Does anyone know a decent bodyshop around the Raleigh NC area that knows 73-79 Ford pickups inside and out? I need to have one painted that is in excellent condition overall. It will need some rust repaired in about three places (very minor). I have had quotes to paint it and do the body work that I though were VERY high. It just depends on what quality I am looking and I guess I want as good as or better than factory results. I will strip all parts from the truck, remove the tailgate, hood, and doors. I would like it painted inside and out. Every panel, in the bed, under the hood, agaist the cab, behind the engine, between the bed and cab, door jams, and anywhere and everywhere it was painted when new. I have already invested about $15k in parts for this truck so really all it needs is a fresh paint job. I really want to do the work myself but do not have a place to do it, nor do I have the right equipment. If anyone has any suggestions or references, please let me know. Thank you all.

 

Thanks UTfball68. I will see if I can look this place up. If you have a phone # you can PM me that would be great. I plan on having this done by April this year so I guess I need to go ahead an let someone know to put me on the list. I'm guessing the paint job I'm seeking will run around $6k to $8k which sounds fair if the quality is good. I may drive to him and let him quote the job after he has seen the truck. Thanks again.

 

Thanks again UTfball68. I'll check it out. I had my motor (351M) re-built in China Grove at Kannapolis Engine Repair. Great guys if you know them? It's only about a 2hr. drive from me so the distance is no prob at all. Take care and thanks again for the help.

 

I don't mind at all. I rebuilt the engine back to stock specs. This is my second 79' F-Series truck and when I bought it 6yrs ago, it was 100% stock down to the paint and wheels. I have restored it with NOS parts all but the paint to exact factory specs (#s matching). Here is a video of it that shows what it looks like currently:

(Video 1) YouTube - 1979 Ford F-100 Ranger XLT (Video 1 of 3)
(Video 2) YouTube - 1979 Ford F-100 Ranger XLT (Video 2 of 3) and
(Video 3) YouTube - 1979 Ford F-100 Ranger XLT (Video 3 of 3).

I had the engine bored .030 over by Kannapolis Engine 28,000 miles ago. The engine only had 105,000 miles on it when I rebuilt it but the valve seats were rotten and oil drain return holes were clogged so oil gathered in the valve covers. The motor ran great but I decided to freshen it up. I re-assembled the engine and put all new Ford and Motorcraft parts myself. I replaced everything on the engine both mechanical and electrical. The only things I did that changed it from stock is that I removed the smog pump and canister and associated components, removed the EGR Valve (blocked off), converted to R134a coolant, put new dual exhaust w/o cats, and painted the breather blue (unpainted aluminum from Ford). I have invested about $4,000 in the engine and it's components. The rebuild only cost $1,100 and that included new push rods, rod brgs., main brgs., rings, pistons, connecting rods, oil pump, timing chain, flywheel, intake and exhaust valves w/ components, reworked crankshaft, and new harmonica balancer, The truck is currently putting 134hp at the wheels (about 180hp at the crank est.? 30hp over stock) (used Fastlane Motorsports Dyno in Benson NC -NET Rating-). I have thought about performance upgrades, but I have a Mustang that satisfies my need for speed I drive this truck as much as I do my Mustang. Mainly when it is raining or when I go fishing, I have never driven the Mustang in the rain (I know, I'm crazy ). I LOVE the 73-79 F-Series pickups!!!! I also currently have a 77' F-150 Ranger that does not have a spec of rust on it. It has a 302 w/ C-6 small block trans. This 302 was also built by Kannapolis Engine and I pretty much did the same thing to it as I did my 351M. I have thousands of parts for these trucks, enough to keep mine running for 200yrs + There are still some things I am looking but nothing that I really need. I would like to find a good 77-79 F250/F350 Ranger XLT 4x4 w/ a 460 and Auto. trans. 100% original but they are almost non existent.