Behold a 4×4 truck in its natural habitat. With a wraparound rural skyline and unpaved snow-covered earth beneath its tires, this 1976 Ford F250 4×4 in Winston, Montana looks ready for adventure. After a lifetime spent serving one family, the factory High Boy comes to market here on eBay where an honest and detailed description does it justice, explaining the mostly-original Ford’s good and bad points. On the good side, nearly everything works and nothing would keep you from exploring the snowy back-country in your area. The No Reserve auction has attracted at least 18 bidders to the tune of $10,100 so far.
Other than aftermarket carpeting, seat covers, switches, and gauges, the upscale Ranger interior is original. The included Marti Report details options including 9.5 x 16.5-8 lug wheels and tires, black tape stripes, and tinted glass. The New Process four-speed manual spins a 4.10 gear set in the Dana 60 rear end. These trucks are known for their reliability and durability. I spent many hours operating my Aunt’s ’79 F250 farm truck, and there was never a time when the old Ford wouldn’t start up and do whatever you asked it to including lengthy trips hauling a two-horse trailer.
Like most High Boys, the 360 cid (5.9L) V8 powers this Bonanza State classic. While the indicated 80,000 miles is claimed original, that cannot be confirmed. Chances are the sturdy 360 will meet the needs of a new owner, though some scrutiny may be prudent before twisting the key and driving off into the high country.
Back in the days when trucks often came with no rear bumper, this one came with a factory step bumper. Note the optional bed tie-downs too. Tall skinny tires may not look as beefy as those on a new Raptor, but tall and skinny is the way to go in snow, and they’ll get you over and around most obstacles in practical off-road situations. Would you put this F250 to work or reward it with weekend shows and the easy life in suburbia?
To heck with Suburbia. I’ll take an over and under in the rack, a thermos of hot coffee next to a sack lunch on the seat, and a bird dog in the back. A dirt road with no end in sight is where this truck belongs.
I had this exact truck except in midnight blue metallic. After 12 years on the salty northern roads, the bedsides rotted through and the cab supports failed among other rust related issues. A sad end to a great truck.
The 73-79’s have really picked up in popularity, and are some of my favorite Ford pickups. These Highboy models are favorites for this generation; rugged and all-truck. This example looks like it could be enjoyed as-is, or would be a good candidate to bring to the next level. And, one of the most thorough ebay ads I’ve seen in a long time.
A beautiful truck and a top-notch seller. He owns at least 3 76 Highboys that I know of. One of my favorite years for them.
I can say, without reservation, this was probably the best truck Ford ever made. It was the culmination of 70 years of truck building, and every base was covered. It wasn’t until regulations sucked the zing out of them, and as tough as they were, t’was no match for the mighty tin worm. Before suburbanites flocked to the country, who will undoubtedly go for this, this truck was made to work and what I consider a REAL truck, unlike the “cars with pickup boxes” of today. 1 day old, I bet someone was probably (over) loading broken concrete in a truck like this, or worse. That’s what they bought it for. While the price is still a shock, at least, I feel, you’ll get your $10g’s worth of vehicle, unlike a Vega or Toyota pickup. I drive a truck from this era, and there simply is none better, they went down from here.
These trucks were meant to work.Mine is a ‘77 with the 400m and automatic,I use it for anything but highway use.It still has the divorced-transfer case and pushes snow wherever it wants to. This western truck is solid gold!
My Dad had one of these in red when I was a kid. He bought it solely to haul a 5th wheel Redi Haul trailer for use on the farm to haul hogs, cattle, dirt, gravel, etc. I didn’t pay any attention as to what engine it had. We all make mistakes and that truck was Dad’s mistake as in winter on ice or snow it’d get stuck at the drop of a hat. Front left and right rear were the traction wheels. He didn’t have a favorite brand and that nice looking but pretty much useless Ford was traded in quickly for a Chevy. Looking back now he should’ve bought a Dodge and been done with getting stuck so easily.
I had a 79 that was the camper special. I bout it for a farm work truck and met every challenge I could invent. Rear springs finally broke and tore through the box bed and I just welded them back together. After engine was rebuilt twice, I sold it and eventually some kids bent the frame in a U shape trying to out run a game warden at night. They never saw the ditch!