1978 Ford F-150 Custom 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 dialed-in 1978 Ford F-150 Custom 4x4 for instance. Someone spent big bucks giving it a thorough makeover, and today it's one of the nicest we've seen at this price point. It's a real-deal factory code F14 4x4 (and those are getting harder and harder to find) powered by a strong 351W V8 mated to a smooth-shifting automatic transmission, features a host of choice options, and is wrapped up in a good-looking bright red paint job.

It's hard to go wrong with a big red pickup, and with so many trucks getting various shades of brown or orange in the 1970s, this one really stands out. The bodywork is pretty darn impressive and trucks like this make ideal candidates to either show off on weekends, dominate the trails, or get put back to work – making this '78 a jack-of-all-trades classic that attracts a ton of attention. All traces of a working-class life have been erased from the sheetmetal and the solid driver-quality paint was nicely done with a great shine and only a few minor signs of use to report. There's a bright shine that you rarely see on pickups of any kind, let alone a vintage bruiser like this, and the Built Ford Tough stance on this 4x4 is certainly intimidating. Look down the lines and you'll see that it's about as straight as they come, with those big heavy doors shutting firmly in place with that old familiar 'thud' only your Grandpa's truck could produce. Subtle pinstripes were laid down in the profile 'dents' on each side (this is a 'Dentside' F-150 after all), and on the tailgate, but if they're not your cup-of-tea they're actually decals and can easily be removed. There's not a ton of excess brightwork either, so the bright red paint does most of the talking, but the bright front grille, shiny heavy-duty front bumper, and flashy oversized side mirrors provide just the right amount of contrast to really make this truck pop out in the sunlight. Other features include a blacked-out grille insert up front, bumper guards, heavy-duty stepbars, and a blacked-out step-bumper in the rear that all match the outlined black 'Ford' script on the tailgate. Out back, the straight and dent-free bed is further proof that this Ford was never overworked in its easy life, and it's been protected for the future with a black professional spray-in bedliner that looks great. So, you don't have to think twice about using this truck as it was intended, but by the looks of this clean beauty, you might be the first one to put it to work.

The simple interior is just the way Ford designers intended, right down to the comfortable pleated seat cover. The seating surfaces are cloth-and-vinyl, so it's all-day comfortable, but it's still a no-frills place to get some work done. That's kind of refreshing today when trucks cost $70,000 and have every option your Cadillac does, blurring the line between just enough and unwanted excess. However, the quality of the work makes it look far more upscale today, and with plush red carpets, nicely detailed stock door panels, and a sporty leather-wrapped steering wheel at the helm, it does look pretty slick inside. This F-150 carries a full set of factory gauges ahead of the driver, a red dash pad above them that's in great shape, and a matching headliner up above that ties everything together nicely. Driving's easy with a column shifter for the automatic transmission and a manual lever for the 2-speed transfer case down on the floor when you need the 4x4 to take over. Like most of these trucks, options are fairly light, but you do get a newer Sony AM/FM/CD/AUX head unit for your tunes and there's an under-dash A/C system, that's been converted to R134a refrigerant and a modern compressor to keep you comfortable in the summer. Clean and straightforward, this truck is ready to roll.

There aren't many choices that balance performance and efficiency better than a 351 cubic inch V8, and the smooth-running block under the big hood of this F-150 is ready to hit the road. Built for torque, it moves the big F-series with ease, especially augmented with a big Holley 4-barrel carburetor and aluminum intake manifold on top, and thanks to an MSD ignition system, it cranks with ease at every try. Polished valve covers work well with the chrome open-element air cleaner that were added for bling and obviously they did a great job to make it look its best with tidy Ford Blue paint on the block, and light gray finish on the inner fenders in the style of the original factory look. There's a giant radiator up front that doesn't make the small block sweat and with factory power steering and power front disc brakes it's easy to maneuver for such a big machine. A beefy suspension with plenty of ground clearance means this Ford is ready to go up a mountain, and with a steering stabilizer and upgraded shocks and springs, it actually tracks pretty darn great for a big truck, both off the road and on. A throaty dual exhaust system uses Flowmaster mufflers and it really does sound awesome at full bore, but it's not so over-the-top that it's obnoxious. Handsome Pro Comp polished alloy wheels add a bit of a butch look to the pretty truck, and they're fitted with beefy 305/70/16 Milestar Patagonia M/T radials.

Big, fun, and hard-to-find in this great condition, this Ford 4x4 is dialed-in and ready to hit the road. With values of these original 4x4s skyrocketing of late, this may be your last chance to get yours before they get out of reach like the Early Bronco. Call today!