Key Takeaways:
- Two Generations, One Decade: Ford rebuilt the F-Series halfway through the 1970s, creating two distinct truck generations.
- 1973 Is The Dividing Line: The redesign changed chassis, suspension, and body simultaneously, not just styling.
- Generation Affects Parts Sourcing: Knowing which half of the decade a truck comes from prevents costly compatibility mistakes.
Most people picture just one truck when they hear of a seventies Ford truck. However, as we know, there were actually two distinct generations built in that decade, separated by a redesign that changed nearly everything underneath the body.
TOMS OFFROAD has supported classic Ford truck enthusiasts since 1976 and carries parts across the full 73–79 F-Series catalog.
This article covers both generations, what separates them, and what restoring a ‘60-'70s Ford truck actually requires today.
The Two Truck Generations Inside One Decade
Calling every 1960s-1970s Ford truck the same generation misses the most important fact about this decade. Ford rebuilt the F-Series halfway through it.
What The 1960s-1970s F-Series Actually Covers
The decade spans two distinct platforms. The 1967–72 trucks carried over the bumpside body style from the prior generation. The 1973–79 trucks introduced a fully redesigned platform that became the most recognized seventies Ford truck.
1970s Ford F150: When The F150 Designation First Appeared
The F-150 designation arrived in 1975, positioned between the F-100 and F-250 to navigate changing emissions regulations. It quickly became the definitive choice for enthusiasts for the remainder of the decade.
Why 1973 Marks A Hard Dividing Line
The 1973 redesign updated the frame, front suspension, cab dimensions, and body simultaneously. This was not a styling refresh. It was a genuine mechanical and structural generation change across the entire lineup.
How The Two Generations Compare On The Used Market Today
Bumpside trucks from 1967–72 are rarer and carry a different restoration profile than the dentside trucks that followed. Both have active communities, but parts availability and rust patterns differ meaningfully between them.
The Dentside Redesign: 1973 Through 1979
The 1973 redesign was not cosmetic. Ford rebuilt the F-Series chassis, suspension, and body simultaneously, creating the generation most people picture when they say seventies Ford truck.
Dentside Ford Truck: What Changed Structurally In 1973
The dentside introduced a wider cab, revised frame, and updated front suspension geometry alongside its distinctive pressed body character lines. The TOMS OFFROAD bumpside vs dentside ford trucks guide covers the full structural differences between the two generations in depth.
1973-1979 Ford F-Series: Engine And Drivetrain Evolution Across The Run
Engine options expanded across the production run, ranging from reliable inline-six powerplants to heavy-duty big-block V8 configurations. To meet growing demand for off-road capability, drivetrain choices evolved to include more robust four-wheel-drive configurations throughout the decade.
How The Dentside Cab Differed From The Bumpside
The dentside cab was wider and featured a more upright windshield angle. Interior space and visibility both improved noticeably compared to the outgoing bumpside cab design.
Why The Dentside Generation Dominates The Restoration Market Today
Higher production numbers, stronger parts catalogs, and broader community support make the dentside generation the more accessible and commonly restored seventies Ford truck today.
The Bumpside Years: 1967 Through 1972
The first three years of the decade carried over the bumpside body style that had defined Ford trucks since the mid-1960s.
- Bumpside Ford Truck: Body Design: Rounded fender lines and a bulging body profile gave the bumpside its name and visual identity throughout this era.
- Engine Options Through 1972: Inline-six and V8 configurations carried over largely unchanged from the previous generation across most trim and bed configurations.
- What Buyers Valued In Bumpside Trucks: Simplicity, proven mechanicals, and a lower price point made these trucks practical working vehicles for their original owners.
- Where Bumpside Trucks Stand Today: Fewer surviving examples and a smaller parts catalog make bumpside restoration more involved than dentside builds typically require.
The TOMS OFFROAD old ford trucks 1970 guide covers the bumpside-era trucks in more detail for enthusiasts focused specifically on this earlier window.
Restoring A 1960s-1970s Ford Truck Today
Whichever half of the decade a build comes from, restoration follows a similar sequence with some generation-specific differences worth knowing in advance.
- 70s Ford Truck Restoration: Frame Assessment First: Check both frame rails and crossmembers before any other work begins, regardless of which generation the truck represents.
- Generation-Specific Parts Sourcing: Bumpside and dentside trucks require different body panels and trim pieces despite sharing some mechanical components throughout the drivetrain.
- Common Rust Locations Across Both Generations: Wheel wells, cab corners, and bed floors rust in similar patterns across both seventies Ford truck generations consistently.
- Where TOMS OFFROAD Fits The Build: The 73–79 Ford Truck Parts catalog covers the dentside generation comprehensively across body, drivetrain, and interior categories.
Understanding which half of the decade a truck comes from before sourcing parts prevents the compatibility mistakes that cost time and money on any 60’s & 70’s Ford truck restoration.
Final Thoughts
The 1960s-1970s Ford truck lineage is defined by two distinct eras split by the 1973 redesign. Bumpside trucks carried the engineering of the previous decade forward, while Dentside trucks completely redefined the F-Series platform.
TOMS OFFROAD carries the 73-79 catalog to support builders with the precise depth and fitment accuracy these Dentside trucks require. Identify exactly which platform you are restoring, and the build follows from there.
Frequently Asked Questions About 60s & 70s Ford Truck
What is the difference between bumpside and dentside trucks?
Bumpside used rounded panels. Dentside introduced flatter panels with pressed character lines and a redesigned chassis.
When did the F150 name first appear?
Ford introduced the F150 designation in 1975 between the F100 and F250.
Does TOMS OFFROAD carry parts for 1960s-1970s Ford trucks?
Yes, the 67-72 & 73–79 Ford Truck Parts catalogs cover the dentside generation comprehensively.
What should I check first on a 1960s-1970s Ford truck restoration?
Frame rail and crossmember condition, regardless of which generation the truck represents.
Which 1960s-1970s Ford truck generation has better parts support?
The dentside generation from 1973–79 has stronger catalog and community support today.
