Hey ya'll, my name is Matt.

I started lurking around the forum here when my wife gave me the green light on acquiring a late 70's P/U. That was only about a week and a half ago! I have wanted a 76' - 79' Ford P/U since I was 15 years old but life never steered me to it. I’m now 34, have a property development business and finally had an excuse for a truck. Once I told her about my desire and need, and explained how simple these vehicles are compared to late models, and more importantly telling her how cool she, as a country girl, would look in this truck, the search began.

Low and behold, this truck virtually fell into my lap while looking on CL the first couple of days. It was exactly what I wanted.

1977 (my wife’s birth year - that helped), F250 4x4 (not a hiboy - but don't care), great condition (but still needs plenty of work), black, the right stance...EVERYTHING about it fit what I wanted!!!

Thanks to those that helped me here with VIN decoding, tansfer case ID, newb questions, etc. to determine what exactly I was getting. Look forward to conversing, sharing, arguing, whatever in the future as my passion unfolds!

 

Nice looking rig, welcome aboard.

 

That's a beauty for sure.

Oh and welcome to FTE.

 

You absolutely did the right thing. Really nice truck and you won't be regret it--welcome!

 

Very nice. Good find. Welcome

 

That is one nice truck Im sure you will love it.

 

very nice! congatulations

 

Nice truck & Welcome to FTE.

 

very nice truck. welcome to the site.

 

WELCOME, as all have said real nice looking rig you got there. Mind telling us where your are, and any history on the truck. More photos would be nice too!!

 

Are those 33's?? Look sharp and great for the height of the truck!

 

good lookin truck.Welcome to FTE!!!

 

Thanks all for the comments!

Picked the truck up for $2,500 and that was delivered to my driveway from over an hour away. I didnt negotiate the sale - just included the delivery by them on a dealer plate. It came for sale on CL, I called within hours, viewed and drove it the next morning at 8:30AM, and bought it right then. As soon as I made the deal, other people were arriving to look at it. I walked away with a grin. Now the funny part...it was not more than 4 hours after the sale that people on CL started posting NEW "who bought the truck" , "I want you to email/call me" etc.! Made me feel good! There was a lot of demand for this truck, and quickness in viewing seemed to be the difference in owning it or not.

It starts/runs/drives all fine. Said he thought it was a 400 but code shows it to be a 351. I havent determined that yet. Solid truck but needs to eventually be gone through and blasted/sanded/painted to look mint. I will use it the way it is for a year or so, then begin a restoration.

I am still tracing it's history, but I believe it to be original to MA (where I am from) as it had the original operators manual in the glove box, and the original dealership typed and put a sticker on the inside cover with the date & original owner's name/address, and he was only a few towns away from me.

What I know of it was that it was restored in the mid 90's and sold in 2001 to the guy I got it from (though it was brokered through a used auto dealer when I just bought it). It was orignally black from the factory, and was repainted black during the 90's restoration (flames added). It's got leaks...engine, tranny, transefer, diff, etc. but all seem superficial as in just gaskets to replace. Frame is solid, cab is solid, front is solid. Does need new rear shock mounts to frame and a crossmember. (Does anyone manufacture new crossmembers?) Bed needs the most work. Needs entire new bottom frame rails and floor. Sides and front/tailgate have spots of rot/rust in normal areas. I should be able to piece in those areas.

Does anyone know of dealer code "11" from 1977? That is imprinted on the data plate on the drivers door after the year and assume that's what it represents. Let me know if you do.

 

Yes, 33x12.50 on factory suspention! Definitly the right size tire for the truck IMO.

 

the stroke on a 400 is 4 inches,the stroke on a 351M is 3 1/2 inches. that will help you find out the displacement of the "stock" 335 series ford engine.