One Family Owned 1979 Ford F-250 Explorer

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This beautiful brown beauty is a 1979 Ford F250 4×4 that has been in the same family since new and only shows 74,000 miles on the odometer. Originally purchased new in Great Falls, Montana, the truck hasn’t traveled too far and currently resides in Caldwell, Idaho. It can be found here on eBay with a current bid of nearly  $19,000 and the reserve hasn’t been met yet. Sixth generation Ford pickups are now all 40+ years old and have officially entered collectible status. They continue to be very popular and seem to be increasing in value on a daily basis. Take a look at this awesome truck and let us know what you think.

The 400 cubic inch V8 appears mostly original, but you can tell by the wiring, fuel system, brakes, and ignition appear to all have aftermarket parts or modifications. The seller touts the originality, but there appear to be quite a few modifications. Perhaps the seller had to do some work to it after pulling it out of storage? The engine is backed by an automatic transmission.

The interior features the “Explorer Package” along with the original radio, tilt steering wheel, and wood grain dash. Other options include locking hubs, a 3-speed transfer case, power steering, and brakes with factory discs! For extended trips, the truck also features a tow package and dual gas tanks. You can see the seat has been recovered. I wonder how the original upholstery was?

Overall, the Dark Brown Metallic with factory Explorer stripes shows really well. The 3/4-ton 4×4 stance is awesome and the BFG tires with the old-school chrome wheels and hubcaps look great. I’m not positive that this truck is as original as the seller says, but there’s no doubt this is a nice truck. What do you think about this one?

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Comments

  1. Rustytech RustytechMember

    Looks like a nice truck, it reminds me of my 77, but wow that price. I bought the 77 new for about $5400. I didn’t care as much for the trapezoid grill in these as on the older trucks, but I wouldn’t kick this out of my garage. Oh wait, this wouldn’t fit in my garage!

    Like 6
  2. Bob_in_TN Bob_in_TNMember

    Very nice F-250. The Explorer trim package did a good job of dressing up the exterior and interior. Fun collection of paperwork including maintenance records. From the condition of the bed, this truck had a useful life, thus I suspect a close inspection would reveal some exterior scratches and such. But that is to be expected on a forty-plus year old vehicle in original condition.

    Who would have thought that the most collectible (and therefore most expensive) forty year old vehicles would be trucks.

    Like 6
  3. JW454

    It’s a nice truck but the tires look too big. They make the truck look like a cartoon. Also, big tires cause excessive suspention wear for very little gain.Just my two cents.

    Like 5
    • KKW

      If that’s the case, then there’s a whole lotta cartoons running up and down the road these days lol. Btw, big tires don’t bother suspension, but they do wipe out ball joints and wheel bearings.

      Like 3
    • RobA

      I was going to say the opposite. I think they nailed the stance on this one. The tires and amount of lift seem perfect and are a great tradeoff for any practicality.

      These trucks don’t work or go too far these days anyways, so the bigger tires will make the ball joints last only 100 years instead of 200.

      Like 7
  4. KKW

    A pretty nice example of the best trucks ever made, only thing better would be a 4spd. I’d snatch it up if I had the resources.

    Like 3
  5. Todd Zuercher

    3 speed transfer case? No, it’s a 2 speed.

    Like 6
    • KKW

      2Hi 4Hi 4Lo =3

      Like 7
      • Todd Zuercher

        That’s only 2. 2 HI and 4 HI are the same “speed” (gear ratio) of 1:1.

        Like 6
  6. Todd Zuercher

    Kinda silly to have those hubcaps on the front. You’ll have to pop them off every time you want to lock the hubs and engage 4WD.

    Like 3
  7. KKW

    So what’s your definition of the old “In or out box” of years ago, a one speed?

    Like 2
    • Todd Zuercher

      Yes, or usually we call them a “single speed”, like the Dana 21s used in the F100s for many years. That’s how the manufacturers usually refer to them as well and how they have been referred to in the four wheel drive/off road community.

      Like 2
  8. Karl

    Although I am not a big ford guy this pickup looks pretty sharp, I am a fan of the tires and raised stance it looks like it could get the job done! To much money for me though!

    Like 1
  9. MorleyMember

    Buy this expensive truck and have it rot away in a couple of years OR buy a new version for 80 grand and have it rot away in a couple of years. Good grief just leave your money in your pocket and take the bus ARRRRGH

    Like 0
    • KKW

      Well, it hasn’t rotted away in 42 years, you really think it will in a couple? I do believe there is an automotive Scrooge in our presence

      Like 3
    • David Ulrey

      Why would either this truck or a new truck rot away in a couple years? Public transportation is fine but that’s not what any of the faithful readers here are all about.

      Like 0
      • MorleyMember

        In the US north east and that includes Mich. and in Eastern Canada this new brines they spray on the roads to melt ice will rot a new or old vehicle away in a couple of years This ice melt removes the painted lines from the roads in one winter. The only way to keep a vehicle nice is to not drive it in the winter.

        Like 0
  10. John

    Not a fan of big tires, U have to break out the step stool/ladder if U have a passenger..like wife/girlfriend. Work maybe OK when in 20’s but wait ’till 60’s
    geez. If they were meant to have big tires the manufacturer would have put them on.

    Like 0
  11. Russell Ashley

    Beautiful truck. Sold for $23,200.

    Like 0
  12. Al Syverson

    1979 F250 4×4 did not sit this high from the factory , and a 205 transfer case part time 4×4 did have 2 speeds hi and lo .

    Like 0
  13. juneb1022

    Diggin’ it actually. Not for 19K tho.

    Like 0
  14. John Di Fruscia

    the hubcaps have an access hole.

    Like 0

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