I gotta comment on those '73 to "79 Ford trucks. I think they were among the best pickups ever built!!.
My Dad bought one new in "75. 2WD, Ranger package, 390cid, 4 bbl carb,auto trans, $5800.00!!!
That truck made many miles pulling an overloaded trailer full of fats to town, survived 3 teenage boys(myself included), as well as everything else a pickup is expected to do.
I got my driver's license in '78......a friend of mine had a Camaro(350) and I could "take him" off the line up to about 80 mph with that truck!!!
Dad still drives that truck,once in a while(he has a new Dodge). I put a new timing chain and gears in it for him a couple years ago, but as far as I know, that is the only time that engine has been touched!!
My 1 ton , that I use nearly every day, is a "76 Ford(390 4 speed).Love it!!
My oldest son recently got his driver's licence ,so I gave him my '78 Ford Ranger XLT (which had been parked since I got my Dodge in '96).We did some "stuff" to that engine but it will easily outrun my Dodge and burns less gas!!
I've had several other Ford trucks, from those years ,as well and they were GREAT!!! No computer crap on them so a person could actually work on them when they needed it(which ain't that often).
Did I make my point!!! '73 to '79 Ford trucks RULE!!! :lol: :lol: