Updated 390 V8: 1975 Ford F250 Ranger XLT

Some classic vehicles are more subtle than others. This 1975 Ford F250 Ranger isn’t exactly “in your face,” but it is a pickup that would make an accomplished tow vehicle. With an upgraded V8 under the hood, it should have the muscle to haul the heavy loads. It is in overall good condition, but it does need a new home; The F250 is located in Columbia, New Jersey, and has been listed for sale here on eBay. The owner has set a BIN of $35,000, but there is the option to make an offer.

In 4×4 form, the ’75 F250 is a vehicle that has a real presence. When you fit them with a huge set of aftermarket wheels like we find on this Wimbledon White example, that ramps up a notch or two. The Ranger is not a subtle vehicle, but it isn’t so extreme that it would drive potential buyers away. Those vintage alloys do have one advantage, which is that if potential buyers don’t like them, swapping them for something smaller is possible. Looking beyond the wheels, the rest of the vehicle is in excellent condition for a pickup of this type and age. The paint still retains a respectable shine, although it shows its age in a couple of spots. The bed has some wear, but there’s none of the physical damage that would suggest a life of hard use or abuse. The panels are remarkably straight, and the best piece of news is the lack of rust. The panels are clean, while the bed has a light coating of surface corrosion in a couple of spots. There is no penetrating rust, and this continues through to the floors and frame that are structurally sound. A previous owner swapped in a ’79 grille at some point, but the seller sourced and fitted a reproduction ’75 grille to return this aspect of the vehicle to its original appearance. The trim and chrome are in good condition, while the tow hitch is a practical addition.

Lifting the Ranger’s hood reveals one significant change from when it rolled off the production line. The original owner ordered the vehicle with a 360ci V8 which would have offered a respectable 143hp. However, a previous owner performed an engine swap, and according to the seller, this was performed for no other reason than he wanted to say that his F250 had a 390ci V8 under the hood. Sadly, he discarded the 360, so this can never be a numbers-matching classic. However, the 390 might be good news for anyone searching for a tow vehicle with some brawn. The motor started life under the hood of a 1969 Mustang and should bring 320hp and a whopping 427 ft/lbs of torque to the table. Forget hauling a trailer because this beauty should be capable of moving a small continent. Bolted to that V8 brute are a C6 automatic transmission and a dual-range transfer case. Power steering and power brakes take the hard work out of the driving experience. The owner claims that this F250 has a genuine 59,000 miles on the clock, and it seems that he has the documentation and complete Service History that supports this claim. Given the engine change, I’m not sure how relevant that claim would be. He recently spent the cash to have the transmission resealed, but the specialist workshop that performed this task states that the internals are in as-new condition. He also treated the pickup to a complete service, and it is said to run and drive exceptionally well. This Ranger is ready to hit the open road or take its occupants into some pretty inaccessible countryside.

The owner claims that this F250 has led a relatively sheltered life, and one look at its original interior trim would seem to support this. There is some mild wear on the carpet, and the headliner has begun to sag slightly, but those are two of the few faults inside this classic. The dash and pad are spotlessly clean, as are the seat and door trims. Someone has drilled a couple of holes in the ashtray, and I wonder whether this may have been for a mic clip for a CB radio. The wheel sports a couple of cracks, but this is a common occurrence. The original owner ordered the Ranger with air conditioning, and while the system remains complete, the seller says that it needs a recharge. Fixing the flaws would not be complicated or expensive, and the buyer could tackle these as time and circumstances allow.

I’ve previously discussed the growing popularity of classic pickups and how this growth has seen values continue to climb. The 1975 Ford F250 Ranger XLT is not immune from this trend, and values have been skyrocketing recently. This one isn’t cheap, but it seems to have a lot to offer its next owner. As a tow vehicle, it should haul heavy loads while barely raising a sweat. For those who want to explore the wilds, its dual-range transfer case and mountains of torque should see it get into locations that lesser mortals wouldn’t contemplate. Do you think the owner will achieve his BIN price, or do you think someone will score this classic pickup with a cheeky offer? Could that person be you?