Hello, sorry if this is in the wrong section, first time here.

A friend of mine has a late 70's F100 ranger. Not sure exactly what year, all I know is that it has to be 78/79 due to square headlights and 1 piece grill.

It has a V8, not sure which one.

So my first question is, what would the easiest way to find the year and engine?

And my main question is..

My friend wants to convert it to automatic, have fuel injection and have front disc brakes.

Is it easy(and cheap) to convert these trucks from standard to automatic? Same for fuel injecting these engine. Would it be better just buy a newer fuel injected engine and make it fit?

I don't do alot with Fords, so I'm really lost. He just wants a quick, reliable truck with an automatic, without spending bucketloads.


Thanks.

 

Welcome to FTE - lots of good people here, and often willing to help!

F100s were not made in 78/79, but some people changed the front clip to make earlier trucks look like later trucks or to make later trucks look like earlier trucks.

The best way to determine what you have is to find the VIN on the frame. It's on the passenger side frame rail, near the alternator.

Converting to automatic isn't real hard. Converting to standard is harder. The column shifter is where, I think, most of the effort lies.

Fuel injection isn't hard with a kit like the FiTech. You'll probably want to run it on a 4 barrel intake manifold, which you probably don't already have.

Front disc brakes are do-able, but rear discs are a big job.

Lots of good information in the "read this first" threads at the top of the page. And we love pictures - they say a thousand words!

 

Last year for F100 was 1984 but I think every 78/79 had front disc brakes. VIN needed to confirm year and options.

 

It already has front disc brakes, but if it's an F100 2WD, manual disc brakes were standard equipment, power disc brakes were optional.

1973 F100 2WD was the first year that front discs were available, 1976 for F100/150 4WD

F100: 1953-1983, but there were no F100 4WD's after 1976.

 

To get a quick idea on the year (of at least the cab), open the door and look at the white sticker by the door striker for a 2 digit month # and a 2 digit year # in the top L/H corner.. 8/77 ='s Aug 1977

Engine ID count the valve cover bolts and or...

351C/M/400 335 series: 8 bolts in rectangular valve covers. Timing chain housing is part of block. Thermostat housing on block. Exhaust bolt holes diagonal.

351M/400 335 series: intake is 12.7" wide the 351C is narrow. The 351M and 400 are identical externally, only internal parts examination can tell them apart.

351W/302/5.0L 6 bolts on trapezoidal valve covers. Thermostat housing on intake. Exhaust bolt holes horizontal.

429/460 385 series: 7 bolts in rectangular valve cover

352/360/390/427/428 FE series: Intake goes under valve covers.

If its a late made 77 or a 78/79 it should already have front disk brakes.

 

Thanks, Bill, for the clarification...you're a scholar, gentleman and veritable fireplug of information: