One of the rarest and best-looking trucks from 1977-1981 was the Ford F-100/150 with the Free Wheeling Package. Those trucks aren’t easy to find. I know that in 1977 only 4,700 F-150s were built with the Free Wheeling package. The Free Wheeling Package came with the unique stripes that you see here along with a blacked out grill, black front bumper, orange dash trim and red-orange piping on the seats.
This 1979 Ford F-150 4×4 did not come with the Free Wheeling package. In fact, it wasn’t even white. According to the VIN tag, the paint code ‘VR’ indicates that the vehicle is painted in medium chestnut metallic (V) and light jade (R). That explains the brown interior. It appears that someone painted it red, and then in this last build someone got the idea to paint it white and add the Free Wheeling stripes to it. I don’t know what it looked like in the other colors, but I’m confident it couldn’t have looked as good as it does now.
The brown vinyl bench seat, along with the matching door panels, headliner, and dash pad, take you back to the late ’70s in the best possible way. It’s a no-frills cabin that’s perfect for getting things done or cruising on a lazy Sunday. Today, that simplicity feels like a breath of fresh air when compared to modern trucks that feel more like luxury sedans than workhorses.
Despite its utilitarian roots, the interior was restored with attention to detail. The dash was painted white, giving it a clean and modern look. Plush new carpeting and a wood-rimmed steering wheel on a tilt column add a touch of class. The driver’s view includes a full set of gauges, along with a trio of Bosch auxiliary instruments on the left. The column shifter controls the C6 3-speed automatic transmission, while the floor lever controls the 2-speed transfer case. A modern AM/FM/AUX stereo was installed in the factory slot, delivering great sound within the surprisingly well-insulated cab. The truck also comes with factory A/C that, while currently not working, may just need a recharge to be functional again.
Under the hood, you’ll find the legendary 400 V8 engine that Ford is known for. With chrome valve covers, a matching chrome air cleaner, and a big radiator, this engine is built to perform. It delivers plenty of torque to keep the F-150 moving effortlessly, and the drivetrain is ready for many more years of service. The stock-style 2-barrel carburetor and newer alternator help keep the engine humming, while power steering and front disc brakes make this truck surprisingly easy to handle. The single exhaust is far from subtle, producing a bold sound that matches the truck’s robust character.
The undercarriage has been well maintained, with new floor pans, a fresh gas tank, upgraded shocks, and a big sway bar to keep the truck stable. A steering stabilizer ensures that the lifted truck sticks to the road. The black undercoating helps preserve the frame, and everything looks clean and well cared for. The 15-inch “bullet-hole” wheels add a modern touch to the vintage design, wrapped in tough 33×12.50×15 BFGoodrich All-Terrain T/A white-letter radials.
Big, bold, and impeccably clean, this 1979 Ford F-150 4×4 represents everything we love about 1970’s. The 1970’s had some unique looks, and it would be nice to see some of these old trucks restored and back on the streets.
