Hi i figured id post a quick intro since this will be the main area ill be hanging around on this site.
My name is Steve and im from Vancouver Island BC, ive owned 4-5 73-79 fords over the years and didnt think id own another one but last month i spotted a 79 f150 ranger xlt shortbox 4x4 on CL. Well i made an impulse buy and brought it home. I REALLY didnt need a project but i figured the price was right and it would be a simple/cheap project. Shortbox 4x4s in any condition are rare and expensive where i live. So anyways one thing leads to another and i bought 2 more trucks for parts: a 77f150 LB 4x4 400/4spd and a 79 f150 2wd that was an import from arizona (im in Canada). Both are complete and running.
My short term goal is to get the shortbox running/driving for a total investment of $2000 including purchase price. I bought the truck for $1200 and picked up a recently rebuilt 400 with alu intake and headers for $200. Bought a clutch kit for $180 and am currently replacing all the brake components (included with one of the parts trucks all brand new). After all the misc parts like hoses, getting the rad boiled and rebuilding the 670 truck avenger i already own, i think ill be close. My main hangup is finding a good 350 geared 9" diff. I got one but its toast. Anyways i hope to have it moving under its own power in a week or 2. Sorry this ended up so long winded and without pics, ill work on getting some pics up of my fleet later

 

Welcome to FTE ! You'll find a lot of good help here .. Vancouver Island what a beautiful place .. It sounds like you've jumped in with both feet into 73-79 trucks .. See you around and good luck with your projects ..

 

got a few pics of my collection. The orange 2wd is being parted out, the grey one needs a clutch and brake work to be a driver. I like it too much to part out so ill fix it and run it as is. The blue one will get the orange cab/front clip and ill try to rebuild the short box, its not bad for an island truck but not even close to rust free. If it cant sell the bed off the orange truck itll go on the grey truck. I will also be swapping the grill in the shortbox to a 77 shell with the 73-75 inserts.

 

couple more pics

 

Yup i did. Reminds me of way back 15+ years ago, i usually had one or 2 of these old dent sides laying around the yard. The great thing about these trucks is how simple they are to work on/maintain. I hope to learn as much as offer advice since there isnt a bolt i havent removed on a 73-79.
The island is nice but its not what it used to be. Ill be moving off the island to somewhere less busy in a couple years

 

Great looking truck! Like the colour scheme with the rusty look and wheel combo. Good luck with your build. And keep the pics coming!!

 

Thanks! I like the worn down patina alot as well. The rims are quite rusty but some scrubbing with a SOS pad made them fit well with the rest of the truck.
Ill be finishing reassembly of the rear diff/brakes/bleeding them out, and loading it on the trailer tomorrow so i can pull the seized 351 out and steam clean the engine bay and trans in preparation for the new engine

 

So things "were" rolling right along on the 79 shortbox project just fine. Got the rear diff/brakes all reassembled after welding up the pads where the brake shoes contact the backing plates. Installed a new master cylinder. Found that all the rubber brake hoses are junk so im replacing with russell braided stainless stuff since its cheap. Pulled the seized 351 out and pulled apart the "good" 400 only to find 5 bent pushrods, a collapsed lifter, stretched timing chain, and the rod and main bearings are down to brass. Needless to say the replacement engine needs alot of help. so much for a cheap project! Anyways i decided to turn my attention towards the 77 f150 4x4 since it runs good and hasnt been sitting as long. It needs a clutch but i already have one and it needs the brakes gone through as well as the rear diff resealed. I have an alu intake and a spare eddy carb so i may slap those on as well. I also have a warn 8274 winch to go on the bumper. Ill get some pics up soon

 

Don't worry, it almost NEVER goes according to plan. I'm the poster child for that motto. Keep on plugging along and you'll be cruising in style in no time.

 

Figured id update this thread a bit. After finding the "good" engine i bought for the blue 79 was junk i decided to switch gears and started tinkering with the grey 77. Did the clutch, radius arm bushings, replaced a shock mount, went through the rear diff, did a electric fan conversion on a custom shroud and 3g alternator upgrade, plus a bunch of other stuff. As it turns out, my always reliable 1996 f350 crew 4x4 psd decided to develop a bad fuel leak so i figured id put the old 77 on the road and get to fixing the crew at a later date. Been daily driving the 77 for about a month and its been a trooper! Its HORRIBLE on fuel and not much power but it always gets me to work. The oil pressure drops off to near zero when at warm idle but its only got 10w30 in it so a swap to 15/40 will help some. Also going to do the ghetto ignition upgrade using a hei module and tfi coil and get new metering rods for the carb to lean it out (edelbrock 600cfm). It runs good no stumbling or bogs but 8mpg is just sad considering its also a dog in the power dept. ill snap some pics of this gem when its light out.

 

Oh, hey, I see you're on the Island. I'm sorry to hear that. My sister was born in Nanaimo. I like your trucks. Keep us posted.

 

Haha ya its got its ups and downs over here for sure

 

Nice trucks, the shortbed will be awesome, looks like the short version of mine.
I'm on he island as well.

 

VERY nice ^^^