Which 197X to start with....?
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Which 197X to start with....?
I'm looking for a 1970 something F-150 for a project. I'm thinking something slightly lowerred, perhaps chopped & smoothed, large diameter rims with low profile tires.
I want muscle car type power and would plan to completely gut the interior.
My question is, as far as power train, I've seen everything from 302ci to 460ci. C4's, C6's, perhaps other transmissions (I'd prefer a manual), rear ends up in the air, is a 9 inch a good rear end? I assume I would do better without A/C if I am going for power.
I think I prefer late 70's. I'd be willing to upgrade brakes, suspension, and rebuild the powertrain, although, I'd prefer to use what is in the truck as a base.
Any recommendations, surely appreciated.
Here is one I'm looking at for starters.
https://www.ford-trucks.com/classifieds/showproduct.php?product=331&sort=2&cat=all&page=8
This is along the lines of what I'd like to do.
https://www.ford-trucks.com/classifieds/showproduct.php?product=873&sort=2&cat=all&page=19
Thanks,
Ben
I want muscle car type power and would plan to completely gut the interior.
My question is, as far as power train, I've seen everything from 302ci to 460ci. C4's, C6's, perhaps other transmissions (I'd prefer a manual), rear ends up in the air, is a 9 inch a good rear end? I assume I would do better without A/C if I am going for power.
I think I prefer late 70's. I'd be willing to upgrade brakes, suspension, and rebuild the powertrain, although, I'd prefer to use what is in the truck as a base.
Any recommendations, surely appreciated.
Here is one I'm looking at for starters.
https://www.ford-trucks.com/classifieds/showproduct.php?product=331&sort=2&cat=all&page=8
This is along the lines of what I'd like to do.
https://www.ford-trucks.com/classifieds/showproduct.php?product=873&sort=2&cat=all&page=19
Thanks,
Ben
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Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 25
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From: Charleston, SC
Keep in mind the grill changed between 77 and 78. I prefer the 77 and prior grill, but most of my friends are fans of 78-79's.
From my experience, the trucks didn't have gas doors until 1977 also, and if you want a smoothed truck, I'd want those rather than the caps on the side.
My personal preference for power is the 460. I haven't rebuilt mine yet, but if it holds true for Ford the same as ch*vy, the big block parts might be more expensive. So the question is do you go with a small block and afford more parts or a tamer big block. Before you buy, I'd figure out how much you want to spend, then look at pricing parts and the like to figure out what you can afford to do with it, whether on a small block or BB.
I went with a 77 F-150, 460, C6. The 77 is my favorite body. I am saving bit by bit for my engine rebuild (the truck only has 110K) and when the time comes it will be have power a plenty. In the meantime, the truck still has lots of stock power.
The C6 was a pretty easy rebuild, but if you want a manual that's irrelevant.
I think the 9 in is a great rear end, just don't neglect it during the build. If you are going to sink $$ into your motor, you may need to upgrade your rear at some point also. Drivetrain's only as good as the weakest link.
I believe in muscle car power, but I also believe in comfort of a daily driver. So my truck will have air conditioning regardless of if it robs horsepower. It gets too dang hot in SC to not have A/C. I can always take the belt off if need be at the strip, I suppose.
Of course, lots of parts swap from year to year. So you can get the best of a lot of different years. But that all depends on how much $$ you want to spend. And if your neighbors mind if you have 5 parts trucks in your yard.
ray
From my experience, the trucks didn't have gas doors until 1977 also, and if you want a smoothed truck, I'd want those rather than the caps on the side.
My personal preference for power is the 460. I haven't rebuilt mine yet, but if it holds true for Ford the same as ch*vy, the big block parts might be more expensive. So the question is do you go with a small block and afford more parts or a tamer big block. Before you buy, I'd figure out how much you want to spend, then look at pricing parts and the like to figure out what you can afford to do with it, whether on a small block or BB.
I went with a 77 F-150, 460, C6. The 77 is my favorite body. I am saving bit by bit for my engine rebuild (the truck only has 110K) and when the time comes it will be have power a plenty. In the meantime, the truck still has lots of stock power.
The C6 was a pretty easy rebuild, but if you want a manual that's irrelevant.
I think the 9 in is a great rear end, just don't neglect it during the build. If you are going to sink $$ into your motor, you may need to upgrade your rear at some point also. Drivetrain's only as good as the weakest link.
I believe in muscle car power, but I also believe in comfort of a daily driver. So my truck will have air conditioning regardless of if it robs horsepower. It gets too dang hot in SC to not have A/C. I can always take the belt off if need be at the strip, I suppose.
Of course, lots of parts swap from year to year. So you can get the best of a lot of different years. But that all depends on how much $$ you want to spend. And if your neighbors mind if you have 5 parts trucks in your yard.
ray
