Hey everyone. New guy to the forum here. I have a '79 F-150 that I am rebuilding and I plan on getting a parts truck with a good body as mine is trashed. My question pertains to exterior trim. The trim I have on my truck is damaged so I can't reuse it. Looking at the truck trader it appears to be on all trucks from '73 to '79. It is chrome strip running from front to back with the rubber in the center. Is it possible to find an after market trim package or do I need to find a parts truck with the same trim?

Thanks for the help. Josh

P.S. I have been looking at a '79 camper special. The guy says it has a 360 in it but is not sure. Didn't the camper specials come with a 460?

 

The anodized aluminum (not chrome) molding that runs the length of the truck is expensive. You can expect to pay $600 from one of the sponsors of this site and about everyone else for that matter. If it were me I would suggest buying a parts truck with the molding and have it re-anodized by a chrome plating shop near you. However, buying a complete set for $600 might be cheaper and easier than buying a parts truck and have the molding redone. If you are restoring a truck trust me you will need extra parts....up to you.
360Fe were available in all trucks F100/150 and F250 from 73-76. It was replaced in 77 by the 351M. If it is a true 79, not a grill swap, then it was never available with a 360.
IIRC, 79 Camper specials were F250 and F350s with 133" and 140" wheelbases respectively. The parts that "made" them Camper Specials were heavy duty leaf springs coil springs and shocks, sway bars, dual batterys, and extra cooling radiators. Maybe other options but this was the biggest part. They could be had in any variation reg cab and super cab 2wd and 4wd and with either 351m, 400 or 460 (2wd only). If I had to bet my favorite dogs life on it I would say that if you upped the hood on 90% of 79 trucks you would find a 351m rest would be 300-6 and then some stray 302 400 and 460s (deffinately not knocking the strays in any way). IF its a 79 and IF its 2wd then there is a chance it COULD have come with a 460. What is the engine code?- the 4th letter in the vin J= 460 S=400 H=351m
Long winded but hope it helps

 

Thanks STG that does help. Won't be able to look at the truck for a few days so we will see what it is then. Another question. My '79 has a 400 in it. Engine/tranny was fine for the purpose it was used for except for towing over mountain passes. The difference between third and fourth gear left plenty to be desired. Going over the passes I could hit 50mph in 3rd and not loaded, but that was about it. Not alot of pep when I hit fourth gear. I love the manual tranny especially the granny low when I am driving the old logging roads. I would like to keep the stick so is it possible to keep it and compensate for the lack of power with say a 390,429,or 460?

 

all real good torque motors where the 351m and 400 left alot to be desired in stock form. For gobs of torque on Bill Gates budget build a 460 stroker. Otherwise build any of the 3 motors you mentioned with a 4bbl intake cam that builds power from idle to say 5,000 rpms or lower if possible and some headers. The 429 or 460 would be easiest because they will bolt right up to your 400 bell housing and motor mount kits are relatively cheap, less than $100. The 390, or even better 428, wouldnt be hard, but you would need an FE to NP435 bell housing (Ive seen these go for as cheap as $15 at flea markets) and some frame mounts from a 73-76 with a 360. All based entirely on your capabilities and budget.

 

O.K. The 390 or 428 project wouldn't be a problem. A 460 stroker would be sweet but a bit more work than I want to do right now. I would like to get something that would basically bolt on. The 400 I have in her right now was out of a '74 country squire. If memory serves me right that car was an automatic and my father already made the bell housing conversion.(Dad built the truck when I was a youngin') So given that info; of the 390, 428, 429, or 460 and say hauling a 5000# load, which would be the better powerplant for torque, m.p.g.(gotta ask that one nowadays), and basic all around efficiency?

I got a lot of questions before I get this project started and I want to get it done right the first time. Basically what I am going to do is replace the body and motor as well as some minor parts. So while i'm looking for a parts truck it would be nice to find one with the motor i'm looking for. If I couldn't find it I would be willing to get a new one. If they are available. Thanks for the help.

 

390 428 429 460 mpg those motors are heavy drinks but on the other hand all have alot of power

 

That 400 can be build up to put out 700 Horses.

https://www.ford-trucks.com/article/...00_Engine.html

Chrome trim.
There are some FTE users that have parts like this for sale all the time.
Check the classifieds for listings.

It can be expensive or reasonable.
I once sold a complete set of the chrome trim in MINT (concours condition) for $600.00 usd not including shipping to a guy in Australia a few years ago.
He made the offer as he needed it within 3 weeks.

Be careful though ....as not everyone represents parts the way they should be.