Hi everyone....

I ran across an extremely low mile 79 f350 xlt lariat single cab 2 wheel drive. Did these trucks only come with the 140" wheel base? This truck has the tire compartment in the bed but the fender/tirewell in the bed does not look as long as the camper special bed tire wells I have seen. I can clarify better, the spare tire well seems as long but the the tire well in the bed for the tire mounted on real axle seems shorter than the 140" wheel base camper specials.

Can someone help me with this? I do know this truck was special ordered. If it is a 79 f350 without the camper special extra long bed I think this would make it exceptionally rare?

I am also wondering how rare this truck is? If it is spotless and has original paint is it worth keeping that way or would it not be sacrilegious to make it 4x4 and mod it out?

your help will be appreciated.

I have read about how many F350's there were built in 79 and how many of them were 2wd. I am not sure how many f350xlt lariat were made in 79.

 

In the driver's side door jamb you should see the official VIN/Info tag. On that tag it will say the wheelbase length. Around the left side of the tag, look for initials W.B.

I actually own a '79 2WD F350 with the 140 wheelbase. I'd say don't 4x4 it, nice thing about 2WD is way less stuff to go wrong/fix. It super simple to work on..I don't think they are super rare or anything. If I remember correctly, Ford made around 8000 or so of them in '79.

 

1973/79 F350 Regular Cabs on the 140" wheelbase (2WD only). All have the spare tire behind a door on the right quarter panel. The Dana 70 rear axle is set back further.

1973/76 Super Camper Special; 1973/79 Trailer Special; 1977/79 Camper Special. Ford dropped "Super" after 1976.

F350's were also available as a Regular Cab on a different wheelbase, as a Cab & Chassis, and Super & Crew Cabs.

Ranger XLT available 1973/79, Lariat first offered in 1978. It's either one or the other. It could also be a Custom or Ranger.

How many of each model were made? You'll have to contact martiauto.com and ask, as Marti has ALL the 1967/79 FoMoCo production records. However, the info is not free.

Factory installed 4WD for F350's first offered in 1979, but was not available on the 140" wheelbase.

btw: How do you know this truck was a special order?

 

Niko I will have the tag info tomorrow.


NumberDummy, I see where you added "no"at the end of my question " Did these trucks only come with the 140" wheel base?" No.

Are you saying that the f350 with spare tire in the side of the bed came in a wheel base other than 140"?

I realize that a f350 came in different wheelbases in 79 but I have not seen reference to any other than the 140" wheel base with the tire in the side of the bed.


All of this will be answered when I see the door jamb tag.



Number dummy will you please message me so I can reply. I cannot message you since I am a new member. I have something to share since you seem a scholar on these fords sir.

 

You asked if 1979 F350 Ranger XLT or Lariat Regular Cab 2WD's were only available w/a 140" wheelbase and I said no.

 

Can you post photo's of your F350 for the forum members to view.
A picture says a thousand words, so-to-speak.
Many thanks in advance.

 

 

I can post some pics soon.

It is a f350 lariat 2wd camper special140" wheelbase.

My confusion was that the bed inside looked different than other camper specials have seen. But I was obviously mistaken when I read the info of 140" wheelbase.

 

This F350 Lariat Regular Cab is not on the 140" wheelbase, because it has the optional tool compartment where the spare tire would be located w/140" wheelbase.

The wheel opening mouldings were added by a previous owner, were not factory installed with Race Track mouldings.

Front bumper with winch and wheels are aftermarket.

 

If it has the tire carrier in the side of the bed and has the longer wheelbase, it's a camper special I believe, someone will correct me of I'm wrong. They're not especially rare. Less of them than most other platforms, but not collectible type rare. Maybe someone has production numbers on them?

does it look something like this?

http://www.kumberamotors.com/vehicles/listing/1979-ford-f350-xlt-lariat-super-camper-special/

 

Fordguy76, your example is it fore sure. 140" wheelbase, tire in the side of the bed, lariat,460 etc.

The truck you you posted a picture of do you own that truck. I seen it listed somewhere and was wondering the value of a truck like that?

The one I have been referring to is a one owner with under 6k miles (documented) It has been garage kept since new, original tires, original spotless paint, zero rust, the interior looks showroom. I just cant get my head wrapped around what it is worth.

Also is there such a thing as an enthusiast that would collect a truck like this? I would think if anyone would ever collect a 79 f 350 it would be something low mile as this one is.

 

I do not own the truck. I just Google searched for it. I posted the url in my last post. I think a truck with 6k miles would be desirable, but I don't think the long wheelbase is.

 

The 140" wheelbase F350's might not be rare but they are unique. (at least I think so) Its not like you see them as much as an F150 or F250. As for price, well that's all between you and the owner. If its as pristine as you describe Id say 5-6K would be a good price for it. Myself I have a 76 F350 that was my Dads truck he bought new in 76. So I know the whole history of it.

 

Wow you got a 4 speed in your '76 F350? *AND* 3.73 gears? You must get pretty good gas mileage. Is that manual transmission? I know F350 Camper specials with manual trans *are* pretty rare. I got a 3 speed auto 460ci with C6 with 4.10 gears and in town its like 8MPG - so far last time I measured

 

Truck in your signature: 1976 F350 Super Camper Special 460ci 4spd 3.73 gears.

4 speed was swapped in. There was no such thing as a 460 with a manual trans until 1983. The TRANS code stamped on the Warranty Plate would be G.

All 460's installed in 1968/78 Passenger Cars, 1973/79 F100/350's, 1975/82 Econolines came with the C6.

460 not available in F100's after 1976, in cars after 1978, in F150's after 1979, in 1980/82 F250/350. 460 reintroduced in 1983 F250/350.

And, there's no such thing as a 400M, it's just plain 'ol 400.