What Would you Do???
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Freshman User
Joined: Sep 2009
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You must have a lot of money and/or time to burn...
If your '76 4x4 truly is a 428, why neuter it by installing a 351M? Eventually you'll put the 428 back in, right? Right?!
Is the engine tired? Blown? Broken? Would it run if you installed a new harness?
Swap all the non-drivetrain parts you need from the '78 to the '76. Sell the '78 and use the money to freshen up that 428. Drop $300 or so into a NEW wiring harness from Centech as 78_F800crewcab4x4 said, and have a proper truck rather than a cobbled-together mess.
The wiring harness in that '78 is only two years newer, and when you start pulling, flexing, and re-routing it, you will still probably end up with a few broken wires. Not to mention having to figure out where all of the leftovers are supposed to go. Too many things will not match up, colors are different, and wiring diagrams will make you go blind. Plus, if something else gets fried because of another compromised harness, you will have two trucks that don't run and you'll have to buy two sets of wiring. Add in all the work you did, time you took, and headaches you suffered just to get back where you were...only twice as bad...
Save yourself the time, effort, and aggravation. Swap body parts, glass, etc. only. Have two complete trucks. The '78 will still run and drive, so it will be easier to get more for it. Bite the bullet and get a new '76 harness, take your time and only have to do it once.
If your '76 4x4 truly is a 428, why neuter it by installing a 351M? Eventually you'll put the 428 back in, right? Right?!
Is the engine tired? Blown? Broken? Would it run if you installed a new harness?
Swap all the non-drivetrain parts you need from the '78 to the '76. Sell the '78 and use the money to freshen up that 428. Drop $300 or so into a NEW wiring harness from Centech as 78_F800crewcab4x4 said, and have a proper truck rather than a cobbled-together mess.
The wiring harness in that '78 is only two years newer, and when you start pulling, flexing, and re-routing it, you will still probably end up with a few broken wires. Not to mention having to figure out where all of the leftovers are supposed to go. Too many things will not match up, colors are different, and wiring diagrams will make you go blind. Plus, if something else gets fried because of another compromised harness, you will have two trucks that don't run and you'll have to buy two sets of wiring. Add in all the work you did, time you took, and headaches you suffered just to get back where you were...only twice as bad...
Save yourself the time, effort, and aggravation. Swap body parts, glass, etc. only. Have two complete trucks. The '78 will still run and drive, so it will be easier to get more for it. Bite the bullet and get a new '76 harness, take your time and only have to do it once.
Zombie Survivalist
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 14,809
Likes: 3
From: Rock Springs, WY, USA
are you serious man??!! all it is is a burnt valve??!! i take back what i said before, fix the motor and have yourself two trucks. i mean really, thats like a good saturday to put a replacement head on.
Elder User
Joined: Feb 2008
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From: Davison, Mi.
the 428 adds a whole new wrnkle to the mix. If it is a 428, the decision is easy, fix the 76 and keep the 78. Pull the head and check the bore and stroke. 428's are 4.13 bore X 3.98 inch stroke. It's a very rare and desirable motor, even if it needs rebuilding.
The wiring harness in a 76 F series Ford is almost as simple as it gets. The wiring can be swapped out in a matter of hours.
The wiring harness in a 76 F series Ford is almost as simple as it gets. The wiring can be swapped out in a matter of hours.
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Freshman User
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Well let me through another wrinkle in. I will never get a title for the 78. It would never be anything more than a ranch truck...long story.
What all is different on the 78 harness from a 76? Both trucks have the same equipment other than one is 4wd and the other is not.
What all is different on the 78 harness from a 76? Both trucks have the same equipment other than one is 4wd and the other is not.
Elder User
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 999
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From: Davison, Mi.
A big consideration is if one is AC equipped and if one is not. The wiring is very different between the two.
Hey you know what? if these were my two trucks, I think I would get one running, the 4WD, and use the other as parts. Nothing else. I can't do two trucks myself. Why implore someone else to?
Maybe part out the one I'm not going to license after getting what I needed.
And that 428 is worth a lot of trouble. I would DEFINITELY! have that as my engine of choice. To hell with the 351M/400's
Hey you know what? if these were my two trucks, I think I would get one running, the 4WD, and use the other as parts. Nothing else. I can't do two trucks myself. Why implore someone else to?
Maybe part out the one I'm not going to license after getting what I needed.
And that 428 is worth a lot of trouble. I would DEFINITELY! have that as my engine of choice. To hell with the 351M/400's
Zombie Survivalist
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 14,809
Likes: 3
From: Rock Springs, WY, USA
why wont you get a title for the truck? you can just go to the courthouse and put in for a lost title. thats what im going to have to do to my 78 when i register it.
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Main reason? I dont want the 78. Just got it for donor parts. Can't drive two trucks.
My original plan was to pull the cab and fenders off the 78 and set it on the 76. However, at that time, I did not know the engine ran.
Zombie Survivalist
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 14,809
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From: Rock Springs, WY, USA
they have a name for those trucks that cant be driven at the same time: back-ups- if one breaks down, youve got a back up. ive always been a fan of this methodology. 
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Freshman User
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As for back up, I have an 06 diesel for that.
Zombie Survivalist
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From: Rock Springs, WY, USA
Elder User
Joined: Jan 2009
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From: Western N.C.
Strip off any body parts you need, SWAP them with the '76, and put the '78 back together. Then maybe you can sell it on Craigslist to someone who needs a '78 for parts. The idea here is not to try to "cheat" a fellow dentsider, but to sell a whole running truck that may not be pretty, but is still usable. Plus, you won't have a garage or backyard full of leftovers. Don't scrap it if there is anything that can be used by someone else. That's just a waste that will end up helping Asia.
And get that 428 fixed, will ya? An error in judgement is one thing...willfully committing a crime is another!
Elder User
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 999
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From: Davison, Mi.
Yes, that has been said. Ford changed the wiring in 78. (correct me if I'm wrong) You would have to use ALL of the 78 wiring if that's the route you took.
Use the best parts you have. If the 76 has the best cab, use that cab, if the 78 has the best wiring use that in your 76, etc. etc. Don't just go the easiest route. (Though changing cabs ain't all that easy. A wiring change would be MUCH easier! The wriring in these old things is almost as basic as it gets. A Model T's is only slightly simpler.)
Use the best parts you have. If the 76 has the best cab, use that cab, if the 78 has the best wiring use that in your 76, etc. etc. Don't just go the easiest route. (Though changing cabs ain't all that easy. A wiring change would be MUCH easier! The wriring in these old things is almost as basic as it gets. A Model T's is only slightly simpler.)