I don't need another one of these trucks, but I have been intrigued by this combo for many years. Half ton, reg cab, long box, 4x4 with the 300 six with a manual trans. The year is good too, for the better steering linkage.


One came available close to me. Good price, first impression is untouched survivor, complete, original paint, normal rust areas showing some but not terrible.

I'm waiting to hear what the gear ratio is, I will know tomorrow.

I'm actually hoping for 3.50 ratio.

I'd like a truck like this for a driver, it wouldn't do much towing, maybe none, it would just need to get me around at a lazy pace, out to deer camp and such.

I like the idea of a lighter engine, less displacement per rotation, no slippage with the manual trans... Good torque with the 4" stroke...

Economical and dependable "hunting truck" is what I'm thinking.

Any first hand experience with this combo? Mpg stories? Likes/dislikes?

 

Anybody? Morning coffee crew?

I'm really leaning, thinking I should buy it.

I'm thinking less displacement per rotation, also thinking there could be options for an overdrive manual trans swap with the 300?

 

The 300 has the same bell housing pattern as the Windsor V8 blocks, so a T5 or any of the other OD manuals that were used with 302 or 351W engines would bolt up. I don't have any personal experience with the I6, but it has a great reputation for durability, etc.

 

You just described my Ideal truck, except it has the 79 grill and lights. I don't know if it is age or what, but I no longer feel like a truck needs to have a 460 in it . I am really in the hunt for a 300 with a 4 speed 4x4. Well, not actively, I am pretty sure if another project showed up at the house, I would be getting them all in the divorce.

Unfortunately I have no experience with one, just sharing your desire.

 

That is exactly what I want as well, a reg. cab/long box, 300/4sp 4x4.

I have big dreams of swapping my '79 over to 4x4 someday so I'll have the exact truck I want, dentsides are few and far between around here so a chassis swap isn't in the cards, plus my frame is near mint and already painted, so I couldn't bring myself to swap it for another rustier one.

 

I'm in the process of parting out that exact truck:

1979 F150 4X4
Custom trim package
Regular cab with 8' box
300/6
NP435
3.50 gears
Fisher plow
Factory topper

Unfortunately the NY winters did it in...I'd bet it was a beautiful truck back in the day.

 

I've been talking to the seller some today, I've verified 3.50 gears.... Which is what I would want.

Sigh.... I guess I will be going to look at it soon.

 

Where in ny are you? Im in need of a box really bad.

 

3.50 gears, 33x10.5 tires, my rpms at 60 mph would be 2158.

 

I had the I6 in a '92 with 5spd OD. I loved that truck. The engines have amazing life spans and can surely get you around "lazily" as you stated. Gas mileage was around 12 if I remember correctly, it's been about 6 years. That's fuel injected though.

 

Have a 1979 ranger f150, 300,manual,4sp,4x4 shorty, new box still off. Been apart for several years and doubt I will ever finish it.Wore out two motors with it, used to get 15-16 mpg as long as I kept it below 60.

 

I spent 2 years looking for that exact same combo with little to no luck so I went with the 400 instead. I would've loved to find my truck with a 300 in it

 

This is the one I got awhile back, 70k original miles, put new wheels and tires on and sealed up the steering box. Have been looking for this combo for years.

 

How do you like it?

 

It rides better than my 2014 f150 2wd on my 10 miles of dirt road. I did not get a chance to play in the snow before it all melted but I think it will have plenty of power. If not, there is always low range. I tuned it up and the mileage seems to be good, I do not fuel up at a pump so it's hard to be sure but I think it is getting 15-16.