Is it worth it?

[Jothcra]

I am seriously considering buying a 1973 Ford Ranger instead of purchasing the family Explorer. I could get the Ranger for very little money, but it needs some TLC. It runs well, but it has some rust and body damage. This I could fix, but I would like a second opinion. Here's as much info as I could gather on the truck in question:

Model: Ranger
Trim: Unknown, badges are gone
Year: 1973
Color: Brown
Engine: 390 V8, new in the late 80s/early 90s
Regular cab
Recently installed trailer brakes and functional hitch
As far as I know, it's been in two wrecks, but it's been repaired.

If I choose to buy, I would probably end up replacing both bumpers and redoing the interior. I expect to pay under 500 dollars for the Ranger, whereas I would be dishing out about 3k for the explorer. With the savings of 2500 bucks, I could buy parts and put the rest towards future improvements like a new radio.

Here's some pictures of the truck:

Don't ask me what those weird pylon things are, i'm not sure. I think they were for supporting my grandpa's aluminum boat at one time, but they're coming off. You can also see the trailer hitch and wiring harness.


Yes, we're rednecks and have rusty vehicles in our unmown backyard. The bumper is fine, but it has a tear in it. I could probably bend it back into shape though.


Better view of the front bumper. Also note that the mirrors are firmly rusted in place. I would replace them.

I couldn't get pics of the interior, but it's a smelly cloth bench that will probably be replaced with a first-gen explorer rear bench seat (for the comfort, maybe leather, and shoulder belts. I'm definitely putting in a new radio if I choose to buy the truck.

The truck pulls like nobody's business (in fact we pulled a tree over with it. A big one.) and runs pretty well. Engine is solid, and no drivetrain problems that I can see.

The truck has enormous sentimental value to both my grandpa and my dad, and I think they would like to see it in better shape than it is.

Do you guys think it's a good idea to buy it and fix up? I could probably restore it to like new condition for about 2000 dollars (less overall cost than buying the explorer and doing minor repairs to it), and have a possible toy hauler and offroader. Another possible advantage is very very low insurance rates.

 

[radsr2002]

Hehe

I had 1 of those back in the day, The body on the truck seems sound other than surface rust. It will take some work to get it up to nice truck level. How does your wife feel about you blowing your family car money on a old truck is the real question? How far do you want to go with the restore project?

The ability to turn the truck into some thing like this is there.

The 390 motor is a tuff motor, I pulled a 31' AirStream Travel Trailer all over the place with mine.

If you go; GO ALL the way; or leave it alone is my 2 cents.

 

[Jothcra]

I'm not married, I'm in high school. Hehe.
Although the same premise applies here...

Right now, I need a car to drive, and while borrowing my dad's explorer works, it's not going to be viable for long. The truck is highly driveable as-is, and I thought I could help out my grandpa by giving one of his prized possessions new life, and get a great DD out of it too. The truck isn't worth a whole lot of money, so I could get it cheap, and I've done some research on LMCtruck.com, and to replace all the parts that need replacing is going to run about 1500-2000 dollars. Most of that is assuming that I can't fix the body rust. If I can salvage the existing body panels, then that figure drops to about 1000 bucks. I have enough saved in the bank to buy the truck and do most of the major work right now, and I'm going to get a job this summer too.

I fully intend to restore the truck to like-new condition, with some modern conveniences like air-conditioning and a CD player. Since most of the truck is in good condition after ten+years of disuse, it shouldn't be that much of a problem to fix the rust and replace parts. The engine's in good shape, nothing wrong with the drivetrain, and the interior is liveable for now. Most everything is easily accessible, and I have access to tools and I can consult some of my adult friends along the way (as well as people here).

Thanks for your input, and that's a great looking truck! Is it yours?

 

[radsr2002]

k

Ok that explains much. No the truck is not mine, just a friends.

MAACO does a very good job of painting @ a fair price. Before you replace any body parts, run it by there and chat with them, They can tell you what needs replaced and what they can fix. From the looks or it. Some touch up here and there and a couple bumpers with a paint job would go a long way on the exterior.

Also: Scout the wrecking yards for bumpers and parts. There are many of the F100 ranger series lying around in those places. You might just find a mint bumper or 2.

If thats your Grandfathers truck, then you should make a project out of it. You would never regret it.

 

[Tbars4]

...The ranger was the bottom base line model in '73..From the pics I can't tell if it's a 1/2 ton or 3/4 ton...:scratch:...but I am assuming it is a 1/2 ton as I don't really see anything from a 3/4 ton on it...

...The first thing I would look into is the availability of a new rebuilt motor since you are wanting to restore it...You will probably have a tough time finding them but if this motor fails, I really don't think you want to swap in a 360 or 460 motor...

...I have owned several 390, F250's and have pulled lot's of maxed out trailers with them...

 

[Jothcra]

I was actually thinking of doing most of the repair myself to save costs, but it would probably be in my best interest to have a pro look at it first. As far as I know, there's not many wrecking yards around here. I know there's one in a town 30 minutes away, I was thinking about checking it out.

Some touch up here and there and a couple bumpers with a paint job would go a long way on the exterior.

That's exactly what I was thinking, otherwise it's just sanding/grinding off rust and patching, then paint (done professionally, painting has never been a skill of mine beyond simple art projects in pre-k).

I'll try and get interior pictures tomorrow, the interior is largely in good shape, it's just dirty and the floor mats are from an '85 caddy.

edit:

...The first thing I would look into is the availability of a new rebuilt motor since you are wanting to restore it...You will probably have a tough time finding them but if this motor fails, I really don't think you want to swap in a 360 or 460 motor...

As far as I know, that's the third engine in the truck, it was rebuilt in the late 80s. I'll have to ask. I do intend to get several professional opinions on the condition of the motor though.

 

[Tbars4]

...You could call the big town's auto parts and see what the availability of 390 parts are...

...I think they quit making the 390 in '77 when they replaced it with the 351 windsor..:scratch:

 

[Jothcra]

I remember my dad telling me that his mustang had a 450 in it at one time...
And I think the original motor in the truck was a 360 or close to that. I don't want to have to replace the motor unless it's absolutely necessary.

 

[radsr2002]

k

Not so hard. There were tons of those engines made.

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Complete master kit for 1966-76 Ford FE 390 engine. 4-bbl Includes all premium parts Fel Pro full gasket set Speed Pro premium hypereutectic pistons Hastings cast rings Clevite 77 camshaft (add $20 for RV-torque cam) Federal Mogul lifters Clevite 77 rod bearings Clevite 77 main bearings Durabond cam bearings Cloyes 3-piece timing set Melling oil pump Pioneer brass freeze plugs

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