As a child, Luke would ask Grandpa Sam to go to the barn and start his 1978 F-150 Ranger. Sam had bought it new and used it on the farm. To him, it was the black truck.
The story
When Luke was 12, his grandpa let him drive it around the field. Four years later, just before Luke’s 16th birthday, Sam arrived with the Ford repainted and shined up. He handed Luke the keys as a birthday present.
Luke inherited the truck in 2018 and has been restoring it piece by piece. His grandpa and the Ford also inspired him to start Dentsides Nation.
Grandpa Sam passed away in 2023. Luke says that every time he gets into the truck, he drives it for him.
The truck
Sam had replaced the original 351 with a 460 during the truck’s farm years. Luke’s work includes paint, engine gaskets and seals, the carburetor and a redone interior.
What comes next
Luke wants it comfortable enough to drive anywhere, for any distance. The restoration continues, but the reason for keeping it is already settled.
Owner: Luke | 1978 Ford
Keep the old Ford story going
Find your kind of truck in our Shop gear for 1978 Dentside trucks, or choose a year’s front end from the Grille Series.
Visit Highboy University for truck guides. Read Bumpside vs. Dentside: Ford Truck Generations Explained, then meet the people behind Big Red’s 1971 Ford: Grandpa’s Truck, Dents and All.
Your truck belongs in this community, too. Share your truck story and photos.
