Top 10 Pickup Trucks 1979 — Best Overall plus Best Value

*Published June 15, 2026 · Updated June 15, 2026*

Direct Answer

The best pickup truck of 1979 was the Ford F-150, our Best Overall pick, which closed out the sixth-generation "dentside" run with a tough boxed frame, a deep engine roster topped by the 351-cubic-inch V8 (156 hp), and the broadest dealer and parts network in America.

Its base half-ton regular cab carried a 1979 MSRP of about $5,400. The Best Value of 1979 was the Toyota Pickup (Hilux), a compact import that asked just a 1979 MSRP of about $4,200 for a truck whose 20R four-cylinder would still be running, by reputation, long after far pricier rigs had rusted into the ground.

That pairing — an American workhorse and a Japanese economy hauler — captured exactly where the truck market stood in 1979, caught between the square-body full-size era and the import wave that the fuel crisis had set loose.

This was a transitional model year. General Motors was mid-stride in its handsome square-body C/K generation, Ford was about to retire the dentside body for 1980, and a second gas shock made compact four-cylinder haulers suddenly look very smart. Below we rank the ten trucks that mattered, the way a buyer (or a collector now) would actually weigh them.

How We Ranked the Top 10

We graded every truck on a weighted scorecard built from period road tests and modern collector data:

• Reliability and durability — 25%. How the truck held up over decades, drivetrain longevity, and rust resistance.
• Capability — 20%. Towing, payload, available 4WD, and real work usefulness.
• Value in period — 15%. What 1979 dollars actually bought against rivals.
• Engine and drivetrain — 15%. Power, torque, transmission choices, and how well they aged.
• Simplicity — 10%. Ease of repair, parts availability, and mechanical honesty.
• Collectibility now — 15%. How desirable and valuable the truck has become today.

Sources include period road tests from *Car and Driver* and *Motor Trend*, *Old Cars Weekly*, Hagerty Valuation Tools, Bring a Trailer and Classic.com auction data, Curbside Classic retrospectives, and the Wikipedia model pages for each truck. We avoided invented figures: 1979 prices are period base-MSRP estimates, and current values reflect recent collector-market benchmarks.

1. Ford F-150 🏆 BEST OVERALL

1979 MSRP: $5,400 | Best for: the buyer who wanted one truck to do everything

The 1979 F-150 was the final year of Ford's sixth-generation "dentside" body, and it went out strong. Buyers started with a 101 hp inline-six and could climb through a 302 V8 (130 hp), the popular 351 V8 (156 hp, roughly 265 lb-ft), and a big 400 V8 (169 hp), all bolted into a stout boxed frame.

With the 351 and the right axle, a well-equipped F-150 could tow in the 7,000-pound range and haul a half-ton payload without complaint, in either RWD or rugged 4WD form. Its reliability reputation rested on simple, serviceable mechanicals and the deepest parts network in the country.

Clean dentside F-150s now trade in the high-teens to over $30,000 for the best 4WD trucks, and demand keeps climbing.

Pros:

• Unmatched engine choice, from thrifty six to torquey 400 V8
• Boxed frame and proven running gear built to work for decades
• Best-in-class parts and dealer support, then and now
• Strong, still-rising collector demand for clean dentside trucks

Cons:

• Carbureted V8s were thirsty during a fuel crisis
• Rust took a heavy toll on the cabs and bed corners

Verdict: The most complete, do-anything truck of 1979 — capable, fixable, and beloved.

2. Chevrolet C/K 10 (Square-Body)

1979 MSRP: $5,300 | Best for: the buyer who wanted the best-looking, best-riding full-size

The square-body Chevy C10 (RWD) and K10 (4WD) were arguably the handsomest trucks on the 1979 lot, and time has only confirmed it. The workhorse 350 V8 (about 165 hp) delivered smooth torque, while a base six and a 305 V8 filled out the range. Chevrolet's coil-spring rear on lighter models gave the C10 a notably civilized ride for a truck, and 4WD K10s brought serious off-road grit.

Towing landed in the 5,000-to-7,000-pound band depending on axle and engine. Square-body Chevys have become genuine collector darlings, with Hagerty tracking strong values and clean K10s commanding real money.

Pros:

• Iconic, clean square-body styling that defined the era
• Smooth, durable 350 V8 with easy parts support
• Comfortable ride unusual for a full-size hauler
• Among the most collectible trucks of the decade

Cons:

• Rust-prone cabs and rockers, like all of its peers
• Lower trims had spartan, plasticky interiors

Verdict: The style-and-substance full-size; only the F-150's breadth nudged it to second.

3. GMC Sierra 1500

1979 MSRP: $5,350 | Best for: the buyer who wanted square-body substance with a touch more trim

Mechanically a twin to the Chevrolet C/K, the GMC Sierra 1500 shared the same square-body shell, the same excellent 350 V8, and the same coil-sprung composure, but GMC pitched it slightly upmarket with richer trim packages. In RWD or 4WD, it towed and hauled identically to its Chevrolet sibling, and it inherited the same long-lived small-block durability.

Because GMC sold in smaller numbers, a clean Sierra can be the rarer find at the same money as a comparable C10, which appeals to collectors who want the look without the crowd.

Pros:

• Square-body excellence with upscale GMC trim
• Bulletproof 350 small-block drivetrain
• Rarer than the Chevrolet twin, a quiet collector edge
• Same strong 4WD capability as the K-series

Cons:

• Functionally identical to the Chevy, so it lives in its shadow
• Same rust vulnerabilities as the C/K

Verdict: A badge-engineered gem — the connoisseur's square-body.

4. Toyota Pickup (Hilux) 💎 BEST VALUE

1979 MSRP: $4,200 | Best for: the budget-minded buyer who valued reliability over brawn

If 1979 had a reliability legend, it was the Toyota Pickup. The 20R 2.2-liter four (90 hp, 122 lb-ft) was almost comically durable, and owners routinely reported running them past 175,000 miles with little more than carburetor fiddling. It was small — payload and towing were modest, and a compact four does not pretend to be a 351 — but in RWD or the prized 4WD version it went anywhere on a thimble of gas during a fuel crisis.

That combination of low price and near-indestructibility made it the smartest dollar in the showroom. Clean 1979 Hiluxes now sell in the $20,000-to-$33,000 range, an astonishing climb that proves the long-term value case.

Pros:

• Legendary 20R reliability that defined the brand
• Excellent fuel economy when it mattered most
• Lowest cost of ownership of any 1979 truck
• Spectacular collector appreciation today

Cons:

• Limited payload and towing versus full-size rivals
• Cheap interior plastics and easy-rusting bodywork

Verdict: The best money you could spend on a 1979 truck — then a bargain, now a blue-chip classic.

5. Dodge D150

1979 MSRP: $5,500 | Best for: the buyer who wanted full-size V8 grunt for less hype

The Dodge D150 rounded out the Big Three full-size field with honest capability and the familiar 318 V8 (145 hp, 2-barrel), backed by a 225 Slant Six and an available 360 V8. It towed and hauled in the same full-size league as its Ford and Chevrolet rivals and offered RWD and 4WD (Power Ram) forms.

Dodge never matched GM or Ford on volume, so the D-series flew under the radar then and now, which keeps D150 values more affordable than equivalent square-body Chevys for buyers who want a clean, simple full-size.

Pros:

• Tough, simple 318 V8 that is cheap to keep
• Full-size towing and payload at a fair price
• Underrated and undervalued in the collector market
• Available 4WD Power Ram capability

Cons:

• Thinner dealer and parts support than Ford or GM
• Less refined ride than the coil-sprung Chevrolet

Verdict: The value full-size — overlooked, capable, and easy to live with.

6. Datsun 620 / 720 Pickup

1979 MSRP: $4,300 | Best for: the import buyer who wanted style with economy

1979 was a changeover year for Datsun's compact truck, as the curvy 620 gave way to the new 720. The L20B 2.0-liter four (about 97 hp, 112 lb-ft) was peppy and efficient, the styling (especially the 620's "sweptline" bed) was charming, and 4WD versions added go-anywhere ability.

Like the Toyota, it sipped fuel and resisted breaking, though it ranked a half-step behind the Hilux on outright durability folklore. The 620 in particular has become a sought-after mini-truck collectible, with clean 4WD examples drawing real interest at auction.

Pros:

• Efficient, willing L20B four-cylinder
• Distinctive 620 styling prized by collectors
• Low running costs and easy parking
• Available 4WD for the adventurous

Cons:

• Modest work capability against full-size trucks
• Rust claimed many before the collector era arrived

Verdict: A stylish, thrifty import classic — just behind Toyota on the value crown.

7. Ford Courier

1979 MSRP: $4,500 | Best for: the Ford loyalist who wanted import economy

The Ford Courier was a rebadged Mazda B-series, and for 1979 it gained a 2.0-liter four plus an available Ford-built 2.3-liter (about 92 hp) shared with the Pinto and Mustang II. It gave Ford dealers a thrifty compact to counter the imports, and it drove well, returned strong economy, and carried the reassurance of blue-oval service.

It never matched Toyota or Datsun on collector cachet, but a clean survivor is a likable, honest little hauler with genuine 1970s character.

Pros:

• Good fuel economy from the small fours
• Mazda toughness under a Ford badge
• Blue-oval dealer support for import-shy buyers
• Pleasant, easy-driving compact

Cons:

• Less collectible than the Toyota or Datsun
• Heavy rust attrition thinned the survivors

Verdict: A sensible, well-built import in Ford clothing — economy without the badge anxiety.

8. Chevrolet LUV

1979 MSRP: $4,486 | Best for: the Chevy buyer who wanted a frugal compact

Chevrolet's LUV was a rebadged Isuzu Faster, and for 1979 it carried Isuzu's 1.8-liter G180Z four (80 hp, 95 lb-ft). It was the most economy-focused of the bunch, light and cheap to run, and the 4WD version has since become the cult favorite. It asked little and gave honest service, though its small engine and light build kept it firmly in the errand-and-light-hauling role rather than serious work.

Surviving rust-free 4x4 LUVs now draw surprising attention from mini-truck collectors.

Pros:

• Frugal Isuzu drivetrain built for thrift
• Desirable 4WD variant among enthusiasts
• Low purchase and running cost
• Compact, easy to maneuver

Cons:

• The least powerful engine in this group
• Very rust-prone, so clean examples are scarce

Verdict: A charming budget compact whose 4x4 version is the one to chase.

9. Dodge D50 (Plymouth Arrow Truck)

1979 MSRP: $4,400 | Best for: the buyer who wanted the strongest compact four

New for 1979, the Dodge D50 (and its Plymouth Arrow Truck twin) was a rebadged Mitsubishi, and it brought the most muscular compact engine on offer: a 2.6-liter "Silent Shaft" four (105 hp, 140 lb-ft) with balance shafts for unusual smoothness, alongside a base 2.0-liter. A four-speed manual was standard, with a five-speed and automatic available.

Chrysler's late entry into the mini-truck wars was a strong one mechanically, even if the brand never built the collector following Toyota and Datsun enjoy.

Pros:

• Punchiest compact engine of the 1979 imports
• Smooth balance-shaft four unusual at this price
• Five-speed availability for relaxed cruising
• Low operating costs typical of the class

Cons:

• Latecomer with a thin collector following
• Rust and parts scarcity dog survivors today

Verdict: The compact for buyers who refused to give up torque — underappreciated then and now.

10. International Harvester Pickup

1979 MSRP: $6,200 | Best for: the buyer who wanted rugged, off-the-beaten-path character

International Harvester was winding down its light-truck business by 1979, and its pickups (and the related Scout-based rigs) were the rugged, agricultural outliers of the field. Built around stout frames and durable, simple V8s, they were genuinely tough and capable in 4WD, with serious off-road and work credibility.

The trade-offs were a higher price, a thin and shrinking dealer network, and quirky parts support. That rarity now cuts both ways: survivors have a devoted collector following, but they ask patience to own.

Pros:

• Rugged, work-hardened construction
• Strong 4WD off-road capability
• Genuine rarity and character among collectors
• Simple, repairable V8 mechanicals

Cons:

• Highest price here with the weakest dealer support
• Parts hunting is a real chore today

Verdict: The rugged individualist's choice — characterful and tough, but the hardest to live with.

Buyer Decision Tree — Which One Was Right for You?

What to Look For in a 1979 Pickup (Then and as a Classic Now)

• Rust, first and always. Inspect cab corners, rockers, bed sides, and especially the cab mounts and floors. On every truck here, corrosion — not mechanical failure — is what thinned the herd.
• Frame integrity. Check the boxed or ladder frame for rot and prior collision repair; a solid frame is worth more than a shiny paint job.
• Drivetrain simplicity. These are carbureted, mechanically honest trucks. A tired 350 or 351 or 20R is cheap and straightforward to rebuild, so prioritize a rust-free body over a perfect engine.
• Square-body desirability. Clean GM square-bodies and dentside Fords carry the strongest premiums; a documented, unmolested 4WD example is the blue-chip buy.
• Matters less than nostalgia implies: outright horsepower. Buyers obsess over which V8 a truck has, but a healthy 302 or 318 does nearly everything a weekend-classic owner needs, and the import fours run forever. Originality and a solid body drive value far more than a few extra horses ever will.

FAQ

What was the best-selling and most capable full-size pickup of 1979? The Ford F-150 led on breadth and support, with engines from a 101 hp six to a 169 hp 400 V8 and towing into the 7,000-pound range, which is why it is our Best Overall.

Why is the Toyota Pickup the Best Value of 1979? It paired the lowest realistic cost of ownership with the era's most legendary reliability, the 20R four routinely topping 175,000 miles, and it has since appreciated into a $20,000-plus collectible.

Are square-body Chevrolet trucks really that collectible now? Yes. The 1979 C/K square-bodies and their GMC Sierra twins are among the most sought-after trucks of the decade, with Hagerty tracking strong, rising values for clean examples.

Which 1979 compact import had the most power? The Dodge D50 (Mitsubishi) with its 2.6-liter Silent Shaft four made 105 hp and 140 lb-ft, the strongest of the compact import fours that year.

Was 4WD available in 1979, and does it matter for value? Yes — Ford, Chevrolet, GMC, Dodge, International, and even the Toyota, Datsun, and LUV imports offered 4WD, and 4WD versions almost always command the highest collector prices today.

How did the fuel crisis shape the 1979 truck market? The second gas shock pushed buyers toward thrifty four-cylinder imports like the Toyota, Datsun, Courier, and LUV, accelerating the compact-pickup wave even as the full-size square-bodies remained the work standard.

Bottom Line

1979 sat right on the seam between two truck eras. On one side stood the full-size workhorses — the do-everything Ford F-150, the gorgeous square-body Chevrolet C/K and GMC Sierra, and the honest Dodge D150 — all simple, tough, and now thoroughly collectible. On the other side surged the import compacts, led by the indestructible Toyota Pickup, the stylish Datsun, and a clutch of rebadged rivals that the fuel crisis made irresistible.

If you wanted one truck to do it all, the F-150 was the answer. If you wanted the smartest dollar — and, as it turned out, the best long-term investment — the Toyota was the one to buy. Both looked even smarter in hindsight than they did on the showroom floor.

Sources

• Old Cars Weekly — "Car of the Week: 1979 Ford F-150" (engines and pricing): https://www.oldcarsweekly.com/features/car-of-the-week-1979-ford-f150
• Wikipedia — Ford F-Series (sixth generation): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ford_F-Series_(sixth_generation)
• Hagerty Valuation Tools — 1979 Chevrolet C10 / K10: https://www.hagerty.com/valuation-tools/chevrolet/c10/1979/1979-chevrolet-c10
• Hagerty Valuation Tools — 1979 Dodge D150: https://www.hagerty.com/valuation-tools/dodge/d150/1979
• Wikipedia — Toyota Hilux (20R engine, specifications): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toyota_Hilux
• CarsGuide — 1979 Toyota HiLux price and specs: https://www.carsguide.com.au/toyota/hilux/price/1979
• Classic.com — 1979 Toyota Hilux market and benchmark values: https://www.classic.com/m/toyota/hilux/
• Curbside Classic — "1979 Chevy LUV 4x4 (Isuzu Faster)": https://www.curbsideclassic.com/curbside-classics-american/curbside-classic-1979-chevy-luv-4x4-isuzu-faster-tough-love/
• The Truth About Cars — "Junkyard Find: 1979 Ford Courier": https://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/cars/down-on-the-junkyard/junkyard-find-1979-ford-courier-44508217
• Allpar / Wikipedia — Dodge Ram 50 (D50) and Plymouth Arrow Truck (Mitsubishi specs): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plymouth_Arrow
• PickupTruckTalk — "The Datsun 620 is still the best mini-truck ever": https://pickuptrucktalk.com/2024/02/the-datsun-620-is-still-the-best-mini-truck-ever/

*Pickup truck review — 1979 pickup truck reviews, rating, best pickup truck 1979, and a retrospective review of the top vintage truck picks for buyers and collectors.*