Dentside 4×4: 1979 Ford F-250 Ranger

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While technically falling just outside the era of being an actual Highboy, this 1979 Ford F-250 Ranger 4×4 appears to have a bit of a lift on it. Round headlights went away for the 1979 model year, at least for this model, and this is a pretty good-looking truck that needs some work, but don’t we all? It’s listed here on eBay in Spanaway, Washington, there is no reserve, and the current bid price is just $3,850 with four days left on the auction.

A lot of Ford F-250 4×4 buyers like the post-1977-1/2 4×4 F-250s as they typically had better power steering, and some early Highboy Ford 4x4s didn’t come with power steering. I’m not a fan of giant tires like this on this pickup, I prefer more of a forest-service-looking 4×4 with tall skinny tires, but that’s just me. Clearly, most of America prefers monster truck tires and wheels as you rarely see a 4×4 pickup with “regular” wheels anymore.

You can see a few dings and dents on this truck, a dark headlight, and other things to add to the to-do list. The seller says it’s been painted once and could use another go-round in the booth, and the rear bumper is bent, etc. They show a wide range of photos inside and out, top to bottom so thanks to them for that. Inside the bed looks appropriately used with surface rust, and the underside appears solid.

There’s work to do inside as you can see. The seller lists this truck as a Ranger XLT but I believe it’s a regular Ranger trim level. Some XLT details are missing, such as the square red XLT badges under “Ranger” on the front fenders, woodgrain on the door panels, etc.  The seat appears to have been reupholstered and the carpet seems as if that’s also not factory spec. I’d redo those, fix the armrests and headliner, and clean up the rest.

The engine decodes to being a Ford 400-cu.in. OHV V8 with a two-barrel carb, which would have had 169 horsepower. It sends power through a three-speed automatic and transfer case to all four wheels as needed and the seller says this one starts, runs, drives, stops, and handles pretty well, the transmission shifts smoothly and this could be a bargain. How much would you pay for this 4×4?

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Comments

  1. Jim Randall

    Starting in 78 they used a lot galvanize in the cabs, floorboards etc. hold up a lot better then 77 and prior. I’ve got a 79 150 351M 4sp. Had a 150k HARD miles when I bought it in 86, put another 100k before an overhaul, retired it 5 years ago with 310k. IMHO 79 was the last year Ford built a truck.

    Like 7
  2. Rw

    Maybe 33s on this not considered Monster truck tires IMHO

    Like 3
  3. Billy

    I’m a GMC guy, however I have known and do know alot of friends who own Ford trucks from this vintage and older. These pickups have a ton of good points going for them.
    If GMC didn’t make a truck of this era I would be driving one of these. In fact I’ve considered selling my Sierra 2500HD SLE extra cab 4×4 and getting one. The manual transfer cases are bullet proof. I really don’t care for the electric shift transfer case.
    These guys are like anything else that is mechanical. You MUST keep up your the service and maintenance. And, keep a log with records and receipts.
    Hope all the best in your auction.

    Billy, Idaho.

    Like 4
  4. Dom

    Nice truck!Looks like transfer case seals are worn ,whipping a lot of gear oil around

    Like 0
    • Billy

      Dom, I didn’t look that deep into it. Probably just the output shaft bearing and seal. Not a big deal.
      A old g-friends dad had a 64 Ford 3/4 ton 4×4 4 spd he used to feed cattle with. Pull a 2 axle flat bed trailer with 30 bales of hundred pound bales in 1-2 foot of snow with all four tires chained up. Man, was that fun. I guess you have to pay for what he knew I was getting. He was a tough son-of-a-_____. It was worth every frozen toe I’ve ever had.
      Point is, Fords are, well the early ones, damn tough trucks. He maintained his religiously. Never failed us.
      Wow, nice memories. Thanks Billy

      Like 1
  5. Scotty GilbertsonAuthor

    Auction update: this one sold for $14,900!

    Like 0

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