In case you’re wondering, yes, the seller of this beautiful, high-trim-level 1979 Ford F-150 Ranger Lariat 4×4 has the original wheels, and they go with the sale. If you’re a box-checker, this truck has just about every box checked, and the seller says it’s a 1 of 1 on the included Marti Report. They have it listed here on eBay in Battle Creek, Michigan, and the current bid price is an incredible $29,100!
The Deluxe Tu-Tone paint scheme was reportedly standard on the highest trim level F-Series in 1979, the Ranger Lariat, and this one is in Medium Gold Sand Metallic and Light Sand. Although with the roof painted in Light Sand, it appears to be a “Combination Tu-Tone” rather than Deluxe Tu-Tone, which would have had a Medium Gold Sand Metallic roof. The Ranger Lariat trim level was available in 1978 and 1979 F-Series trucks, and the “dent side” sixth-generation F-Series was made from 1972 for the 1973 model year, until 1979 in the U.S. As much as I normally love a high trim level vehicle, I actually prefer the lowest-level Custom in this era. A “dentside” should look like a dentside to me, and the other trim levels have that recessed area filled in with trim.
As long as I’m rambling about things, I also prefer the ’78 Custom-level trucks, as they had round headlights. The ’79s and later had rectangular headlights. This one is wearing aftermarket LED replacements, and I see them a lot, but wonder how they work in real life. Have any of you had experience with them? The bed looks great inside, and kudos to the seller for providing so many great photos.
The seller mentions a couple of tiny rust areas and a ding or two, but says that this truck is original. The underside looks solid. The interior shows its luxury trim level, which was the Ranger Lariat, and man, is it nice inside! The seat is a work of art and appears as well-preserved as any that I’ve seen from this era. Carpet in a pickup? Yes, and it looks perfect, too. Plus, this truck has a Warner (according to the Marti Report) 4-speed manual. The Ranger Lariat had extra sound-proofing and fancy things like a padded headliner, and even though this isn’t a SuperCab, there’s a decent amount of room behind the fold-forward seat. What makes this truck 1 of 1 on the Marti Report is that it came with a factory CB Radio.
The engine is Ford’s 351-cu.in. OHV V8 with a two-barrel carb and 156 horsepower. This one sends power to all four wheels through the two-speed transfer case and four-speed manual, and it starts, runs, and drives as it should. I don’t know if you’ll find a nicer original one, but that price! What will the final hammer price be for this fantastic F-150? $40,000? More?
Interestingly Scotty, those “cool in the 80’s” wheels were also the first thing I thought of. There are other changes I would make (most in the interest of originality), but overall this is a great Dentside. When you zoom in on the high quality pics you can see imperfections, but overall this looks to be an very good unrestored example. And it’s even a 4-speed. It hits a sweet spot in the world of collector F-Series trucks, as evidenced by the solid bidding.
Expected an autoloader w the 351 and luxury pkg. Nice 4sp surprise. Lovely Ford. I always preferred the rubber floors in their trucks. But this is a beaut.
Mama Mia! This is one beautiful F150. 351, 4 Speed and the luxury interior. But, can you drive this to the local Wal Mart and not have someone in a beater Hyundai use the side of it for a brace when they extract their 350lb frame from the drivers seat? Sadly, a garage queen in a collection, maybe?
IMHO ’79 was the last trucks Ford made. I have one like this but no A/C and nowhere near as nice. 315k HARD HARD!!! miles still going stong! I’d like to have this one but not for what it’ll bring.
Offer to trade: straight up ;^)
I did, he couldn’t stop laughing long enough to sign the papers!
They actually made trucks way after ’79. My 09 F150 is the best vehicle I’ve ever owned. Can take it to pick up a load of topsoil, then take it out to dinner, and the SUV texters fear me.
Bob_in_TN, you are correct on flaws when zooming in. It looks like under paint rust in rear wheelwells. It could be just the pictures but i have my doubts. Since the rest is smooth.
If this is a pure Michigan truck i know it’s got rust ! My 79 F250 is still near there and the last time i saw it, it was a couple hundred pounds lighter.
Dont forget that 4 speed borg-warner (standard for the year) is a Granny 1st gear. OD did not come out until the following year. I’m about 30 miles from BC so i may be able to take a look for a bidder.
435 New Process was the standard 4sp, yes, with the granny first. The B/W would slide right in but they were dropped in the early ’70s.
This is a great looking truck in the pics.
This body style is my favorite. With two tone paint they were sharp trucks. Even with solid colors with the two tone trim they were even better. Bought a New 77 XLT that had the Lariat trim but wasn’t stated on the truck anywhere. It had a 460 with C6, man I loved that truck. Death on gas but I didn’t care at that time. Kept it for 8 months and traded it in on a 4×4 XLT that was dark brown and this light color two tone. It was a 13 mpg at best, but again I didn’t care . had it about 1 year and ordered a new 79 XLT Bronco. I have always had an attachment to these dent side trucks. This one brought back memories.
An excellent specimen of a dentside ! Love to add this to my harem. As you may know, you were able to order rectangular headlights as an option up to mid year in 78′, then after that they were all rectangular. I hope he gets top dollar for her. It gives me hope for my 79 F150 4×4 flareside I bought a few years ago when I saw it on Barn Finds. I rather have this than a new one, this one is at least not a disposable plastic/aluminum model ! Take care.
I recently picked up a frame offed 79 Bronco XLT in this solid gold.It is about to get the trim added ,and 2 tone treatment.Im debating between this light sand ,and Wimbledon white for the middle .
I recently picked up a frame offed 79 Bronco XLT in this solid gold ,but its about to get the racetrack trim and 2 tone.Debating between this light sand , and Wimbledon White for the middle ,and possibly roof.
Jim Randall, My 77 and 79 both had borg warner. Both new when i bought them.
My apologies, never saw anything but the NP435, learn something new every day.
News to me also Jim. Mine had NP435 and was start in 2nd gear unless really loaded.
I has to replace my 79 gear box out in Frisco, Colorado after some garage didn’t tighten the bellhousing and i drove 1200 miles putting pressure on the input shaft. It broke coming up the (GW) i think) out of Aspen. T18.
Some guy in the forum is claiming od and 302’s. Prior to 79 . I tried to get a 302 now, i tried my darnest but
Auction update: this beautiful truck sold for the $29,100 bid that was placed on April 22nd! Nobody else tried to outbid that in a week; that’s hard to believe.