79 questions
Thread Starter
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Fleet Owner
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 21,437
Likes: 75
From: Gilbert, PA
79 questions
I am going to be "restoring" a friends 79 F150 while i'm laid off. I am quite familiar w the 80-97 f series but the 79 down i am lost. It is a 79 f159 400m, 4 spd, 4x4,A/C, reg cab long box.
The frame has some rot by the rear shock brackets that i am going to cut out and weld in new.
The fenders,hood and doors were all replaced by the ORIGINAL owner 2 years ago. All ford parts except the hood(jap).
The cab is shot. From the rotted roof,rotted B pillar, front cab mounts,floors, and rear of the cab. I am in search of a good cab. Is there any years i should look for? Is there a difference between a/c cab and not?
The bed is shot too. The floor, inner sides and outer side all are rotten. 73-79 are the same? has rear gas tank.
My friend is willing to go south to get a rust free cab and bed. What years should we look for and what kind of prices are we looking at.
Thanks, Brad
The frame has some rot by the rear shock brackets that i am going to cut out and weld in new.
The fenders,hood and doors were all replaced by the ORIGINAL owner 2 years ago. All ford parts except the hood(jap).
The cab is shot. From the rotted roof,rotted B pillar, front cab mounts,floors, and rear of the cab. I am in search of a good cab. Is there any years i should look for? Is there a difference between a/c cab and not?
The bed is shot too. The floor, inner sides and outer side all are rotten. 73-79 are the same? has rear gas tank.
My friend is willing to go south to get a rust free cab and bed. What years should we look for and what kind of prices are we looking at.
Thanks, Brad
Cargo Master
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 2,409
Likes: 1
From: Goliad, Texas
all the years of cabs are the same. I don't think there is a differance between AC cab and non. not all longbeds are the same. from 73-76 Ford had a "Super Camper Special;" these trucks came with special beds since the wheelbase was 7 inches longer. from 77-79 Ford still had these trucks but they dropped the word Super off. all of these beds were on the F350 only.
good luck on your search for stuff. and keep us updated on the project with pics.
good luck on your search for stuff. and keep us updated on the project with pics.
Moderator & parts slinger
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 50,096
Likes: 5,756
From: S/W Missouri, Polk county
As far as the rear shock frame rot, grind off the 3 rivets each holding the mount to the frame, then do another insp. Might not be as bad as it looks.
I think 73-79 Cabs mount the same, but different in cab options... delay wipers, cruise, back cab bed light, a/c ect....could mean alot different dash wiring.
Big difference on a/c, non a/c cab, fire wall area with big black evaporator box?, and vents in dash face, a/c controls in dash. I would look for a 78/79 a/c cab to make it ALOT less painfull.
On beds, if I can guess a bit here, do not worry somone will correct me here, I'm sure.
77.5-79 bed side has a gas flap covering the filler neck. 73 cab might have a in cab tank, side cab filler port, or a none flap filler port on the bed side.
Once again, IMO I would look for a 78-79 cab and bed. Remember the possible title issue you can have swapping cabs, meaning if you get a replacement cab ask the PO for the title.
Just want to add a disclaimer, I am only trying to inform Diesel Brad of some things to concider, not state the only facts out there.
I think 73-79 Cabs mount the same, but different in cab options... delay wipers, cruise, back cab bed light, a/c ect....could mean alot different dash wiring.
Big difference on a/c, non a/c cab, fire wall area with big black evaporator box?, and vents in dash face, a/c controls in dash. I would look for a 78/79 a/c cab to make it ALOT less painfull.
On beds, if I can guess a bit here, do not worry somone will correct me here, I'm sure.
77.5-79 bed side has a gas flap covering the filler neck. 73 cab might have a in cab tank, side cab filler port, or a none flap filler port on the bed side.
Once again, IMO I would look for a 78-79 cab and bed. Remember the possible title issue you can have swapping cabs, meaning if you get a replacement cab ask the PO for the title.
Just want to add a disclaimer, I am only trying to inform Diesel Brad of some things to concider, not state the only facts out there.
Post Fiend
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 5,181
Likes: 3
From: Across from the neighbors
About the A/C cab. An a/c cab has a huge hole in the firewal the size of that big black box under the hood.
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Post Fiend
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 5,181
Likes: 3
From: Across from the neighbors
yeah thats the only difference. Yeah you should be able to cut the hole. I wish i had a curent pic of my crew so i could show you the hole. Im actually welding in part of a nona/c firewall so i dont ahve the big hole.
Moderator & parts slinger
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 50,096
Likes: 5,756
From: S/W Missouri, Polk county
Sorry to hear that, as far as a/c cab or not, getting one already set up for a/c will prove to be ALOT easyer to deal with in the long run.
That black box is the a/c evaporator, I think. As far as modifing a none a/c cab, lots of work IMO.
Would rather swap bad a/c cab for better a/c cab, will make whole job go quicker.
That black box is the a/c evaporator, I think. As far as modifing a none a/c cab, lots of work IMO.
Would rather swap bad a/c cab for better a/c cab, will make whole job go quicker.
Hotshot
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 12,183
Likes: 18
From: St. Charles, Missouri.
In-Cab tanks where available up to '77. (Meaning anything after 1977 won't have a in-cab tank.)
Now sense this is a '79 it will have a Fuel Door. ('77s-79s have Fuel Doors).
You can put a 73-76 Long Box (NON-Super Camper Special) on the truck,but you might need to do a couple things.(73s-76s DON'T have a Fuel Doors)
Also make sure the bed has the right amount of bedside tanks.
if this '79 only has one bedside tank,then make sure you get a another 1 tanked bed,unless you wanna swap over to two tanks.
Now sense this is a '79 it will have a Fuel Door. ('77s-79s have Fuel Doors).
You can put a 73-76 Long Box (NON-Super Camper Special) on the truck,but you might need to do a couple things.(73s-76s DON'T have a Fuel Doors)
Also make sure the bed has the right amount of bedside tanks.
if this '79 only has one bedside tank,then make sure you get a another 1 tanked bed,unless you wanna swap over to two tanks.
Hotshot
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 12,183
Likes: 18
From: St. Charles, Missouri.
Well,you Can't really say what its worth,because depending upon condition,and if its divorced/married,and upon which kind of T-Case it is...
And some-thing is only worth what some-one is willing to pay for it...
And some-thing is only worth what some-one is willing to pay for it...