Vintage F150 4WD Rust & Accident Free Southwest Pickup Truck Runs & Drives Great

1978 Ford F-150 4X4 Ranger Explorer Description

Super clean and rust-free 1978 Ford F-150 Ranger Explorer Edition 4X4 pickup truck which has spent it's life in the desert Southwest of Las Vegas, NV and Southern Utah. My buddy is getting hassled by code enforcement and has to get some vehicles off his property. I'm the Ebay go-to guy among my family and friends so he has asked me to sell it for him.
The body is in excellent condition with no rust anywhere. Cab corners, wheel wells, floorboards, rockers, etc. (all the trouble spots) look beautiful. All the panels are straight with no signs of any accident history ever. Side and rear glass are good but windshield has a crack outside your field of vision. Doors open and close solidly and windows roll up and down properly. A piece of trim from the tailgate has fallen off (included). It has had one respray sometime in the ancient past with some mild custom paint work. Clear coat is starting to flake off. If it was my truck I'd buff it out to reveal the awesome patina and leave it that way. Also included (if you want them) are period correct aluminum running boards and a grille guard. All exterior lights work.
The interior is in really good, original condition with the kind of wear typical of vehicles which have spent their life in a dry climate. Dash pad is cracked and comes with a cover. All original buttons, knobs and switches are still in place other than the radio which has been removed. Original seat upholstery is in surprisingly well-preserved condition. Floorboards had original but faded and brittle carpet which I removed so you could see how perfect the underlying sheet metal is. Everything works on the inside other than the speedo/odo and oil pressure gauge.
The running gear consists of the famed 300cid inline 6 (with headers/dual exhaust/turbo mufflers/HEI ignition) running through an NP435 4 speed manual transmission to an NP205 transfer case. Front differential is a high-pinion Dana 44 and the rear is a Ford 9 inch. This is a Holy Grail running gear combo well-known for it's sturdiness and longevity. While most everything works the way it should, the engine has a light mid-range clatter (you can hear it but not feel it), the clutch will need to be replaced relatively soon as the 3-2 downshift is rough, and the transfer case won't engage 4-Lo due to a loose linkage (lever needs to be able to move farther forward to engage, right now it comes in contact with the transmission cover; 4X4 works properly otherwise). These issues don't appear to affect it's ability to be driven regularly. Fuel pump is new and the tires have great tread. It also has a 3 inch body lift which gives it a great stance. Also, at some point the front end was upgraded with polyurethane bushings, tie rod ends, shocks, a remanufactured steering box and a new power steering pump.
This rig is not perfect but it has great, rust-free, solid, original bones overall and runs and drives very nicely. Since the body is near-perfect and 73-79 Ford trucks are rapidly appreciating in value, it represents a great platform to take to the next level. Or enjoy it immediately in its current condition. I just want it to find a good home.
My name is Chris and I am happy to answer your questions. Please call or text me at 435-669-1470. I also have about 100 pictures that show every nook and cranny in great detail (including the undercarriage). Send or text me your email address and I'll get them to you. This very cool 1978 Ford F-150 Ranger Explorer 4X4 is located in the dry, desert community of Santa Clara, Utah(about 125 miles north of Las Vegas). Good luck and good bidding.