1979 Ford F150 Custom from North America - Comments

Little, insignificant things.

I love this truck. I bought it for a work truck because it had a decent body, and 73-79 has always been my favorite body style. Everyone I've talked to say this was the "Golden Era" of Ford trucks.

The Original Engine was a 302, but it got ripped by the other owner for a 351W. Its got a C4 Automatic Transmission, and a 9inch rear.

First off, let me start by saying this isn't a "sissy" truck like they turn out nowadays. You drive it and you know its made to do some work. It rides rough, but you can load it up with twice as much as you can a new 1\2 ton. It isn't the fastest thing around, but for an old Pickup it sure ain't bad. Its got plenty to merge and get into traffic safely. If you keep your foot off of it gas mileage isn't even that bad, about 14 in a mix of city\hwy driving.

Just because it isn't fast doesn't mean it doesn't have power, its got what is lacking from most new trucks, and that's Torque, which is the force that gets loads going.

The only compliant I have is it sucks in the snow and mud. But its only a 2wd so that is to be expected. With some Cinder blocks however, it don't do too bad.

I recommend this truck to anyone who needs a real, reliable, workhorse.

I have to agree with this evaluation. I have owned two 1979 Ford trucks and loved them both. Mine were equipped with the 351M engines and a C6 trans/NP203 transfer case in one and a 4 speed/NP205 transfer case in the other. Both had the Ford 9-inch rear and Dana 44 front axles with 3.55 gears. I ran stock 235x75R15 tires on the auto and 31x10.5-15's on the manual truck.

My trucks were fast enough, very capable on and off-road. Being 4x4's, they were both taken off-road often and proved to be very capable in snow, mud and trail riding.

I was able to get an average of 16 miles per gallon on my manual gearbox truck. The auto was in the 15 mpg range.

I had really minimal mechanical problems with both of them. I lost the auto due to a failed transfer case. The NP203 is a full-time 4 wheel drive system that uses a chain to drive the front axle. The chain stretches over time and needs replacing.

Overall: these trucks are an excellent value and are increasing in price because of this. They were the pinnacle of 4x4 technology at the time and have stayed at the top since. Even the new Ford "Super-Duty" trucks are using an updated form of the same suspension system.

Absolutely agree. This is one of the most amazing, durable, rugged and dependable trucks ever. From farming to city work, it is the best. Mine is a 1979 F150 Custom, 2WD with auto. tranny and 302 V8. Simply an amazing and lasting piece of American made machinery.

YES!! They are the best 1/2 tons out there. I have owned many of them, in fact: a '75 1/2 ton w/302 an 4spd, Dana 20 t-case. '79 1/2ton that went from Denver to almost Monument, that's about 75 miles. With a broken timing chain and weak oil pump. It had a 4sd, dual tank and 33s. I found out later that the reason it died was because of the timing chain breaking, then spiralling the oil pump shaft. But I gave that truck to my friend who knows more about 73-79 Fords than I think any one does. He has that engine in his plow truck. So that's 2, a '79 Bronco w/460, C6 and Np-205, that I still have,

my current 78 XLT Larait with 351, 4spd, Np-205. I love these trucks all because of one! Yes one truck has made me a 73-79 Ford Truck LOVER!

It is my dads truck. I found it for him back in '97. It's a '78 3/4 that has been converted to a 1 ton, 4x4 4spd. We were told that it had a Cleavland in it. Still not sure. But when we moved we put everything into a 27ft trailer, and loaded that things from top to bottom front to back. It was slow, but it didn't over heat, go to slow to where it died. It just kept on pullin. Right now it has a 460 in it, 12000lbs Warn winch, 1000lbs lift gate on it. Its THE BEHEMOTH!

Love these truck and I am not gonna get anything but them!