I have always wanted to rebuild my old truck. I had a 1979 F-100 new in 1979, well I have found a truck that could very well be the old blue truck, I had. I want a 302 but this short bed 6th gen F series, but his has a straight 6. Drums all around would need to be changed as inter needs complete rework. Great look now so only window rubber and clear coat. AC missing under hood but rest just need rework. So should I do it for under $10,000 as a sometime used truck? What should I look for problems y'all have run into.

 

If it's a 79 it should already have disc brakes on the front, think they came standard starting in 73? Check the front cab mounts and inside the rear fender lip for rust which are common problems with these trucks. A 302 swap shouldn't be much of a problem. You will need different/shorter frame perches. The 302 and 300 straight six share the same bellhousing bolt pattern so the trans should bolt right up. Based on what you've described 10 grand should be more that enough to get what you want done.