1973–1979 Ford F-100 (6th Generation)

Introduction

By the early 1970s, the American pickup truck was undergoing a fundamental transformation. What had once been a purely utilitarian work vehicle was rapidly becoming a personal-use machine, and Ford was determined to lead that shift. The sixth-generation F-100, produced from 1973 through 1979, arrived with a completely redesigned body that emphasized comfort, quietness, and visual presence. Enthusiasts would later dub these trucks “Dentsides” for the prominent character line pressed into each body-side panel — a styling crease that ran from the front fender through the doors and into the bedside.

Ford invested heavily in this redesign. The cab was wider, the glass area was larger, and engineers devoted significant effort to reducing noise, vibration, and harshness. The result was a truck that could haul a half-ton payload on weekdays and serve as a comfortable highway cruiser on weekends. It was a formula that resonated with buyers: the sixth generation became the highest-volume F-100 ever produced, anchoring Ford’s dominance in the full-size truck market throughout the decade.

The Dentside era also coincided with some of the most challenging regulatory and economic pressures in automotive history. Tightening federal emissions standards, the 1973 oil embargo, and rising fuel costs forced Ford to continuously adapt its powertrain lineup. Despite those headwinds, the sixth-generation F-100 remained a bestseller year after year, cementing the F-Series franchise as the top-selling truck line in America.

Design and Body

The 1973 redesign was comprehensive. The new body sat on a revised chassis with a longer wheelbase, and the cab itself was roughly three inches wider than its predecessor. A larger windshield and deeper side glass improved outward visibility, while thicker door seals and additional insulation gave the interior a noticeably quieter character. Ford marketed this refinement under the tagline “the truck that rides like a car.”

The most recognizable exterior feature was the body-side sculpting — a sharp, horizontal crease stamped into the sheetmetal roughly at the belt line. This “dent” line gave the truck a distinctive profile and is the source of the generation’s nickname. Up front, a bold rectangular grille carried dual headlamps, and the hood line was flatter and more squared-off than the preceding Bumpside trucks.

Bed lengths continued in 6.75-foot (Flareside and Styleside) and 8-foot (Styleside only) configurations. The Flareside, with its separate rear fenders and wood-plank floor, carried on the classic stepside look, though the smooth-sided Styleside outsold it by a wide margin. For 1974, Ford introduced the SuperCab — an extended-cab body that added roughly 18 inches behind the front seat, providing a small rear bench or valuable enclosed storage. The SuperCab proved enormously popular with buyers who needed more interior space without stepping up to a crew cab.

Trim levels ranged from the base model through the midrange Custom and the top-tier Ranger and Ranger XLT. The Ranger XLT brought features such as carpeting, woodgrain instrument panel trim, full gauges, and upgraded upholstery — amenities that underscored the truck-as-personal-vehicle trend.

Engines and Drivetrain

Ford offered one of the widest engine lineups in the industry for the sixth-generation F-100. The base engine was the venerable 300-cubic-inch (4.9-liter) inline six, a torquey and virtually indestructible workhorse that remained the default choice for fleet and commercial buyers throughout the run.

V8 options were plentiful. The 302 Windsor small-block (5.0 liters) served as the entry-level V8, offering a good balance of power and economy. The 351 Windsor (5.8 liters) was a popular step up, delivering stronger mid-range torque. Early production years also included the 360 FE and 390 FE big-block V8s, both carried over from the previous generation, though these were phased out after 1976 as emissions compliance became more difficult for the older FE engine family.

The 400M (6.6-liter modified Cleveland-family V8) replaced the 360/390 FE engines in the lineup and became a common choice for buyers who wanted big-block torque without the weight and fuel consumption of the largest option. At the top of the range sat the mighty 460 V8 (7.5 liters), a brute-force engine intended for maximum towing and hauling capability.

Transmission choices included a three-speed manual (standard with the 300 Six), a four-speed manual, and Ford’s C6 three-speed automatic — the most popular choice by the mid-1970s. Four-wheel-drive models used the NP205 transfer case, one of the most robust units ever fitted to a light truck.

As emissions regulations tightened through the decade, Ford added catalytic converters (starting in 1975), EGR valves, and leaner carburetor calibrations. Horsepower figures dropped on paper, though real-world driveability remained acceptable for most owners. Unleaded fuel became mandatory for catalyst-equipped trucks, which also meant lower compression ratios across the board.

Notable Features

The Ranger XLT package elevated the F-100 into near-luxury territory for its time. Air conditioning, power steering, power brakes, an AM/FM radio, and cruise control were all available — options that would have been unthinkable on a half-ton truck a decade earlier. A factory tachometer and full instrumentation were available on higher trim levels, replacing the base model’s simple warning-light cluster.

The SuperCab body style, introduced in 1974, was one of the most significant innovations of the generation. It gave buyers the utility of an enclosed rear area without the penalty of a full four-door crew cab, which Ford reserved for the heavier-duty F-250 and F-350. The SuperCab’s rear jump seats were modest, but the extra storage space behind the front bench was a game-changer for tradespeople and families alike.

Four-wheel-drive F-100s grew in popularity during this era, aided by improvements in front-axle design and the availability of automatic locking hubs. Suspension options included heavy-duty springs and shocks for buyers who regularly carried heavy loads.

Production and Legacy

Exact model-year production figures for the F-100 alone (as distinct from the broader F-Series) are difficult to isolate, but Ford’s total F-Series output surged throughout the 1970s. By the end of the decade, Ford was building well over 700,000 F-Series trucks per year, and the F-100 remained a substantial portion of that total. The F-Series claimed the title of America’s best-selling truck every year of the Dentside’s production life and, from 1977 onward, best-selling vehicle of any type.

Culturally, the Dentside generation represents the moment the pickup truck completed its transition from farm implement to mainstream American vehicle. These trucks appeared in driveways, shopping center parking lots, and highway rest stops in numbers that previous generations never matched.

Today, Dentsides occupy an appealing sweet spot in the collector market. They are old enough to carry vintage charm yet new enough that parts — both mechanical and body — remain widely available. Rust-free examples from the southern and western United States command the strongest prices, particularly SuperCab models and well-optioned Ranger XLTs. The 1973–1975 models with round headlamp bezels tend to draw slightly more collector interest than the later square-headlamp trucks (1978–1979), though all years have a loyal following.

Buying Tips

When shopping for a 1973–1979 F-100, rust is the primary concern. Check the cab corners, the lower door skins, the rocker panels, and the area around the rear window channel. On Styleside beds, examine the lower bedsides and the floor crossmembers. Flareside beds are easier to inspect but harder to find replacement panels for.

Mechanically, the 300 Six and 351 Windsor are the most durable and easiest to maintain. The 400M has a reputation for overheating if the cooling system is neglected, and the 460 is thirsty but reliable when properly maintained. Inspect the C6 automatic for firm, clean shifts — a well-maintained C6 is nearly bulletproof, but a neglected one can be expensive to rebuild.

Check for frame rust, especially on trucks from the Midwest and Northeast. Surface rust is manageable, but structural perforation at the spring hangers or crossmembers is a serious issue. On four-wheel-drive models, verify that the transfer case shifts smoothly and that the front axle u-joints and ball joints are in good condition.

Finally, verify the VIN and data plate against the truck’s actual equipment. Ranger XLT trim, factory air conditioning, and SuperCab bodies all add value, so confirming originality is worthwhile for any truck priced at a premium.

Frequently Asked Questions

What years are the Dentside Ford F-100?

The Dentside Ford F-100 was produced from 1973 through 1979. The nickname refers to the sharp, inward-pressed character line stamped into the body-side sheetmetal at approximately the belt line. This sixth generation had the largest production volume of any F-100 generation and introduced the SuperCab extended-cab body style for 1974.

What is a Dentside Ford truck?

A Dentside is the enthusiast nickname for the 1973-1979 Ford F-Series trucks. The name comes from the prominent horizontal crease pressed into the body-side panels, which looks like a carefully placed “dent” running from the front fenders through the doors and into the bed sides. Ford marketed these trucks as riding “like a car,” emphasizing their improved cab comfort and sound insulation.

What engines came in a 1973-1979 Ford F-100?

The 1973-1979 F-100 offered the widest engine lineup in the industry: the 300 cubic inch inline-six, the 302 and 351 Windsor V8s, the 360 and 390 FE big-block V8s (phased out after 1976), the 400M modified Cleveland V8 that replaced them, and the massive 460 V8 for maximum towing. The C6 three-speed automatic was the most popular transmission choice.

What is a Ford SuperCab?

The Ford SuperCab is an extended-cab body style introduced on the F-Series for 1974. It adds roughly 18 inches of space behind the front seat, providing a small rear jump seat or valuable enclosed storage area. The SuperCab gave buyers interior versatility without the penalty of a full four-door crew cab and proved enormously popular with tradespeople and families throughout the Dentside generation.

How much is a 1973-1979 Dentside Ford F-100 worth?

Dentside F-100s occupy an appealing sweet spot in the collector market — old enough for vintage charm, new enough for widely available parts. Rust-free examples from southern and western states command the strongest prices. SuperCab models and well-optioned Ranger XLTs are the most desirable configurations, with 1973-1975 round-headlamp trucks drawing slightly more collector interest than the 1978-1979 square-headlamp models.