks and DMV fees can be $500 itself, and new parts, even tires, can cost $500 in a heartbeat. The good news is I have lots of car parts already.

So this is where I'm at. Best to go with pre-1975 vehicles, I found two I'm ready to pull the trigger on. A $100 1962 Ford Falcon 4-door and a $300 1964 Ford Falcon Ranchero. Both have no engine/trans, rust isn't horrible, they will roll, have seats and interiors. So which one should I go with?
Now of course I think the Ranchero is the right choice, I need something to haul parts. But it cost three times more than the 4-door! The other consideration is that youtube channel..the weirder and stupid-er your projects are, they seem to generate more interest.
So the 4-door build might be better, definitely weirder and depending on drivetrain could be super weird.

For drivetrains I have a number of ideas and parts. Probably the easiest and fastest is a 3.0 V6 from a Jaguar S-type, as my purpose for buying the 50k mile crashed Jag changed, so this drivetrain is now an orphan in the Madness project list. Idea Two is to finish building a big cam SBF 5.0 that will go into the Willys Panel, but until then I can put it in this Falcon. Will be more fun to drive with that loping idle, but I still must finish putting it back together. Option Three is a dual port 200hp 3.8 Ford V6 I bought for my jetboat project. It's a complete engine and 5-speed manual transmission from like a 2003 Mustang. Option Four is the Straight Six/Auto from a Volvo 960, currently targeting the 1800es project, but I can use it in the Falcon until I need it. And then the most interesting idea, is to put in a Toyota 1.5 from a prius and adapt it to the 3.8 v6 5-speed, since I don't need a 5 speed for the jet boat, and I have maybe 2 or 3 of these engines. This should give me great MPG which is kinda important, and be more whacky that it might attract more views than other options, but maybe turn people off too?

Now I will probably sell this vehicle once I finish one of my other projects, but maybe not, I could sell one of those instead. Heck my goal is to reduce my car collection of ~15 cars to just 3, so almost all will have to be sold. But for example, if I use the 5.0 v8, I could not finish the Willys Panel as it will use this engine, but I could finish and sell the Angry Echo, or the LS/Corvette/C10 truck.

Ok, wow did you really read all of that? If so I appreciate it! I'm looking for opinions, and just so you know how I roll, the most popular opinion I will probably reject as it must not be that interesting...lol

Cheers, Jack of all Trades, Master of One Murray

 

First of all, welcome to the HAMB from East Tennessee. Second, you make no mention of where you are, so it's going to be difficult for anyone local to you to help. Third, I'm in the process of getting rid of a '64 Falcon parts car and a '65 Futura wagon that I was going to build for my daughter. I bought a good 170 and C4 for the wagon but it's just not going to happen. Fact is, I'm 81 and having problems keeping my '48 long door coupe on the road, so the Falcons have to go. Good luck with whatever you finally decide.

 

I'm in Sacramento. see my new guy post. Have you considered getting someone younger to help your projects?
I'm trying to get all mine done before I can't do them anymore myself.

 

Sell all your projects and buy one good low mileage everyday newer model.

 

What he said.
You require an economy car for transportation.
Everything else is a hobby/desire/wish/dream/goal.

Remember when you have to relieve yourself? Clothing is expected and required in public, but it's in the way if you gotta go. Number one is going. If that means soiling yourself, it happens, but priority is set.

I also have way too many vehicles, most of which are not running. But I also have transportation.

I'd also suggest that you get the most boring, plain, appliance style transport you can. It will keep you from the "what if" thoughts and make you leave it alone and focus on keeping it working so you can dream about the other stuff.

 

Sometimes, we gotta do what we gotta do.
Back in the day, I had a 30 mile round trip to work everyday. I had very little money, and I was getting hammered pretty bad on gas by driving my 1970 Challenger. I found a four door beater for a few hundred bucks. 1964 Dodge Dart. Ugly as sin, leaked and burned oil. But it proved to be reliable. 60K miles showed on the odometer. I know it was at least 260K by the way it presented. First thing I wanted to do was a full service and fix the leaks. Went to drain the oil, and nuthin came out, even though it showed on the dipstick. When I pulled the valve cover off the change the gasket, the sludge was like a jello mold.
I s****ed out as much as I could, put the new gasket on and never changed the oil. Ever. I just added when needed. I knew that when the oil pressure light came on when going around a corner, it was low!
Drove it like that for four years, and put another 60K miles on it. Got close to 20mpg. Sold it for more than I paid for it.
I remember that car because it got me through some tough times.
I would offer this advice. With as much driving as you have to do here in California, get on the econo car asap. Consider the total cost involved, not just the purchase price of the vehicle in question. It may be more economical in the long run to get something that is more efficient even if it costs more. You'd have to do your own math. With more refineries closing in this state, gas prices are going nowhere but UP!

 

Right now all mine are running. Takes a lot of work.

 

Sounds like you need to focus, and maybe sell a few projects. You have a RAV4 that could be on the road and reliable for $800... you have $500 to spend... I'm sure you have $300 worth of parts laying around.

Your Ford get 14MPG. What do you realistically think a vintage engine will get you... 18MPG? 20? Are you really saving that much?

 

lol, same advice I get from my wife. When I count all the cost of renting shops for the last 10 years, I could have bought a Ford GT to drive. However, who buys projects cars now? The old folks still around have the money to buy one ready for the car show, not one to work on. Also, I'm retired, going to sit and watch TV all day if I don't have project cars? no thanks. I do electronics projects, they take up my office, not 1 acre.

I had most of my cars up for sale when I had to move them yet again. Barely any interest, I did sell the GT6 for $400..and the tercel to junkyard for $88, the corvair even for free no takers..the 1800es a couple wanted it, flakes, etc etc. So if you want to buy some, let me know...otherwise which falcon should I get? which engine?

 

Indeed, I don't think anyone wants to hear how I lost all my money and become broke, but when I had to move to that place 36 miles away, once the junk was moved, I built a shop there, and this is what I had to do to save a few bucks. as no way to pay for gas everyday, particular it was $5/gal back then. I rented storage for my explorer the closest I could get to my shop (about 12 miles). I walked 1 mile to the local bus stop, took a bus to the light rail, took that to the end of the line, took bus to the storage, then drove it to my shop. Returned same way. Might say this was my low point in life, but honestly meeting every challenge brings satisfaction.

 

Bingo, we see this all the time,here is a good example.

This member had a yard full of projects,stuf he really wanted to build but all his spare cash was tied uo in projects.

A elderly gentleman ask him one day what he was working on, he replied a 1956 Ford pickup, a 67 Nova, a67 Chevelle and a 1932 Ford roadster, the elderly gent ask what is the closest to running, none was Randy's reply.

Randy also had a lot of big block engines and pats along with several 4 speed transmissions, then the old man said why don't you pick the car you would most like to have and sell the other cars.

Randy said no way I want them all, but that night he really started thinking about what he had said and decided to give it a shot.

Needless to say he strted selling everything except his 1932 Ford roadster, within the next year Randy had enough money to build the beautiful black roadster, the one below. HRP

 

BTW, I really didn't answer your question but a 100 dollar falcon verses a 300 falcon pickup is not a whole lot of difference, if it were me I would opt for the truck,it would be a lot more useful in the long run. HRP

 

If you are capable, here's what I would do. It's not going to be super economical but it might make you smile when you drive it. I would remove the engine and trans from the explorer. I would remove the fuel rail and get one from a 96-7 that has a regulator on it and return fuel lines. I would get one of the Falcon's and install the drivetrain in it. It would take an efi fuel pump setup and a few changes to use the 96-7 wiring to do away with anti theft and the returnless fuel system. Headers would be a problem but you might be able to adapt the explorer headers without issue. The radiator connections are different and there would be wiring changes plenty. If that is too much headache, I would buy an econo box and drive until better times come around. One of my older friends used to say: being poor is not an embarr***ment, it's just damn unhandy. Better times coming your way.

 

Pick one of the Falcons, it doesn’t much matter which one, although the 64 will have bigger and cheaper ball joints. Next, get on Marketplace and find a 200 six and transmission someone is pulling from an early Mustang for a V8 swap, and drop it in.

Mustang six cylinder takeouts are everywhere. You’re not going to have a barn burner, but it will be a solid commuter.

Forget putting a v8 in, as it won’t get any better mileage than your old Explorer, and forget the oddball-swaps. They’ll take you months to accomplish and cost you thousands for all the little things.

Reduce your stock of “someday” project cars. You can’t afford them, and I don’t see your fortune changing unless you go back to work full time.

Buying a good, low mileage economy car is the best option, though

 

So here is what I'm thinking. I have a 97 Explorer ch***is. I get the 4-door falcon, and put the body on that ch***is, and use the Jaguar 3.0 V6 engine/trans in it. It should be able to tow no problem, in fact, the 3.0 v6 has more power than the 5.0 v8. Then I can sell my 98 explorer.

The Falcon wheelbase is 102in, the 4-door explorer is 112, 10 in longer.
I modify the Falcon body to make into a 4-door truck, stretch the back 10in and make it a truck bed, and shorten the back door, and make the back window vertical like a truck. Here is super rough pic of the idea below.
Now as usual I get ambitious and enthusiastic but do I have time to do it? Can I get this done in 1-2 weeks?
It ain't going to be show quality, just need it to work. And I think it will make great content for the YT channel.

 

You already have too many projects..... Why do you want to start another one.....
It is extremely unlikely you can do this in 1-2 weeks...., or months

LynnW

 

Take two steps back & take a hard look around. What you need is a reliable daily under your ***, first off. Until that happens, you're just pissin' in the wind with project dreams. Sell any & all if ya gotta. Sorry to be blunt, but ya gotta start somewhere, or you'll get nowhere.

 

You do not have enough money to buy gas to drive to your shop? You built a shop? You have a bunch of projects? You have a You Tube channel? You think you can build a body swapped custom car in a week? It sounds like you are good at Drama! What else are you not telling us

 

The best falcon I ever drove had a simple 5.0/AOD swap. But it also had a Shelby drop suspension mod, Mustang GT steering box, disc brakes, lowering springs, koni shocks, and an 8" rear. It got just over 20 mpg on average.

A Falcon would be fun, but don't forget that either of those cars would need literally EVERYTHING to make them fun daily drivers.

 

I bought a awd 98 rav4 to get the awd parts to swap into my 2 door rav4 I just sold its engine for $500.
(I'm going to make the back of that one into a trailer for my 2 door) Pulling the engine from it, made a mess spilled about all the fluids. I went to get some cat litter to clean it up, and had the idea to try pine shavings instead.
It seemed to work really well. What I liked best is you could use a broom to "rub" the oil off the concrete, which doesn't work with cat litter. Has anyone else tried that? The problem with cat litter clay is its very heavy, but pine shavings are light. The problem with it could be it is flammable, so no welding if its around and soaked in oil.

This pic is in my new shop, it is only about 12 miles from my home. But I still have to finish moving all my stuff out of the old shop, the one I built for free using materials from my previous shop, the 3300sf shop. My daily driver for a couple years was my 70 Mach1, so I have no problem driving an old car everyday.

 

years ago I learned to drain the fluids before removing engines, transmissions, etc. Helps keep the shop clean.

I also figured out how to get rid of excess ****. About 15 years ago, I hauled 50,000 lbs out of my property. Then 5 years ago we moved, and I had an auction first, then made several trips to the s**** metal place and the city dump. Makes life so much better to be rid of stuff I'll never use or work on or play with.

 

I don't think you actually have a youtube channel. Most people who have one can't help but ram it down your throat. You haven't even posted a link.

 

I'm not most people for sure. In fact, in my videos I usually never ask anyone to "subscribe, like, share"
My byline is "love, learn, laugh" I've given enough info that someone could find it if they really wanted to. The point of the channel was to force me to finish projects, when people are paying attention to them, you can't just let them sit..
Unfortunately after a decent start, I got discouraged and didn't post too much. My last project, the almost free motorhome I thought might get some attention, but youtube picked my 2nd video in this series to promote, and that was about the most boring video I've ever made, me telling boring stories while threading the 100 spokes on an electric bike hub motor. so sad. I think when one video had like 5 views, I kinda gave up. But I'm going to go back to my hotrod/racecar projects, so I give it another chance.

Anyway, I don't know why so much talk about everything BUT which Falcon I should get and which engine.
That is really what I was struggling with and usually everyone has an opinion on these things.

My wife says whenever I tell her about my car issues and ask what I should do she always says "you'll figure it, you always do", which is not really useful, but I find it helpful just explaining them to make it clear in my own head.

I think the 4-door falcon body swap onto the explorer is a good plan, asking for others advice is a way to force me to work make a decision and a plan. I'm getting the 4 door tomorrow. I appreciate everyone's attention, and will post updates on the Falcon project when it actually starts, and even a link to the youtube channel.

 

Ok, found it and had a look................

 

Do share, I’m lazy…

 

Ok, but remember.......you asked....
https://www.youtube.com/@murraymadness4674/videos

 

Post links to all your youtube channels, let's compare

I'm still waiting for your apology for claiming I didn't have a youtube channel. Where is yours?

Hope you noticed this one:
which shows the shop I was building using almost all used materials.
Let's see your shop you built out of all used materials for less than $100. I'll wait.
Or your concrete mixer you built out 55 gallon drums and some other junk I had,
which I used to build a 1200sf addition to a house I bought $75k in cash,
building it entirely by myself, including all the design, blueprints and permits...
I'll wait...for your next snarky remark because obviously you don't know **** about Falcons or doing body swaps.

 

No, you're right. You do have a youtube channel and I am sorry.