Picked up a '79 4x4 with a 460 for $1200. Finally got around to starting a new money pit after my Jeep Caterpillar project. Came up with the name because I'm going with a total black look on the truck. Black paint, wheels and tint. Lot of work ahead. Luv the 'Ol fords! Hey! It's not a Oilbama Chevy

Any info is appreciated!

Good:

Straight body
runs good
interior ok

Bad:

needs new door panels and seals
needs radio and communications
brakes need a once over

Ugly:

Bed needs work (to be expected for a 31 year old truck)
front part of the bed is rusted thru










Ground and sanded the inner tailgate this weekend and put on a coat of gloss black rustoleum to prevent more rust. Plan on taking off the bed and coating with bed liner once finished.








What package was the trailer special? Factory option?


Big block baby!





Interior has been bed lined. I like the durability.







Could use a new seat, but new cover will have to do for now.



Country Boy can survive!



Here's the front bed rust. Got replacements panels to cover the bed floor, but plan on just welding angle to fix the damage to the front of the bed. A tool box will cover after paint and bedliner.

 

Short bed, 460, turbines, and it looks fairly solid. I like it! Looks like a great price also.

 

+1 - couldn't pass on the 460 short bed. Although I read on another post where the 4X4 never came stock with a 460. Son has '79 2wd with a 460 (pics coming)

Wheels will be replaced with black beadlocks

 

Nice find, a decent price, mostly complete, and a shortbed to boot. Good bones. 'not a fan of bedlining the doors, A-pillars, and stuff but I can overlook that for the right price. Does the cruise control work at all?

I feel for you guys dealing with rust-out. Man, that's a pain in the azz. I wish Ford back in the 70s was more in tune with rustproofing cuz there's nary a sign of any until the early 80s. All we got until then was seam sealers and the lineworkers did a crummy job a slathering it on. Oh well... times change - sometimes for the good and sometimes bleeding heart Democrats talk themselves into office.

 

To fit the "black ops" look you are going for, check out one of those millitary/government auction websites, or even search around the many private sirplus dealer sites. I think a set of the 17" dual beadlock wheels and millitary-spec goodyear MTR's from a hummvee would be perfect for your truck. They have 35" tires as well as 37" tires. As for the wheels, cut the centers out and weld in your own with your bolt pattern. Be sure to adjust the backspacing as needed also.

 

Oh, and they usually run about $200-$500 for a set of 4, and that includs the wheels and tires.

 

HUMVEEs run 8 lug 16.5 rims with either a rubber or magnesium insert and either Bias ply 36X12.50X16.5 Goodyear Wranglers MT II's or the radial 37x12.50X16.5 and yes you will need to recenter your front rims ALOT.

They are cheap, but the 36's can be re-grooved. The black rim in the middle pic came outa the 36's on the red truck it has the magnesium run flat insert and would have to have the middle re-centered to run on the front end, as is it will hit the tie-rod.

Nice truck BTW, I dig finned rims.

 

Here is an example of a blacked out rig to give you and idea and or some motivation, to include the grill outer shell.

 

And here is an idea on how to slick up those rims you already have and a different approach to a nice/different paint job, also covers up any repair work to your chrome.

Black outer grill shell
" Front bumper
" Rear bumper
" Mirrors
" Tail light rings
" Fender well edge covers

He missed the cab drip rail, and I would of done it and the rims, and spare tire arms in black.

The ideas are endless, good luck making up your mind and remember to post up a pic.

 

I like the tire hanger thats a great idea I think I will go for that something to set myself apart from all the other you hoos in town

 

Are you talking on your pickup? Cause its a standard spare tire hanger on Bronco's. I like the idea to be different and do that on a pickup. Post a pic please, kind of a pre-runner thing?