I thought I would give the full update on my “new” truck with pictures after new wheels, tires, and a coat of wax. I went with reproduction painted white 8 spoke wheels to match the originals and Firestone Destination A/Ts. I also have two questions on restoration projects if anyone can help me out…

Questions:
What is actually stock? The front bumper is chrome, the back is black. Is it possible that it came from the factory this way?
Anyone know where to start with dimensions/plans for replacing the wood bed in the truck. My dad is going to prepare all of the new wood prior to install and prior to us taking the bed off so getting measurements might be tough.

Backstory:
My Uncle’s first new truck was a 1977 Ford F-150, which is still on his farm in Western Iowa today. He loved the dentside Ford F150s, so in his 50s and 60s he began buying them up whenever the right one came up for sale. He had seven F150s on the farm, one 1977, four 1978s, and one 2009. Upon my uncle’s passing in 2012, my aunt allowed me to pick out any of his trucks to be mine. It took me about five seconds to pick out the truck from the group that you see here today. The truck was purchased around 2004 by my uncle from a dealership in a small farming town in Western Iowa. He kept the truck in his barn and rarely drove it (it was started several times a year).

The truck had two owners prior to my uncle. It was originally purchased in Phoenix and then sold to a dealership in Iowa with 15K miles on it in 1983. The next owner was someone who my uncle knew and must have used it as a driver instead of a farm truck based on the lack of wear. My uncle saw the truck on the lot Iowa and bought it on the spot.

1978 Ford F150 Four Wheel Drive – Free Wheeling Package
5.8L (351) v-8
Custom Cab with styleside pickup box
Free Wheeling Package “B” (I am pretty sure it is package B)
Color Code P: Cinnamon Glow
Interior Code DZ3: Saddle and Tan all vinyl with saddle appointments
Build Factory Code R: San Jose, CA
Mileage: 72,000

Options:
Free Wheeling Styleside Package “B”
White pin striping, blackout grill, black rear bumper
Wheels: 15x8 Painted (white) styled wheel

Previous Owner Ad-Ons:
Radio: Cannot tell if it was the original radio (no readable markings on it)
Frigiking AC Unit – Based on a mounting unit with tag in the engine compartment, this was installed in 1983.

Updates I have made:
New white steel wheels with blue and red pinstripe (match the original option from the truck)
New tires: Firestone Destination A/T (31x10.515LT)
New brakes, radiator hose, and Magnaflow stainless steel exhaust with dual tip

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Wow! Love your truck. Super cool that it was your uncles. Was the pin striping from the factory?

 

I'm not a big fan of step sides but dang that's sharp! I like it! And to your question on the bumper, on these trucks I'm pretty sure they were chrome rears on the step sides. But I could be wrong.

 

When you do your bed wood, take plenty of pics

 

Good looking truck. My son just bought a 79 model and the previous owner let a battery dry rot and leak all over the bed floor, so we will be replacing that soon. Still trying to decide between doing a wood floor or replacing it with metal.

 

Thanks for the love guys! The pinstripes are from the factory. They are actually vinyl decals. I've heard that they fairly rare to still be fully in tact.

I'll post plenty of pictures of the bed project when I get to it.

 

Man that truck is awesome! Good choice, it looks great with that color combo with the pinstripes. More pics!

 

Awesome truck! We need more pics of this rare beauty! Lots more!
Love all of the Free Wheeling packages, but your version for the Shorty Flareside is probably my favorite.
As for your bumpers, it looks like the rear bumper is correct, but the front one should also be black.

I can't find my 1978 brochure, but the '79 shows your basic version with a later variation of the stripe package.
Directory Index: FMC Trucks-Vans/1979_Trucks-Vans/1979_Ford_Pickups

David

 

I remember you posting about this truck a few months ago. Great looking rig! From the looks of things, it looks to be a true survivor.