The timeline and plans reflect the owner’s original account.
Van wanted an old truck to restore as a daily driver, while still using it for work and mud. His 1979 arrived rusty and not running, with a cracked transmission bell housing. With his dad’s help, he brought it back.
Four years into ownership when he shared the account, engine, transmission and transfer-case work, wheels and tires, LEDs, a flatbed and toolboxes were on the completed list. Snow driving and drifting with his friends were a favorite memory. A cam, cold-air intake, wig-wag flashers and headache-rack floodlights were still plans.
Read the owner’s original account and build details
Find him on Instagram: @that_red_flatbed_79
Truck year:
1979.
Ownership when this account was shared:
4 years.
How the truck came home
I wanted an old truck I could restore into a daily driver — something I could still take out in the mud and use as a work truck.
The memories behind the truck
Taking it out in the snow and drifting around with my buddies. That was a blast.
Build details, in the owner’s words
New engine, transmission, transfer case, new wheels and tires, LED lights, added the flatbed, and mounted toolboxes.
Plans at the time of the story
I want to cam it, put on a cold air intake, and add wig-wag flashers and flood lights on the headache rack.
More from the owner
When I first got it, the truck wasn’t even running — the bell housing on the transmission was cracked, and it was super rusty. With my dad’s help, we restored it and turned it into the pretty pickup it is now.
From the original story: @that_red_flatbed_79.
Keep the old Ford story going
Find your kind of truck in our Shop gear for 1979 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 Jeffrey’s 1972 Ford: A Tow Truck and a Mentor’s Name.
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