21st Jun 2001, 10:35
I have a 79' F-150 4x4 and have been restoring it for the past 4 years. 20,000 bucks later I have one of the toughest and best looking trucks around not to mention that I could run over any car on the road! Bad ass ford's 4ever.
23rd Jun 2001, 13:06
I have a 1979 Bronco with a 400m c6 np205 dana front Ford 9" rear, is there any better? I thought not!
7th Aug 2001, 20:59
I have a 1978 F-150 with a 351M and it's the best truck ever. It's durable, reliable and can stand up to anything I put it through. By far the best truck on the road.
30th Oct 2001, 12:17
Hi:
Just bought a '78 F150 XLT w/351M in it. Awesome truck. A bit tempermental during the morning start, need to pump the gas a bit, but after that, an awesome ride.
It has some rust, but hey, not too bad for 23 years young. Interior is in great shape, and very clean.
It will be a great truck to learn on.
Dave.
12th Aug 2002, 21:39
Hey,
This is for all the Ford hard-core fans out there: I'm 16 years of age and own a 1979 Ford F-150 XLT Lariat, haven't had any troubles with it at all! And still running strong! Me and my Dad are going to strip it right down to the frame and going right back up from there.
Just thought that you should know.
Yours Faithfully,
Michael.
P.S. I got nothing but "BUILT FORD TOUGH!"
30th Aug 2002, 00:16
I have a 1978 Ford F-150 Custom. The bed is pretty rough, Fords better idea of welding the wheel wells up tight where dirt and moisture cannot escape. That's the only complaint. It has a 351 modified, 4 speed manual, 4x4, 456 differentials. So far it has 574,000 miles with about 150,000 on the second engine that is in it now. Original clutch, original differentials, had original u-joints until about a month ago. Transmission and transfer case never has been touched. So I guess it would have a reason to look a little rough. Mainly been a wood hauling truck since bought new in June of 1978. Hauls 5 to 6 cords of wet pinon wood weighing about 3200 lbs. a cord on a 40 ft goose neck trailer at one time and never bogs at all. A stock half ton truck doing the work that most of todays one ton dually can't. Here is a built ford tough story for you. Its just like the energizer bunny, It keeps going and going.
11th Sep 2002, 23:12
I own A 1979 F-150 Ranger short box. I got it from my Grandfather when he passed away, and now I have it. Its all stock except the box. It has 140,000 miles on it, I plan to put a 1968 Thunder-bird 429 in it and new paint of the original ford blue. I have never driven anything of a truck as real as this puppy.
28th Dec 2002, 11:30
I own a 1978 F-150 4x4 with the 300 six cylinder engine. Was wondering if anyone has any idea why the intake manifolds keep warping and need shaving. That is my only complaint on the truck. I watched my neighbor Bill buy it new in 1978 and always said when he was done with it I would like to buy it. Well 4 years ago he died and his family came over and said their dad wanted me to have this truck.. he only wanted $1600 for it. It only had 58000 original miles on it.. I bought it and never regretted it. Matter of fact, I am selling my newer Dodge because I can fix this old one easier than a new one. And I also painted my old neighbors name on the door by the mirror in his memory. As I ride down the road, I can feel him sitting in it with me. His family likes it when I drive by their farm with it because it makes them remember their Dad and Grandpa. Thank you... LLoyd Scheeler.
9th Mar 2003, 09:59
I just got a 78 F-150 Ranger from a friend of mine for free. Ever since I've been putting money into it to get it road ready. I could use anyones advice dealing with this..
Genebrooks@hotmail.com.
4th Apr 2003, 14:40
Hey, I need some help from a couple die-hard Ford fans. I am 18 years old and in my fathers yard is a 1978 F-150 Ranger XL. The truck is not in the best condition, but I would like to restore her. She is packed with a 400cid engine and an automatic transmission. The engine is shot, and it probably needs new brake lines, wheel cylinders, and gas lines. The interior needs restored also. The carpet is faded, the dash is cracked, and the passenger side door has been shot out resulting in rusted floor pans. The truck has great potential and in its day would pull a house off it`s foundation. Should I restore it or junk it? I need help deciding?
4th Apr 2003, 23:27
It depends on whether you have the money or not. You`re looking at over 8000 dollars in repairs. I would think that at your age it isn`t worth it unless you come from a very wealthy family.
A new engine costs about 3000 dollars and once the rust starts on the frame, you can`t stop it for a long time. Sure, you could fix it and cover the rust, but in about 3 years time, it would really start to rust again.
ALSO, if it has been sitting for a long time say... 2 years or more, then chances are that all of the seals, gaskets etc have deformed and will leak transmission fluid, coolant, etc.
I think you`re better off getting a newer used car or try to find a similar year truck in good shape in the classifieds. GOOD LUCK WITH YOUR DECISION!!
16th Apr 2003, 21:52
I own a 1979 F150 Ranger with a 300 strait six under the hood. My family passed it on to me and bought it new when I was a kid. The truck still runs great and has never had the valve cover off. The mileage as of today is 299,098 miles. This has been the most dependable truck in every way. The paint is still a perfect beer bottle brown after never being garaged on the Oregon Coast for 22 years and now in Alaska. I hope to restore it back to its former glory soon.
19th May 2003, 20:11
'79 F-100 explorer custom. 351c and C-6 pirated out of a cobra torino. engine was mildly improved over stock (375 hp) shift kit in the transmission and slapper bars. eats rice rockets off the line and will still tow anything as long as the tires catch traction.
8th Sep 2004, 04:03
The worst mistake of my life was selling my 79 F1504x4. Even with the 400m the fuel mileage was equal to, and in some cases better than competitors trucks twenty years newer! Cold Hard Fact Dodge boys... As for a comment I read about 83-93 dodge trucks running over Fords, are you delirious? I have some friends that bleed mopar, they hide their heads in shame when that particular era is mentioned. 70's lovers know where it's at. The ford pickup of yesterday will remain a stoic example of engineering mastery for decades to come.
Thought this might interest some of you, I've come across a rare 76'F150 XLT Lariat 4x4, already restored, purple/black two tone, 9in rear NP203 trans, 16in wheels, 4in susp lift, and the most interesting part is the motor... believe it or not, it's got a 69 428 Cj liberated from a mustang. If my wife were more agreeable I'd buy two!
Never to much of a good thing. Some where out there a Dodge boy is feeling Sheepish. Count on a ford to pull you through!
19th Jun 2001, 18:52
73-79 Ford Trucks: Best trucks ever made.