Long time member around the site, but haven't done anything here in the dent side forums for years.... my last dent side was my first truck in high school ( raven black 77 f150 4x4 swb, built 400, c6, etc.). Loved that truck and have always had an affinity for the generation.
I now have more vehicles than One could ever need, but means allow me to play around, as it were. I recently found an add for a 78 f150 lwb 4x4 with 460 and 4 speed auto(?).
the seller is fairly nearby and may be willing to deal ( offering a trade) so I'm looking into this wealth of collective brainpower to help me decide if it's worth my time. Another one of those "what should I look out for" threads.
Trucks looks good in the pics online, but they are not great. The seller admits the PO did the 460 swap and does not know what year, what vehicle it came from originally. I need to have him confirm it really is a 4 speed auto, as the add states. It is a 4 barrel carburetor, so I'm guessing not the original transmission to the motor, unless someone swapped an efi motor back to a carburetor. I don't think any carburetor 460s ever came with 4 speed auto...
Aside from the usual looking for leaks, rusty cab corners and bed sides, what else should I go over with extra scrutiny?

https://classifieds.ksl.com/listing/73890189

Link ad

looks like it has decent tires and some sort of lift. Coils look yellow. I'll be using the truck for weekend wheeling, periodically pulling a flat bed or a load of gravel, etc. I want it to be fun to drive( read, powerful) reliable, and ride well. What should I look at for upgrades? Are there any plug and play wiring harnesses available out there? I remember the old wiring was an issue on my 77.

 

That's not a 1978, as the ad states. First thing I would check is that the title matches the vin # on the frame & in the door jamb. Could be a simple typo, they meant to hit 1977.

Looks to have an aftermarket shifter, to go with the swapped in mystery transmission. Left bed side looks rusty in the pics, probably a lot worse in person.

I like that it is a Ranger XLT, looks like it has, or had, AC.

 

Yep, definitely not a 78 unless it was swapped to the older style front shell which I would doubt. 73-77 had that front end and as stated above could be a simple typo. If you can get your hands on that vin it should tell you a lot.

https://www.fordification.net/tech/vin.htm
You can use this to decode the vin OR post it on here and someone (including me) can decode it for you. It's important the frame vin matches the vin on the door jamb.

Doesn't look to be a half bad truck. For the rust side of things check the rockers, floor boards, rear fender wells, and the bottom corner of the fenders closest to the doors. Those are usually the typical rust spots on these trucks and a lot of ford trucks for that matter. Also make sure to check the condition of the frame and don't be afraid to crawl up under there and give everything a quick inspection. That truck is not a plug and play...no computers, no hookups for a computer. With that said you can go through the trouble of swapping some electronics to that motor like a Holley Sniper EFI (SUPER pricey) but for what you're doing IMO it'll be just fine the way it is. Definitely need to figure out what transmission it exactly has and might double check to see if more than just the transmission was swapped.

Wish you good luck on this truck and I will say you have great taste in trucks!

 

I highly doubt its got a 4 speed auto. Odds are just a c-6 (3speed) auto.

 

Well, I ended up getting a 96 bronco instead. This guy wouldn't be able meet until next week and I found a suitable bronco so no dentside for now...

 

Well congrats! No idea if you've had an OBS Ford but 96 was a good year. I have a 94 F150 (specs under signature).