Ford vs. GM full size trucks of the 1970s and 1980s

Even though I'm a lifelong GM guy, I've always had a real thing for Ford trucks of that time period.

For context- I'm 56 years old. I remember how back when I was a kid, if you didn't own a Chevy or GMC 3500 crew cab dualie, then the hot setup for camping and / or towing would be a Ford F250 or F350 Camper Special with either the "Sport Custom" or "Ranger XLT" trim package.

Said vehicle would have either the 390FE or 460 big block with a Holley 4-barrel carb, RV cam, headers, dual exhaust, and "Thrush" brand mufflers. A popular trick some owners would do is install widened stock wheels with big fat 33 X 12.50 X 16.5 LT tires on the back to help carry the load. Ford even made a special version of that truck with the rear wheels pushed much further back than the standard version.

Does anyone else here remember those?

 

Had a friend in the 80's that had a Ford extended cab pickup with a 8 foot bed. He used it to pull a boat trailer. That truck was a monster , size wise compared to other pick ups at the time.

 

Ford and Dodge had two door extended cab versions of its full size trucks since the early 70s. For whatever reason, GM didn't start building theirs until their radical 1988 redesign.

 

If you ever had to work on either one you'd definitely be a GM guy. Ford engineers obviously never did any of their own repairs. Dodge were designed for easy repair too.

 

Worked on em all, actually. Over 30 years in the trade- everything from quick lube placed and gas station garages to GM and Honda dealerships to my current municipal job that I'm planning to retire from in 4 or 5 years once I simultaneously reach the 25 year mark AND hit age 60.

Even with all of Ford's screwups, GM has had plenty of stinkers as well.