!979 Ranger Shortbed Flareside (stepside) Low Mileage Pickup Truck

Description

A low mileage (55,000), classic 1979 Ford pickup truck with rare Flareside, shortbed (6-1/2 foot) body. This rear wheel drive truck was originally a southern California vehicle (built in the San Jose plant) with California emissions. It was a Ranger trim model (more equipment the "Custom" model - chrome: grille, bumper, windshield, door and rear window trim; carpet, etc.). This solid truck was repainted about 15 years ago, the seat was reupholstered, and new carpet was installed, as well as a stained oak bed floor wood with chrome trim strips. Unfortunately, some water got in the bed a few years ago and warped the ends of two boards at the very right hand side, in the front of the bed (see photo).This truck presents itself very well, but is not to be confused with a show truck. This is a handy truck to have when picking up home renovation supplies, helping a friend move, etc, and has numerous parking lot nicks and dings to show for it. The engine runs smoothly, has plenty of power (Ford 9" rear with 3.25:1 ratio) and although it has very good oil pressure when driving, the gauge indicates a low reading at idle. It never made any lifter starvation noise and it's been like that for as long as i can remember with no ill effects; most likely the sending unit or gauge. The truck has quite a few factory options: such as the Ranger package, air conditioning (works, but could use a recharge of R12) with Ford high output fresh air heater, C-6 heavy duty automatic transmission, power steering, power brakes, full gauge instrumentation, 351M "cleveland" canted valve head V-8, complete tinted windows all around, highest avail 5,300 pound GVW package with auxiliary leaf rear springs, super cooling radiator and fan, heavy duty alternator, handling package with front anti-sway bar. Over the years, I've added many OEM Ford components that were not originally installed: two speed time delay electric wipers, XLT woodgrain door panels, XLT woodgrain dashboard trim with emblem, sport steering wheel, Lariat headliner with chrome trim, Lariat color keyed seatbelts chrome door edge guards, Lariat chrome trimmed brake, gas and parking brake pedals, etc. Also, Ford factory optional polished aluminum wheels were installed with new General Grabber AT2 tires (225R70-15 on 6" wide wheels in front, and 265/70-15 on 7" in the rear). Although the factory did not offer a rear sway bar on F-Series trucks, I adapted one from a '79 Bronco with that rare option. I also installed Timbren rear auxiliary springs. It helps immensely with handing and cornering. In addition, the truck has a distinctive custom two-color pinstripe and airbrushed paint job. This was all hand lettered (note the rear tailgate "FORD" and the "Lightning" logos of the front fenders). The tailgate and the bed sides and bulkhead are virtually free of rust and dents. The truck body, exterior, frame and underside have only some areas of surface rust as I've tried to show in the pictures. Within recent memory, I've installed a factory rebuilt power steering box, and replaced the front idler arm, tie rod, radius arm bushings, and front disc brake pads, calipers and rotors and rear brake shoes and wheel cylinders. There is also a new F-350 style master cylinder with heavy duty rebuilt twin diaphragm vacuum booster. Put on an Edelbrock aluminum four barrel intake manifold with a new Holley 600 CFM four barrel carburetor and Mustang type air cleaner along with cast aluminum valve covers that have fins and the Shelby logo. The original cast iron two barrel Ford manifold, carb and original air cleaner and sheet metal valve covers go with the truck if the new owner should wish to return the engine to factory original. The exhaust is a custom fabricated true dual with cherry bomb type mufflers. A Curtis Class IV trailer hitch is installed behind the factory underbed original spare and mount. I also have a custom fitted Cover Craft car cover that goes with the sale. You can email questions. This is an almost 40 year old truck (old school with the ignition key in the dashboard, the light and wiper switches there also and the last year Ford offered the classic style rounded rear step side fenders). There is no warranty and the truck is sold "as is". Truck is for sale locally so I reserve the right to stop the auction early if there are no bids. I cannot ship this truck, but will assist you and your shipper, if you're not doing a local pick up. Please don't bid if you're not a serious and capable buyer, I've had several bad experiences with bidders that don't follow through. Thank you for looking.