Hey All,
Ok here is the deal, I am looking to buy a F150 Custom. Standard Cab, standard bed. Seems to be a pretty strong runner (although it has been sitten for 6+ months) 1st: do these trucks posses potential of being a good wheeling machine, or are they pretty good out of the box so to speak? 2nd: any genral info about 1979 F150's would be great!!! IE.....Axle, Transfer Cases, Gears?

I have owned a couple 4x4's (a Nissan and Chevy Blazer, but never a Ford) and am finally starting to get back into them again. SO I apolojize for any non sence I might ask in the future.....

Speaking of that what is up with the Transfer case Shifter??? The one in this truck seems to have 5 positions?? All the forward (towards the engine and working back towards the seat) is a locked position next is LO then Neutral (of course) then Hi and then Locked again. Can someone explian to me the reason behind the Locked Positions? Also am I correct in assuming that the normal running position of the transfer Case should be High?



Thank you and hope to see as much info as you all want to tell me

Now it is time for :beer:

Peace

79 f150 has a rcd44 front, ford 9 inch rear. the tranny if auto is a c6 and the t case is an np205. it should have a v8 which is either a 351m 400m or 460. not sure on the t case shifter thing you are talking about. its all stout equipment up to 35 inch tires 38 even cept you are pretty heavy. but 38 on it should be ok, all depends if yah lock the axles and what kinda wheeling yah do

The t-case is a NP-203, not the NP-205. the 5 position shifter fives this away. It is a full-time case with 2 to 1 low range. You should find that the hubs are full time and can not be unlocked. The front is D44 Rev-cut with power disc brakes, the rear is 9" with probably 31 spline axles. need to check for sure. engine is either 351M or 400M. 460 never came in a 4x4 in this year stock. only 4x2.

If the t-case shifter had said 4-low/neutral/2-hi/4-hi then it would have been a NP-205.

These trucks have a pretty good flex out of the box with the coil front springs.

only bummer about a '79 is it will have catalitic converter, thus no duel exhaust allowed.

eric

yes, normal running pos. of t-case shifter is 4-hi, NOT 4-loc.

Sweet and Thank you YjTj, great Info. Yes It is auto so C6 and I think it is a 351 but not sure any true way to see what the Engine is? I need to pull the Pan on it because the rear pan seal looks to be leaking!!!!! :mad3:

As far as my wheeling, Mud and trail cruzing. never done much Rock crawlin as of yet!!!! But hey who knows LOL. Right now the truck has 31x10.5 which it needs a new set all the way around but I guess I shold not complain got the truck for 1500 and if I get all the little shiot fixed then it well be a great Truck, it sounds
Thank you

OK Thanks about the Info on the T case there Alpo23, But the Front axle has manuel warn hubs and the do work to lock and unlock the front-end (tested it today hehehe)

Also those power robbing Cats and single out exhaust some how changed to a dual with no cats, hmmmmm I wonder how that happened (hehehehehe) No Smog in the County I live in, Or so I am told :flipoff2:

He great info and keep it comming the more I know the beter I can explain how great of a deal I made to the wife hahahahaha

What U really need is a 429 BB in it!!!:flipoff2: :flipoff2: :flipoff2:

Hey I'm not sure if you are looking for something that is stock or that is already modifed but a friend of mine has a '78 F250 Ranger Lariat (has square headlights same as '79) that he wants to sell. It has Dana 60's front and rear, NP435, NP205, built 429, dual tanks, air tank and 38" Swampers. It is a really nice truck and with the strength of your dollar you could pick it up for a decent price. Where in Washington are you?

sounds like someone has already changed the front hubs from stock to part-time.
try this: with the hubs unlocked and the t-case in Hi ( NOT Hi-loc )
see if the truck will move. If it has not been converted to part-time usage then it will spin the front drive shaft and will not deliver any power to the rear shaft. If so, DO NOT run in hi-loc with the front hubs unlocked. Milemarker makes a kit for convereting to part-time usage.
If however it does move the truck with the hubs unlocked then it has already benn converted.

BTW, thumper go for Paul Gagnon's deal if you haven't gotten the F-150 yet. that is a killer combo.

Eric

OK I bought the Truck but damm I should have came and looked here first !!! :rolleyes:
Well I can not really Complain they guy is even taken Payments from me for the Truck :flipoff2: I hate being broke.....So I bought this one sorry Paul G and Alpo23.
It runs good and Thanks about the info. The Front has been converted from what you described it does move and moves good exsept I need a speedo Cable and a new power steering hose, kinda blew it today in the driveway. Thank god for spare parts lol have almost a complete pre 75 (i think) F250 (minus engine) for parts.

thanks for your help and if you have any other info. I.E. upgrades, bugs or problems to look for please post'em and thank you again

now it is time for some fun again

There is one mod I would suggest as soon as you can afford it. Ditch the factory intake and carb and put a taller (higher rise) aluminum aftermarket intake on. The factory intake sits way flat and you don't get any fuel velocity, because the factory intake was designed to fit under the hood of a car not a pickup.

Originally posted by deadduck
There is one mod I would suggest as soon as you can afford it. Ditch the factory intake and carb and put a taller (higher rise) aluminum aftermarket intake on. The factory intake sits way flat and you don't get any fuel velocity, because the factory intake was designed to fit under the hood of a car not a pickup.


Dunno about that, he said it's a pretty strong runner, so there's no way in hell it's a stock 351M :D