hi there, i am looking to do my first restoration project and i am really liking an late 60's to late 70's F-100 to F-250 4x4 or 2wd. now my question for the forum is what would you suggest/ im thinking an f100 or 150 2wd with either a 351W/351C, a 390, 400, or 460 or a f250 4x4 with the same engines. but not having actualy owned any of these im not sure where to go and what to do. i want to make it pretty much stock with maby some engine upgrades to increase the power. but what do you guys think? let me know, thanks.

 

First things you need to decide on before you go farther are what body style do you want a bump side(1967-72) or a dent side (1973-79) or other also do you want 2wd or 4wd what engine do you want no 4wd came a 460 until 1983 which means a custom install it isn't hard to do I'm doing this swap now in my 71 f250 4x4 no power steering until mid 1977 although earlier 4wd had an optional power assist what will you be doing with the truck any Mudding daily driver show truck ect... some things to help you decide what you want

 

well thats the thing i like both body styles basicly it would all depend on what i could find with a good body on it. if i were to go late 60's early 70's i would prob go with a 2wd with a 390 engine and restore it to stock. if i found a good body for mid-late 70's it would depend if it was a 4x4 or 2wd i would like both. i would jack up the 4x4 and customize it make it a bit of a show truck (i want a "look at that" kind of truck i already have a 4x4 for weekend fun) but i would drop the 460 in it bore it out yadda yadda if it were a f250 or maby a f150, but if it were the 2wd F100/f150 or maby even the 4x4 of both i would restore to alomost stock and put a 351W in it and mod the engine a bit for the extra power. this is why i am confused i could go all these diffrent ways with it because i like them all.

 

It's hard to decide on which way to go with there all good ways to take it would cone down to what you want most out of the truck ill have a jacked up 4x4 when I'm done after that I plan on getting a old 2wd to restore and lower

 

Speaking from the Dentside of FTE, the "best" (in my opinion) rig that offers the most in terms of a blend of old and then-new technology is a 76 4x4 SB equipped with a 390FE, a 9-inch rear axle, and a disc-equipped Dana 44 in front. It has integral PS and it was the last year for the FE. About the only thing I would, besides power brakes if it didn't have 'em, is to change the 76-77 Y-style steering to the 78-79 T-style linkages.

I'd forget about the 351M/400 engines. Their sort of the red-headed step children and there's not much aftermarket support or performance parts. Some guys lik'em but I'm not one of them.

For a 2WD, I'd get a any year shortbed bump or dent. I'd lean towards bumps first, then dents up to 1977. I'm just not fond of the square mouthed 78/79 grill. Plus, a 2WD dent's front suspension/steering can basically bolt on to a bump. That's an easy disc brake upgrade...inexpensive too. Engine? A 302 is kinda small, a 351W swap would be good but I'd also seriously consider the 300. Plenty of torque, decent gas mileage, and relatively easy to upgrade with exhaust, carb, and intake.

You'd be a hero with a 460 in a lil bumpside.... Regardless, you'd be a bigger hero with a TKO 5-speed or a T56.

I'm kind of going in the other direction cuz my 73 4x4 is pretty much done. I've got a 70 LB 2WD bump coming in next weekend. My plan? If the 360 is on its last legs, then it will be replaced with a 460 backed by a TKO 500. I'm going with PS, PB, PW, PL, AC from Nostalgia Air, DJM beams, DJM shackles, and dog dish hubcaps. I'll do some rust repair, paint some fauxtina, and shoot clear over the natural patina. Sleeper? You bet.