Hello
I went to look at a 79 F150 today and we ended up talking about my 1979 F150 Custom 4x4 today that I am restoring. There were 3 things that he said was not original on my truck . The biggest suprise was the piece of trim that runs the length of the truck from front to back. (He said that on 79 custom there should not be any trim at all or if there is it should be the style with the black rubber on it) The second thing was the front leaf sprigs his had coils so he questioned if mine should have the leaf springs on the front axle from the factory. Thirdly the style of hub caps he stated they were only starting in 1980 and did not even exist in 79. (now I have heard this before so I guess it is possible but i am sure there was a set on the truck when bought and they are still on it.)
This truck was bought in Canada if it matters.
However on all 3 things I an very sure they were on the truck because I was with my dad when he bought the truck new from the dealer. I was about 12 when he bought it and he drove the truck till the day he died. The only thing he had the dealer put on was the running boards. Anyway does anyone know of any trucks with these items on them in 79. Or does my memory fail me badly.

Here is a picture of the trim in question.

Here is a picture of the hubcap and yes thats my dads truck.

 

My 79 ranger has the thin side molding, as your's and it's factory, only a ranger package, and not a custom. I've only seen this trim(better looking) a hand full of times, unlike the common race track molding. In 79, 150's had coil spring set ups, and the 4x4 250-350 had leaf front suspension, as does my 79 250, not completely sure but 2wd 250-350 may have coils as well. As for earlier year 150's with leafs up front, I couldn't tell you, same goes for the hubcaps.
I wonder if because your truck is a super cab and has an eight foot bed has anything to do with the front suspension being different?

 

I think he's correct about the wheel covers Seems to me these started with the 80's models.

 

Supercab 4x4 F-150's had leaf sprung fronts on them. They also had the heavier dana 44 housing (correct me if I'm wrong). Not sure on the hub caps, but I've only seen them on 80's Fords.

 

defiantly a 79 option my dad had a 79 with the same hub caps on it new from the dealer

 

There is another thread on here where the OP has an F250 with Coil Springs.

I asked him about it, and apparently the factory may have put coil springs on the front of a 2WD F250. Who'd've thunk it!?

FWIW, the 4x4 F250's may be leaf sprung, and the 2wd F250's may be coil sprung. However, with all the crazy stuff that came out of the Factory, I wouldn't be surprised to see a few examples with the opposite as well!

-B

 

I wondered if the 2wd F-250's had coils up front myself from factory. My old man had an 81 F-250 2wd that had coils up front, but it was a light duty F-250 (semi float dana 60 rear).

 

Thanks for letting me know there is someone with trim like mine. That is good info on the front leafs my f250 parts truck 2wd has coils in front.
That is possible. Thanks
Mine does also have the heavier front diff.
Thanks for letting me know I appreciate it.
I can believe that and am starting to think that the leafs on my F150 were a option (special order) and was standard or more common on the F250 350 4x4 trucks.

 

I've heard (could be wrong) that 80-85/86 250's didn't have full float rear axles. Isn't that the same time period that there weren't any solid axles up front in the 250's?
Also when you say the heavier housing do you mean something like the HD 44 underneath 250's, only with five lug hubs?

 

79 F150 standard cab 4x4 had coil springs. Supercabs have the F250 frame and leaf springs. The guy you were you talking to must have had the standard cab.

 

5 lug F100 F150 Reg cab, 2wd or 4wd has coil springs and radious arms front
5 lug F150 Super (extended) cab, 2wd coils and radious arms, 4x4 2 leaf springs like a F250 4x4.

Do not know about the above frame statement......and 1980 15' hubcaps will fit on a 79 15" rim.

 

Those are the same style wheel covers on my 93'

 

I am not sure about the trim but I can say ford was also introducing the newer body f - 150 in 79 and those hubcaps where on that model as well

 

Yes it was a standard cab 79 4x4 I was looking at.

 

So help me here 2WD, leaf spring front axle in late 70's ? how so? axle type? i-beam axle long gone