Whitemans 79' 1Ton

[whiteman]

Today just may be the most exciting day in vehicle purchasing history for me. I have long wanted a 79 1Ton 4x4 but never wanted to pay what they sold for. Roaming craigslist this weekend I found this gem; drove it home for $1500.

Specs:
1979 Ford F350 Custom
400M/T-19/NP205/D60F/D60R

Pretty much original minus the wheels and old fart running boards.

It runs like a turd but mostly due to neglect, needing a carb rebuild, and your basics tune up.
I Feel a U-joint vibration and and the brakes stick but it drove 50+miles back to my house.

Pics:





...60...


Back home with Miss F250 2wd



I will be building this truck into a capable tow rig/expedition camping rig.

I have a set of 4" springs off a 72' F250 I would like to install but I am not sure if they are the same.

Also have a line on 12 bolt H1's with tires.

More to come...

[Dr.Danger]

Good lookin' truck. A steal for what you paid as well. Are you planning on keeping the 400 or swapping in a 460?

Also, nice to have the T-19. I like the slightly lower granny in my NP435, but I'd trade it in a heartbeat for the synchronized granny in a T-19.

[fatdan460]

i should punch you in the dick, that's the phrase of the night. i'd kill for a 79 in that shape for $1500, let alone a 60 front. shitbricks around here want $1200 for complete piles of shit.

edit: i can't remember for sure right now, but i think the highboy springs are narrower, like 2.5''s v.s. 3''s, but i can't remember if that's a front or rear deal. check them out with a tape.

[whiteman]

Funds are tight as my wife is off work with our new born.

The 400 will stay for now, if it come out though for any reason a 460 will go back in.

My 79 F250 2wd you see pictured has a 351M and still runs the MC2100 2brl, for as much grief the "M" series motors recieve I am pleased with what they are doing for me. Never the less I will upgrade to a 460 in either truck when these "M" motors grenade.

[Dr.Danger]

Originally Posted by fatdan460

i should punch you in the dick, that's the phrase of the night. i'd kill for a 79 in that shape for $1500, let alone a 60 front. shitbricks around here want $1200 for complete piles of shit.

Not terribly uncommon here in Texas, but seeing the OP's location, the previous owner probably had no idea what he had.

[whiteman]

Originally Posted by fatdan460

i should punch you in the dick, that's the phrase of the night. i'd kill for a 79 in that shape for $1500, let alone a 60 front. shitbricks around here want $1200 for complete piles of shit.

edit: i can't remember for sure right now, but i think the highboy springs are narrower, like 2.5''s v.s. 3''s, but i can't remember if that's a front or rear deal. check them out with a tape.

My classic comeback for that is... "good luck, I have thick thighs and little junk"

My 72 is in the back 40 and I did not want to walk out there tonight. I will check mesurments tomorrow.

[Dr.Danger]

Originally Posted by whiteman

Funds are tight as my wife is off work with our new born.

The 400 will stay for now, if it come out though for any reason a 460 will go back in.

My 79 F250 2wd you see pictured has a 351M and still runs the MC2100 2brl, for as much grief the "M" series motors recieve I am pleased with what they are doing for me. Never the less I will upgrade to a 460 in either truck when these "M" motors grenade.

The 400 and 351M had their strengths, and honestly I think would have been great engines if the cylinder head design wasn't so choked by the emission standards of the era.
Way better power gain per dollar spent with the 385 series engines however.

Congrats on the new kid.

[whiteman]

Originally Posted by Dr.Danger

Not terribly uncommon here in Texas, but seeing the OP's location, the previous owner probably had no idea what he had.

He was a friendly Hispanic fellow who was given the truck for partial pament of some masonry work...

Thank you the new baby girl is so awesome!!!

[huff75]

Originally Posted by fatdan460

i should punch you in the dick, that's the phrase of the night. i'd kill for a 79 in that shape for $1500, let alone a 60 front. shitbricks around here want $1200 for complete piles of shit.

edit: i can't remember for sure right now, but i think the highboy springs are narrower, like 2.5''s v.s. 3''s, but i can't remember if that's a front or rear deal. check them out with a tape.

Highboys had the 3 inch springs in front and the 2.5s in back.

[Big79'Terry]

One of the Holy Grail trucks for us Fomoco Mofo's! Congrats on the truck & new baby girl.

[Tdmayfieldiv]

I'm a big fan of the m series. Down here it's mostly 3/4 tons with d44 hd's in them and rusted to shit. I know of one i'm going to part out here soon.

[dantheman27]

I spent twice as much two years ago when I acquired mine with 64,000 on the clock with a rotted bed...damn the salt they use around here! Fantastic looking truck though, don't let go of it; and congratulations!

[whiteman]

I measured the springs on my 72' this evening and it looks like I will be sourcing springs elsewhere.

The measurements were taken with wieght of the vehicle on the spring.

72' F250 4x4
Front springs = 52.5" eye to eye 3" wide 7 leaf pack
Rear springs = 50.5" eye to eye 2.25" wide cobbled together 11 leaf pack
Rear block = 4"

Front pic

Rear pic


The junk



79' F350 4x4
Front sprngs = 51.75 eye to eye 3" wide
Rear springs = 50.5 eye to eye 3" wide
Rear block = 3"

I do not want to go from a 3" rear spring to a 2.25". I do not do add a leafs so I will worry about suspension later.

Here are some questions for you all; your input is appreciated.

For those who have swapped to Superduty springs was the ride and flexability worth the swap?

I really have a nich to get some H1 beadlocks for this truck. Can you run non-recentered H1's on these axles or will the tires hit springs and such? I will be running a 35-37" / 12.5" wide tire no bigger. EDIT: I answered this question with a little searching.

If anyone has pics for an example please feel free to post.

[THEWHITEZOMBIE]

Hey man great looking solid truck you found yourself be sure to check out http://www.fordification.net/index.htm for more in detail need to knows about your truck. Good luck an ill be watching this build for sure

[fatdan460]

Originally Posted by THEWHITEZOMBIE

Hey man great looking solid truck you found yourself be sure to check out http://www.fordification.net/index.htm for more in detail need to knows about your truck. Good luck an ill be watching this build for sure

wtf is that? one of the equal to or greater than faggotry fte knockoff sites from the fallout way back when?

probably got vin decoders and all huh? gay

[whiteman]

Originally Posted by fatdan460

wtf is that? one of the equal to or greater than faggotry fte knockoff sites from the fallout way back when?

probably got vin decoders and all huh? gay

There is actually some info there I have found quite usefull, when I was working on the bumpsides. We cut these rigs up, they piece them together.

Originally Posted by THEWHITEZOMBIE

Hey man great looking solid truck you found yourself be sure to check out http://www.fordification.net/index.htm for more in detail need to knows about your truck. Good luck an ill be watching this build for sure

Thanks, I am actually a member of the 67-72 website. Some good info there but not alot of tech that fits my lifestyle.

[whiteman]

oooh... forgot to tell!

I found a set of 12bolt H1 wheels I am going to pick up tomorrow for a good price.

[AllGoNoShow]

Those highboy front springs will work on your 79. You will need to run spacers on the uncentered H1's.

[whiteman]

Originally Posted by AllGoNoShow

Those highboy front springs will work on your 79. You will need to run spacers on the uncentered H1's.

My latest brain analysis is to remove the front high boy springs and take 2-3 leafs out of it and put that pack in the front.
The removed springs will be added to the stock 79' rear pack as well as the 1" taller rear block the high boy has. I am thinking this may get it pretty close to level with around 3"ish lift but may come up short in the rear...

[THEWHITEZOMBIE]

Originally Posted by fatdan460

wtf is that? one of the equal to or greater than faggotry fte knockoff sites from the fallout way back when?

probably got vin decoders and all huh? gay

Only you dan

sometimes getting a good clean answer is all some guys want on the web an we all know how pirate it with that

[solidrunner]

I can't believe you found that on Seattle CL for that price. I look every day for something like that. Nice find.

[whiteman]

Originally Posted by solidrunner

I can't believe you found that on Seattle CL for that price. I look every day for something like that. Nice find.

Crazy I know.
I look all the time as well. I have been very lucky in the past with my CL finds.

I did not get the H1 beadlocks tonight, the guy was stuck in portland until 9:30. I should get them tomorrow.

[whiteman]

Originally Posted by whiteman

My latest brain analysis is to remove the front high boy springs and take 2-3 leafs out of it and put that pack in the front.
The removed springs will be added to the stock 79' rear pack as well as the 1" taller rear block the high boy has. I am thinking this may get it pretty close to level with around 3"ish lift but may come up short in the rear...

This was a stupid idea...




I will be removing the front springs from the 72 and installing them in the front of the 79'.

Then I will do a shackle flip in the rear.

That's not HARDCORE thats easy!

[THEWHITEZOMBIE]

Looking forward to the finaly

[RockRogue]

That thing is super clean for the price! Damn!