1976 Custom Rebuild
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5th Gear
Joined: Mar 2024
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1976 Custom Rebuild
I have a 1976 F-150 Custom that I am wanting to start restoring and need some advice since I am new to all this. It has 360 with manual 4 speed trans, 4 wd and currently the rear axle is trash. I am wanting to completely restore the truck so it is a reliable truck for my son to drive when he turns of age. My main question is should I rebuild the current motor and stay with that transmission or is there a better option of swapping out with something newer? Also, has anybody done a frame swap and what is the options on that?
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Joined: Jun 2006
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From: Near Yosemite CA
I have a 1976 F-150 Custom that I am wanting to start restoring and need some advice since I am new to all this. It has 360 with manual 4 speed trans, 4 wd and currently the rear axle is trash. I am wanting to completely restore the truck so it is a reliable truck for my son to drive when he turns of age. My main question is should I rebuild the current motor and stay with that transmission or is there a better option of swapping out with something newer? Also, has anybody done a frame swap and what is the options on that?
Personally, I prefer the originality of our older trucks, so I would probably rebuild the current setup, probably making the 360 into a 390 and some performance goodies, the 4 speed is either an NP435 or T18, both solid units, you can search the forums here, there's been all kinds of swaps and updates done to these trucks, again, it goes back to budget and plans. The rear axle is a 9 inch, lots of parts out there for them, so if it's trashed no biggie, you can find a rplc'ment pretty easily, or rebuild the one you have for not too much $$
For frame swap... what are you thinking? Body onto newer frame?
Lead Driver
Joined: Oct 2018
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The first question is what do you want to spend? everything else rides on that.
Personally, I think all the swaps and goofy upgrades are stupid. if you want a diesel or an EFI engine with an 8 speed auto buy one, whatever you morgify together will never be as good as a properly engineered vehicle is. I could spend a million dollars screwing up a '79 F250 and it would never be half as good as my new superduty power joke. end of story.
If you like the looks and nostalgia of the lates 70's Ford then restore one. and that means keep it original or at least somewhat original. your 360 is a good engine, if you want more power a 390 or 428 is an easy upgrade and it'll still be an FE and basically original. your 4 spd is fine, if you plan on driving it a lot an overdrive would make sense and there are options. like radial tires those are sensible upgrades and unless you're after concours originality it's still original.
Personally, I think all the swaps and goofy upgrades are stupid. if you want a diesel or an EFI engine with an 8 speed auto buy one, whatever you morgify together will never be as good as a properly engineered vehicle is. I could spend a million dollars screwing up a '79 F250 and it would never be half as good as my new superduty power joke. end of story.
If you like the looks and nostalgia of the lates 70's Ford then restore one. and that means keep it original or at least somewhat original. your 360 is a good engine, if you want more power a 390 or 428 is an easy upgrade and it'll still be an FE and basically original. your 4 spd is fine, if you plan on driving it a lot an overdrive would make sense and there are options. like radial tires those are sensible upgrades and unless you're after concours originality it's still original.
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5th Gear
Joined: Mar 2024
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Thank you for the feed back. As far as budget i haven't really set one but was figuring it would take 20K or so to restore it. I plan on replacing everything that needs it and will reuse the parts that I can. This will be a 6 yr project so I won't have to spend all that money at once. Going off the specs the transmission is the NP435. Leaning towards staying with the 360 and prob turn it into a 390 so i can stay original as possible. Have you bought a crate motor instead of rebuilding one? Does it cost any more or less by going with a crate motor? The only reason i was thinking of a frame swap is to gain some updated options on suspension and brakes. Didn't know if it would be cost prohibited to do this instead of updating what i have. Just want to make the truck reliable and something my son can drive for several years to come.
Thank you for your time!
Thank you for your time!
Tuned
Joined: Jun 2018
Posts: 458
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From: Arkansas
What frame would you swap it to? What upgrades are you wanting to get out of a frame swap? Disc brakes? I mean most trucks used drum rears until the 2000s and were fine, Toyota used them till like a few years ago. I feel like when you get to the point that you're basically wanting a modern truck underneath, it begs the question why keep a 360 and 4 speed non overdrive trans? Why not a modern powertrain? Then I wonder why are you even wanting an older truck, just buy a modern one.
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I second what beardedcap said.
As far as the engine goes forget a crate engine. just build what you want and know it's done right. turning it into a 390 makes the most sense, pick a compression ratio and a custom roller cam to work with your build and 4160 and you have the best of all worlds.
If you're planning to put a nice paint job on it and fix things right 20k will get you a good start. but the good part is with the market the way it is these days if you do a quality job and don't do anything goofy your investment will hold it's value so it's easier to justify.
As far as the engine goes forget a crate engine. just build what you want and know it's done right. turning it into a 390 makes the most sense, pick a compression ratio and a custom roller cam to work with your build and 4160 and you have the best of all worlds.
If you're planning to put a nice paint job on it and fix things right 20k will get you a good start. but the good part is with the market the way it is these days if you do a quality job and don't do anything goofy your investment will hold it's value so it's easier to justify.
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5th Gear
Joined: Mar 2024
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I understand what your saying Beardedcap and more than likely i will stick with the original frame and powertrain. I was just wondering if there is any benefits to updating to a modern frame and powertrain. For the purpose the truck will serve keeping it original is probably the best option for me. Thanks for all the advice and I am sure once i get started i will have more questions!!
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Joined: Jun 2006
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From: Near Yosemite CA
I redid all the mechanicals on a few of my old Slicks and Dents and have used them a dd's for many years, I even drove my 79 F250 4x from CA to MO, 1800 miles and had nary an issue, so as long as you are making all the mechanicals new, you should expect a long, prosperous bit of service from it, if you keep up on the maint. you should be able to drive it just as you would a newer truck. 👍
Looking forward to pictures and your progress, just my .02, for what ya pay for it... I would restore the mechanicals so you can drive it and enjoy it, then get to work on the body and what not... a lot of folks get knee deep in it and lose the motivation and end up selling it as a parts truck, so being able to drive it, THEN do the pretty up part would be my suggestion...
Looking forward to pictures and your progress, just my .02, for what ya pay for it... I would restore the mechanicals so you can drive it and enjoy it, then get to work on the body and what not... a lot of folks get knee deep in it and lose the motivation and end up selling it as a parts truck, so being able to drive it, THEN do the pretty up part would be my suggestion...
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5th Gear
Joined: Mar 2024
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Thank you Pickupmanx2! This truck was actually my grandpa's farm pickup for many years and after he passed away it set for many years. Then i got the truck running and drove it in high school until the rear end went out and it has been parked since! I have a Scout II also so i just drove it instead of fixing the truck. Its at a point that it needs a lot of love mechanically and the interior/exterior. I am in no hurry to get it fixed and will just do a little at a time. My 9 yr old son wants to help fix it up so i figured if i got started now i might be done time he is 16!! As i get going i will post some pictures
More Turbo
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great advice given so far.
I'm in the process of rehabbing a 1979 f150 4x4.
original plan was to get it running for a truck to tool around town in.
having a budget and vision for the intended project will help you as things can go sideways quickly.
so far, i've replaced all the suspension bits on the front/rear, all the cab mounts, tires and engine swap.
still needing to do complete interior refresh and body/paint work.
plan on finding things you didn't anticipate needing replaced (hence my engine swap).
it'll be a great project for your 9yo to help with and great you're keeping a heirloom in the family.
I'm in the process of rehabbing a 1979 f150 4x4.
original plan was to get it running for a truck to tool around town in.
having a budget and vision for the intended project will help you as things can go sideways quickly.
so far, i've replaced all the suspension bits on the front/rear, all the cab mounts, tires and engine swap.
still needing to do complete interior refresh and body/paint work.
plan on finding things you didn't anticipate needing replaced (hence my engine swap).
it'll be a great project for your 9yo to help with and great you're keeping a heirloom in the family.
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