I hope you guys can help. I'm looking at two trucks.

Truck 1 is an 1979 f250 4x4 lariat ps pdb at cc camper special. factory overloads. Straight, running boards not lifted & stated low miles yet 5000 on new motor 400, 1st owner had ford dealership put in a new engine for alot! Gem Top canopy, 1 ton dana 60 front & limited slip rear. 2nd owner. Good/ excellent condition. Mid 3k price.

Truck 2 is an 1985 f150 4x4 in line 6, 4 speed manual compound low, brush guard & warn winch. 100k milage original owner. No canopy. Good condition+. 2k price.

I will be pulling a 72 15' perfect condition Kit trailer. Just me my Dad & the dog camping & also famn damily hunting in the mountains 4000' to 6500' up including winter time. Use to use canvas tent & wood stove but he can't take that anymore. I have an explorer 2dr, short wheel base! V6 ,tow package overhead cam, 200k & rising makes me worry. Any help ?

 

Don't tell me where the '79 f250 is cause I might beat you to it. That sounds like one you may never see again. Only thing is--- just looking at it in the driveway will cost you millions in fuel!!! I am not sure if the 85 has a carb or fuel injection but might be good to know, both had there pros and cons.

 

I would go with the 79. 80-86 fords sucked in my opinion. plus for towing i would recommend at least a 3/4 ton. This is strictly my personal opinion based on my personal experience. Plus the dana 60 is hard to come by.

Luke

 

Take them both.......No seriously, buy them both.

Sell your explorer and use the f150 as a daily driver, it won't get much worse milage then the explorer. It is just getting broken in if it only has 100k on a 300 six.

If the 85 works out as a good tow vehicle you can use the 79 as a nice little toy. Or wait till lunki98 shows up and sell it to him for a mint.

 

Wow look at all the new guys! Seriously, welcome to FTE everyone. I vote for the '79. It's already set up for what you want to do with it.


Pete

 

Yeah thats a tough one i like both 80-86 and 73-79 the 79 sounds nice if you could afford it would go both like awsmdad sais the 85 would be a good daily driver and the 79 would be a good camper hauler but if you have a big family i guess that wont work

 

The 79's a better buy. Both the 300 and the 400 are great motors, but I'd give the edge to the 79 due to the straight axle dana60. I have an 86 150, and it's a good truck, but the TTB front axle is a pain in the butt to deal with on an older truck. Many more parts to wear out.

 

Well I took a quick look at the 79 which I guess is really a 78. Made Aug 78 with rectangle head lights. Has the 37 code for Dana 60 axle & G for transmission, he states it is a C-6. Only has a 20 gal tank? Man says it has a limited slip rear. It didn't have the code for the front axle which I believe should be on a 4x4. I did't see or ask about the camper special logo on the front panel. I hope its the original driver door I'm looking at. I need to educate myself more I think. If I remeber to get the vin#s can you guys help ?

 

Hea guys Iv"e got the vin # f26srbg6583. Can anyone out there help me out with drive line ect.? Thanks!

 

Got it for ya, its an
Model Year: 78
Series: F250 - 4x4 Pickup
Engine: 8 Cyl, 400ci, (6.6L) 2bbl
Assembly Plant: San Jose
Transmission: The only information provided is Automatic. My guess is C6
Front Axle: No code selected
Rear Axle: 3.54 5300lb Dana 60
I hope this helps, and id buy both if i had the money, or buy the 85 and tell me where your located for the 78.... and also it said nothing bout a limited slip, but it could be an aftermarket "add on" but not likely, if it was an limited slip, it would have an L after the dot on 3.54, it would look like this 3.L54, if you can look, theirs a tag on the front of the cover if its a 9 inch.

Best Wishes

Taylor

 

Thanks Taylor. I guess I'll call the guy & buy it! I hope I don't get any unplesant suprises. Thanks again

 

No Problem, i was a "New User" once too, and the guys at FTE took me in nicely, so i thought i'd return the same gratitude for the other "New Users" If you'd get me the front axle code i can get that for you no problem.

Taylor