Hey, I need some help from a couple die-hard Ford fans. I am 18 years old and in my fathers yard is a 1978 F-150 Ranger XL. The truck is not in the best condition, but I would like to restore her. She is packed with a 400cid engine and an automatic transmission. The engine is shot, and it probably needs new brake lines, wheel cylinders, and gas lines. The interior needs restored also. The carpet is faded, the dash is cracked, and the passenger side door has been shot out resulting in rusted floor pans. The truck has great potential and in its day would pull a house off it`s foundation. Should I restore it or junk it? I need help deciding?
It depends on whether you have the money or not. You`re looking at over 8000 dollars in repairs. I would think that at your age it isn`t worth it unless you come from a very wealthy family.
A new engine costs about 3000 dollars and once the rust starts on the frame, you can`t stop it for a long time. Sure, you could fix it and cover the rust, but in about 3 years time, it would really start to rust again.
ALSO, if it has been sitting for a long time say... 2 years or more, then chances are that all of the seals, gaskets etc have deformed and will leak transmission fluid, coolant, etc.
I think you`re better off getting a newer used car or try to find a similar year truck in good shape in the classifieds. GOOD LUCK WITH YOUR DECISION!!
I own a 1979 F150 Ranger with a 300 strait six under the hood. My family passed it on to me and bought it new when I was a kid. The truck still runs great and has never had the valve cover off. The mileage as of today is 299,098 miles. This has been the most dependable truck in every way. The paint is still a perfect beer bottle brown after never being garaged on the Oregon Coast for 22 years and now in Alaska. I hope to restore it back to its former glory soon.
'79 F-100 explorer custom. 351c and C-6 pirated out of a cobra torino. engine was mildly improved over stock (375 hp) shift kit in the transmission and slapper bars. eats rice rockets off the line and will still tow anything as long as the tires catch traction.
I've owned four of these trucks and they are the toughest truck out there no doubt. As far as new trucks there good for one thing only, getting you to right big fat checks to dealerships repair them. I have a Sharp 1978 F-100, Very Rare, Fresh Hemi Orange paint, lots of chrome, 2*4, Sun Roof, loovers, Bed Cover, Rebuild 429 Cobra Jet, C6, Under coated, Very Close to being finished. I'm going to be finding a new home for the truck pretty soon. I have to pay down my student loans. If any real ford fan is interested please email martinkyle@hotmail.com Thanks.
The worst mistake of my life was selling my 79 F1504x4. Even with the 400m the fuel mileage was equal to, and in some cases better than competitors trucks twenty years newer! Cold Hard Fact Dodge boys... As for a comment I read about 83-93 dodge trucks running over Fords, are you delirious? I have some friends that bleed mopar, they hide their heads in shame when that particular era is mentioned. 70's lovers know where it's at. The ford pickup of yesterday will remain a stoic example of engineering mastery for decades to come.
Thought this might interest some of you, I've come across a rare 76'F150 XLT Lariat 4x4, already restored, purple/black two tone, 9in rear NP203 trans, 16in wheels, 4in susp lift, and the most interesting part is the motor... believe it or not, it's got a 69 428 Cj liberated from a mustang. If my wife were more agreeable I'd buy two!
Never to much of a good thing. Some where out there a Dodge boy is feeling Sheepish. Count on a ford to pull you through!
A few years back, I owned a '79 F150 explorer 4x4 with a 390 motor and low geared rear end. The truck used to be entered into the local truck pulls in my area each year before I acquired it. When I first went to view the truck (before purchasing it) the vender warned me about it's poor gas mileage. But with the lift kit, the baby blue paint, the thunderous motor and the fine body stature of the '79,I coulnd'nt resist.
After owning the truck for a couple of years, I was very impressed with the way it performed. From creeping through snow drifts 2-3ft deep, to hauling loads of firewood with ease the truck made me a proud "Ford Man".
After gas prices started to rise, some carburetor problems and $320+ gas bills per month, I decided to (with frustration) sell the truck.
Just over a year ago, while looking for a truck (4x4 in good condition ('90 over) ),my wife and I came across and ad in the paper of a '78 Ford,2WD for sale. This truck was in excellent condition. The chassis, body panel's, door sills, all had a 1/16" coating of grease. The 300-6 was quiet, ran well and was surprisingly fair with gas consumption. The burgandy paint, matching Ford cap and running boards really stood out. Once again, we could'nt resist the Ford's compelling nature.I'm sure this truck will last for years to come, and if it does'nt (after being around for 26+yrs) I'll be sure to get another Ford;"Built Ford Tough" is putting it mildly!
This is Eric from California, I have a 1973 ford f-250 4x4 that I've restored for a year, with the exception of the 10in. lift/460ci.swap/39in.tires, it is a eye catcher out here. NO SMOG NEEDED (California rules)
Hi..
I'm 16 years old and just bought my First truck, a 1979 Ford F150 2wd, with a great Alabama Body, 351W (had a 302) and a C4 Auto. It's a awesome truck so far. I baby it because the U joints are bad, but when I do romp on it, you can tell its got alotta power. I agree, they are the biggest, baddest, best all around bad ass Ford trucks ever built.
My name is travis,and I'm looking for a ford lift kit any help would be greta for a 1978 ford one fifty ranger two wheel drive. patrioticcwboy@aol.com.
I am 16 years of age. I own a late model 1978 Ford F150 Ranger Custom. This truck is hard core. It has a 401cid with an Edelbrock intake manifold and an Edelbrock 800 cfm avs carburetor. It gave me 40 extra horsepower. I know that don't sound like much, but every bit helps. Overall this is one bad ass truck riding on 45's. I'll have pics soon.
I have a 1978 Ford F150 Ranger with a 460 in it and I love it. I paid $650 for it; it's that good! I didn't know the 450 is strong and starts right off.
Dude, that is one of the best Ford trucks if you ask me. I tell you what, if you have a real 400, NOT A 400m, then let me know and I'll buy the old one so you can get something.
Looking for a 4 or 6 inch lift for my 1978 F150 4x4. If anyone has parts that they aren't using. I would be interested.
Thanks. Darrinwatts53@yahoo.com.
OK I'm 17 and I just bought a 78 Ford Ranger for $500. I know that it has a new 351 engine in it. It needs a lot of body work and all that I was wondering is if anybody knows where I can get parts for it. I'm try to get it looking nice. I took her mudding/offroading the other day; I outran all my friends who have Dodges and Jeeps and all those others. So if you have any advice for me, just email me at justinm112001@yahoo.com.