Choosing a year
Cargo Master
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 2,409
Likes: 1
From: Goliad, Texas
welcome to FTE!
sounds like you caught the dentside Ford bug!
all of the most common places for rust were already stated.
there are many different engines that came in these trucks. 4x4s didn't have some of the engines 2wds did, so, in stock form: 300 I6, 351M, 360, and 400. a 460 didn't come in 4x4s until 1983 and that was only F350s. a 302 didn't come in 4x4 dentsides ever. a 390 NEVER came in a 4x4 dentside.
rare but still out there are the F250 Snowfigthers. they have the D60 up front as well as in back.
remember you have to consider if you want manual, power assist, or power steering. also incab or inbed gas tanks. also divorced or married transfer cases.
sounds like you caught the dentside Ford bug!
all of the most common places for rust were already stated.
there are many different engines that came in these trucks. 4x4s didn't have some of the engines 2wds did, so, in stock form: 300 I6, 351M, 360, and 400. a 460 didn't come in 4x4s until 1983 and that was only F350s. a 302 didn't come in 4x4 dentsides ever. a 390 NEVER came in a 4x4 dentside.
rare but still out there are the F250 Snowfigthers. they have the D60 up front as well as in back.
remember you have to consider if you want manual, power assist, or power steering. also incab or inbed gas tanks. also divorced or married transfer cases.
Post Fiend
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 8,786
Likes: 28
From: Northern California
Rectangular headlamps was an optional Extra on Customs in 1978. Standard Equipment on Ranger and Higher Levels. Info from 1978 F-Series Brochure.
1979 standard equipment on all trim levels.
Cargo Master
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 2,409
Likes: 1
From: Goliad, Texas
I've never heard of this. I'm about 97% sure that all 1978 Customs came with round headlights. 1978 Ranger, Ranger XLT, and Ranger Lariat trucks had rectangular headlights. and yes all 1979s had rectangular headlights.
Post Fiend
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 8,786
Likes: 28
From: Northern California
1978 Ranger, Ranger XLT, and Ranger Lariat trucks had rectangular headlights.
and yes all 1979s had rectangular headlights.
I wish that a certain someone was still around sometimes, that Bill and I know well. I believe he had the brochure that I read that confirmed this.
But without saying, all I could find is this...
Which says standard for Ranger.
More Turbo
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 555
Likes: 2
From: Washington state
Well then it may just be that a different Front axel was swapped into my '78 SC 4x4. Cause that axel code does not correspond to a Dana 44. Also a swapped front end cause I have the chrome rectangular head lights, and no where does the truck Say Custom, Ranger, Ranger XLT, or Lariat, or anything
Mountain Pass
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 197
Likes: 0
From: In the swamps of Florida
I thought I read somewhere that 4x4 F-150 Supercabs came with leaf sprung Dana 44's in the front and the regular cabs had coils. Maybe someone can verify this?
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Cargo Master
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 2,409
Likes: 1
From: Goliad, Texas
81-F-150-Explorer, if you're talking about *******, yes he was a guy that knew his stuff. I was here when he was still here. he knew the answers to a lot of things.
yes, it very well makes sense that, "why would someone pay more for something that you can get for a little extra money on a nicer vehicle?"
yes, it very well makes sense that, "why would someone pay more for something that you can get for a little extra money on a nicer vehicle?"
Senior User
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 301
Likes: 0
Welcome to the site! You will find FTE to be a very valuable resource as you progress with your project. You have decided on the main things (make, model, year range, 4x) so just find an average truck and start rolling. WARNING!!! You will change your mind and direction with this project as often as your underwear. You might also want to consider buying a couple of trucks (one for the frame and one for the body etc). I started with my project almost a year ago and have bought and sold four different trucks for different parts. For me it turned into a buy, sell for profit to fund the project kind of thing. Whatever you decide it will be fun and rewarding in the end. Good luck!
Elder User
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 522
Likes: 0
From: South Central PA
Yeah I forgot about that lil' tidbit on the rectangular headlights being optional in '78. But heck, alot of guys swapped out there round ones for rectangle anyway to make it look more spiffy. If you want something tough, and you think you may possibly get an itch to modify something, I'd go with the more heavy duty trucks then. At least this way you wont have to swap axles out like me, when you could have just bought an 8 lug truck in the first place for cheaper and easyer than doin a swap on my 150. Even so, if youre only thinking of doin a 35 " tire, you will prob be ok if youre not wheeling it like crazy. But like I said before, I broke a 9" 3rd member case rock crawling it, but I also cracked two frame crossmembers too, so I was obviously beating the **** out of it! It still made the 2 hour drive home though! Now I want to run a 42" tire, so thats why I am doing a 1 ton rear swap. I've heard a Dana 70 is good up to a 44" tire in stock configuration. We'll see.
Logistics Pro
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 4,238
Likes: 21
From: Northern Illinois
Your correct, no coil springs in a 4x4 supercab.
Lead Driver
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 5,680
Likes: 999
From: Near Yosemite CA
Welcome and Happy hunting
I personally look for the least amount of major problems,,,,, rust, wiring and such..... I prefer manual trans to auto, your preference may differ. But either 150 or 250, both are solid trucks and should do everything you want it to and more. I have 33's on my 77 150 4x, with only front 1 1/2" new coils and shocks, personally, I won't go any higher, I can still reach the bed, and it does get used as a truck for wood, hauling dressers (just last night) and hay, so I prefer it lower for my uses (I am 5'9")
Depending on where you are, you could fly out to CA and probly drive a nice one home... Welcome again and have fun!!
Joe
And yes, some 79 F350 4x4s had a D70 rear,,, I had one
Depending on where you are, you could fly out to CA and probly drive a nice one home... Welcome again and have fun!!
Joe
And yes, some 79 F350 4x4s had a D70 rear,,, I had one
Freshman User
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 48
Likes: 0
The F-150 is a 1/2 ton truck, the F-250 is a 3/4 ton truck, and an F-350 is a 1-ton. I am assuming these are 4x4 since you did metion off road capabilities. The 150 has got a Dana 44 front axle with coil spring suspention for better ride, and a 9" rear out back on leaf springs. It also has 5 lug wheels. If you plan on lifting it @ all, you will be fine on a 35" tire as long as you dont beat it too hard- i broke a 9" on 35"s, but I was rock crawling it also-dumb. If you go with a 150, best years are 78 and 79 cuz of the front steering components. 78 has round headlights, 79 has rectangle. And if you like the older grills you can switch them out easy enough for cheap.
A 250 has a Dana 44 front axle also, but has leaf springs front and rear, 8-lug wheels, and a Dana 60 rear axle.(Sno-fighters had 60 fronts) A f-350 has a Dana 60 front and and a Dana 70 rear. (No, they had 60 rears as well)
As far as which is better, the 8 lug trucks are much togher, but also heavyer, and the ride isn't quite as good. They can safely haul or tow more than a 150. The 150 seems to be easyer to find parts for, easyer to work on, and a little cheaper for the parts also. The 150 may be your best bet if you only want a good weekend cruiser, not to say they cant take a beating though, they are still tough!
The 351M and the 400M are really kind of one in the same. There is a little aftermarket support for them(Not really, anything you can get of a 460 you can get for a 400), they are both pretty easy to work on, and better than most people will lead you to beleive. Just keep an eye on youre temp and oil pressure and you should be ok. Some parts are interchangable with a 351 C, but really only the top end parts I beleive. I also agree with the guy that said 460, cuz they are just bad ***! Prob the eiseyest to work on and cheapest to fix V8 they had was the 302. The C6 3 speed autos in these trucks were damn near bomb proof, as well as the transfer cases. Te NP205 tranfer case was the best of them though. The 4 spd manuals were really tough too.
That stuff aside, look for rust in the floor pans, bottom rear cab corners and above the rear wheels. These are the normal spots, and really not too hard to fix with replacement weld-in parts. When you first see the truck though, look @ it from a straight shot from the side. If it looks like its bent or sagging where the fenders meet the doors and cab, run away. These things will rust out @ the front cab mounts pretty bad, and its a real pain to fix- really expensive too if you pay someone to do it. I've repaired them twice, on a '78 F-150 and a '79 bronco. Also check the bottom corners of the door jambs, above the side drip rails on the roof, and the bottom pinch weld of the doors. These can be a little tough to fix also, but you can get replacement doors to fix that. Hood hinges wear out, but thats not too big a deal, so as long as thats why the hood sits funny, youll be ok. The upper rear shock mounts can rust out badly also- check them. They suck to fix. Gas tanks are kind of a pain so check that too. I'd also look for a nicely trimmed model also, a xlt or lariet or something. A "CUSTOM" on the side emblem pretty much just means its a regular truck. Padded inner door panels, side trim, or chrome trim around the outside of the windows is a good inclination that its a more loaded vehicle. Good luck and happy hunting!
A 250 has a Dana 44 front axle also, but has leaf springs front and rear, 8-lug wheels, and a Dana 60 rear axle.(Sno-fighters had 60 fronts) A f-350 has a Dana 60 front and and a Dana 70 rear. (No, they had 60 rears as well)
As far as which is better, the 8 lug trucks are much togher, but also heavyer, and the ride isn't quite as good. They can safely haul or tow more than a 150. The 150 seems to be easyer to find parts for, easyer to work on, and a little cheaper for the parts also. The 150 may be your best bet if you only want a good weekend cruiser, not to say they cant take a beating though, they are still tough!
The 351M and the 400M are really kind of one in the same. There is a little aftermarket support for them(Not really, anything you can get of a 460 you can get for a 400), they are both pretty easy to work on, and better than most people will lead you to beleive. Just keep an eye on youre temp and oil pressure and you should be ok. Some parts are interchangable with a 351 C, but really only the top end parts I beleive. I also agree with the guy that said 460, cuz they are just bad ***! Prob the eiseyest to work on and cheapest to fix V8 they had was the 302. The C6 3 speed autos in these trucks were damn near bomb proof, as well as the transfer cases. Te NP205 tranfer case was the best of them though. The 4 spd manuals were really tough too.
That stuff aside, look for rust in the floor pans, bottom rear cab corners and above the rear wheels. These are the normal spots, and really not too hard to fix with replacement weld-in parts. When you first see the truck though, look @ it from a straight shot from the side. If it looks like its bent or sagging where the fenders meet the doors and cab, run away. These things will rust out @ the front cab mounts pretty bad, and its a real pain to fix- really expensive too if you pay someone to do it. I've repaired them twice, on a '78 F-150 and a '79 bronco. Also check the bottom corners of the door jambs, above the side drip rails on the roof, and the bottom pinch weld of the doors. These can be a little tough to fix also, but you can get replacement doors to fix that. Hood hinges wear out, but thats not too big a deal, so as long as thats why the hood sits funny, youll be ok. The upper rear shock mounts can rust out badly also- check them. They suck to fix. Gas tanks are kind of a pain so check that too. I'd also look for a nicely trimmed model also, a xlt or lariet or something. A "CUSTOM" on the side emblem pretty much just means its a regular truck. Padded inner door panels, side trim, or chrome trim around the outside of the windows is a good inclination that its a more loaded vehicle. Good luck and happy hunting!
Just my .02
Matthew