1978 Ford F-150 4x4

Description

Being down south as we are, it seems that there are a few extraordinary trucks still running around that haven't been worked to death or parted out for their rusty cousins up north. Take this 1978 Ford F-150 4x4 for instance. Someone spent years giving it a thorough makeover, and today it's one of the nicest we've seen. How much fun is a practical ride like this, especially if you're virtually guaranteed to be the only one at the show?

It's hard to go wrong with a big, red pickup, but with so many trucks getting various shades of brown or orange in the 1970s, this one really stands out. The bodywork is impressive and trucks like this make ideal candidates for serious upgrades. All traces of a working-class life have been erased from the sheetmetal and the paint is beautifully done with a great shine and few signs of use. There's a shine that you rarely see on pickups of any kind, and the stance is certainly intimidating. Most of the chrome and trim is original, polished up and given a shine that looks right, plus a heavy- chrome step bumper out back. The bed is still working-grade, protected by a drop-in bedliner material so you don't have to think twice about using this truck as intended, and the diamond-plate toolbox is far more useful than you think.

The simple interior is just the way Ford designers intended, right down to the pleated seat cover. The seating surfaces are cloth, so it's comfortable, but it's still a no-frills place to get some work done. That's kind of refreshing today when trucks cost $60,000 and have every option your Cadillac does. However, the quality of the work makes it look far more upscale today, and with new black carpets, nicely detailed door panels, and a big three-spoke steering wheel, it does look slick. This F-150 carries a full set of gauges, plus a set of auxiliary dials under the dash that do the actual reading of information. There's a column shifter for the 3-speed automatic transmission and a manual lever for the 2-speed transfer case down on the rubber floor. There is no radio, but that only means that you can install the system of your choice without having to fix someone else's wiring nightmare.

There aren't many choices that balance performance and efficiency better than a 302 cubic inch V8. This one has been fitted with upgrades that make it ready to work or play. Built for torque, it moves the big F-series with ease, especially augmented with a Holley carburetor, Edelbrock Performer intake manifold, and shorty headers. Finned valve covers work well with the chrome details and obviously someone made an effort to make it look its best with tidy black paint and a few new parts. There's a giant radiator up front that doesn't make the small block sweat and with power steering and brakes it's easy to maneuver for such a big machine. A dual exhaust system uses glasspack-style mufflers and it really does sound awesome at full bore. Handsome aluminum wheels add a bit of a butch look to the pretty truck, and they're fitted with beefy 35x12.50-15 Mickey Thompson radials.

Big, fun, and unusual, this Ford is the truck you always saw on the farm after it was too late. Call today!