Fresh 390: 1970 Ford F250 4×4 Highboy

This 1970 Ford F250 Explorer Highboy has undergone many changes during its life. However, it is a solid and mechanically healthy classic that should be comfortable in muddy territory or cruising on the open road. It presents well for its age, but the new V8 under the hood could be the icing on the cake. Its most pressing need is a new home, with the seller listing it here on eBay in Monaca, Pennsylvania. The bidding sits at a relatively modest $9,900 in a No Reserve auction. There is still an opportunity for interested parties to make a play, so let’s examine this Highboy closely to see if it fulfills the needs of any Barn Finds readers.

Ford’s Fifth Generation F-Series appeared in showrooms in 1966 for the 1967 model year. It remained in production until 1972, with our feature 4×4 rolling off the line in 1970. It is worth noting that it has undergone many changes since that day, and no area of the vehicle has escaped the attention of its current owner. The Trim Tag indicates a paint code of “T.” That decodes as Candy Apple Red, and there are a couple of small spots where that shade is visible below the existing Blue Metallic. It appears the change was thorough because even the engine bay wears a consistent coat of matching Blue. The Pickup presents well for a driver, with no pressing problems with its panels and a fresh coat of paint gracing its exterior. Rust isn’t an issue, with the outside clean and the underside shots revealing a similar story with the frame and floors. The trim and glass are in good order for a driver-grade classic, and the Pickup rolls on a spotless set of aftermarket wheels.

The changes on this F250 go below the skin because the VIN confirms its original owner ordered it with the 360ci V8 producing 215hp and 327 ft/lbs of torque. It sent this power to the road via a four-speed manual transmission and a dual-range transfer case. The combination would have made the F250 competent on and off-road, but the seller wanted more available under the right foot. Therefore, the 360 has made way for a 390. The remaining drivetrain combination is unchanged, but we can only speculate on the increases in power and torque because we have received no information on this V8’s specifications. Many other parts came in for attention because this classic features a new fuel tank, carburetor, fuel pump, steering box, tires, and various other items. Potential buyers should consider the Pickup a turnkey proposition. It runs and drives perfectly, and flying in and driving this classic home would be a viable approach.

The changes and upgrades continue inside this F250, with the metal surfaces wearing the same shade of Blue that graces the exterior. The seatcover is Light Blue cloth, and black carpet covers the floor. The seat has dirty marks that might respond positively to a deep clean. There are cracks on the wheel rim, but the rest of the interior is acceptable for a driver-grade classic. The dash and pad are in good order, and there are no visible aftermarket additions. This classic represents fairly basic motoring, but the new owner will undoubtedly welcome the factory AM radio on long journeys.

Determining whether a classic is desirable can be challenging, but this 1970 Ford F250 4×4 Highboy leaves little doubt. It has taken under two days for it to receive thirty bids. That is unsurprising, considering its overall condition and the ongoing popularity of older Pickups. The bid total and price will undoubtedly climb during the remaining five days of this auction, but how high do you believe the figures will go?