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Mud-covered 1979 Ford F-150 with large off-road tires, lifted suspension, and aftermarket lights on a dirt trail
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1975-1979 Ford F-150Dentside F-150

1975–1979 60+ on the wall 34 documents ↓

The Ford F-150 nameplate first appeared for the 1975 model year inside the sixth-generation F-Series that collectors call the "Dentside," named for the long horizontal crease pressed into its body sides. Ford slotted the 1975 F-150 between the F-100 and the F-250 as a heavier half-ton, and set its gross vehicle weight rating just above 6,000 pounds. That figure kept the 1975 F-150 in the heavy-duty emissions class, so it avoided the catalytic converter and unleaded-fuel requirement that hit the lighter 1975 F-100. The standard engine was the 300-cubic-inch (4.9L) inline-six, with the 302 (5.0L) Windsor V8 as the entry V8 across the run. The larger V8 options changed during the period: the 360 and 390 FE V8s through 1976, then the 351M and 400 V8s from 1977, with the 460 big-block offered across the period in two-wheel-drive trucks. Four-wheel-drive 1975-1979 F-150s used a solid Dana 44 front axle, the setup that preceded the Twin-Traction Beam introduced for 1980. The F-Series became the best-selling truck line in America for 1977, a position it held through this generation's final year of 1979.

Other Ford F-150 generations

1980-1986 Ford F-150 1987-1991 Ford F-150 1992-1996 Ford F-150 1997-2003 Ford F-150 2004-2008 Ford F-150 2009-2014 Ford F-150 2015-2020 Ford F-150 2021-2026 Ford F-150

Ford F-150 1975-1979 at a glance

  • Generation: Sixth-generation Ford F-Series, the 1973-1979 "Dentside." The F-150 nameplate joined the line for the 1975 model year.
  • Body styles: Two-door regular cab and the extended SuperCab (the SuperCab arrived for the 1974 F-Series, before the F-150 name); Styleside and Flareside beds.
  • Standard engine: 300-cubic-inch (4.9L) inline-six.
  • V8 options: 360 and 390 FE V8s through 1976; 351M and 400 V8s from 1977; 302 V8; 460 big-block in two-wheel-drive trucks across the run.
  • Transmissions: three-speed and four-speed manuals, plus the C6 three-speed automatic.
  • Four-wheel drive: solid Dana 44 front axle (the Twin-Traction Beam independent front arrived for 1980, after this generation).
  • Why the F-150 exists: Ford set the 1975 F-150 GVWR just above 6,000 lb to place it in the heavy-duty emissions class, exempting it from the 1975 catalytic converter and unleaded-fuel rule that applied to the F-100.
  • Generation end: 1979 was the last year of the Dentside body; the "Bullnose" seventh generation followed for 1980.

Year-by-year changes

Model yearStandard engineV8 optionsKey changes
1975 Ford F-150300 cu in (4.9L) inline-six302, 360, 390, 460F-150 nameplate introduced as a heavier half-ton between the F-100 and F-250; GVWR set just above 6,000 lb so the 1975 F-150 avoided the catalytic converter and could run leaded fuel.
1976 Ford F-150300 cu in (4.9L) inline-six302, 360, 390, 460Final year for the 360 and 390 FE V8s in the light-duty F-150.
1977 Ford F-150300 cu in (4.9L) inline-six302, 351M, 400, 460The 360 and 390 FE V8s were dropped; the 351M and 400 V8s of the 335-engine family replaced them in the 1977 Ford F-150. The Ford F-Series also became the best-selling truck line in the United States for 1977.
1978 Ford F-150300 cu in (4.9L) inline-six302, 351M, 400, 460Rectangular headlamps appeared on higher trims (Ranger, Ranger XLT, Ranger Lariat) while the Custom kept round lamps; the Ranger Lariat trim was added. Four-wheel drive became available on the SuperCab.
1979 Ford F-150300 cu in (4.9L) inline-six302, 351M, 400, 460Final year of the Dentside sixth generation; rectangular headlamps were used across the F-150 range. The 1980 model year brought the redesigned "Bullnose" body and Twin-Traction Beam front suspension.

Why Ford created the F-150 for 1975

The Ford F-150 was a regulatory response as much as a product. For the 1975 model year, federal rules required light-duty vehicles rated at 6,000 pounds gross vehicle weight or less to use a catalytic converter and unleaded fuel. Ford set the 1975 F-150 at a GVWR just above that 6,000-pound line, which placed it in the heavy-duty class and exempted it from the converter requirement. The result was a half-ton Ford F-150 that could still run leaded fuel and carry a slightly higher load rating than the F-100 it sat above. The 1975 F-100 of the same generation, by contrast, did receive a catalytic converter. The F-150 sat between the F-100 and the three-quarter-ton F-250 in the lineup.

Engines of the 1975-1979 Ford F-150

The base engine across the 1975-1979 Ford F-150 was the 300-cubic-inch (4.9L) inline-six, a long-stroke truck six rated in net horsepower because all 1972-and-later figures were reported as net rather than the older gross numbers. The 302-cubic-inch (5.0L) Windsor V8 was the entry V8. The larger V8 menu changed mid-generation: through 1976 the 1975-1976 Ford F-150 offered the 360 and 390 FE-family V8s, and for 1977 Ford replaced those with the 351M and 400 V8s of the 335-engine family. The 460-cubic-inch (7.5L) big-block of the 385-engine family was the top engine and was offered in two-wheel-drive Ford F-150 trucks through the period. Net output for these emissions-era engines was modest by later standards; the 300 inline-six produced roughly 114 to 120 net horsepower depending on year and configuration.

Drivetrain, axles, and four-wheel drive

The 1975-1979 Ford F-150 used a body-on-frame layout with a leaf-sprung live rear axle. Transmissions included three-speed and four-speed manuals plus the Ford C6 three-speed automatic, which was paired with the higher-torque engines. Four-wheel-drive 1975-1979 Ford F-150 trucks used a solid Dana 44 front axle, the beam-axle setup that preceded the Twin-Traction Beam independent front suspension Ford introduced for the 1980 F-150. Four-wheel drive on the extended SuperCab body became available for 1978 on the Ford F-150. The 460 big-block was not offered with four-wheel drive in this generation and was a two-wheel-drive option.

Trims and body styles

The 1975-1979 Ford F-150 was sold in a range of trim levels that included the base Custom, the Ranger, the Ranger XLT, and, added for 1978, the Ranger Lariat. The Ranger and higher trims added carpeting, color-keyed interior fabrics, and wood-tone interior trim. The Ford F-150 came as a two-door regular cab and as the extended SuperCab, which the F-Series had introduced for 1974. Bed choices were the smooth-sided Styleside and the running-board-style Flareside. For 1978 the higher Ford F-150 trims switched to rectangular headlamps while the Custom retained round lamps, and for 1979 the rectangular lamps were used across the range.

Frequently asked questions

When did the Ford F-150 first appear?

The Ford F-150 nameplate debuted for the 1975 model year inside the 1973-1979 sixth-generation "Dentside" F-Series. It was added as a heavier half-ton positioned between the F-100 and the F-250.

Why did Ford introduce the F-150 in 1975?

Ford set the 1975 Ford F-150 gross vehicle weight rating just above 6,000 pounds, which placed it in the heavy-duty emissions class and exempted it from the 1975 catalytic converter and unleaded-fuel requirement that applied to lighter trucks such as the F-100.

What engines did the 1975-1979 Ford F-150 use?

The 1975-1979 Ford F-150 used the 300-cubic-inch (4.9L) inline-six as standard, with the 302 V8 and, through 1976, the 360 and 390 FE V8s. For 1977 the 351M and 400 V8s replaced the 360 and 390, and the 460 big-block was offered in two-wheel-drive trucks across the run.

Did the 1975-1979 Ford F-150 4x4 have a solid front axle?

Yes. Four-wheel-drive 1975-1979 Ford F-150 trucks used a solid Dana 44 front axle. The Twin-Traction Beam independent front suspension did not arrive until the 1980 Ford F-150, after this generation ended.

What is the "Dentside" Ford F-150?

"Dentside" is the enthusiast nickname for the 1973-1979 sixth-generation Ford F-Series, named for the horizontal crease pressed into the body sides. The Ford F-150 versions of this body run from the nameplate's 1975 launch through the final 1979 model year.

Sources

By the SuperMotors Editorial Team · Last updated July 2026 · Spotted an error? Suggest a correction

Asked all the time

When did the Ford F-150 first appear?

The Ford F-150 nameplate debuted for the 1975 model year inside the 1973-1979 sixth-generation "Dentside" F-Series. It was added as a heavier half-ton positioned between the F-100 and the F-250.

Why did Ford introduce the F-150 in 1975?

Ford set the 1975 Ford F-150 gross vehicle weight rating just above 6,000 pounds, which placed it in the heavy-duty emissions class and exempted it from the 1975 catalytic converter and unleaded-fuel requirement that applied to lighter trucks such as the F-100.

What engines did the 1975-1979 Ford F-150 use?

The 1975-1979 Ford F-150 used the 300-cubic-inch (4.9L) inline-six as standard, with the 302 V8 and, through 1976, the 360 and 390 FE V8s. For 1977 the 351M and 400 V8s replaced the 360 and 390, and the 460 big-block was offered in two-wheel-drive trucks across the run.

Did the 1975-1979 Ford F-150 4x4 have a solid front axle?

Yes. Four-wheel-drive 1975-1979 Ford F-150 trucks used a solid Dana 44 front axle. The Twin-Traction Beam independent front suspension did not arrive until the 1980 Ford F-150, after this generation ended.

What is the "Dentside" Ford F-150?

"Dentside" is the enthusiast nickname for the 1973-1979 sixth-generation Ford F-Series, named for the horizontal crease pressed into the body sides. The Ford F-150 versions of this body run from the nameplate's 1975 launch through the final 1979 model year.

Technical Reference

Member-uploaded diagrams & documents for this generation. AI-classified; community-verified where badged.

Wiring Diagrams (10)

Exploded Parts (5)

Torque Specs (1)

Brochures & Literature (7)

Manual Pages (2)

Schematics (2)

Vacuum Routing (1)

Service Procedures (5)

Data/Spec Plates (1)

The wall · registered 1975–1979 F-150s

Sorted by depth of documentation. Click any vehicle to open its permanent record.

Red 1970s Ford stepside pickup with roll bar parked in gravel driveway“Chaser's truck”1979 F-150 · superbronco9 photos Red single-cab pickup truck covered in mud, stuck axle-deep in a muddy bog.“Ole Red”1979 F-150 · 1slow5oh9 photos Red 1979 Ford F-150 truck cab corner with chrome door handle and lock cylinder“The Beast”1979 F-150 · brentleedragon9 photos Black 1979 Ford F-150 pickup truck with roll bar and auxiliary lights“Rollin Thunder F-150”1979 F-150 · Ranger4299 photos Side view of a lifted, silver pickup truck with aftermarket wheels. Another SUV is parked in the background1977 F-1501977 F-150 · 79ollie4008 photos Tan 1977 Ford F-150 pickup truck, rear 3/4 view. Shows rust on rear bumper and fender“Das Beast”1977 F-150 · JoeBob19018 photos Gray 1977 Ford F-150 pickup truck with large off-road tires, lifted suspension, and matte paint, parked on dirt1979 F-1501979 F-150 · 79shortbox8 photos Mud-covered 1979 Ford F-150 stuck in a grassy field“Orange Peel”1979 F-150 · mudfreak8 photos Brown 1979 Ford F-150 stuck in mud, 3q-front view1979 F-1501979 F-150 · Nick Humber8 photos 1978 Ford F-150 pickup truck parked on a dirt road in a wooded area“"red"”1978 F-150 · Joseph Davis7 photos 1978 Ford F-150 pickup truck, 3q front view“Wompuss”1978 F-150 · MIL1ION7 photos Side view of two-tone blue/brown lifted Ford F-150 4x4 pickup on driveway“1979 Ford F-150 4x4”1979 F-150 · NJ2000R7 photos Side view of a light green 1973 Ford F-Series pickup truck with a white camper shell1979 F-1501979 F-150 · MOUNTAINMAN7 photos Red Ford pickup truck, 3/4 front view, parked on snow at dusk“Beast”1977 F-150 · Wheeler6 photos Front of dark blue classic Ford pickup with chrome grille, brush guard, and Washington plate“big blue”1977 F-150 · chasethis126 photos Dark green Ford pickup truck, 3/4 front view, parked on grass with chrome grille and white wheels.“big green tractor”1979 F-150 · 79_explorer6 photos Mud-covered lifted brown Ford pickup on big off-road tires parked on grass in front of a house.“Smokey”1979 F-150 · classictrucker046 photos Vehicle vacuum hoses and a black electrical component with red accents on a concrete floor.1979 F-1501979 F-150 · FullFloater5 photos White Ford pickup truck, 3/4 front view, lifted with chrome wheels, parked outdoors near houses.“Minnowbucket”1979 F-150 · DubNitrous5 photos Light blue 1977 Ford F-150 pickup truck, front 3/4 view, chrome bumper, horizontal grille, blue side stripe1977 F-1501977 F-150 · kcxtreme15 photos Black regular-cab pickup truck parked on grass, passenger-side view at dusk“Blackbeauty”1977 F-150 · RhinoFord5 photos Underside view of a vehicle's rear axle, differential, shocks, and exhaust pipes1979 F-1501979 F-150 · desertrat_6665 photos Blue lifted pickup truck parked next to a house. Someone is in the driver's seat with the door open“BIG BLUE”1979 F-150 · fordmudder5 photos Green and white Ford F-150 pickup, front passenger 3/4 view, on pavement1976 F-1501976 F-150 · Bryon Pfeifle5 photos Green Ford F-150 front view, chrome grille, parked on grass1978 F-1501978 F-150 · Jesse Robinson5 photos Close-up of a rusty metal part with a circular opening and a white inner ring. Text 'SUPERMOTORS' visible1979 F-1501979 F-150 · GearCrazy4 photos Maroon Ford flatbed pickup stuck in a muddy bog pit, rear 3/4 view1978 F-1501978 F-150 · broncoracing174 photos Blue 1978 Ford F-150 parked in a grassy field1978 F-1501978 F-150 · hokiewheeler4 photos Gray lifted 1970s Ford F-series pickup on mud tires parked on lawn1979 F-1501979 F-150 · greyford19794 photos Front view of a dark Ford pickup with chrome grille parked on a gravel roadside.“Redneck”1979 F-150 · Randy Zrubek4 photos 1978 Ford F-150 pickup truck, side view, black paint, spare tires in bed“Eleanor”1978 F-150 · cx4294 photos Interior door panel with wood trim of a brown Ford truck in a garage1979 F-1501979 F-150 · bigfordtruck4 photos Red 1979 Ford F-150 truck on a muddy trail, front view. Smiley face lights on roof1979 F-1501979 F-150 · BritBrat4x44 photos 1979 Ford F-150 pickup truck, dark blue with white and blue side trim, parked on grass“big nasty”1979 F-150 · appy4 photos Faded red 1970s Ford F-series pickup with light bar parked in a grassy field below mountains“The Red '78”1978 F-150 · Evan Anderson4 photos red pickup truck bed with flatbed, wood planks, and a log. Another SUV is parked nearby1979 F-1501979 F-150 · Matt Newman4 photos Side view of a 1979 Ford F-150 pickup truck in cream“majestyk”1979 F-150 · f150guy3 photos Black 1977 Ford F-150 pickup truck, side view, in snow1977 F-1501977 F-150 · BigBird3 photos Brown and tan Ford F-150 pickup truck parked on gravel1978 F-1501978 F-150 · Selrox3 photos Dark blue lifted Ford 4x4 pickup with brush guard and roof lights, plus a top photo of vintage Ford trucks parked.1979 F-1501979 F-150 · lostinfords3 photos Blue 1979 Ford F-150 pickup truck, side view, lifted with white wheels1979 F-1501979 F-150 · OneTuffHonky4u3 photos Weathered two-tone orange and cream Ford F-150 Custom pickup, driver side front1978 F-1501978 F-150 · Txquadhuntert3 photos 1979 Ford F-150 pickup truck with camouflage paint, parked in a wooded area“Camo”1979 F-150 · AndrewJames2 photos Brown 1976 Ford F-150 pickup truck parked outside1976 F-1501976 F-150 · Doc H.2 photos 1978 Ford F-150 pickup truck with camouflage paint, parked outdoors1978 F-1501978 F-150 · 78FordRangerCali2 photos Yellow 1979 Ford F-150 pickup truck with custom graphics and lifted suspension“yellow jacket”1979 F-150 · fordrebel32 photos 1970s Ford F-150 pickup truck, brown, with camper shell, on a trailer1978 F-1501978 F-150 · lostinfords2 photos Three vintage Ford pickups parked on gravel; center red/white, left black, right tan.1977 F-1501977 F-150 · drewsteimel2 photos Side view of a rusty 1979 Ford F-150 pickup truck with white wheels“History”1979 F-150 · mhughes1652 photos Lifted maroon and white 1970s Ford crew cab pickup on a lawn“puss in boots”1979 F-150 · powerstrokecowboy772 photos Maroon Ford pickup truck in side view on gravel driveway with chrome wheels1977 F-1501977 F-150 · brett77-792 photos Front view of a teal Ford pickup truck parked in leafy woods1976 F-1501976 F-150 · 76_f-150_3902 photos Dark blue 1979 Ford F-150 pickup truck, side view, parked on concrete“Ole Blu”1979 F-150 · BamBamEmt2 photos Dark blue lifted Ford pickup, side view, on chrome wheels in a driveway.1979 F-1501979 F-150 · blue792 photos Red-orange 1970s Ford 4x4 pickup with white canopy and front winch parked on a street1977 F-1501977 F-150 · Angela Skaar2 photos 1978 Ford F-150 front view with brush guard“The Beast a.k.a. Lucifer”1978 F-150 · Travis Coomer2 photos Gray and dark gray 1977 Ford F-150 pickup truck parked in a driveway with the hood open“Black lariat”1978 F-150 · philjohn561 photo Blue 1979 Ford F-150 pickup truck with hood open, side view1978 F-1501978 F-150 · dwade1 photo Matte black vintage Ford pickup parked on residential street, side-front view“Black Betty”1977 F-150 · SUPER_M1 photo 1978 Ford F-150 truck, blue cab with white and red doors, carrying a green camper shell. Another truck is visible to the right1978 F-1501978 F-150 · bronkntrukholik1 photo
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