What to do with this? (ford Ranchero content)

I am getting this for free on Sunday. What the hell to do with it? I thought I was getting a 71 until these pics rolled in. E36 M3... Anyway, free is free. Thoughts?

Bitchin!

Bumper tuck, hit it with the lowering stick, and you've got retro-cool.

I think you need to give it to me so that I can build a budget twin turbo 302 hoon ute.

I also vote for hoon ute

I am thinking mad max treatment. It has a 400 (supposedly, since it is also a "71"). It needs work but I am totally up for a ghetto fuel injection setup with a huge China turbo.

Then here's some inspiration:

That's begging for some 15 X 12 steelies wrapped in 315s all the way around.

singleslammer wrote: I am thinking mad max treatment. It has a 400 (supposedly, since it is also a "71"). It needs work but I am totally up for a ghetto fuel injection setup with a huge China turbo.

If you're saying that you think it is a 1971 model; I don't think so.
Square headlights did not become legal in the US until 1976, I believe.

Very cool either way.

Stampie wrote: That's begging for some 15 X 12 steelies wrapped in 315s all the way around.

I may be willing to fund this idea

Oh no, I am 100 percent positive that isn't a 71. I hadnt seen the car when I agreed to take it. The current owner swore it was a 71. It is a 77-79. Comes with a title and is a California car so rust shouldn't be an issue (new for me being from MO).

In reply to Andy Neuman:

I would definitely be happy to take donations

Way cool. Mod carefully as body parts will be hard to find. I vote is fat rubber and a big block

Fond memories of those cars. My buddies first car was a 77 Ranchero GT with a big block in it. Stuck lifter, his mom spilled won ton soup on the carpet the day he got it and it BAKED rancid smells in to it, and an 8 track player with Queen's News of the World stuck in it. This was in 2001. We weren't hipsters, just poor.

J turns, burnouts, jumping railroad tracks. Young and dumb in a brown on brown Ranchero with the white hockey stripes.

All you need is the obligatory "This is not an El Camino" license plate frame.

My biggest problem is my utter lack of funds. This is going to end up being one ghetto ass build unless it takes 3 years.

In reply to singleslammer:

I think literally every late-model Ranchero build is a ghetto ass build by definition. I'd be afraid of what someone with a Ranchero would do to it if they somehow accidentally found a ton of money.

Myself, I'd probably end up building a road-racing one with wide fives and riveted-on overfenders.

id turn it into a tow rig for my wagon. thats like my second choice for a truck

Googled "pro touring ranchero"

Close enough.

Rumor has it that next year's $2,017 challenge is going to have a truck subclass. Hint hint

Time to find a 300 ci straight six and add some boost!

I liked what Aussie did with his.

I'm getting ready for sleep, otherwise I would hunt down the thread and post a link. (On a tablet so posting and such, to me at least, can be a pain.)

Ovid_and_Flem wrote: Rumor has it that next year's $2,017 challenge is going to have a truck subclass. Hint hint

Just trucks or would it include stuff converted to a truck?

Bruce

In reply to egnorant:

Yes, a converted hurse counts

I'll give you what you paid for it..

Those years were built on a chassis that is as solid as they come: fully boxed perimeter frame stamped out of 1/8" thick steel. Find an LTD II "S" model for a parts donor and you get a tight ratio (for such a big car) Saginaw steering box and stiffer springs.. they handle amazingly well for something pushing past the 4500 pound mark on the scale.. get some takeoff P71 17" steelies or Cobra aluminum 5 spokes and ride in style..

I vote fender flares and wide,low,shaved. Then a modular v8.

Why swap out to another engine? With the parts available these days you can build the 400 to ridiculous power levels if desired.

Stock heads

Edelbrock Heads