FordMuscle’s latest project vehicle showed up tonight. It’s a 1978 F250 4×4. Using the proceeds from the sale of Project MX, we found this ex-firestation 4×4 in Roseville, California. Jay Neely of Crystal Bay Marine in Tahoe made the wintery journey over the Sierras and back to Reno, NV in order to deliver it to us. We’re not going to tell you too much about the truck now, you’ll have to wait until our final issue of 2006 to learn more. We struggled to find the right deal for a few months, so when this gem was stagnant on craigslist for a few weeks, we made an offer of $2000 and the owner took. FordMuscle is looking forward to learning about these rigs and covering every step of every modification. For those of you who own one, we’re open to suggestions and want your support.
Nice rig. A good addition (and article) would be to add an OD tranny. Oh sure, you could put in an E4OD automatic. But anyone could do that. How about challenging yourselves and put in an ZF manual trans. Might sell more subscriptions. Since I haven’t been able to find any good info on the web for the ZF swap.
By C. Miller. June 12th, 2007 at 10:47 amdamn nice truck. i’d buy it in a heart beat!!!!
By Andy. May 23rd, 2007 at 7:59 amget a falcon ute you bunch of poofs
By manzy the auzzie. February 15th, 2007 at 1:32 amI just bought a ‘78F250 4×4 here in michigan for 1000. Mine has the 460 swap with some speed parts. Mine unfortunantly has lots of classic michigan rust… I would love to see what you guys do to update suspention,steering, brakes, and any other extras.
By elliot essenburg. February 1st, 2007 at 7:53 pmPersonaly I’d swap in a 352/360/390. Their a damn good motor and I’ve never had major problems with them. Go for a 352 or 390 though because they have beefier rods than the 360.
By Stan. January 25th, 2007 at 8:58 amWhat timing!
I have one of these I purchased two years ago for plowing a long driveway in Maine. I paid $1200 including a Fischer plow.
It runs, sort of, with enough ether. We call it “The Beast”, and bringing it to heel and getting it road legal is my project for the year.
By Jeff. January 24th, 2007 at 9:47 amlook into tim meyer inc. he can and will build that 400 into a powerhouse. dont do a BB swap show the haters what a 335 series motor can do especially a worked 400. and remember there is no M in 400 only the 351M had that name. also look into the 434 stroker motor he has made.
By kilog55. January 12th, 2007 at 11:11 amExcellent, I own three Ford pickups a 1990 f150custom, my daily driver but my favorites are my 1978 loaded Bronco in the process of resto and my 1979 lariot heavily rusted but very dependable and lots of fun.
I also look forward to your Horse power improvements and hope to complete some of them myself.
Good Luck with the truck and I will be checking its progress often.
Rick from Ontario, Canada.
By Rick. January 6th, 2007 at 11:46 amCan’t wait to find out more about it and see the changes you make to it.
Morgan
By look like a grea truck. December 6th, 2006 at 9:50 pmIts a good truck. I have a 78 f150 “high boy” with the I6. If your project truck has a inline 6 in it I love to see a build up of one. Thats what I hope to do when I finish the body work. You have a great find for the price.
By Steve. December 6th, 2006 at 5:47 pmNice truck. My brother bought one while stationed in Ft. Carson, Co…looks very similar to that truck. His is an extended cab, but with a 400/4 speed. The engine is tired and worn out and as soon as he gets it back here we’re going to build up a GOOD 408 (.030 bore) that should put down some good numbers. I’m definetly going to watch the up-and-coming articles.
By mavman. December 4th, 2006 at 7:52 pmSounds like you found a gem. Looks like it’ll be a fun project. Maybe I’ll get a few ideas for my 1967 F250 from you?
By michael. November 29th, 2006 at 11:42 pmNice Rig!
By Bryan Condrey. November 29th, 2006 at 4:58 pmDon’t discount the 351/400 yet. There are a few new speed parts out there I’d love to see you use before I try them(namely the new Edelbrock heads!). I’ve personally turned every nut and bolt on my ‘79 Bronco over the past decade and this series truck is BUILT FORD TOUGH! Consider poly bushings for everything, including the cab mounts. Consider the age of the steering box and look into a rebuilt box and steering shaft. If you bring all aging items into the 21st century, you will have a drivable antique! Good luck and consider contacting me with questions or opinions.
great truck i cant wait to see the final results. it is a fun truck to drive. you goy a good find
By jeff caylor. November 29th, 2006 at 2:49 pmI have a 76 with a 390 swapped for the oem 360. A nice improvement. I will presume you have the 400 engine. These have a terrible rap (see posting above). There is an e-bay seller out of Portland Or. selling the Aussy 2v Cleveland heads. He says these heads and some timing/ cam modifications really wake up a 400.
By Bruce L. McCaw. November 29th, 2006 at 1:11 pmAlthough it would not be as well recieved as a 429/460 swap it would be interesting to see if a 400 can be improved.
Most excellent! I love how you guys work up different vehicles!!! Good luck with this one!
By Henry C. Simmons III. November 29th, 2006 at 8:43 amVery nice find!!I’ve had 30+ 73-79 F-series trucks,so if you have any questions,I may have an answer.First things I would do:dump the M-block QUICK,use a 429/460.Cant tell from pics,but if its a 44 front get a Dana 60HP from a 78/79.
By Mike. November 29th, 2006 at 6:14 amAwww yeaaa that’s chilli dog with sauce guys! I’m gonna be checking on your homepage every night before bed cus i got me a 76 just like your all’s is.
By Cooter Smalls. November 28th, 2006 at 10:38 pmAhhhhhh! Yeahhhhhh!. Nice acquisition!
By Clemson. November 28th, 2006 at 10:37 pm