I was looking at a 1977 F150 4x4, 351m, 88,000 in great condition. Today I came across a 1979 F150 4x4, 400, 68,000 miles in need of a little body work (some rust and such) but not too bad. Needs interior work too. They're asking $5,500 for the '77 and $3,500 for the '79. Any opinions on what I should go for?

Thanks

 

I would research the mileage on the two trucks a little more. Compare the brake pedals, door hinges and other wear items. If one of the trucks has turned over 100K, that would make the choice easier.

My choice would lean toward the 79 if not for the rust. The trucks are similiar, so pick the one in the best overall condition. Your gut feeling will tell you which one........

 

The '77 is definitely in much better condition. But the '79 has the 400 and it's priced better for me. We'll see. . .

 

I think that the 77 front end is better looking. The 351M and 400 have about the same power. The 400 has a little more torque, but nothing drastic.

 

One more thing to think about. Depending on where you live and if you want to make mods on the engine. The 77 model used leaded gas, meaning no catalitic converters and therefore you have a little more leway on what you can do to it if you live where there are strick polution laws. If you don't live in such areas then it is a no brainer. My 78 has no cat converters on it, of course where I live we do not have emissions inspections either.

Michelle

 

if you plan on 4x4'in with them i would pick the 79. better steering and i believe it has a high pinion d44 and the 77 does not. i could be mistaken, and am sure if i am will be corrected . i think there were a few other odds and ends that make the 79 a bit stronger . plus i like the 79 grill-lights

 

wow, that's expensive. where do you guys live? about a month ago, i bought my '77 F150 with a 351M for $1,700 and it was in great condition. when i was a teenager, my first truck was a '79 flareside - $300; i got a '78 302 - $800; and later a fully restored everything original '79 351M - $2,500.

although cheap, it took me 2 years of "not so hard" looking to find a 73-79 Ford for sale.

 

Unless you really really want an old ford personally after buying and running them I don't know if I'd drop $5,500 into another one. Even $3,500 is sounding rich for a F-150 espically if it needs body work, no matter how drastic. As others have said if your somewhere that requires emissions, and the parts are missing (99% chance they are) your looking a few bucks to get it all back on there.
Insterment clusters are too easy to change, and when dealing with a 24+ year old vehicle it's hard to say what the actual mileage is. Espically if their are more than two owners before you.
When I got my 79 250 4x4 400 auto I paid $4800. 63k orig miles (or so I was told). Everything looked great, but after I got it and started running it the 18 yrs of previous life started to show thru... Currently it's got 88k on the spedo. Can't complain, for all I've done to it and the way it runs with all it's done, it's paid for its self. Still looks as good as new too, but not without time, $$$, and work. Sorry for the long post but it's just something to keep in mind. Unless you have lots of money to spend just remeber your probably gonna have to run it for a few years before you can get something else (if need be) And resale prices (atleast around here) havn't gone up any....

OH, just to add picked up my brother a 79 150 400, auto, 4x4 on a scale of 1-10 it's a 8, only paid $2000 115k

 

I really appreciate the input from everyone. I was about to go buy the '77, but I can't afford to put that much money into it right now. I wouldn't have anything left to use to work on it. I'll find the truck for me if I keep looking . . .

FORD, of course