Sometimes an old truck cleans up nicely, doesn’t it? Presumably it was the seller (and possibly only owner) that cleaned it up so nicely, but whoever it was did a great job. The truck is for sale here on eBay, in a no reserve auction that has just broken through $4,000. It’s located in Tacoma, Washington. The seller tells us it gets thumbs up wherever they go with it!
You can see the rugged rear bumper which somehow hasn’t been bent (or has been replaced). The seller says that the truck was repainted 12 years ago, but that it was a quality job. It’s showing 103,000 miles on the odometer but sounds like it’s ready for more as the seller comments that they would drive it anywhere.
I’ve seen setups like this front hitch before, usually for vehicles that are used to more trailers around or put boats in the water. I’m guessing this truck was used for similar purposes due to the monstrous bumper guards and the auxiliary lights. Can you think of other uses?
The interior certainly doesn’t look like it’s one from a 47-year-old truck! The owner also added some additional gauges, something I actually like to see even though it’s not original. It’s nice to know someone cared enough about maintaining the vehicle that they wanted to keep track of more parameters. I went brochure hunting online and found this neat page highlighting the 1970 camper specials.
Although the 390 cubic inch V8 is in good shape, we’re told the air conditioning isn’t functional at the moment. I’m a little curious about the light colored hoses as well; I can’t believe they are original. I’m also curious about the jar in the rear at the firewall with the dark liquid in the bottom. I’ll bet one of our sharp readers knows what it is. How about filling us in?
Had a 72. Great truck. This one looks very well preserved. The 2WD 67-72s are coming into their own. Very practical to own!
The bumper over riders are a ford option. Had em on my 72 and 76
Catch can for oil blow by, instead of it flowing into the intake.
Nice truck.
Hopefully none of the hoses are original on a 47yr old truck that the seller says “he’d drive anywhere”
Nice truck. It is a catch bottle to prevent oil from going to the air filter. That suggests the engine has blow by which is very common on this vintage.
I believe, this was top of the line, the XLT. Scotty’s parents had a truck like this, only a full size slide in camper. I had several Ford’s like this ( not as fancy) and drove several more for jobs, couldn’t kill them. Big block was thirsty, but I always made it back. I have no idea what the jar holds, “Marvel Mystery Oil” injector? And what open container next to the radiator, has that hose sticking in it? Coolant overflow? Very nice truck. Can’t go wrong here.
I like this! My dad had a ’71 which wasn’t much different than this one. We drove the wheels off it and it always came back for more. ’70 was the first year Ford brought out the XLT. The 390 is good although it can be made into a lot better breather with some minor changes to carburetor, advance curve and exhaust. For this unit, the A-C is easy to work on. I’d use an R-12 substitute and not attempt to convert it to R134. Damn! I’m trying to justify getting this beast. Incidentally, those odd-colored hoses used to be red. About 30 years ago it seemed that ALL aftermarket heater hose was red….
Very cool, like the vintage bed topper! Is the front suspension the “twin I-beam”?
Several of these were in the neighborhood growing up. I like the look of the similar vintage Chevy/GMC c-10 a little more.
Hi Sam, Yes, I believe the Twin I beam was used until 1996 on F-150. I think you can still get it.. Remember this ad?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DvyKpJZ4CRU
Great old truck, those heater hoses should either be black or a dull red, never seen white ones, maybe a J.C. Whitney special.
I made a lot of money selling front tires, alignment kits and bending the I beams to attempt to keep them going straight down the road. These trucks paid for my brothers private school when they were newer. Was a wonderful design for a mechanics shop. The more you aligned them the worse they got.
I’m guessing the owner of the truck bought several of the ad on items at JC Whitney (just the style, quality and vintage).
I understand the vacuum gauge. By watching the vacuum gauge you could be more vigilant about increasing gas mileage. The same with the tach.
And I agree about all the comments about poor mpg these trucks gave.
But what is the device below the master cylinder? It looks to be attached to vacuum. Above it, it has a gauge maybe for brake pressure?
There seems to be quite a bit of rose-colored nostalgia here. Anyone ever try working with one of these trucks through a New England winter? 2WD, auto with an open diff. Been there – got the T-shirt. Atrocious truck to work with. 390 is good for nothing but burning fuel. A dusting of snow and you’re hopelessly stuck. Nice cruiser – If you want to motor to HD and pick up some plywood sheets – In June.
Hmm. I had two of these. My 72 came with a trac-loc and was pretty good in poor traction conditions. But on any pickup you need to add some weight in the back. I am in BC so my old Fords saw a fair bit of winter.
I always thought they were a nice riding well built truck, and compared well to the Chevs of the same era of which I also had two. Rode nicer, more room in the cab, quieter, but not as advanced as the chevs such as no A/C (dealer installed only) no front discs, and generally a generation older in their styling.
But people are noticing them finally and prices are rising.
Most trucks come to the dealer without rear bumpers. Dealers install a variety of step bumpers in paint or chrome. This has a dealer installed bumper.
Here’s a picture of mine.It’s a ’68 CS.I sold it for about $5300,
a few years back.
Nice truck! I had one of these in my younger days only a half ton and 302 engine. It got me where I needed to go and it never let me down. No ac in mine though. This truck will make somone a proud owner.
I saw one of these at a local Home Depot on yesterday. It was pale blue, outfitted with Torque Thrust wheels and T/A radials! Except for a spot of rust on the bottom of the passenger fender, it was SHARP!! :-)
I’ve had a couple of these trucks as well. They were available with disk brakes. As a matter of fact I put a 71 front suspension in my 57 Ford pickup which gave me the discs. With my 57 I ran sixties series tires as was the style at the time with that installed twin I-beam and it handled and drive great. Ford’s alignment specs for the Twin I beam were way off. I experimented with my 57 until I got it right and then used that set up on my customers trucks with great success even with radials. I never had one of these trucks with a 390 in it but I had several full size Ford cars with it and they got great gas mileage for the day, 22-24 mpg.
Sold for an amazing $9700 on the 27th.
This is a 1970 camper special the bumper pulled out about 2 1/2 feet out, also the ranger XLT had the factory installed AC as an option