Did Ford make a F-350 in 1979?
Yes — Ford did offer a F-350 for the 1979 model year, the one-ton member of the F-Series heavy-duty lineup. This article explains how the F-350 fit into Ford’s 1979 truck lineup, what configurations were available, and how it compared with lighter F-Series models of the era.
Historical context of the 1979 F-Series
In 1979 Ford’s F-Series remained the backbone of its truck business, spanning light-duty to heavy-duty variants. The F-350 designation signified the truck’s classification as a one-ton payload-capable model, positioned to handle heavier towing and hauling tasks than the F-250 and lighter pickups.
The 1979 model year sits toward the end of Ford’s third-generation F-Series styling (introduced in the early 1970s). The trucks shared many mechanicals across the line, but the F-350 carried heavier-duty features and options to meet higher payload needs.
Key configurations and availability in 1979
Below is a concise look at how the 1979 F-350 was commonly configured, including drivetrain choices, wheel setups, and body options that were typical for the era.
- Drivetrain options: 2-wheel drive (2WD) and four-wheel drive (4WD) were offered to cover both on-road use and off-road or demanding work conditions.
- Wheel configuration: Single rear wheel (SRW) and dual rear wheel (DRW) variants were available, aligning with payload and stability needs for heavier duties.
- Body and bed options: Regular cab layouts with various bed lengths were typical, allowing buyers to choose between shorter, more maneuverable trucks or longer beds for hauling.
- Trim and equipment: The F-350 could be ordered in multiple trims and with work-focused features that prioritized payload capacity, durability, and towing capability.
Overall, the 1979 F-350 offered the standard heavy-duty traits expected of a one-ton pickup for that era, with choices to tailor it to workhorse duties.
How the F-350 compared to the F-Series lineup
To understand the F-350’s place in 1979, it helps to compare it with its lighter siblings in the same generation and how buyers might choose between them based on payload needs and usage.
- F-250 vs. F-350: The F-250 served as the 3/4-ton option, generally lighter payload and lower towing limits than the F-350, which was designed for higher-capacity work.
- Payload emphasis: The F-350’s heavy-duty configuration allowed for greater payload and stability under load, making it a common choice for fleet work, construction, or heavy towing tasks.
- Interchangeable platforms: While sharing many mechanicals with lighter F-Series trucks, the F-350 could be equipped with specific features (like DRW wheels) that distinguished it from the F-250 and F-150 models.
In sum, the F-350 filled the one-ton niche within Ford’s 1979 F-Series lineup, offering choices that aligned with customers’ demanding payload and towing requirements while remaining part of a shared engineering ecosystem with lighter models.
Notes on engines and transmissions for the era
The 1979 F-350 offered a range of gasoline V8 engines common to Ford trucks of the period, with transmissions adapting to the heavy-duty tasks (including automatic and manual options). Diesel offerings and more specialized powertrains appeared in some markets or later years, but buyers typically selected a robust gasoline engine paired with a heavy-duty transmission to maximize payload and towing performance.
As with many mid-to-late-1970s trucks, engine and transmission availability varied by market, trim level, and cab/bed configuration, so exact combinations could differ from one pickup to the next.
Summary
Yes, Ford did produce a F-350 in 1979. The model stood as Ford’s one-ton variant within the F-Series, available in configurations such as 2WD and 4WD, with SRW and DRW wheel setups, and various cab/bed options to suit heavy-duty work. It served as the payload-focused counterpart to lighter F-Series pickups during the late 1970s and remained part of Ford’s core truck lineup as the era transitioned toward the next generation.
Did Ford make a F-350 in 1979?
A two-tone densite is hard to beat. And this baby looks so good with the original paint. And some Poppy's patina.
What year did Ford start making the F-350?
The modern Ford F-350 Super Duty was released for the 1999 model year, with production starting in 1998. Prior to this, the F-350 was available as a heavy-duty model in previous generations of the F-Series lineup, with a heavy-duty F-350 model also appearing in the 1973 model year.
- Super Duty models: Ford introduced the Super Duty line, which included the F-250, F-350, and the new F-450 and F-550 chassis-cabs, for the 1999 model year. Production for this generation began in 1998.
- Pre-Super Duty models: An F-350 model was also available in the preceding F-Series generation and was produced through the 1998 model year.
- Earlier models: Ford also offered a heavy-duty F-350 model starting with the 1973 model year.
How much is a 1979 F-350 worth?
Typically, you can expect to pay around $22,671 for a 1979 Ford F-350 1 Ton in good condition with average spec. The highest selling price of a 1979 Ford F-350 1 Ton at auction over the last three years was $127,000.
What is a 1979 Ford truck called?
dentside Ford
The sixth generation of the Ford F-Series, also known as the "dentside Ford" to enthusiasts, is a line of pickup trucks and medium-duty commercial trucks that were produced by Ford Motor Company from the 1973 to 1979 model years.
