Hi Everyone,
This is my first post on this forum, and it's about a 1977 Ford F150 that I just bought. I sold my 2016 Chev Colorado a couple of weeks ago, and told my
wife that I've always wanted a vintage pickup, and that's what I was going to get... She was very supportive. I searched the internet all over, and found
this one through Hemmings, listed by World Wide vintage autos. I hired a mechanic in Colorado to look it over, from here in Ct., and although he said it would need
work, it was a solid truck. All original, although he didn't know about the 351M, the paint, interior and rest were from 1977. The seat is even in great shape!
So I bought it. It was shipped to me in less than a week, and I met the truck driver at a local truck stop to take delivery. He gave me the keys, and it started
right up. As my son and I merged onto the local interstate, the steering wheel had about 4" of freeplay in each direction of neutral! A bit hair raising to
say the least!, but got it home. Needless to say the first thing I did was to replace the steering gear, pittman arm, steering shaft, column bearings, steering
damper, and welded the bottom of the column to the firewall. New steering wheel too. I took the behind the seat tank out, for stereo room, took the 19 gal.
rear tank out, and purchased the 38 gal. rear tank. It should be enough, I hope. I am doing extensive electrical work now, including a back up camera, and
work to all lighting. I'm extremely happy with it, especially the light Jade Ford color. I became pretty fed up with the Chevy, with too much tech in it, and too
many bad habits that it had. I was tired of its rings, dings, warnings, computer controlled everything, and the fact that there was 0 leg room in the driver's
seat, with the light and 4wd switches in a position that turned them on or off, without your knowledge, as your knee hit them every time you climbed in or out,due to there being no leg room!! Also, there was no 4wd indicator light, so you never knew when it had been accidently turned on.... I'm happy to go back to basics,
I have a great big 8' bed now, and simplicity. I now drive this, and have a '68 VW beetle, fully restored as my backup. I couldn't be happier!!
Tonight I'll just start with my first question, and there's many to come, where can I find the VIN where it's stamped on the frame rail? I need to get
a VIN check, here in CT, and I've found the one on the driver's door, and I need to find a second.
Thanks for looking,
Bob Lemay,
Sherman Ct.

 

1. Welcome to FTE, make sure to join you FTE state chapter.
2. Nice truck, love the old school bed rails. Is that a inline fuel filter just hanging out from under the truck?
3. The plate riveted on the dvrs side door is a Warranty Plate and yes is does have the vin # but is NOT the per say "Vin tag". Like on the dash of newer vehicles. There is/should be a white Safety Certification sticker on the dvrs side B pillar by the door latch striker.

FYI the vi # on the title is/should be on the frame in 2 places. The paper title vi# goes to the frame vi#, swapping a door/that plate and or scrapping that sticker off is way easy. Did the mechanic in Colorado NOT ck that or just went with the door vi#?

https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...fter-swap.html

 

I'm not at my truck at the moment, but I believe the frame should have the vi# stamped near the motor mounts. I'll check with I get home, but I'm sure someone will post up before then.

Also, where in CO did you get it from? Denver here...

 

Bob,
Congratulations on your new truck! Glad you like it. Buying sight unseen can be not for the faint of heart! It looks really nice. Interesting it had a tank behind the seat as I thought only highboys had them. Maybe PO added it?

 

NICE TRUCK BOB!!!

Welcome to the site.

A word of caution, be very careful with your green interior, most of it isn't reproduced.
So if you have to pull a door panel be careful, my PO broke some of my panel fasteners in my 22k truck and used sheet metal screws thru the panels.

If you desire to change colors, you should get a pretty penny as people are looking for it. But I'd leave it be.

As far as the old gas opening, I wonder if a guy could mount an old school CB whip there using a small stainless bowl to cover the hole?
Do you have the fill trim on the tailgate too? Pics of the back and inside please!!

 

Beautiful.

 

Hey Guys,
Thanks for the great responses! Yes more pictures to come, but the interior is apart now, for a new carpet. Only could get black, as the jade green is no longer available. The seat is the original green, with only one small rip, it even still has the little rectangular medallions on the back rest. Someone hacked out the back foam for speakers at some point, but it's still comfortable as can be. I just reinstalled the old gas cap and neck in the opening, sealing them permanently closed. I do like the idea of the old whip spring antenna though! I took one picture of the tailgate, I guess someone has to tell me if it has the fill trim. Again, I'm very green to these trucks!
Yes, buying sight unseen was nerve racking, so I just put my complete trust into the mechanic, the sales staff, took a deep breath, and was overwhelmed with satisfaction in the first minute of delivery...
I still haven't found the frame vin as of yet, it's raining too much here in Ct. to get on the driveway today. It does have the vin, on the plate, on the door, and I believe it's original due to the hollow rivets still holding it secure. It also has the safety cert. sticker on the B pillar, it's just very hard to read as the typing is very faded. That's all for now, and I'll update soon!
Bob

 

Also, can anyone point me towards a past post on how to bleed the power steering system, or if there are none, what are your suggestions? Looked on youtube, but couldn't find much there either.
Thanks Bob

 

I bookmarked this thread because I needed to know and verify my frame vin also:

https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...l#post15863034

The pictures from 77&79F250 are worth a million words! I found mine with a flashlight and a wirebrush.

 

Nice truck. Congrats.

 

Yes you have the " fill trim" as you call it. The bottom thin piece can be an option along with a top thin piece. Then the FORD inlay put on (over) the stamped FORD letters and you have the top wide piece which is another trim option. You have the full trim package on the TG IMO. I am partial to the "race trac" trim package like you have. Pretty sure the correct trim pieces for what level or package will be on here shortly. Custom, Ranger, Ranger XLT means XXand X.

 

nice truck, everyday driver? i would not drive it in the salt/brine. our roads get brine sprayed all the time in the winter, seems to be worse than rock salt as far as rust and corrosion. your truck will never lose value (unless you way over paid) if you keep it in good condition. find a winter beater.

btw, 77&79, that is a sharp truck.

 

It was difficult to type this jazz without icons. What's a full trim package? The thin tailgate moulding below (D3TZ-9941018-A) the upper finish panel was installed w/tu-tone paint.

1973/79 Ranger, Ranger XLT & 1978/79 Lariat all have the lower tailgate finish panel. Only 1973/79 Ranger XLT & 1978/79 Lariat have the upper tailgate finish panel.

Race Track (R/T) body side mouldings introduced in 1977, were standard equipment for Ranger XLT's and Lariats, but these trucks could be special ordered without them.

When this occurred, the upper and lower body side mouldings were the same as 1973/76 Ranger XLT. Only the upper body side mouldings on these trucks have black vinyl inserts.

Today, you also see R/T mouldings on Customs and Rangers, because people bought them at the parts counter then installed them.

The complete set of Race Track mouldings for both sides for an 8' bed...retail price...was $350.00 + tax at the parts counter in 1977.

btw: You rarely see R/T's on a truck painted a single color, most trucks with these mouldings were tu-toned.

I know you are very knowledgeable on these trucks, but you've only been looking at them in recent years.

I was looking up parts in catalogs, looking at them in showrooms when they were brand new. I'm 75, be thankful you ain't!

The OP needs to post a pic of the Warranty Plate.

 

You can find the jade green carpet. I replaced mine 2 years ago. I will locate the receipt for ya and tell ya where I got it.

OP that is a good looking truck! Here is mine

 

Do you mean to replace the fluid? If that, there's videos by Chris Fix on youtube showing how to do that just using a turkey baster to suck the old fluid out.