Alfonso’s 20-Year Love Affair With a One-of-a-Kind Ford F350

When you spot a ‘79 F350 rolling on 42" tires, you know you’re looking at something special. Alfonso’s dentside Ford has been turning heads for two decades, and after watching him break down this beast, it’s easy to see why this truck commands respect wherever it goes.

Alfonso picked up this F350 twenty years ago when these dentsides were still flying under the radar. Back then, you could find these trucks rotting in junkyards, but Alfonso saw the potential in this particular rig. His father owned a ‘78, and that body style just spoke to him. Sometimes you know what you want when you see it, and this truck was exactly that for Alfonso.

The real kicker? This wasn’t just any F350. Alfonso discovered he’d bought one of only six freewheeling trucks built that year. The freewheeling package was Ford’s attempt at creating a premium off-road machine, complete with graphics and special trim. Unfortunately, Alfonso stripped all that off when he first got the truck because he wanted something clean and shiny. Now he’s planning to restore it back to its original freewheeling glory.

Under the hood sits a Lincoln 460 breathing through L&L headers and running MSD Atomic EFI. Alfonso swears by that fuel injection system, especially for wheeling. The truck sits on a proper F350 Dana 60 front axle with 4.88 gears and Detroit lockers. Those 42" meats are wrapped around 17" KMC Machetes with beadlocks, because when you’re pushing rubber that big, you need every advantage you can get.

What sets this truck apart from most show queens is that Alfonso actually wheels it. The paint might look pristine, but there’s trail damage on the fenders to prove this rig sees dirt. Too many guys build these monster trucks and never take them off pavement, but Alfonso uses his F350 the way Ford intended - getting dirty and conquering terrain that would stop lesser vehicles.

The interior got some attention too, with seats pulled from a mid-80s Bullnose that feature a center console and cupholders. Alfonso wanted something practical for long trail rides, and the caramel leather looks perfect against the darker paint. The cowboy hat holder is a nice touch that shows this truck’s personality.

Alfonso’s approach to lighting is smart - he tucked the LED bar behind the grille instead of mounting it on the roof. It’s almost invisible until you’re looking for it, keeping the truck’s clean lines intact while still providing serious illumination for night wheeling.

The plan moving forward involves restoring the original freewheeling graphics and adding hydro ram assist for easier steering with those massive tires. Alfonso isn’t touching the lift or suspension setup because it works perfectly for his needs. Sometimes the best modification is knowing when to stop.

Finding these dentsides in good condition keeps getting harder as more people discover what Alfonso knew twenty years ago. These trucks represent a sweet spot in Ford’s history - before emissions strangled engines but after they figured out how to build reliable 4x4 systems. The F350 platform gives you the heavy-duty axles and suspension to handle serious modifications without breaking the bank.

Alfonso’s Instagram @67ford79 shows more of this truck in action, and Ford Era continues documenting these classic rigs before they disappear completely. The appreciation for these trucks has exploded in recent years, but guys like Alfonso were keeping them alive when nobody else cared.