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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 52 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.

Blue 1979 Ford F-150 pickup truck, 3q-front view1979 F-1501979 F-150 · bronkntrukholik1 photo 1979 Ford F-150 flatbed truck, 3q front view1979 F-1501979 F-150 · bronkntrukholik1 photo Blue 1970s Ford F-series stepside 4x4 pickup parked in snow by a barn1977 F-1501977 F-150 · bronkntrukholik1 photo 1978 Ford F-150 pickup truck with plow mount and camper shell1978 F-1501978 F-150 · lostinfords1 photo Mint green lifted Ford single-cab pickup parked on a residential street1977 F-1501977 F-150 · Wil Christensen1 photo White Ford pickup truck, 3/4 front view, chrome bumper and slotted wheels, parked outdoors.“Whitey”1978 F-150 · Travis Cook1 photo Alternator wiring diagram with VR plug, fusible links, and color-coded wires1978 F-1501978 F-150 · alcan602831 photo White and dark red Ford pickup with camper shell parked at night1978 F-1501978 F-150 · Richard Wyre1 photo “Da Hulk - Flareside”1978 F-150 · slackattk0 photos 1978 Ford F-150 pickup truck, brown and cream two-tone, parked in a garage.1978 F-1501978 F-150 · nevinsj0 photos 1976 F-1501976 F-150 · stevenconrad660 photos “Money Pit”1978 F-150 · Cosmo30 photos 1976 F-1501976 F-150 · 76f-1500 photos “Big Blue”1979 F-150 · Tractor_Boy0 photos “Daisy”1979 F-150 · shameless0 photos “sold”1978 F-150 · freddiejb860 photos “sold”1976 F-150 · freddiejb860 photos 1978 F-1501978 F-150 · machinedespair0 photos “Shortbed, 4X4”1978 F-150 · younggrunt0 photos “The Sexy Beast”1977 F-150 · Th3-5ac0 photos “Ka'Bluey”1979 F-150 · ozarkboy20 photos “Blue”1979 F-150 · Mekare_440 photos 1977 F-1501977 F-150 · torquemutant0 photos “MuD-NuT”1979 F-150 · MuD-NuT0 photos “SKUNK”1978 F-150 · jusmac07050 photos 1979 F-1501979 F-150 · WYLDCNTRY0 photos 1978 F-1501978 F-150 · j t0 photos 1978 F-1501978 F-150 · BIG_DON0 photos “The Gray ghost”1978 F-150 · James Kibbe0 photos 1979 F-1501979 F-150 · GreekGod0 photos “1990 recon”1979 F-150 · wowchad0 photos 1978 F-1501978 F-150 · bootus860 photos “Northlander”1977 F-150 · Paul Thompson0 photos “Greedy Bitch”1977 F-150 · Darrell Steach0 photos “the 79”1979 F-150 · Matt T.0 photos “400 Cleveland”1978 F-150 · Kyle Cochran0 photos “BITCH”1979 F-150 · ADRENALINE JUNKIES CANYON0 photos 1976 F-1501976 F-150 · Jon Meidinger0 photos “ol' greasy”1978 F-150 · Seth Walker0 photos “BESSY”1977 F-150 · BRUCE LEE0 photos “Sheriff”1979 F-150 · Aaron Binman0 photos “Leviathan”1979 F-150 · Jason Chaney0 photos “THE BROWN TRUCK”1979 F-150 · Victor Preciado0 photos 1977 F-1501977 F-150 · zen master0 photos “JusMud”1978 F-150 · Cameron Anderson0 photos “Betty”1979 F-150 · Tony Kimball0 photos “haus”1979 F-150 · Ben Ritchie0 photos 1976 F-1501976 F-150 · chad pollock0 photos Lifted gray 1970s Ford pickup on large off-road tires in a driveway“Hers”1978 F-150 · jerrys4x40 photos “gpthing”1976 F-150 · Frank Wininger0 photos “ol' Reliable-”1979 F-150 · Randy Norris0 photos 1979 F-1501979 F-150 · Harley Buffington0 photos
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