I'm looking to get a '73 to '79 4x4 Ford truck.

I'm not sure which model I need.

I'll be using it for Home Depot runs, plowing a 300 yard drive way and occasional towing under 5k lbs.

I figured I would look for a F-250 to get the NP435 or C6, NP205 and D60 combo. As I'm searching around here I keep finding really clean F-150s. I though these came with lighter duty components but some are being listed as factory equipped with the good stuff.

Is there a list somewhere that gives what components where available on the different models in different years?

What truck do you guys recommend for my needs.

 

2 other questions:

I wants front disc brakes, when did those become available?

I saw reference to people preferring the '79 cab due to different seat belts. Is there anything else to this?

 

I would suggest you hold out for a 250 they will likely start to popup for cheap in larger numbers when winter ends. 150s to me just don't make for good plow trucks and your driveway is fairly long and the new england winters can dump loads of snow. Ohh and I would hold out for a open knockle disk break 250 they are stronger and have better brakes.

 

the f150 would hold up well for plow service maybe a little sag in the front end no big deal for what you want it for and they have the same drive line as the f250. Ive hauled alot of weight with my 9" axle and has held up fine. disc brakes 1st yr for 4x4 is 76 but depends on were you are in the U.S.A 1974 and older seem to be the cutoff years for emmision testing.

 

Thanks for the replies.

I'm in NW Montana.

So the same trans and t.case in F-150/F-250 but different axles?

 

Here's the kind of truck that appeals to me.

Nice and clean in original condition. The ones I'm finding the clean are F-150's. Well I've seen a few F-250's that are really clean but they are $6500+.

1979 Ford F150 Ranger 4x4

 

79 f-250 sno fighter of 79 f-350 4x4 is what i'd be looking for. good luck though.

 

yes different axles- 9" on 150 -dana 60 on 250

 

With your requirements, sounds like a F150 can fit your bill. Plowing with a F150 can be done, but the plow blade can't exceed 7'. F150s had coil springs/radial arms set up up front, while F250+ had leaves up front. But since you're buying, not working with what you have, I would highly recommend you look for a 76-79 F250 4x4. It's gonna take a while.

Clean F150s are much easier to find because they rarely worked hard from new. The majority used F150s as a car with a bed in the back. Clean F150 2wds are the easiest to find. The more features, the tougher to find clean ones. The less you pay for a truck, the more you have to throw in down the road (or up front). A clean F250 4x4 will cost you more, period, due to what it has (higher payload, towing capacity, etc etc).

In earlier years, the F100 came in with the 4x4s because there was no F150 then. First year for the F150 4x4 was 1976, and the last year for F100 4x4 was 1976 also. F100/F150s had disc brakes up front. 1973-75 F250s had drum brakes all around with low pinion closed knucles. Avoid those front axles because parts are extremely hard to find for these. 1976-79 F250s had disc brakes up front with the more common high pinion open knuckle Dana 44/44CF/60 axles.

Once again, for you, I would look for a 76-79 F250 4x4.

 

Thanks for the information everyone.

I'll hold out for an 77-79 F-250 or 79 F-350.

I don't need it until next fall so no hurry to find a good one.

If anyone has something for sale send me an e-mail.

jdegroo1@progressive.com

 

Then stop in and join the MT chapter!!!