I’m a big fan of “the first” or “the last” of anything related to vehicles. I tell myself that they’re worth more and potential collector vehicles and sometimes that gets me into trouble as I try to find enough storage units. This 1977 Ford F-250 Ranger XLT 4×4 Flareside is the last to wear the two-piece grille so it’s already a winner for me. It’s listed here on eBay in University Place, Washington, there is no reserve, and the current bid price is $7,600, a steal at double that price, but there are a few days left on the auction.
As if this F-250 wasn’t enough of a box-checker, it has a 460 V8! I know what you’re thinking, hey, wasn’t that only for rear-wheel drive pickups in this era? Yes, sir/ma’am, but this one has it. We don’t know how it got one, but that’s what the seller lists for an engine. Something is going on with the leading edge of the right front fender, as you can see. The seller says this truck is “100% major rust-free”, but there is some surface rust showing on areas such as the hood and in the bed.
I know the Styleside bed is the one 95% of Ford pickup buyers probably want, but there’s something unusual and cool about a stepside, or what Ford referred to as a Flareside bed. The long bed, such as this one, is more useful but whether it looks better is up for debate. A short-bed Flareside wasn’t available on the F-250 in 1977, but I’m sure more than a few have been modified over the decades. Condition-wise, this one appears in nice shape overall. Here’s what the inside looks like. Ok, add that to the to-do list, along with the rear bumper, and just generally going over the truck to get it ready for the nice, shiny paint job it deserves.
It’s actually nice to see the condition of the floor, and I don’t see any concerning rust anywhere on this truck. The underside looks solid other than surface rust and flaking paint or undercoating. The seat has been recovered and the matching red dash top is a nice touch. Without a data plate photo, we don’t know the original color of the interior, but red is always my top choice.
This F-250 has a 460-cu.in. OHV V8, which if it’s from the same era would have had somewhere between 200 and 240 horsepower. According to the VIN, this truck originally had a 400 V8 with a two-barrel carb. It’s backed by an automatic and a transfer case (1977 was the last year for the “Highboy”) sending power to all four wheels as needed. Runs, drives, and shifts great and it sure looks great, I’d love to own this truck. Are any of you fans of Ford’s Flareside pickups?
Good write-up Scotty. I’m a big fan of this model year F-Series, specifically the Flaresides, though I do prefer the short wheelbase F-150 models. But something about this F-250 does looks cool. Maybe because just about every F-250 we see of this era is a Styleside. I think it would turn out great with a refurbished interior, repaired fender, and fresh paint.
I’m with Bob on this one, my fav model of an F series. Flareside is a nice bonus, and the long bed is good for sleeping away from the critters
A few downers, it’s not numbers matching, and it’s an auto.
The 460 can be de-smogged, to release a few more ponies.
Overall she’s a beaut ute!
The proportions of the long bed with the flare side are off. There weren’t many built, for a reason. This was nearing the end of the period of time where step side pickups were the most popular for modifying, they were everywhere in the late-70’s to early-80’s, it wasn’t too long after this was built that you rarely saw them.
Steve R
My 1st new vehicle was a ’77 F150 4×4. SWB, flareside, 351M and the 4 speed manual. Sticker was $6300 and the dealer gave me $1300 trade-in for a ’66 Chevy C10!
It was a great truck. I wish I had kept it.
Some of Ford’s best. These look like all business.
When I was in my early 20s I thought that a long bed stepside or flareside, depending on the brand was soooo ugly. In my early 30s I needed a truck again and the only one available at a reasonable price in my area was a 1975 Chevy longbed so I bit the bullet and bought it. To my surprise the look really grew on me. When I opened Barn Finds this morning, as I was scrolling this Ford really jumped out at me. LOVE IT! What a package. Longbed flareside. 3/4 ton 4×4 AND a 460. I have a huge smile even as I type this. I really wish I could justify buying this baby. 😀
WOW! Hard to believe it has good floors! 73/77 were terrible for rust. Friend/coworker bought one new 351w/4spd $7400 new. Drove it till the frame rotted through.
Remember when JC Whitney was the goto for parts now we have LMC truck where you can get door cards and A floor liner carpet or vinyl and if you really wanted to go retro you can get the headliner with the built in compartments and A CB radio I think it was 1980 Ford moved the gas tanks to under the bed but the frame was the same so you should be able to convert it pretty quickly. Giving more room in the cab. Not surprised the bidding is over $10 for this rig.
’76 would B the last (full yr) of the high boys that ended @’77.5.
Funny, it’s really about the narrower frame on them (for ID). So goes w a y back.
I always say “My fav LOOKING vehicle is the 6th gen F250 4WD step side short bed Ford pick up. Lots more to say on mods but 1st would B a bed llner floor and engine out/camed & into the race car w/the ‘million mi motor’ swap in.
Auction update: there is no more auction, someone must have made the seller an offer he/she couldn’t refuse and they ended it early.
Well, that would be me. I finally had to pick this one up because I’ve wanted an automatic f250 and all I’ve had are four-speed grannies forever.
Not to knock a standard, but this one does check all the boxes of what I’ve been looking for for quite some time …first and foremost, a high boy, stepside, automatic, and then yes the Marti report says the gentleman ordered it with a Ranger XLT package, which seemed impossible for me to find any of these work trucks with the chrome add-ons, courtesy lights Topped off with power brakes, power steering, it’s a pleasure to drive, getting get some new rubber on it , tighten some stuff up, and enjoy it as it is for now until I decide to do something else. I appreciate anybody that’s appreciates these old Fords.