Annnnd, another truck comes rolling our way. This rare crew-cab ’78 F250 Ranger XLT, located in Hayward, Wisconsin, is listed on eBay with bidding at a beefy $38,100. Even at that price, a reserve is still in play. This sixth generation of the F-series was the last to use the new “Twin I-Beam” frame introduced in 1965. The Ranger name is a throwback to the Edsel model line-up, and the XLT trim level was mid-range, below the Lariat. The crew-cab was also a first in 1965, carried through every succeeding generation.
This truck is equipped with Ford’s stout 460 cu. in. V8 (decked with an aftermarket air cleaner), which by ’78 was putting out around 220 hp. With emissions controls subtracting power, the company focused on load performance: the 460 generates about 450 lb-ft of torque. A C6 three-speed automatic transmission brings the power to the wheels. The seller notes an odometer reading of just over 90k miles. Multiple underside photos indicate this truck has been treated well: it’s as clean as it can be without being restored.
The XLT trim package cost over $500 back in the day – more for the crew-cab. The extra bucks went toward twin trim strips on the exterior; fancy tail gate badging; faux woodgrain paneling on the doors, dash, and the steering wheel horn push; deep pile carpet; and even ashtrays in the rear for your “crew”. Speaking of the crew, the rear seats look new. This truck’s interior is as neat as we can expect for 90,000 miles.
Other than a few dents in the trim, an oxidized appearance to the paint, and road rash on the driver’s sill, we can’t complain too much about cosmetics here, and really, those faults are forgettable, so long as she runs well. No question that vintage trucks are popular collectibles these days, as the last decade has seen a long rise in prices, and certainly, this truck is a get-in-and-go prospect. But the current bid is on the aggressive side; I doubt there’s much more headroom. What do you think?
Oregon truck. I figured there is no way on this rock a truck like that would come from hey, hey, Hayward Wis. my old stompin’ grounds, and home of the Fishing Hall of Fame( yep, there is one of those) and the big ugly fish, a Muskie, I think outside. I still miss the Nort’woods, but not the bugs.
1st, never saw’r a crew cab in private life except for municipal use, and 2nd, trucks like this weren’t treated like trucks of today. These were meant to do all the dirty, damaging jobs, and never survived.
Word to anyone thinking of this, it’s not going to be the new F-150 you show up in, in fact, better take a nip of courage,( you can still buy booze at 3am at a Kwik Trip, I believe) as this truck will test your limits, trust me.
This just looks like a solid, honest, old truck. That 460 and C6 will run forever. The body and frame looks like there isn’t any rust to worry about either which is phenomenal. The price is a little eye watering to me personally, but there are people out there willing to pay good money for a solid old truck like this. I’d try and cut and buff the paint, clean it up and enjoy it if it were mine. Great find here. And another great write up too Michelle you have a knack for writing up all kinds of interesting vehicles.
Clean, honest-looking truck. To think that in its day, a crew cab was a specialty offering, to haul the “crew”, e.g. the construction gang, and perhaps for a few, the “crew” being the family after installing the camper. And now, this is by far the preferred truck configuration.
To expand on your crew cab comment. I wish that every man, woman and child would figure out that a crew cab is the same thing across all makes. The number of people who call these extended cabs drives me nuts. No doubt the manufacturers are to blame for all the creative trade names they’ve concocted and consumers have owned them all since the first Club/Super Cab landed for 1974. An 8′ box would be the cherry on top but that’s a lot of vehicle to hustle around.
Dodge Club Cab 1972
Ford Super Cab 1974
Chevy-GMC were still asleep at the switch.
Thanks Bunky for clarifying those dates. I almost said ’73 for the Dodge but would have been wrong anyway. That’s what happens when I rely on memory rather than looking up facts.
Nice truck. It has the rare King Ping front axle as part of the Snow Fighter package offer only in 1979. I’ve only seen one King Pin axle in real life. This is a special truck.
78 had round headlights. 79 square. So I guess it’s a 1979. I know I had one.
‘78 Rangers had square headlights. Lesser trim levels had round.
In ‘79 all got square lights
Early crew cabs generally command high prices. A few weeks ago the seller ran this through eBay with a high bid of $58,722, which did meet reserve. They also have a 1991 Silverado 3500 crew cab in similar condition which they listed at the same time, its current high bid is $14,100 and was bid to $26,900 last time it was offered, it too did not meet reserve.
Steve R
The $60k they are looking for is not beyond reality .Crew /shorty/4x /460 XLT in the right color of ” Blue Oval ” is the right stuff for the big bucks .These have cooled a bit over the last year or 2 .High 40’s easy though .
Nice write up Michelle. However I do believe the twin I-beam was a front end suspension component replacing the straight solid axle, not a frame.
That is correct, but the frame was changed to accommodate the planned change in suspension.
This truck started life with a 351M engine. The 460 was not available in 4×4 trucks in that era. That being said, what an awesome truck this is. Clean and not abused either. The buyer will be very happy with it for sure.
Got it!
Not sold at 61,300. Didn’t reach the reserve.