1984 F-150 302 V8 for towing?

Hi all --- Thanks to everyone for replies to my tow vehicle post.

I haven't found anything yet, but locally appeared a 1984 Ford F-150 with 302 V8, manual transmission, 77,000 original miles.

This has everything I want on it and for the load I will haul, but my memory of American vehicles of the 1980's is not good. I was 23 at the time, but I recall they had all sorts of quality and reliability issues, and were highly prone to rust.

That's my biggest problem --- this truck will live outside in upstate New York. It won't be a commuter vehicle, but will get snowed and rained on. If it will rust away after a couple of years, it's not what I want.

Thought? Thanks --- Scott