I am looking for an older ford f250 4X4 to buy in the near future. What is the best year to get. I want to get something in the 70's range. I am looking for a larger V8 motor. Any suggestions??

 

Any year truck from 73-79 would be a good choice. Most of the F250 4x4s came with big V8s, so that shouldn't be too hard to find. The F250 4x4s from 73-early 77 were Highboys, and are more desirable than the late 77-79s. The 73-early 77 Highboy 4x4s sat up higher than the late 77-79 4x4s.

 

Every person has their favorite year for their various reason but all of us will agree I`m sure is the `70`s model trucks are the greatest. As far as what year to buy don`t really make to much diffeeernce what you need to look at is what kind of damage has the truck had , what kind of modifiactions,IS the engine and transmission one you will be happy with, ect.ect...
Personally I own a 1979 F150 4x4, 79 F250 2 wheel drive , and a 85 full size Bronco.
Basically it comes down to what you are going to be happy with. Earlier models have easier wiring systems for the novice truck player while the later models have a more complicated fuel and electrical system to deal with.
BUT THEY ARE ALL GREAT RIDES NO MATTER WHAT THEY HAVE IN THEM OR WHERE THEY GET DRIVEN.

 

kinda hard imo to get any better than a 78/79 F350 4x4

 

My $.02 (didja know there isn't a cents key anymore )

In 1976 they switched to front disk brakes and was the last year for the 390, and in 1977 they quit putting the fuel tank behind the front seat.

I like the 77 and earlier grille better than the 78-79.

I've had a 76 f250 4wd w/360 (power steer hoses everywhere, and engine would have made a better boat anchor), a 77 F150 2wd w/460 (fast, but 2wd), and a 78 4wd w/390 (told my wife to bury me in it).

But in the end, you really can't go wrong with any of them, IMHO .

 

Start writing things down that you want on this truck for sure.

That will tell us what to suggest.

 

I favor the 1973-77 grilles over the 1978-79's.

 

imo,
Anything 73-79 is a good buy, although I do have to say I like not having to smog my 73.
-Chris

 

This is not true 78F1504x4, this has been brought up many a time's as to what year it stopped, I have a 79, and there are some other's on FTE, that has an in cab tank and a bed tank. I believe FORD was doing whatever they could to get rid of the overstock. I am not believing that 77 was the last year unless it is from FORD

 

Keep in mind that the older the vehicle , the less availability of replacement parts . The factory OEM's parts for the 79's are all but ancient history, anything older is very HARD to find OEM's for. Parts will have to be salvaged from a junk (recycle) yard, or from someone parting out a truck. This site has sponsors that sell the 70's vintage parts also. After those choices are depleted , that just leaves buying aftermarket parts, and that is always a challenge to the restoration process, jmo

 

I have had a 77 and a 79 F250 4x4. I would much perfer my old 77 than the 79 but thats just me. Don't get me wrong I have a 79 F150 4x4 now and love it! I loved my 77 4x4 that thing was a work horse did anything I ask of it But, one of my best freinds loved it even more (BIG FORD GUY) so sence I have too many projects already I gave it to him for his birthday!!! He loves that truck! He has already swapped the 351m out with a 460. You can't go wrong with any of these trucks really. I guess it is all what you want to do with it.

 

I like all Ford trucks before 1980, oops sorry except for 57-60. For your purposes 77.5-79 had reliable ps. and strong axles . An older body is easy to install on them even 65/66. Parts are still reasonably easy to find, and cheap. I just bought front rotors for my 79 Dana 60 for $42 each CANADIAN and semimetallic pads for $16set. In stock at local parts store in town of 7000 people. You only need a parts man that can read a book not just run the computer. I had a 72 F250 4x4 I couldn't get front diff parts for so I upgraded to 79 axles. Whatever you get Enjoy it.

 

1978...

 

The closer the you get to the 78-79 year models the LESS modification(s) you will have to make to the truck . The most expensive and time consuming , of course , is the Switch over from the old style "tractor Steering" to the more desirable system of the 78-79 year(s) models . I'm NOT ignoring the 77.5 (s) which ALSO has the same PS setup as the 78, 79's but they seem to have become very scarce . The front discs are better , etc . Personally , I think the 360\390 engine(s) are much better than the 351m\400 (s) that appeared in the 77 and up year models but that is just my personal opinion........sk..

 

This is flat wrong....

Federal standards mandated fuel tank doors covering caps in 1977. You may have an in cab tank but it was not put there in by Ford