1979 Ford F250 4X4 - Advice?

[jsfinn]

I want an inexpensive truck for hauling stuff around for the house and other projects. It won't get a lot of use, but it would be nice to have an extra vehicle around here.<br /><br />I came across a 1979 F250 4X4 A/T for about $1800 (he'll go a lower). I haven't seen it yet, but the guy says it's in good mechanical shape but has some dents and some rust in the wheel wells. It's on its 2nd or 3rd motor which has about 120000 miles on it. It's got a 351M 2 barrel V8. He also says the 4 wheel drive works great.<br /><br />Anything I should be aware of on this year truck? Does it sound like a decent deal?<br /><br />Thanks for your input!

 

[keelhauled]

Re: 1979 Ford F250 4X4 - Advice?

I put myself thru school working in a 4x4 shop so I'll give ya my opinion...<br /><br />Check the cab corners (rear, behind the doors) they are known to rust badly and then you get a leaky cab!<br /><br />351M is a pretty tough motor... not as much as a 351C, but it'll manage. 2 barrel is kinda a dog, but it might save you a bit on gas.<br /><br />Make sure the hubs are in good shape. Those are manual lockouts and can be a real pain if not maintained... particularly if they are not used often. Replacements aren't that expensive since that Dana front axle was used in darn near every truck for a long time but it's better to start out with a good set.<br /><br />That tranny is bulletproof. Probably a C-6?<br /><br />A little pricey... I wouldn't go more than a grand.. but then again I don't know what these things go for in your area. In Ohio, a 1979 is usually dust by now.<br /><br />FWIW<br />and please correct me if i'm wrong!<br />-KH-

 

[jsfinn]

Re: 1979 Ford F250 4X4 - Advice?

Thanks for the tips, Keel. The guy said it gets 14-15MPG. I was thinking that was high ... I was figuring more like 10-11. <br /><br />Oh..the other problem with it is that it's yellow!

 

[Barlow]

Re: 1979 Ford F250 4X4 - Advice?

sounds to me keelhauled gave you some great advice .. <br /><br />ditto the C-6 tranny being bullet proof but that might have gone by-by with the 460 4-bbl that probably was in when new. never know .. gotta check to find out...<br /><br />14-15mpg ... ?? I wont touch that one ... my '79 trailer special (1/2 ton) 460cid/4-bbl/c-6 ranger got 9-10mpg goin' down hill with the engine off and wind at my back with the sails up <br /><br />as long as she drives straight, stops good and you hook up trailer lights.. good luck with it!<br /><br />oh... I'm not sure about your emissions testing out there .. might be something you should look into..

 

[Flukinicehole]

Re: 1979 Ford F250 4X4 - Advice?

To much money you can get a better deal.I got a 95 Grand Cherokee with 120,000 V8 (318) off of ebay for 2100.Ive had it for over a year and have done nothing to it.Older F250s are good trucks but its old and they rust out.I know because we had 2 of them they were a little older (77 and 78)but basically the same.To be honest the 300 6cyl is a better engine lots of torque it would pull anything but the 351m is O.K. If it were me I would pass. Hope this helps good luck.

 

[dolluper]

Re: 1979 Ford F250 4X4 - Advice?

Take a good look at the frame any cracks especially close to axle springs

 

[ZmOz]

Re: 1979 Ford F250 4X4 - Advice?

That's way too much. I just bought a '79 Chevy 3/4 ton camper special with a 454 for $600. There are absolutely no dents or rust. Runs fine. There were plenty of other good trucks in good condition I passed on for under $1000.

 

[Terry H]

Re: 1979 Ford F250 4X4 - Advice?

What everybody else says+it's an old truck with a 351 2bbl auto, gonna be a girly and gutless truck. I sold an '81 f250 with diferent motor in '98 with no rust for $1200. I am sure I coulda got a little more, but I didn't want it hanging around waiting for the right person to come along. Chief

 

[fireman57]

Re: 1979 Ford F250 4X4 - Advice?

I have a '77 highboy, F250 with a one ton front end four wheel drive,Omaha flat bed with side tool boxes, 460 4bbl. Gets 6 mpg loaded with 2 tons or dead empty. Still love the truck but only drive for farm field work as gas is killing me.

 

[JRJ]

Re: 1979 Ford F250 4X4 - Advice?

1979 Ford 4x4's are a classic out here. I had one new. 351 4-speed was no trouble, but liked gas for very little go. Should make a good beater, but they are sharp when tricked.

 

[jsfinn]

Re: 1979 Ford F250 4X4 - Advice?

Thanks everyone. I'm going to pass it by.<br /><br />I did test drive an 88 F150 today. I'm sure it was in much better shape, but did have 230000 on the motor (whew) but the guy wanted too much for it.<br /><br /><br />Oh well...I'll find the right one some day.. Luckly, this is just a toy and not something I need.