Classic trucks often present the problem of being too nice to actually use as a truck. It’s understandable that you would not want to take your well-preserved or freshly restored rig off-roading or to the quarry to pick up a load of crushed rock. Fortunately, this is not a concern with this 1976 Ford F-100 Ranger XLT, available here on eBay in Tacoma, Washington. This short bed 4×4 model is a solid driver-quality truck that looks good, but is not afraid to hit the trails or do some work.

The owner states that this truck was repainted 20 years ago in Raven Black. Since then, it has acquired some scratches and dings with the most noticeable flaw being some surface rust below the fuel filler cap, likely from fuel spillage which wore the paint away. The bed appears to be coated in bedliner and there are a few small rocks left that indicate it was being used as intended. This 45-year-old workhorse wears several accessories on the exterior that add to its aggressive yet purposeful look. These include towing mirrors, cab running lights and steps, a beefy rear diamond plate bumper and hitch receiver, and large rear mud flaps. The tasteful aftermarket wheel and tire combination is said to be only a year old and compliments the rest of the brightwork against the black paint.

Under the hood and under the body are other areas where this truck presents itself well. The engine bay is clean and the 390 V8 has been bored .30 over and has a Crane Cams aluminum intake manifold and aftermarket headers; a combination that the owner claims is good for around 340 horsepower. It wears finned Holley valve covers and what appears to be a K&N air filter. The automatic transmission is said to shift well through all gears. The undercarriage is clean with no noticeable leaks or rust. The dual exhaust system appears recent, and the front suspension was refreshed with new bushings, shocks, springs, and ball joints. The overall lack of corrosion shows how gentle the climate of the Pacific Northwest has been on this truck.

The interior is in good condition with maroon carpeting and a well-preserved headliner. Noticeable additions include an oil pressure gauge, period-correct aftermarket steering wheel, saddle blanket seat cover, and modern CD head unit with a USB port. Also worth a mention is the CB radio which is practically a mandatory accessory for a truck built in 1976. At the time of writing, there are just over 24 hours left in the auction and more than 70 bids have been placed with the price currently sitting at $12,100. As prices for solid 1970s pickups continue to rise, this one could be a good deal while still providing decades of service. What would you do with this old Dentside Ford?