Driving a Classic Dentside F150 4x4 - The Ford F-Series Has Ruled the Pickup World for Five Decades

SOLD I'm not historically a pickup person. In fact, not at all - but a few years ago, need dictated I buy a pickup to start towing our little Spec Miata to the races. I sought out pickup advice, weighed my budget, and settled on a 2001 Chevy Silverado - widely considered to be an ultra-reliable truck with a proven engine (the 5.3 Liter LS), and decent tow capacity for what I'd be using it for.
It was love at first drive. I'd never really had a truck before, and I very quickly grew used to driving it, to the point it became my daily. I added some stuff here and there to make it more palatable to me, and until the Datsun came along, you couldn't get me out of it at gunpoint. I loved the space, the utility, the V8 power, and the full frame stability. Just like that, I understood America's fascination with the pickup.
I was a late comer. For dacedes now, pickups, and specifically the Ford F-Series, have been the number one selling vehicle in the United States - more than Camrys, Accords, and any other prolific car you can think of - the F150 outsells them all. This either says something about America, or about the F150 - possibly both.
Ford made the first American Pickup back in 1925, and even coined the word "pickup." Since then, the pickup has evolved from a focus on industrial use to the family car of choice for many people. There are large trucks, small trucks, trucks based on cars, off road trucks, luxury trucks, muscle trucks, and just about any other incarnation you can think of. The pickup had become as definitively American as Baseball or apple pie. And we'll go ahead and skip the SUV for now.
With that being said, it's no surprise that older trucks are gaining steam as main-line collectibles. People are restoring them more often, and prices are going skyward at the auctions. Just about every large collection is going to have a truck or two in it.
This is a review of a 6th generation Ford F-Series, a 1977 F150 Ranger XLT 4x4 with a 460 big block tuned by a locally famous Swamp Buggy builder. If you're not familiar with the Swamp Buggy races in Naples, it's an event of sound, fury, mud, mayhem, and rednecks as far as the eye can see. These people are having fun, and you're sure to see nothing but pickups in the parking lots. They are, after all, an American way of life.
Full review and test drive by Bill.

[@brettb5257]

"I've lost track of time because of the whiskey therapy." Best car reviews on KZbin hands down.

[@BEGGARWOOD1]

In a mad world Bill brings some much needed laughter

[@Nunofurdambiznez]

Well said Mark, very true statement! 1000 thumbs up!

[@100aceswid]

Definitely!

[@surfer5352]

"How dare you!" I about fell out of my chair laughing! Get em!

[@georgeviperguy5595]

This guy is great lol

[@MultiGman61]

Bill. You really should have your own show, you are awesomely hilarious and eminently truthful. Please don’t stop being you. Love your video ramblings.i must come and purchase a car from you.

[@bbrenddon]

Center of gravity higher than my cholesterol, higher than cheech and Chong

[@nolanlocke3377]

I was not expecting the halarious narration😂 I’m dying!

[@marktrusty9758]

I absolutely crack up over your reviews. I love your honesty. The dodge you speaking of is/was The Lil Red Express.

[@waggitnshaggit6592]

mark trusty 1964 Dodge Sports Special factory 426 Wedge 365/470 is what he’s referring too

[@oregongaper]

The ability to maintain what must be an off-the-cuff stream of conscience(or is it consciousness?) in every video is a rare talent. I just discovered this channel and I was a fan from the first one: a weather report, some half remembered history, berating of the hired help, and a thorough review with gun and cocaine storage suggestions. Brilliant!

[@americasevilgenius]

My first vehicle was a 1976 Ford F-100...and when I was a little kid, my Dad had a Ford F-150, as did several other male adults I knew in our community. So the Ford F-Series pickups from the late 70's always have a place in my heart, as they remind me of my misspent youth. Best part of these trucks--the smoker window! If you had a truck without air conditioning (as mine did not have), you simply opened that smoker window on a hot day, adjusted the angle just right, drove down the road really fast...and you had air conditioning! These trucks were made for cruising down dirt roads.

[@Nunofurdambiznez]

As always, Bill, FABULOUS review and conversation! Keep up the awesome job on your channel!

[@HUNT-DOG]

This man paints with words

[@vicarod]

That F-150 is sweet! And I am a Chevy guy. My first p/u was a '72 chevy back in college in Daytona Beach. Never been without one. Bill, thanks for these videos on all your cars!

[@carlbutcher9854]

I was born in 77 i love hearing everything that went on back then . Great Truck i wish i had the money for that beautiful beast . Keep these great vids coming please

[@mattfoster5934]

Thank you for revealing a truck they are what makes America great

[@andrewscottgreene]

Comedy genius. Florida’s Larry David 👍🤣👏

[@jeremysmith3556]

Yeah i was eyeballing that ford in the last video, glad you finally reviewed it that thing is a beast

[@realRichHunting]

I've seen this truck hiding in the background on the last couple of your videos. Glad you chose to review it. :)

[@richardmcgrath61]

Exactly what I though while watching the Allante review, so did a search on F150 and bingo!

[@TheJarhead02]

Thanks for this review ive been waiting to see this truck for awhile

[@TheHelado36]

That pick up has the perfect balance between country and city, just beautiful !

[@gilbertjuarez7064]

I’ve been lucky to have a few of these old fords and I love them all this beauty needs is the kc lights on the back and a set of superswamper boggers

[@kevincostello3856]

Gibert you are spot on THANK YOU

[@brianlee5649]

I love F-150 pickup trucks, they're pretty awesome. Again, I love your humor, Bill! Keep it up with the videos! You're doing a fabulous job! (I absolutely hate using the word fantastic)

[@Blog4Justice]

It's always a treat to get a new video from you, Bill, and especially so during the Wu-flu lockdown. Greetings from England.

[@jonboy9912]

Thanks for cheering up my lock down.

[@PenttiHuttunenGlobetrotter]

1977 was a good year :)

[@Cstoreri]

Stick with the therapy!...keep the vids coming.

[@larry8253]

"How dare you!" Lol 😂

[@stephenfisher7255]

Love the F150. My Dad had one in the80,s.to tow the horses to polo x . And Bill your informative halarious commentary. Keep them coming. Under the current lock down here in Brisbane Australia’s it’s something to look forward to . I can’t wait to see your next review. Take care and stay safe ... PS. I’m buying a bottle of whisky today 😀👍

[@MikeBMW]

Bill, you got yourself a great truck there, for 1977 anyway. It looks great and all that but, really, the market is small. Even so, well, its well done and brings joy. Can't say that about a lot of cars, er, trucks. In the end, love your vids and thank you! :)

[@reeltorock]

My favorite pickup body style of all time. Very nice example!

[@spencersprofile4227]

This is the most entertaining truck review I've ever seen

[@galiffrey1]

Dude I love your commentary!

[@243wayne1]

Great review and history! Thank you!

[@shieldsjohnjr]

I saved a 79 Ford Ranger XLT F-150 Supercab Trailer Special from the crusher. It was donated and somehow ended up on the crush line. It was about as nice as any truck at the local car cruise and I used it for years. I love these old Fords.

[@johnnymula2305]

I had one of these. Did a complete restoration on it. Absolutely amazing trucks! You cant kill em!

[@rossflores4394]

Hands down you are the best car reviewer. Ever!!!

[@brspeedysgarage]

You get some cool stuff there, nice truck.

[@paulwhitehead6110]

Greetings from Cape Town. Your vids always make me feel chipper.

[@BT_aka_PET_ROOSTER]

That’s a great looking truck! I was eyeball humping that thing when I saw it in the background of the 300zx video!

[@lexuslife9751]

Great review, your description of a truck was priceless!!😂😂 please do a review on that blue Jag I see in the back round, it's gorgeous!!

[@recl971]

Whiskey therapy, I do love this channel

[@karljaques744]

Absolutely agree Bill. Pick Up Trucks are the new big American car. We're all running out of rear wheel drive full sized sedans. About all that's left is the Chrysler 300 and then there are Mercedes Benzes. We don't even have any locally manufactured cars in Australia anymore! Thanks so much for your inspiring and funny commentary, it is so much appreciated!

[@chrisexperience7]

Bill could effectively review a school bus and find a way to think of it’s review mirror as interesting.

[@darianwainer5188]

Fantastic year, I was born!

[@twagn]

Yee haaaaw, my friend Cletus would love this

[@ginoliotto1404]

I just wanted to see you drive that beast. Strong truck, very nice.

[@bekabeka71]

Just what a proper alpha man all he needs to drive for his farm 🙌🏽

[@aldouglas9163]

I love your candid videos Bill ... absolute gold.... keep em coming, Al from Australia👍👍👍 p.s what are those older chevs/ caddies in the background? Would also really love to see your detailed push his car into the yard whilst your filming! 😂

[@Roddy_Zeh]

Love this truck, very nice. But I patiently await for a Mercury Grand Marquis. :D

[@bigtimeicrashesmyty6516]

The F150 was created in 75 to get around emission. Not to “bridge a gap” enjoyed the video! Good to see people appreciating the dent sides.

[@ahmedal-khadar3924]

The best looking car u ever showed thank you .....Ahmed from Baghdad Iraq

[@bumblebear6205]

Nice video! 👍

[@wolfy1987]

Love your vids man

[@hdsporty79]

My dad had a 76 lifted with 40 inch tires and tuned with glass packs i got to drive it to highschool a few times in 1998. It woke up the neighborhood when starting up

[@alexandrec9372]

Watching from Brazil, already subscribed, you have talent, think fast and make a speach Very well put together. Very Nice truck, here in Brazil Ford also produed this model with another name or number, It was colled F1000 here, but with a in line 6 cyliders gas and 4 cyliders diesel.

[@brianlee5649]

Here in the US, we have V6 diesel and V8 diesel (Powerstroke).

[@alexandrec9372]

@@brianlee5649 The F1000 late models received the Maxion 4 cylinders turbo diesel engine with intercooller .

[@fordmuscleluis9710]

Beautiful Dentside ford truck gotta love it

[@americangooeyduck5743]

I love it if I didn’t live across the country I would’ve been down to look at it with the serious intention of possibly purchasing it it’s a beautiful truck that won’t last long it’s probably already sold as I am viewing it and making this remark

[@coejbee]

This is a sweet old classic truck, but Bill we NEED a video on that Jaguar S-type in the background parked by your building!!

[@joeychitwood6004]

Oh man, this reminds me of my grandpa's truck! It was a silver F150 Ranger.

[@john.e.1984]

These videos are getting me through the pandemic. Hilarious!

[@boomermarr]

Awesome looking truck.

[@MeetJoeBlack55]

DANG ... Bill's in a good mood today???? ... really throwing me off .... almost want to put a bid on this beast !!

[@danthemaintenanceman]

Dam thats a nice truck!

[@mullinsjm1]

Beautiful truck!

[@doubledee3027]

I love the 1970s f150s....my uncle had 1979 f150 351cleveland.... blue w/ white wagon wheels. Takes me back

[@jesseduke694]

Good video my friend & great truck you have there. I have several myself. Mine arnt as nice as yours though. But I do have 1 with a 460 that I put in it. That one is my mud truck. But yours is real sweet! Im sure your price is as well?! The camera may be deceiving me but im not sure that looked like 500 hp if you were standing on it?? I know its hard to transfer the real feeling through a camara though. I know 500 isn't very hard to get out of them though. Again, real nice truck.

[@RyanBowie1]

Lol those pull handles are paracord, I bet he made those himself. Those weaves/knots are pretty cool

[@jas4925]

I had a 77 f100 years ago but it had an 85 mph speedometer where yours has a 100. I guess they retained the 100 a little longer since it was better optioned. Mine was a 302 4 on the floor.

[@nuclearblast119]

Fantastic truck 👍😎💪

[@jimdailey1018]

Great looking truck

[@richardmcgrath61]

These reviews are gold... keep clobbering those holier-than-thou do-gooders such as Greta... just love your stuff Bill - thanks so much.

[@37401982]

Me and my pop used to own the 1976 bicentennial F-150 custom. I miss that thing.

[@prairiestrong4037]

Dad had a 76 F150 with the 460 engine. I don’t know what rear end it had but it could pull a fully loaded trailer of hay bales with no problem.

[@chappy2121]

Your little impromptu history lessons and random information events are epic. You should do this for uk Top Gear

[@curiouscars9282]

I’m genuinely honored anyone would think that.

[@shatchett0]

That is a beautiful truck

[@pauli6043]

Bill, "Cars" was by Gary Neuman. You were close!

[@MisterMikeTexas]

That is a helluva truck! Bill, you should have brought your George Jones tape!

[@makiwa]

Love it!

[@wyattm3667]

Does anyone know where I can get a little gauge cluster like he showed at 16:37 ?

[@bricegraham8256]

I saw the Tumbnail and said "Oh my gosh this is a beautiful sight to behold

[@_KarlS]

I was gonna ask about that truck. She is a beaut

[@JohnnyArtPavlou]

Miss Wisconsin was an F-150. Also lifted. 😉

[@HypocriticYT]

A friends father had a light blue one in 2wd. Ity had the 302 engine. Simple trucks back then, he was a bricklayer and the truck saw honest use.

[@Johntheripper87]

Thats a good looking truck.

[@williejones6026]

Yhe Commodores released 2 albums in1977, the isley brothers released the go for your guns album.. cool stuff.

[@rickcstein]

Great history lesson from 1977.

[@ronaldtartaglia4459]

Getting me through this nightmare

[@usmc7251]

Beautiful American classic.

[@woofman4796]

i'm a chevy guy, i have a 2016 silverado 1500 off road black out edition, but this ford is one really beautiful truck, back when trucks were trucks

[@morgankarlsson3526]

Ha ha perfect truck to have when you buy drugs and weapen 😂😂 ❤ your videos. Im a fan from 🇸🇪🇸🇪🇸🇪💯👍🍺

[@mazterplumber2549]

Beautiful

[@dennydickerson9411]

Wish you would do a video on the latest continental

[@alexavila6507]

Gorgeous

[@gbaileyo7]

This guy is unintentually HILARIOUS!! 😂😂😂

[@c.d.scalemodels9198]

Bill is GOLD....... COMIC GOLD!!!!!!! 🙏🙏🙏🙏🤣🤣🤣🤣👍👍👍👍

[@woofman4796]

we're in zephyrhills, roosters are friggin crazy here, thank God for the local fox

[@jstevens74]

That's a nice pick-up truck

[@calevel]

I had to subscribe after the “ how dare you, how dare you” from Greta Thunburg🤣🤣 besides I own myself a 1979 Ford Bronco! You sir are really fun to watch and we need that nowadays 👍

[@myleswinkfield5210]

Do a review on the Silverado

[@robertstewart3086]

1977 was the first year for the gas door's. This one's probably more like 400 +hp.I hear a mellow cam. I've got a 75 F250 Ranger XLT camper special. Fully loaded J code truck.Sniper EFI on a 460, With a built C6 & 373 Dana Posi, 2wd. She'll stripe em clear across the intersection..Passes everything but a gas station.....