Throwback Body Style

[LxMan1]

I think a retro like a 56 would be cool. Kinda like Chevy did with the SSR.
The stuff the engine bay with the 500hp 5.4L from a 07 Mustang GT500 Shelby Cobra. That would make a killer Lightning edition

[Matts72]

I would settle for a 79 F150 2wd shortbox, 4 speed manual, PS, PB, 4 wheel disk brakes, 6.8L V10, Kenne Bell twin screw, factory exhaust cutouts at the flip of a switch. Just a thought...

[rusty70f100]

Originally Posted by luckster

That is great mileage for a 390! I have a 360/390 in one of my other trucks, maybe 13mpg hwy, city about 8 but its 4x and a heavy hauler so I don't care much about economy there. Point is todays "modern" engines may be cleaner out the exhaust but really not improved power or economy. Better oils explain longer engine life to me more than new design.
Are todays trucks that much heavier? Body metal seems thinner and more plastic is used so where is all that extra weight? They should be a bit more aerodynamic. Transmissions draining power somehow? Question is why isn't mileage or power or both improved?

Well it is a fuel injected 390. But if a then college student (me) can do the research construct something that does that good, what does that say?

Anyway, my 2wd F100 weighs about 3900lbs. It also sits lower (displaces less air moving down the road) than the current F150, which weighs about 6000lbs last I heard. Those two factors (weight and height) are not good for mileage.

I'm sure if someone took the 5.4L engine and auto transmission and put it in an old F100 like I've got, it would probably do a lot better. Might even get 17mpg!

[Matts72]

My 68 F100 2wd with a well built carb'd 390 and toploader 3 speed/OD tranny will easily get 16.5 MPG... its not impossible at all.

[krane operator]

UMm i guess we could possible say ford did do a partial throwback on the 04-07 truck with the round looking headlights.

[torino_gt]

i'll chime in for the '78-'79 years. these are the toughest trucks ever built..save maybe the 99 and up super duty's. i still have a 78 bronco and my dad has a 78 f150, my cousin has 2 78 bronco's. These things last forever...just count how many you still see on the road. they were built tough and simple, but were still years ahead of chevy at that time. heck when did chevy finally get a headliner in trucks, like '91 or something! just look at the modified motors, i know everyone hates them, they were torque monsters and run forever w/ or w/o problems.

[V8EXPLR]

I'd love to see a model edition of the '78-'79 F-Series. Always loved the body style. Some of he 50's were nice, but I'm not the biggest fan of some 60's styles.

[Skinsfan6]

I also think if Ford made a new F150, or F100 modeled after the 78-79s, but with a modern drivetrain and interior that they'd sell tons of em.

[Monsta]

Originally Posted by luckster

TBody metal seems thinner and more plastic is used so where is all that extra weight?

I'd bet there's like 1000lbs worth of added electrical wires, electrical accessoies & emissions stuff compared to trucks of old.

They should be a bit more aerodynamic. Transmissions draining power somehow? Question is why isn't mileage or power or both improved?

Mileage hasn't improved due to weight...of both truck and driver! But power has...CLEAN(er) power that is.

[Arnold Kenyon]

Bring back the 78/79 body, I would buy at least one of them.

Speaking of weight, a friend of mine works at the local ford dealership. He says that they do not put on much clearcoat because of the added weight.

[jcp123]

No way, I wouldn'd support that one bit. When they came out with the '05 mUGLYstang, the market fell out from under the classics. And it just so happened I needed to sell then. The same thing would happen here I'm sure.

Plus, it's folly. With emissions, safety, and bumper laws, you just CANNOT get the same look or feeling that the classics had. We like them for a reason, because they aren't new. No EFI to hassle with, no emissions plumbing in your way, etc. Just evolve it from the current bodystyle, Ford, and you'll be fine.

[DiscountPowerPrt]

Are there any prototype pictures of this retro rig?

[nascar6dude]

Hey ya'll, how about something like this?
http://i175.photobucket.com/albums/w...002_01_big.jpg

[nascar6dude]

Here's a rear view...
http://i175.photobucket.com/albums/w...002_02_big.jpg

[David85]

I would absolutly LOVE to see the 74-79 (or 78-79 if you prefer) come back! Ofcorse it was tough, but it was also the only style of truck I ever saw, that looked right from any angle. Remember the old crewcab short box HDs that had a D60 on both ends....drool.

Now if it ends up being some re-encarnation of what ford did to the mustang (they could have done better), than I would say please leave well enough alone. But if they do to the 70s style truck what they did to the GT40.....now your talkin' !

I just hope the don't do like dodge, when the new charger came out .