1979 daily driver
Thread Starter
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Freshman User
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 41
Likes: 0
1979 daily driver
Hello everyone!
I'm new to this site. I have a 1979 f100. She's great. it's a 302. However, it seems as if it's struggling on the highway. I was just wondering how many of you guys drive around a 1979 as a daily driver and if it has any trouble getting up to 70-80 on the highway. I would love to get some opinions to make it more reliable, things like that. Thanks so much and happy trucking!
David.
I'm new to this site. I have a 1979 f100. She's great. it's a 302. However, it seems as if it's struggling on the highway. I was just wondering how many of you guys drive around a 1979 as a daily driver and if it has any trouble getting up to 70-80 on the highway. I would love to get some opinions to make it more reliable, things like that. Thanks so much and happy trucking!
David.
Fleet Owner
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 20,678
Likes: 82
From: NorCal
i had a 76 LB with a 302 and it got 17 mpg combined... the 3.25 gears really helped. It was a total dog towing and couldn't get out of it own way.. I felt like a rolling chicane. To me a 302 is a bit under powered for a work truck but decent for a DD not hauling anything. And even moreso with an automatic tranny which has significant parasitic loss plus the loss experienced by the remainder of the drivetrain.
You have to remember that these were work trucks and as aerodynamic of not just barn doors - rather, the entire barn. Drag increases exponentially and 80 mph is asking alot IMO. Your rig was developed when 55 MPH was the law of the land. So slow down and enjoy the ride... at a more casual pace than the rest of the rat race.
Reliability? Keep it simple! Keep it tuned, filters clean, chassis and wheel bearing lubed, and tires inflated to spec. Treat yourself to some interior acoutrements for convenience like intermittent wipers, a "plug n chug" cupholder (replaces the ash tray), a floor console, 12VDC power ports, tinted windows, comfy seats, and a decent sound system.
How about 92-96 buckets and a console for convenient interior storage? And power windows from Haneline?
You have to remember that these were work trucks and as aerodynamic of not just barn doors - rather, the entire barn. Drag increases exponentially and 80 mph is asking alot IMO. Your rig was developed when 55 MPH was the law of the land. So slow down and enjoy the ride... at a more casual pace than the rest of the rat race.
Reliability? Keep it simple! Keep it tuned, filters clean, chassis and wheel bearing lubed, and tires inflated to spec. Treat yourself to some interior acoutrements for convenience like intermittent wipers, a "plug n chug" cupholder (replaces the ash tray), a floor console, 12VDC power ports, tinted windows, comfy seats, and a decent sound system.
How about 92-96 buckets and a console for convenient interior storage? And power windows from Haneline?
Cargo Master
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 3,452
Likes: 2
From: Santa Fe Tx
The 1979 f150 I had with a 302 and a c6 was a complete dog, it would do 60-65 comfortably but any more than that it howled! My 75 390 with a c6 would do 70-73 without a problem, my 76 with a 460 c6 would bury the speedo other than that idk about my current dent
Thread Starter
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Freshman User
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 41
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so many great reply's, no wonder why this is a great place to go! thank you all. I just drive it everyday and want to make sure if need be it can get up to speed. Silver, what you say is so true, i love the ride of the truck and slowing down is something i should do, as far as interior, i have built some awesome stuff. I got this vehicle for 2300$ and put some work into it. I hope by the time it's done, that it's a nice one. "75", mine gets up to 65 and howls a little haha. I look forward to hearing more advice, i appreciate the quick responses.
Cargo Master
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 3,452
Likes: 2
From: Santa Fe Tx
so many great reply's, no wonder why this is a great place to go! thank you all. I just drive it everyday and want to make sure if need be it can get up to speed. Silver, what you say is so true, i love the ride of the truck and slowing down is something i should do, as far as interior, i have built some awesome stuff. I got this vehicle for 2300$ and put some work into it. I hope by the time it's done, that it's a nice one. "75", mine gets up to 65 and howls a little haha. I look forward to hearing more advice, i appreciate the quick responses.
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Lead Driver
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 7,870
Likes: 47
From: Tennessee
I drive a 78 F100 , 302 , c6 . It is my daily driver .
I drive about 20 miles each day , two lane county roads .
45 to 55 is my normal speed . But , when going out of town , I take the interstate .
No issues at 75 mph for 60 miles straight . I rarely go further than that .
If properly maintained , you can go cross country with no issues .
I would head to California , from Tennessee , tomorrow if I had to in my 78 .
I drive about 20 miles each day , two lane county roads .
45 to 55 is my normal speed . But , when going out of town , I take the interstate .
No issues at 75 mph for 60 miles straight . I rarely go further than that .
If properly maintained , you can go cross country with no issues .
I would head to California , from Tennessee , tomorrow if I had to in my 78 .
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Cargo Master
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 3,038
Likes: 4
From: South west Idaho
I have a 73 F-100 I put a 84 302 in along with an 84 AOD transmission. It came with 3:25 gears but I changed them to 3:50 ratio. I get about 15 / 16 mpg unless i try to get my speed up fast , then it drops to 11 or 12 mpg. The RPMs drop a lot once it goes in to overdrive . I does feel slow to me because all my other dent sides , 5 that i have owned had 400s and 460s in them. 
JIM
JIM
Lead Driver
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 7,870
Likes: 47
From: Tennessee
I have been driving my 78 daily for about 5 years now . I let it sit for a while , after a rod bearing failure . I knew it needed work when I got it . I drove it a year or so before letting her sit . All the mechanical and electric bits are sorted now .
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 1,996
Likes: 236
From: NE Ohio
Hello everyone!
I'm new to this site. I have a 1979 f100. She's great. it's a 302. However, it seems as if it's struggling on the highway. I was just wondering how many of you guys drive around a 1979 as a daily driver and if it has any trouble getting up to 70-80 on the highway. I would love to get some opinions to make it more reliable, things like that. Thanks so much and happy trucking!
David.
I'm new to this site. I have a 1979 f100. She's great. it's a 302. However, it seems as if it's struggling on the highway. I was just wondering how many of you guys drive around a 1979 as a daily driver and if it has any trouble getting up to 70-80 on the highway. I would love to get some opinions to make it more reliable, things like that. Thanks so much and happy trucking!
David.
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 169
Likes: 0
From: Riverside, CA
Mine has been my daily driver for about 6 years now and I've never been stranded. It's got a rear 3.50 ratio and it's a 4x4 with NP435. I don't go much over 65mph but that's ok, I'm retired and not in much of a hurry. I sold my 650 HP Corvette cause I got tired of every Honda with a cherrybomb muffler wanting to race. Nobody wants to race me when I'm in my truck and that's better. It's not the best ride but that big old bench seat is like sitting at home on the couch. I got my iPod hooked up with some Stevie Ray Vaughn and I make sure to keep after the mechanical stuff. I can't go 3 miles without getting a thumbs up or somebody yelling out "nice truck!" I hate to admit it but this truck is an obsession. If I need to go over 60 miles I just hijack my wife's Hundai.