In the first half of the 1960s, Ford’s station wagon-based pickup, the Ranchero, was based on the new compact Falcon. It was a simple, two-wheel-drive vehicle that offered plenty of hauling potential – as long as it didn’t exceed the truck’s 800-lb. rated payload capacity. But this example from 1963 is an unfinished 4X4 conversion that uses a Nissan frame and a Jeep front end.
Due to the roughness of this project, Barn Finder tipster “Kendra” referred to it as a “Raunchero.” But that may be unkind. At a minimum, it’s a combination of all sorts of things which does not seem to include an engine or transmission. The frame is from a 1986 Nissan extended cab, perhaps the Frontier model as it would have been the closest in size to the Ranchero. The rear-end is said to be stock Nissan as well. Up front, the front end was lifted from a Jeep that had disc brakes. But all here is not a retread as we’re told the bead lock wheels, and steering box are new.
This interesting truck has a completely new floor pan, but we don’t see seats or a steering column. The bed of the Ranchero looks to be solid, especially considering the age of the pickup. If someone buys this intending to finish the project, they’d want to get the seller’s assessment of what’s missing. Or you could do as the seller suggests and buy it for the body and then resell the frame. From Estacada, Oregon, this 4X4 wannabe is available here on craigslist for $3,000.
This car is for the guy who is looking for a chick named TAN-ya.
I agree, “Raunchero” is spot on. Early Rancheros are so hard to find, proof positive, alcohol kills brain cells. Is it too late to abort the mission?
The truck looks like it could be fun. The comments are predictable.
“Fun” is subjective I suppose.
By “fun”, I suppose you mean $$$$?
We knew that you were going to say that.
Redneck ranchero
Redneck Ranchero.. that’s redundant. and I as a former Ranchero and current El Camino owner.. do not take offense at the moniker.
The grille says this particular butchered Ranchero is a 1962.
What! No LS swap? The desecration is not complete!
Well I would say it doesn’t fit the Nissan frame because the body is still blocked up by wood off the frame, if I recall a S10 or Ford Ranger frame will fit with fewer modifications. Its about 5.5 hours away but I think if I drug that home it would become a back yard ornament until I tracked down a better frame and A power plant to move it down the road or died whatever happened first, but $3k for a bunch of parts is $2,500 to much
An amalgamation of an unrelated assortment of parts. I suspect that the perpetrator came to realize that their vision was actually a delusion. I’d sell it too.
It could be completed, but it would be a long and costly road.
A ‘Jeff Foxworthy Special’ if I’ve ever seen one!
“You might be a redneck if you mow your lawn and find more than two of these vehicles…”
I am confised on build ! Probably as mush as the builder…
If you can change your oil without jacking up the vehicle,,,
Shame that Raunchero came to this end.
Even though I am not a furd guy, I did like this style.
He created a monster now what do you do with it?
This 4×4 project has potential, and like Troy says, I would source an S10 or Ranger frame and start from there. There are plenty of good Ford engines you could use and not just a Coyote. Being a light truck, you just don’t need all that horsepower. Sometimes less is best.
I agree it could be fun….fun to use for target practice, fun to blow up with some dynamite, fun to push over a cliff, fun to see it crushed at a junk yard. Just to name a few!
ruined a nice chero. Probably due to having used prts available for missing prts. Not the best way (better is same era, same make). I’d use the incredablely avail bronk prts to do this to the ranch. Both R falcon after all. I’d also ‘go down’ abt 10, 12 inches to ~ 3, 4 inch lift (susp/body combined) for a 16, seventeen inch wheel. But…
I like the rig for what it is oe and would not do all that as I have a bronk spected that way. This is better asa st rig. Would make sure the ’63 hada efi-ed 200/3.3 with the alloy head (CI/VI) when produced again.
Messed up as a soup sandwich.
Wasn’t t the early falcons unibody so this thing is a uni body sitting on a frame not my idea of cool but to each their own
Yes, they were unibody cars.
I went to school with a guy who could have made this collection of parts work just fine, but he always started with a vision before he created one of these things. He always made them work very well, and several of his creations are still around, 20 and 30 years later. With this Ranchero “project” it seems like it’s going to need the rare type of touch and vision like my old friend Carl had.
“So how much do you want for this $500 car ?” would be my first words.
The only thing of value is the body. Take the body and resto to original.
Do the wood blocks come with it? Good luck getting $2500 for it. There are lots of complete vehicles out there, that don’t need to be completely reengineered, for that kind of money.