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Some may remember the post from a few days ago where I was asking about some stuff for this truck. I'm a mopar man so this is all new territory, but with that being said I love anything old so I'm not too biased. Anyways my uncle gave me this truck due to him falling ill to cancer and not being able to fix it. I want to build it back almost stock except for a few goodies, just the way he wanted it. The truck itself is 1977 F100 Custom short bed two wheel drive. Factory 302, AC, PB, PS, Bright red with funky seventies stripes which one member said they believe to be the free wheeler package. Is there any way to prove the package, and it's rarity? This will be mostly a picture thread and parts buying thread until I get enough to start the restoration of it. Now onto the pictures.
As it sets.
This will be replaced by a 351W that was also give to me.
Frame damage from a drunk driver that hit it while it was sitting in his yard.
Driver side rust
After some weed eating you can see the damage better
Passenger side rust
The interior is in pretty good condition overall, missing the stock radio which I will have to hunt for.
A Marti report should be able to confirm whether it is an original Free-Wheelin' or a really good replica. As mentioned, the door panels but also the orange stripe on the dash panels as well as the wheels all match that package. My money would be on the fact that it is original.
Now for the bad part- as you pointed out in the engine compartment pic, there does look like there is some frame damage. The quickest and most common recommended frame repair is to swap the frame from a donor truck. However, that would totally render the Free-Wheelin' debate moot as the VIN goes with the frame, not the body. Still a totally cool truck either way, but it sounds like the originality matters from your post. If it was me, the originality and the sentimental value might make it worth repairing the existing frame, but that is something you will have to decide once you get it opened up and see the full severity. In the meanwhile, check out this post for some frame repair ideas: https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...ent-frame.html
Another thing that points to the Freewheeling edition is the seat upholstery and the orange pinstripe on the instrument bezel and glove box surround.
This interior was also used on the Pace Truck, but the exterior definitely makes it a Freewheeling edition.
Cool project no matter if you save the frame or decide to swap the body onto a good frame. The other thing to consider is if you plan to fix it and keep it I think you should go the way that's best for you when you look at time, safety, and money.
Thanks for the replies and information. As far as I can tell it's never been repainted, looking at the jambs and other places. I'm going to get the marti report soon. I'm pretty excited about it providing it is the real deal, and even if it isn't I'll still build it. I might have a parts truck lined up but I don't want to get too excited yet. The stats on it is that it's a 77 F150 4X4 PS PB, cruise and a 400 Auto. The women said her daughter might buy it, so I won't know till Friday morning. I'm keeping my fingers crossed though. She wants 500 for it.
Apologies for the captions not being with the right pictures.
My dads pretty good at being in pictures.
I don't know how long it has set without an air cleaner but I'd the deal goes through I will try and start the old truck.
Bed is completely toast.
Front clip is in pretty good condition cab is questionable still.
Last edited by Custom77F100; Aug 30, 2016 at 05:49 PM.
Reason: Words not with correct pictures.
So I'll be ordering the marti report soon for the truck but I'm stuck on the serial number of the truck, It seems to be a misprint. The resources I've looked at says the serial should start with and 'x' when it's 80,001 up which mine is. However on the vin it looks like a y or a v, should I put x, or what? The rest of the tag is in good readable shape, it's just that one letter that is holding me back from the report.
It is not uncommon for the doors to get swapped on these trucks. Best to verify the VIN from the stamped number on the frame. As for the Y- it is X80001 through Z25000 so your number looks good for a 77. Still best to make sure before ordering a Marti on the wrong truck.
I don't know that the Free Wheelin' package is that rare or, more importantly, actually adds value. I saw a couple locally when I was searching for my truck and they were priced about the same as all the other similarly outfitted trucks.
The door panels and upholstery is still pretty cool, though, and the stripes add some 70s appeal. I just don't think that an "appearance package" is worth going to extraordinary lengths to preserve it's originality.
As a Mopar guy you know how originality plays in that world. In truck-land, it's not as big of a deal.
BTW, I've never seen a red one...only silver and black. Cool.
I was curious about my truck bring a Free Wheeling package and sent off for the Marti report. It has a lot of cool info about your truck and even backed up the story I received when I bought my truck. Cannot wait to see more pics.
So the Y is all good, correct? Where is the vin stamped on the frame?
I'm all about originality when it deserves it but unless it's super rare as in one of one or something super low, I will probably never restore something to numbers matching. We have multiple mopars that are kind of special but they will never see an oem type restoration. As you said trucks aren't really cared for, so that's why I like working on them a little more. You don't get slammed as bad for doing custom work to them.
For the free wheely ford, the frame will probably get swapped if I can find one, and also get the 351W and a crown Vic front suspension, and a 9 inch in the rear. So not much originality is going to stay to this truck, I will do my best to preserve all I can but it's going to be tough. However the paint, stripes, and interior will all remain factory. I like the seventies funk to it. I'll be pretty excited if the marti shows that it is the real deal.
Apologies for the long post, I can get a little carried away, and I hope I can keep pictures pretty regular here. Searching for ford truck parts is a whole different and easier ballgame than it is for an 80's dodge truck.
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