Generation 6
1976 Ford F-100: 351M & 400M V8 Debut, Specs & Values
Published by fordf100s.com · Last updated
| General Specifications | |
|---|---|
| Wheelbase | 117 in (short bed), 133 in (long bed), 139 in (SuperCab) |
| Curb Weight | 3,820 lbs |
| Body Styles | pickup, styleside, flareside |
| Original MSRP | $3,870 |
| Production Numbers | 515,543 |
| Engine Options | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | Displacement | Horsepower | Type |
| 300 Six | 300 ci | 118 hp | inline-6 |
| 302 Windsor V8 | 302 ci | 134 hp | v8 |
| 351M V8 | 351 ci | 152 hp | v8 |
| 360 FE V8 | 360 ci | 189 hp | v8 |
| 390 FE V8 | 390 ci | 194 hp | v8 |
| 400M V8 | 400 ci | 180 hp | v8 |
| 460 V8 | 460 ci | 218 hp | v8 |
| Available Transmissions |
|---|
| 3-speed manual |
| 4-speed manual |
| C6 3-speed automatic |
The 1976 Ford F-100 brought the first visible styling update to the Dentside generation along with a significant shift in the engine lineup. The introduction of the 351 Modified and 400 Modified V8 engines signaled the beginning of the end for Ford’s venerable FE engine family, which had powered Ford trucks since the late 1950s.
The most obvious exterior change was a revised grille design. The new grille featured a bolder pattern with a more prominent center division and updated trim surrounds. It was a modest refresh that gave the truck a slightly different face without altering the fundamental Dentside character. Trim details were also updated, with new side molding options and revised badging. The Ranger XLT continued as the premier trim level, offering the most refined interior available in a half-ton Ford pickup.
The powertrain story for 1976 was more complex than in previous years. Ford introduced two new engines from the Modified (M-series) family: the 351M and the 400M. These engines were based on the 335-series architecture, which shared the bellhousing bolt pattern of the FE engines, making the transition relatively seamless from a manufacturing standpoint. The 351M produced 152 net horsepower and the 400M delivered 180 horsepower. Both were designed with emissions compliance as a priority, featuring more modern combustion chamber designs and improved exhaust gas recirculation systems.
The FE engines did not disappear immediately. The 360 FE remained at 189 horsepower and the 390 FE at 194, giving buyers who preferred the proven FE platform a reason to stay. The 302 Windsor V8 ticked up slightly to 134 horsepower, and the reliable 300 Six continued at 118 as the base engine. The 460 big-block held steady at 218 horsepower for maximum towing capability. The engine lineup was at its broadest point for the sixth generation, with seven options ranging from the economical six-cylinder to the big-block 460.
The rest of the truck carried over largely unchanged. The twin I-beam front suspension, rear leaf springs, and available SuperCab body all continued. The Styleside remained the dominant bed choice, with the Flareside still cataloged for traditionalists. Interior appointments in the Ranger XLT included cloth or vinyl bench seating, woodgrain instrument panel trim, full carpeting, and a cigar lighter.
Production rebounded strongly to approximately 515,543 units as the economy improved from its mid-decade trough. The F-Series was gaining momentum in the marketplace, and the 1976 F-100 contributed to a sales trajectory that would see Ford trucks claim the title of America’s best-selling vehicle. The 1976 model is a transitional year in the best sense, offering buyers a choice between the outgoing FE engines and the newer M-series powerplants while wrapping both in a freshened package.
Frequently Asked Questions
What changed in the 1976 Ford F-100?
For the 1976 model year, notable changes included: undefined As the fourth year of the sixth-generation F-100 (Dentside), the 1976 Ford F100 built on the prior year while setting up what came next in the 1973-1979 run.
Where does the 1976 Ford F100 sit within the 1973-1979 generation?
The 1976 Ford F-100 was the fourth model year of the sixth-generation F-100 (Dentside), placing it at the midpoint of the 1973-1979 run. By 1976, the generation had stabilized and buyers benefited from several years of running changes. The 1976 specifically added: undefined
How many 1976 Ford F100 trucks were built?
Ford produced approximately 515,543 units of the 1976 Ford F100. The original MSRP started at $3,870, which put it at the accessible end of the light-duty truck market for 1976. For 1976 production, volumes were high and survivor trucks are still reasonably available. Condition, originality, and trim level matter more than raw production numbers when valuing a specific truck.
What motors could you order in a 1976 Ford F-100?
The 1976 Ford F-100 offered 7 engine options: 300 Six (300 ci, 118 hp); 302 Windsor V8 (302 ci, 134 hp); 351M V8 (351 ci, 152 hp); 360 FE V8 (360 ci, 189 hp); 390 FE V8 (390 ci, 194 hp); 400M V8 (400 ci, 180 hp); 460 V8 (460 ci, 218 hp). The lineup drew from the FE-series big-block, the small-block Windsor, the 335-family M-series, the 385-series 460, Ford’s inline-six. The strongest available was the 460 V8 at 218 horsepower, while the base engine was the 300 Six at 118 horsepower. Transmission choices were 3-speed manual, 4-speed manual, C6 3-speed automatic.
What should I look for when buying a 1976 Ford F100?
Focus your inspection on the 1976-specific items: undefined With 7 factory engine options spanning 118 to 218 horsepower, verifying that a specific 1976 truck has its original engine matters more for value than for most years before or after. Production of roughly 515,543 means survivor 1976 Ford F100s still turn up regularly, so patience rewards careful buyers. Prioritize trucks with documented history over cosmetic presentation — a clean 1976 with receipts beats a repainted example with an unknown past.