Which one to buy?
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Senior User
Joined: Jan 2000
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From: Central OH
Which one to buy?
I have had the desire to purchase a mid to late '70s Ford truck. My dad used to have a '77 F-100. That was the first vehicle I learned to drive. That darn thing had NO power steering, and was a 4-spd manual. So for some reason I feel the desire to purchase one like it for myself! I really like the look of the grills on the '78 and '79, but am not stuck on those years. I really want to know if there is anything to look for or stay away from in my search for a perfect starter truck. I've heard things about the 400BB, to stay away from it. Also, do the components pretty much crossover throughout the years? I am looking for a 4x4, something to fix up and play with on the weekends, but eventually to dress it up and show. Any input would be appreciated!
Thanks,
Matt
Thanks,
Matt
Posting Guru
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 2,153
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From: Roseburg OR.
Which one to buy?
I had a 79 f-150 and loved it. If you get the 4x4 like I had it will have the dana 44 front and a 31 spline 9" in the rear. Excellent running gear. Not good for very big tires but for 33's or 35's they should hold up well.
Postmaster
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 2,838
Likes: 6
From: SD
Which one to buy?
The 4x4s improved a lot in the '73-'79s. If you want it to have power steering then I would suggest a '77 1/2 - '79, these had a better integral power steering setup, power steering is much easier/ more fun to drive. '76-'79 have front disc brakes - much better/safer than drums - in my opinion.
The '78-'79 grill will bolt onto any '73-'79, my '73 has a '79 grill on it.
The 400 is a good pickup motor, especially if you get a better cam and timing set.
All body parts and most suspension parts interchange in the '73-'79s.
I think it's easier to find a pickup with the options that you like rather than adding them later (like power steering, disc brakes, a/c). It can be done, but is easier if it's done already. I've done mine the hard way...
Marty
The '78-'79 grill will bolt onto any '73-'79, my '73 has a '79 grill on it.
The 400 is a good pickup motor, especially if you get a better cam and timing set.
All body parts and most suspension parts interchange in the '73-'79s.
I think it's easier to find a pickup with the options that you like rather than adding them later (like power steering, disc brakes, a/c). It can be done, but is easier if it's done already. I've done mine the hard way...
Marty
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Senior User
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 132
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From: Central OH
Which one to buy?
Thanks for the info! Disc brakes are definately a must, I have a hard enough time slowing down my ranger with front disc brakes, let alone a full size pickup.
I'm surprised that you don't think the 9" is strong enough for tires over 35". I have an 8.8 in mine, and have heard that it is strong enought for tires up to 35", and that if I wanted anything bigger to go with the 9".
Other than that, I am glad to hear parts are pretty much interchangeable.
Thanks again! Hopefully I will be looking to buy one this summer.
Matt
I'm surprised that you don't think the 9" is strong enough for tires over 35". I have an 8.8 in mine, and have heard that it is strong enought for tires up to 35", and that if I wanted anything bigger to go with the 9".
Other than that, I am glad to hear parts are pretty much interchangeable.
Thanks again! Hopefully I will be looking to buy one this summer.
Matt
Post Fiend
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 10,323
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From: Montana Territory
Which one to buy?
Actually anything bigger than 35's wont fit. The Famous Ford 9'' that resides in so many chevy and jeep rock crawlers and mudboggers is strong enough to take anything. The dana 60 is also really tough but not as common and available in fewer ratios. Good luck on whatever purchase you make you will be satisfied. As for hints, if the truck is still on the road there won't be anything wrong with it, it made it through the test stages.
Elder User
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 654
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From: Seattle/Tacoma Washington U.S.A.
Which one to buy?
Alright, if you want a showtruck, 4x4, I would go with a 76-78, with a 351 or bigger, or... (like what I am going to do) you could find one with a inline 6 or 302, or somthing smaller, and drive it as is untill you find a 351 or bigger, as you are driving the engine that gets good mileage, you can beef up and build on the 351-or bigger, its fun to build your own engine, and if you get a 302, you can build it up after you put in the other engine and build the 302 and sell it to somone who has a Mustang for $$$ and end up makeing money and having a good time building engines, and one thing to look for when buying a ford is rust.... befor you buy look under the truck, in the bed, the gas tank, and where your feet go, there is a post in here that says what to look for. do a search.
Mountain Pass
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 247
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From: Madison/CT
Which one to buy?
i have a 78 f-150 with 6 inchs and 38's. Never broke anything. couple u joints and stupid stuff, but thats it. 9 inch in the back handles it just fine.
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Elder User
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 654
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From: Seattle/Tacoma Washington U.S.A.
Which one to buy?
One of the main reasons why people buy Old Fords to use as mud boggers is because you dont have to upgrade much to have fun with it.... Old Fords can handle most everything you put on them or drive through.... Thats my opinion atleast.... I had a friend that had a Toy ota... He was always breaking parts and having trouble finding and fixing stuff.... He later on bought a Bronco and drove it untill he killed it by geting it stuck in 8' of mud and leaving it over night.... Somone parted it out and there was no reason to pull it out of the mudd...... After that he bought a small Suzuki and wheels with that.... He says its good for him because they dont break parts and they are light enough to pull out of the mud with a good rope and man power....lol...
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Posting Guru
Joined: May 2003
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From: Oak Harbor WA
Which one to buy?
I personally like the 78-79 Ford trucks. My experiences have been with a 78 F250 and my 79 F350. The 78 was the truck I learned to drive on, and I still think its a good old truck. Just after high school, I bought the 1-ton. I put a lot of work into that old truck, mainly just fixing what was there, not too many modifications. Both of them have the 7.5L 460 with the automatic, the engine is good, the tranny is another thing. I do a fair amount of towing and the 3 speed auto gets the job done, but it can be a little bit slower compared to the new trucks (the problem is accelerating). I would like to try the manual. The 400ci engine I would personally avoid at all costs. The 460 is the block to have, lot of power, easy to find parts, bad gas mileage though. My 1-ton only gets 7.3mpg. But, the 460 was not incorporated with the 4 wheel drive trucks of this time.
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