--- title: "1978 Ford F-100: Restyled Grille, Specs & Collector Values | fordf100s.com" description: "The 1978 Ford F-100 got a restyled grille, continued the late-Dentside engine lineup, and saw the F-150 gain more half-ton market share." canonical_url: "https://www.fordf100s.com/1978-ford-f100/" last_updated: "2026-07-17" --- 1. [ Home ](/) 2. / [ Generations ](/generations/) 3. / [ 1973-1979 Ford F-100 Dentside Guide ](/generations/1973-1979/) 4. / 1978 Ford F-100: Restyled Grille, Specs & Collector Values Generation 6 · 1973–1979 # 1978 Ford F-100: Restyled Grille, Specs & Collector Values Top Engine 400 V8 · 169 hp Wheelbase 117 in (short bed), 133 in (long bed), 139/155 in (SuperCab) Original MSRP $4,389 Production 158,591 fordf100s.com · Updated July 17, 2026 Jump to Year [ 1973 ](/1973-ford-f100/)[ 1974 ](/1974-ford-f100/)[ 1975 ](/1975-ford-f100/)[ 1976 ](/1976-ford-f100/)[ 1977 ](/1977-ford-f100/)[ 1978 ](/1978-ford-f100/)[ 1979 ](/1979-ford-f100/) Factory Spec Sheet MODEL YEAR 1978 __General Specifications__ | Wheelbase | 117 in (short bed), 133 in (long bed), 139/155 in (SuperCab) | | ------------------ | ------------------------------------------------------------ | | Curb Weight | 3,855 lbs | | Body Styles | pickup, styleside, flareside | | Original MSRP | $4,389 | | Production Numbers | 158,591 | __Engine Options__ | Engine | Displacement | Horsepower | Type | | -------------- | ------------ | ---------- | -------- | | 300 Six | 300 ci | 113 hp | inline-6 | | 302 Windsor V8 | 302 ci | 139 hp | v8 | | 351M V8 | 351 ci | 152 hp | v8 | | 400 V8 | 400 ci | 169 hp | v8 | Available Transmissions - 3-speed manual - 4-speed manual - C6 3-speed automatic Sources & Editorial ReviewSource reviewed Reviewed by the [FordF100s.com editorial team](/about/#editorial-standards) on July 17, 2026. The model-year engine applications, horsepower ratings, major design changes, and identification claims were reconciled against period literature and year-specific specialist references. Full-line F-Series applications were excluded when the source did not support an F-100 application. References used 1. [Ford Heritage Vault](https://fordheritagevault.com/) — Ford Motor Company · Factory literaturePeriod brochures, sales literature, and manuals used to check model-year claims. 2. [Ford truck literature library](https://www.fordification.com/library/) — Fordification.com · Specialist reference Horsepower changed from SAE gross to SAE net reporting for 1972, so figures on opposite sides of that change are not directly comparable. Production totals, weights, prices, option availability, and midyear changes can vary by source and configuration; treat them as reference points, not proof of a specific truck's original equipment. Found a conflict in factory literature or have a better source? See our [corrections process](/about/#corrections). The 1978 Ford F-100 received another styling refresh as the [Dentside](/glossary/dentside/) generation entered its later years. A redesigned grille gave the front end a cleaner look, and updated exterior trim kept the truck visually current. Under the surface, the mechanical package was largely carried over, but the market dynamics around the F-100 were shifting as the F-150 continued to gain ground. The new grille for 1978 featured a revised crosshatch pattern with cleaner lines and updated Ford lettering. Both round and rectangular headlight configurations continued, with the rectangular units remaining the more popular choice after their introduction in 1977\. Side trim and badging were updated, and new paint color options gave buyers fresh choices. The changes were evolutionary rather than revolutionary, typical of a generation in its sixth year of production, but they were enough to keep the truck looking current on dealer lots. Ford’s 1978 pickup ordering chart lists four F-100 engines: the standard [300 Six](/glossary/300-six/) and optional 302 [Windsor](/glossary/windsor/), 351M, and 400 V8s. The 460 appears elsewhere in the broader F-Series chart but is not listed for the F-100\. By this year the F-100 had fully moved away from the 360 and 390 FE applications. Inside, the Ranger XLT trim continued to define the premium F-100 experience. Upgraded seat fabrics, woodgrain dash trim, color-keyed carpeting, and a full complement of gauges made the XLT-equipped truck a comfortable daily driver. Options like air conditioning, cruise control, tilt steering, and power windows were available and increasingly popular. The truck market was evolving, and buyers expected amenities that would have been unthinkable in a pickup a decade earlier. The [SuperCab](/glossary/supercab/) remained a strong seller with 139- and 155-inch wheelbase choices, and the regular cab was available in both [short bed](/glossary/short-bed/) and [long bed](/glossary/long-bed/) configurations. The [Flareside](/glossary/flareside/) body continued to be cataloged, though its share of total production was small compared to the [Styleside](/glossary/styleside/). A significant undercurrent in 1978 was the growing prominence of the F-150\. Ford had introduced the F-150 in 1975 as a model slotted between the F-100 and F-250, with a heavier GVWR that exempted it from some of the emissions and fuel economy regulations that applied to lighter trucks. As those regulations grew more burdensome, the F-150 became increasingly attractive to both Ford and its customers. The writing was on the wall for the F-100 nameplate, though it would soldier on for a few more years. Production for 1978 reached approximately 158,591 F-100 units. The F-100 was still present in the lineup, but the F-150 was taking over the half-ton market and the older nameplate’s days as the primary light-duty Ford pickup were numbered. The 1978 model represents the mature Dentside, a thoroughly developed truck that delivered reliable performance and comfortable accommodations in a proven package. Next useful step ## Put this 1978 in generation context Compare its factory changes, engines, and neighboring model years before planning a purchase or restoration. [ Open the generation guide → ](/generations/1973-1979/) [ Decode a VIN ](/vin-decoder/) [← 1977 Ford F-100](/1977-ford-f100/)[1979 Ford F-100 →](/1979-ford-f100/) ## Build a 1978 F-100 [RestorationF-100 Crown Vic Swap: Donor Years, Wheel Fit & PlanningPlan an F-100 Crown Vic front suspension swap: 2003-2011 donors, P71 choices, wheel fit, frame mounts, steering, brakes, and what a complete budget includes.](/restoration/crown-vic-swap-guide/)[RestorationDaily Driver F-100: Modern Upgrade GuideTurn your F-100 into a reliable daily driver with this guide covering disc brakes, power steering, EFI, AC, wiring, and safety upgrades.](/restoration/daily-driver-build-guide/)[RestorationElectric F-100: EV Conversion GuideFord Eluminator, NetGain Hyper 9, and Tesla drive unit options compared. Costs, range expectations, battery sizing, and build approaches for every F-100.](/restoration/ev-conversion-guide/)[PartsF100 Transmission Options by Year and GenerationEvery Ford F100 transmission from 1948-1983, including factory options, compatibility crossovers, and popular swaps like the T-5, TKO, and AOD.](/parts/transmissions/)[PartsF100 Wiring Harness Guide: Rewiring Your Ford TruckGuide to rewiring your Ford F100 with harness options from Painless, American Autowire, plus alternator conversions and fuse box upgrades.](/parts/wiring-harness/)[PartsF100 Bed Floor Replacement Guide: Wood vs Steel OptionsGuide to replacing your F100 truck bed floor, comparing wood species, steel panels, bed strip options, and suppliers like Mar-K and Bed Wood and Parts.](/parts/bed-floors/) ## Keep Exploring [Generation Guide1973-1979 Ford F-100 Dentside GuideFull generation overview — design changes, engines, and buying advice](/generations/1973-1979/)[ComparisonFord F-100 vs Chevy C10: Specs, Prices & Which to BuyFord F100 vs Chevy C10 compared: design, engines, suspension, aftermarket support, restomod potential, and market values from the 1960s-1970s.](/ford-f100-vs-chevy-c10/)[ReferenceF-100 Timeline 1948–1983Every model year and generation in one view](/history/f100-timeline/)[ToolVIN DecoderVerify the year, engine, and plant on any 1978 F-100](/vin-decoder/) ## Frequently Asked Questions What changed in the 1978 Ford F-100? For the 1978 model year, notable changes included: New grille design, updated exterior trim, late-Dentside engine lineup, F-150 gaining market share As the sixth year of the sixth-generation F-100 (Dentside), the 1978 Ford F100 built on the prior year while setting up what came next in the 1973-1979 run. Where does the 1978 Ford F100 sit within the 1973-1979 generation? The 1978 Ford F-100 was the sixth model year of the sixth-generation F-100 (Dentside), placing it at the midpoint of the 1973-1979 run. By 1978, the generation had stabilized and buyers benefited from several years of running changes. The 1978 specifically added: New grille design, updated exterior trim, late-Dentside engine lineup, F-150 gaining market share What are the key dimensions of the 1978 Ford F-100? The 1978 Ford F-100 had a wheelbase of 117 in (short bed), 133 in (long bed), 139/155 in (SuperCab) and a curb weight of 3,855 lbs. Factory body styles included pickup, styleside and flareside. It was part of the sixth-generation F-100 (Dentside) (1973-1979), a generation defined by the Dentside body-side crease, SuperCab availability, and the broadest V8 lineup in F-100 history. How many 1978 Ford F100 trucks were built? Ford produced approximately 158,591 units of the 1978 Ford F100\. The original MSRP started at $4,389, which put it at the accessible end of the light-duty truck market for 1978\. For 1978 production, volumes were modest, which affects collector availability today. Condition, originality, and trim level matter more than raw production numbers when valuing a specific truck. What should I look for when buying a 1978 Ford F100? Focus your inspection on the 1978-specific items: New grille design, updated exterior trim, late-Dentside engine lineup, F-150 gaining market share With 4 factory engine options spanning 113 to 169 horsepower, verifying that a specific 1978 truck has its original engine matters more for value than for most years before or after. Production of only 158,591 makes a clean 1978 Ford F100 genuinely uncommon today. Prioritize trucks with documented history over cosmetic presentation — a clean 1978 with receipts beats a repainted example with an unknown past. Model Years - [1973 Ford F-100: Dentside Debut, 6th Gen Specs & Values](/1973-ford-f100/) - [1974 Ford F-100: SuperCab Debut & 460 V8 Option](/1974-ford-f100/) - [1975 Ford F-100: Catalytic Converter Era Specs & Values](/1975-ford-f100/) - [1976 Ford F-100: Final FE Year, Specs & Values](/1976-ford-f100/) - [1977 Ford F-100: Rectangular Headlights, 351M V8 Specs & Guide](/1977-ford-f100/) - [1978 Ford F-100: Restyled Grille, Specs & Collector Values](/1978-ford-f100/) - [1979 Ford F-100: Free Wheeling Package, Final Dentside Specs](/1979-ford-f100/) Model Years - [1973 Ford F-100: Dentside Debut, 6th Gen Specs & Values](/1973-ford-f100/) - [1974 Ford F-100: SuperCab Debut & 460 V8 Option](/1974-ford-f100/) - [1975 Ford F-100: Catalytic Converter Era Specs & Values](/1975-ford-f100/) - [1976 Ford F-100: Final FE Year, Specs & Values](/1976-ford-f100/) - [1977 Ford F-100: Rectangular Headlights, 351M V8 Specs & Guide](/1977-ford-f100/) - [1978 Ford F-100: Restyled Grille, Specs & Collector Values](/1978-ford-f100/) - [1979 Ford F-100: Free Wheeling Package, Final Dentside Specs](/1979-ford-f100/) VIN Decoder Decode supported F-100 VIN formats, or use the 1961-1983 data plate decoder for source-backed paint, trim, axle, and transmission codes. [Decode a VIN → ](/vin-decoder/) [1961-1983 Data Plate Decoder → ](/data-plate-decoder/) ### Guides for This Era - Restoration [ F-100 Crown Vic Swap: Donor Years, Wheel Fit & Planning ](/restoration/crown-vic-swap-guide/) - Restoration [ Daily Driver F-100: Modern Upgrade Guide ](/restoration/daily-driver-build-guide/) - Restoration [ Electric F-100: EV Conversion Guide ](/restoration/ev-conversion-guide/) - Parts [ F100 Transmission Options by Year and Generation ](/parts/transmissions/) - Parts [ F100 Wiring Harness Guide: Rewiring Your Ford Truck ](/parts/wiring-harness/) - Parts [ F100 Bed Floor Replacement Guide: Wood vs Steel Options ](/parts/bed-floors/)