This 1978 Ford F250 pickup is a charming driver with genuine patina and a lifetime of exploration under its wheels as its longtime caretaker used it for exploring the Rocky Mountain high plains. The seller has listed it on behalf of that owner, who has gotten up in age and is no longer using the truck like he once did when it was his hunting, camping, and fly fishing rig. The Ford comes equipped with both the Ranger and Explorer packages and also has a 460 swapped in in place of the original engine. The F250 is listed here on eBay with no reserve and bids to $9,700.

It seems like every rig we feature that comes from Montana or Wyoming was used for some combination of camping or hunting-related activities. It’s always refreshing to see of a full-size pickup truck being used as intended, a phenomenon that has seemingly been lost as trucks become more laden with luxury and technology features. The Ford sports a tidy cabin that still presents incredibly well for an unrestored truck, and the seller notes the dash pad remains in good shape. There’s a tear or two in the bench seat and the headliner, but nothing major. A period-correct CB radio remains installed.

The original engine was upgraded to a 460 from a Lincoln, but the seller doesn’t have much more info than that (nothing about mileage or history prior to its installation, though you might be able to get that from the existing owner if they’re willing to be contacted.) The seller claims it pulls strong with no smoke, but obviously, a proper reconditioning should still be performed. The seller has drained the old gas in the side tank but the rear tank will still need to be emptied if you want to take advantage of the extended range capacity. The Ford did leave the factory with the heavy-duty radiator, and is equipped with the C-6 automatic, NP205 gear-driven transfer case, and factory part-time hubs.

There is some rot on the truck, but not due to salt or snow exposure; rather, the seller suspects mud just got packed in some crevices and caused the minor rust issues present on the truck. Specifically, there is some box rust where mud packed in over rear wheels and lower rear box corners and held moisture. The bed itself looks pretty good with what I presume to be original Cinnamon Glow paint still present. The seller says this may make a good plow or ranch truck, but given how rusty old girls like this are in my neck of the woods, it seems like a specimen that should be saved for sunny day drives if not restored back to perfect mechanical health with some light cosmetic fixes.