Most of the old school Ford F-150 pickups that we feature here on F150Online – whether they are playing in the mud, racing down the track or pulling a sled – are obviously modified and quite loud.
On the other hand, the 1978 Ford F-150 shown in this week’s Truck Pullin’ video looks fairly stock outside of the ride height. Also, it might just be the quietest hard working classic half ton pickup I have seen online or in person.
When the video starts off, we get a great look at this 1978 Ford F-150 as the drive prepares to pull the big sled. This F-150 is powered by a 400 cubic inch V8, mated to a stock C6 transmission and the entire run is made with the truck in 4-low with the transmission in 1st gear.
The run starts a little slow and with this F-150 being so quiet, it makes you wonder if it will be able to lay down a solid run. However, this classic half ton Ford pickup proved that a truck doesn’t need to be loud to make big power.
"Before I was old enough to walk, my dad was taking me to various types of racing events, from local drag racing to the Daytona 500," says Patrick Rall, a lifetime automotive expert, diehard Dodge fan, and respected auto journalist for over 10 years. "He owned a repair shop and had a variety of performance cars when I was young, but by the time I was 16, he was ready to build me my first drag car – a 1983 Dodge Mirada that ran low 12s. I spent 10 years traveling around the country, racing with my dad by my side. While we live in different areas of the country, my dad still drag races at 80 years old in the car that he built when I was 16 while I race other vehicles, including my 2017 Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat and my 1972 Dodge Demon 340.
"Although I went to college for accounting, my time in my dad’s shop growing up allowed me the knowledge to spend time working as a mechanic before getting my accounting degree, at which point I worked in the office of a dealership group. While I was working in the accounting world, I continued racing and taking pictures of cars at the track. Over time, I began showing off those pictures online and that led to my writing.
"Ten years ago, I left the accounting world to become a full-time automotive writer and I am living proof that if you love what you do, you will never “work” a day in your life," adds Rall, who has clocked in time as an auto mechanic, longtime drag racer and now automotive journalist who contributes to nearly a dozen popular auto websites dedicated to fellow enthusiasts.
"I love covering the automotive industry and everything involved with the job. I was fortunate to turn my love of the automotive world into a hobby that led to an exciting career, with my past of working as a mechanic and as an accountant in the automotive world provides me with a unique perspective of the industry.
"My experience drag racing for more than 20 years coupled with a newfound interest in road racing over the past decade allows me to push performance cars to their limit, while my role as a horse stable manager gives me vast experience towing and hauling with all of the newest trucks on the market today.
