Notices
1973 - 1979 F-100 & Larger F-Series Trucks Discuss the Dentsides Ford Truck
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by: Moser

1978 F-150

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Mar 30, 2008 | 04:41 PM
  #1  
Ethan9's Avatar
Ethan9
Thread Starter
|
Junior User
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 60
Likes: 0
From: Clearfield Pennsylvania
1978 F-150

I have always wanted a 78 or 79 truck and recently located a 1978 F-150. The ad said it had a V-8 but was not specific. Not specific on the tranny either. I talked to my dad about it and he said that the 70s F-250s were beasts but not to waste my money on a 150 from the same era. My question is how tough are these trucks? Would it be a step up from my 92 F-150? Keep in mind I do a lot of wheeling.
 
Reply
Old Mar 30, 2008 | 05:08 PM
  #2  
rsalter66's Avatar
rsalter66
Posting Guru
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 1,191
Likes: 0
From: Lockport, NY
Well isn't that a tricky question
I like the D44's + 9" solid axles in the 78 150's
yes a 250 or 350 would be beefier and it all depends on the size of tire you plan to run?
I would not go over 35" tires on the 150
and it all depends on how hard you plan to wheel it
there are so many different variablesto this subject that it makes it hard to answer your very vague question
more info would be needed
 
Reply
Old Mar 30, 2008 | 05:19 PM
  #3  
Ethan9's Avatar
Ethan9
Thread Starter
|
Junior User
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 60
Likes: 0
From: Clearfield Pennsylvania
I dont plan on anything bigger than 32 or 33 inch tires. I dont do any real extreme wheeling, just mud boggin and hill climbin. I guess what Im trying to find out is how much of an improvement it would be over my 92, 5-speed and a 302. How did the autos hold up in these trucks? I know the 4 speeds were tough as nails but havent heard much about the autos.
 
Reply
Old Mar 30, 2008 | 05:23 PM
  #4  
rsalter66's Avatar
rsalter66
Posting Guru
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 1,191
Likes: 0
From: Lockport, NY
The Ford C-6 is a very durable transmission if maintained well
lots of aftermarket improvements can be done also to make it bullet proof
as far as your other question I cant really answer that
I think its more of a personal preference
but I have spoke to a lot of wheeler's that do a solid axle swap in their trucks like yours
I personally think you would be far better off with the 78
but I'm biased
 
Reply
Old Mar 30, 2008 | 05:32 PM
  #5  
Ethan9's Avatar
Ethan9
Thread Starter
|
Junior User
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 60
Likes: 0
From: Clearfield Pennsylvania
Thanks. I would prefer the 78 because I hate the smaller engine compartment and all the emissions crap on my truck. And I would take a carb over fuel injection anyday. That 92 is one tough mother, though. I sincerely believe 96 was the last year for the truly tough Ford truck.
 
Reply
Old Mar 30, 2008 | 05:46 PM
  #6  
rsalter66's Avatar
rsalter66
Posting Guru
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 1,191
Likes: 0
From: Lockport, NY
the truck more and likely has a 351M which is a torque monster
but it does have its down falls, they have a oiling problem which is easily fixed, some like them some dont, most do a 460 swap
you can find all kinds of info on the web
fullsizebronco.com is a good source of info for the 78 f150 4x4
just refer to it as a 78 bronco, they have all the same components
the Broncos just have a shorter wheel base
Are you planning on building it to wheel or just buying it and wheeling it?
there is a bunch you could do to it to make it better
they are a very popular wheeler
 
Reply
Old Mar 30, 2008 | 05:53 PM
  #7  
ranger429's Avatar
ranger429
Logistics Pro
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 4,238
Likes: 21
From: Northern Illinois
Hmmm, a 92 or a 78-79? Boy that is a tough choice.
 
Reply
Old Mar 30, 2008 | 06:03 PM
  #8  
rsalter66's Avatar
rsalter66
Posting Guru
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 1,191
Likes: 0
From: Lockport, NY
Now there is a man with some knowledge (Ranger429)
he is one of my go to guys when I need to know something?
which is always
 
Reply
FTE Stories

Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts

story-0

Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalytic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath

 Verdad Gallardo
story-1

Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer

 Joe Kucinski
story-2

2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)

 Brett Foote
story-3

Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies

 Joe Kucinski
story-4

AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make

 Brett Foote
story-5

Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-6

Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home

 Verdad Gallardo
story-7

10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!

 Joe Kucinski
story-8

2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?

 Brett Foote
story-9

2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package First Look: 12 Things You NEED to Know!

 Michael S. Palmer
Old Mar 30, 2008 | 06:16 PM
  #9  
cps's Avatar
cps
Laughing Gas
15 Year Member
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 967
Likes: 7
From: coquitlam,BC
You can`t go wrong with a 78 or 79 ,nice drivetrains, inexpensive to mod,big engine compartment. The drawbacks are the 351 / 400m motors do not have many HP upgrades because nobody makes pistons or heads, thats why everybody swaps in 460s.The other is they tend to have big rust issues. Nothin a few dollars wont cure.
 
Reply
Old Mar 30, 2008 | 06:24 PM
  #10  
rsalter66's Avatar
rsalter66
Posting Guru
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 1,191
Likes: 0
From: Lockport, NY
Originally Posted by cps
. The drawbacks are the 351 / 400m motors do not have many HP upgrades because nobody makes pistons or heads,
you might want to rethink that statement,
I just have to throw the B/S flag on that one
there is a lot you can do, I'm not digging up all the info or going to go into all that but its out there, you can build just about anything if you got the money to throw at it
 
Reply
Old Mar 30, 2008 | 07:00 PM
  #11  
cps's Avatar
cps
Laughing Gas
15 Year Member
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 967
Likes: 7
From: coquitlam,BC
Which statement would you like me to rethink? If you know anyone where you can get pistons or heads i will stand corrected.And i don`t mean custom made otherwise you might as well thow in a 460 and the sky is the limit for HP upgrades. I have owned 78 and 79 ford 4x4s for 25 yrs, broncos and pickups, but i could have missed something.
 
Reply
Old Mar 30, 2008 | 07:03 PM
  #12  
ranger429's Avatar
ranger429
Logistics Pro
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 4,238
Likes: 21
From: Northern Illinois
Edelbrock aluminum 351M/400 heads: http://www.jegs.com/i/Edelbrock/350/61629/10002/-1
 
Reply
Old Mar 30, 2008 | 07:13 PM
  #13  
rsalter66's Avatar
rsalter66
Posting Guru
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 1,191
Likes: 0
From: Lockport, NY
well like I said, I'm not going to go searching for the information again, I don't run that motor anymore
but off the top of my head
edelbrock makes a head for it if I remember correctly, there Aussie heads for it
the 351M/400 runs a Cleveland 2v head casting, there are a few place that you can get adapters to run all sorts of manifolds
I was looking into building a clevor and found all kinds of info on people building high out put M motors
I used to have all the info in my favorites but deleted it
so like I said " it can be done " so I have read
the 351M forum would be the place to look
 
Reply
Old Mar 30, 2008 | 07:15 PM
  #14  
Mil1ion's Avatar
Mil1ion
New User
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 0
Likes: 24
So when did Sealed Power & TRW go out of business ?

http://www.rockauto.com/catalog/x,ca...,parttype,5620
 
Reply
Old Mar 30, 2008 | 07:18 PM
  #15  
ranger429's Avatar
ranger429
Logistics Pro
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 4,238
Likes: 21
From: Northern Illinois
Dennis those are the stock pistons. There are no aftermarket performance pistons made for a 351M/400 AFAIK.
 
Reply



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 09:44 PM.

story-0
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalytic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath

Slideshow: Called the Fortress, the 850-horsepower pickup combines Raptor underpinnings with military-inspired features, survival equipment, and a starting price of $285,000.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-30 18:33:59


VIEW MORE
story-1
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer

Slideshow: 10 most expensive Ford trucks ever sold on Bring a Trailer.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 16:24:34


VIEW MORE
story-2
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)

Here's everything that has changed for the latest model year.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-27 16:17:28


VIEW MORE
story-3
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies

Slideshow: Top 10 Ford truck tragedies.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-18 19:34:33


VIEW MORE
story-4
AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make

And it might be even better than that.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-18 19:26:42


VIEW MORE
story-5
Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!

Slideshow: Does lowering an F-150 Lobo RUIN the ride quality?

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-05-18 19:20:37


VIEW MORE
story-6
Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home

Slideshow: Ford's bizarre fishing-themed Explorer concept has resurfaced after spending decades largely forgotten.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-12 18:07:46


VIEW MORE
story-7
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!

Slideshow: The 10 best Ford truck engines we miss the most.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-12 13:09:47


VIEW MORE
story-8
2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?

Slideshow: first look at the 810 hp 2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road!

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-12 12:50:07


VIEW MORE
story-9
2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package First Look: 12 Things You NEED to Know!

Slideshow: Everything You Need to Know about the 2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package!

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-05-07 17:51:06


VIEW MORE