1979 Ford F-100: Free Wheeling Package, Final Dentside Specs

The 1979 Ford F-100 closed out the sixth-generation Dentside — the final year of a run that had established the F-Series as America’s best-selling truck line. While the basic truck was mechanically familiar after seven years of production, Ford marked the send-off with distinctive appearance packages, most notably the Free Wheeling package that gave the Dentside a youthful, recreational character right as the oil crisis of 1979 was reshaping the American truck market.

Free Wheeling Package: 1979’s Signature Option

The Free Wheeling package was Ford’s response to the late-1970s trend toward trucks as lifestyle vehicles rather than strictly work tools. The package was offered on Custom, Ranger, and Ranger XLT trims and can be identified today by several distinctive features:

• Multi-color body-side tape stripes in coordinated combinations (most commonly orange-red-yellow fading, though black-red and blue-silver combinations were also available)
• Argent-painted styled steel wheels as standard, with optional aluminum slot-style wheels
• Raised white letter tires (typically Goodyear Tracker A/T or similar)
• Blacked-out grille surround and painted chrome pieces on some color combinations
• Free Wheeling decals on the front fenders or bed side
• Specific interior touches including upgraded seat fabric and door trim color-matched to the exterior stripes

The package has become one of the most sought-after options among Dentside collectors — a clean, unrestored Free Wheeling truck will often bring a premium over an equivalent Custom or base trim because the stripes are era-specific and difficult to reproduce faithfully.

Engine Options

The 1979 engine lineup was unchanged from 1978 and represented the full maturity of the Dentside powertrain menu:

Engine	HP (net)	Typical Use Case
300 Six	118	Base engine, fleet and work-truck buyers
302 Windsor V8	134	Most popular V8 for light-duty use
351W Windsor V8	156	Best all-around V8 for towing and daily driving
351M V8	152	335-family alternative, interchangeable mounts with 400M
400M V8	173	Heavy-duty towing and long-wheelbase builds
460 V8	205	Top-tier power, SuperCab and camper-special duty

The C6 3-speed automatic was the most popular transmission by a wide margin. The 3-speed and 4-speed manuals remained on the order sheet but increasingly went to fleet buyers. For more on how the 1979 engines pair with modern transmissions and modern swap options, see our engine compatibility guide.

Trims and Interior

The Ranger XLT continued as the dominant trim level for retail buyers, with Custom and base trims available for those who wanted a more work-oriented truck. The SuperCab remained popular on its 139-inch wheelbase, offering the extended cab versatility that had proven so successful since its 1974 introduction. Interior amenities were at their highest level for the Dentside generation:

• Factory air conditioning
• Cruise control and tilt steering column
• Power windows and door locks
• AM/FM stereo with cassette player
• Available captain’s chairs on Ranger XLT SuperCab
• Full instrumentation including tachometer, oil pressure, and ammeter gauges

Production and the Oil Crisis Context

Production for 1979 totaled approximately 439,374 units — strong numbers that reflected both the maturity of the design and the approaching shadow of the second oil crisis. When the Iranian revolution disrupted global oil supplies in the spring of 1979, fuel prices climbed sharply, and American truck buyers began re-evaluating their priorities. The F-150, introduced in 1975 as a heavy half-ton, had been steadily absorbing the F-100’s customer base; the 1979 oil shock accelerated that trend and ultimately sealed the F-100’s fate for the 1980 redesign and beyond.

The original MSRP started at $4,768 for a base Custom — the equivalent of roughly $21,000 in today’s dollars, making the 1979 F-100 one of the most accessible light-duty trucks ever built.

Buying a 1979 Ford F-100: What to Look For

If you’re shopping for a 1979 specifically, there are a few year-specific things to check:

• Free Wheeling stripes: verify originality by checking the build plate and looking for repaint evidence over the factory stripes. Reproduction stripes exist but the original adhesive pattern leaves tell-tale lines underneath.
• Rear body mount rust: the 1979 is old enough that the Dentside’s known rear cab mount rust issue is now a common problem. Inspect from underneath before buying.
• Smog-era tune: emissions equipment on 1979 trucks is notoriously fussy when out of spec. Verify the EGR, carburetor, and distributor are all factory or a documented rebuild.
• Transmission linkage: the C6 shift linkage on 1979 trucks wears out. Easy fix but worth confirming.
• Matching-numbers engine: with 439,374 units built, a matching-numbers 1979 isn’t rare, but Free Wheeling trucks specifically are worth the extra verification.

For a full inspection checklist, see the 1977 Ford F-100 buyer’s guide (the same checklist applies year-to-year across the Dentside run).

Why the 1979 F-100 Matters to Collectors

The 1979 F-100 holds a special place in the Dentside story. It was the last of its kind, the final expression of a body style that had served Ford well across seven model years and millions of trucks. The 1980 redesign would bring an entirely new look and new engineering, but the Dentside generation had proven that American truck buyers wanted comfort, style, and capability in equal measure. For enthusiasts today, the 1979 represents the most fully developed version of the Dentside, with the broadest option list and the benefit of seven years of production refinement.

Frequently Asked Questions

Was 1979 the last year of the Dentside F-100?

Yes. The 1979 model year was the final Dentside F-100. For 1980, Ford introduced an entirely redesigned truck with new sheetmetal, a revised chassis, and a more aerodynamic profile. The 1979 is therefore the last full expression of the 1973-started Dentside body style.

How do I identify a Free Wheeling package truck?

Look for factory multi-color body-side stripes (typically orange-red-yellow fade, but also black-red or blue-silver), argent or aluminum styled wheels, raised white letter tires, a blacked-out grille surround, and “Free Wheeling” decals on the front fenders or bedsides. The build plate will also reference the Free Wheeling option package code.

What is the difference between a 1979 F-100 and a 1979 F-150?

The F-100 was Ford’s half-ton truck (6,050 lb GVWR or lower on most configurations), while the F-150 was a heavy half-ton (6,050-6,950 lb GVWR) introduced in 1975 to sidestep certain emissions and safety regulations. The F-150 grew rapidly in the late 1970s and replaced the F-100 entirely after 1983. In 1979, both trucks shared sheetmetal but had different suspension components, axles, and emissions equipment.

What engines were available in the 1979 Ford F-100?

The 1979 F-100 offered six engines: the 300 cubic-inch inline-six (118 hp), the 302 Windsor V8 (134 hp), the 351W Windsor V8 (156 hp), the 351M V8 (152 hp), the 400M V8 (173 hp), and the 460 V8 (205 hp). The C6 3-speed automatic was by far the most common transmission.

How many 1979 Ford F-100s were built?

Ford produced approximately 439,374 F-100s in the 1979 model year — a strong number by historical standards, though the F-150 was outselling the F-100 by 1979 as the half-ton segment shifted toward the heavier-rated truck.

Is a 1979 F-100 a good candidate for restoration?

Yes. Body panels, weatherstrip, interior parts, and mechanical components are all well-supported by the aftermarket. Rust is the primary structural concern — particularly rear cab mounts and bed floors — but reproduction sheetmetal is available, and the Dentside chassis is simple and forgiving to work on. See our Dentside generation guide for a full survey of the era’s restoration ecosystem.