1979 Ford F-350 Power Stroke Swap Project Needs a New Home

F-350 has been fitted with the 7.3-liter Power Stroke diesel, it just needs to be fully reassembled.

Ford F-Series pickups from the 1970s have become quite popular, but the vast majority of people building a truck from that era look to add more power. Especially in the late 1970s, even the big V8s were considerably less powerful than similar powerplants from a decade earlier. In some cases, owners who are redoing something like a 1979 F-350 will either build the stock V8 or install a modern V8 engine.

When “79 super cab” set out on completely restoring his 1979 F-350, it looked pretty good, but there were a few issues. The body wasn’t as nice as it looks in these “before” pictures with the blue paint. That is why it underwent a complete, frame-off restoration. Also, the factory 400-cubic inch V8 was tired, so he opted to make this restoration an engine swap project. Rather than sticking with a gasser, the OP acquired a 1997 F-350 with a 7.3-liter Power Stroke diesel to provide the modern power.

Switching from the 400-cubic inch gasser to the 7.3-liter diesel takes some serious chassis work, but all of that is done. This 1979 F-350 just needs someone to finish bolting everything together and the result will be a badass classic one-ton with late mode diesel power.

1979 F-350 PSD Swap Introduction

When the OP first posted this 1979 Ford F-350 for sale, he providing the following information.

I need to sell my diesel swap project. The ’79 came with 400/4 speed combo. The ’97 donor had about 140,000 miles and ran great. The major fabrication work is done, New crossmember, firewall (with “doghouse” to access turbo), transmission mount and transfer case mounted (divorced NP 205). Cab was sandblasted and primered. Frame and suspension were completely painted. New 45 gallon fuel tank from AeroTanks in San Bernardino. I have clean titles in hand for both trucks. Price is negotiable and may consider trades for tractor or UTV. I live in an area with spotty Cell coverage so leave a message if I don’t answer.

The seller also included an array of pictures of his F-350 project while in progress. The “finished” pictures here with the blue paint show the truck prior to the beginning of the full restoration. He also included a picture of the 1997 donor truck, along with a look at the 7.3-liter diesel engine in its original body.

The Hard Parts are Done

As you can see in the most recently pictures shown here, this 1979 Ford F-350 is not in driving shape. It doesn’t have brakes or a steering assembly, nor does it have most of the interior components. It is also missing the entire front end, but nearly all of the parts needed to finish this build are included.

The key point here is that the custom chassis work has been completed. Both the firewall and the front crossmember were modified, with custom mounts for the engine, transmission and transfer case. The seller provided some more information about what needs to be done to get this F-350 back on the road.

Needs brake booster (vacuum assist booster won’t fit needs hydroboost conversion available online or build from junkyard parts). I have the clean title to each truck in hand. Don’t have many pictures of the current status. Truck is currently in Clovis, steering column and brakes are removed so not the easiest tow job.

In short, the buyer will need to install of the brake system components, the steering assembly, the interior and the front portion of the body. Once it has brakes, steering, the interior and the body parts bolted into place, it will only be a paint job away from being an awesome classic pickup that will pull heavy loads and fit right in at the local Cars and Coffee.

If you love the look of the 1979 F-350, but you want modern diesel power, this project truck might be perfect. While there is plenty of work left to be done on this classic Ford, the fabrication work is done. This is the perfect truck for anyone looking for a winter project and anyone with some mechanical experience should be able to finish the build at home.

Patrick Rall

"Before I was old enough to walk, my dad was taking me to various types of racing events, from local drag racing to the Daytona 500," says Patrick Rall, a lifetime automotive expert, diehard Dodge fan, and respected auto journalist for over 10 years. "He owned a repair shop and had a variety of performance cars when I was young, but by the time I was 16, he was ready to build me my first drag car – a 1983 Dodge Mirada that ran low 12s. I spent 10 years traveling around the country, racing with my dad by my side. While we live in different areas of the country, my dad still drag races at 80 years old in the car that he built when I was 16 while I race other vehicles, including my 2017 Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat and my 1972 Dodge Demon 340.

"Although I went to college for accounting, my time in my dad’s shop growing up allowed me the knowledge to spend time working as a mechanic before getting my accounting degree, at which point I worked in the office of a dealership group. While I was working in the accounting world, I continued racing and taking pictures of cars at the track. Over time, I began showing off those pictures online and that led to my writing.

"Ten years ago, I left the accounting world to become a full-time automotive writer and I am living proof that if you love what you do, you will never “work” a day in your life," adds Rall, who has clocked in time as an auto mechanic, longtime drag racer and now automotive journalist who contributes to nearly a dozen popular auto websites dedicated to fellow enthusiasts.

"I love covering the automotive industry and everything involved with the job. I was fortunate to turn my love of the automotive world into a hobby that led to an exciting career, with my past of working as a mechanic and as an accountant in the automotive world provides me with a unique perspective of the industry.

"My experience drag racing for more than 20 years coupled with a newfound interest in road racing over the past decade allows me to push performance cars to their limit, while my role as a horse stable manager gives me vast experience towing and hauling with all of the newest trucks on the market today.

"Being based on Detroit," says Rall, "I never miss the North American International Auto Show, the Woodward Dream Cruise and Roadkill Nights, along with spending plenty of time raising hell on Detroit's Woodward Avenue with the best muscle car crowd in the world.

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