LOW RESERVE F250 4WD Long-Term Owner Mostly Stock W/Tasteful Upgrades V8 4 Speed

1975 Ford F-250 4X4 Ranger XLT Highboy Description

Nice and mostly original 1975 Ford F-250 Ranger XLT 4X4 Highboy 3/4 ton pickup truck. It was owned until 2007 by an elderly gentleman in Montana who did some cosmetic upgrades to it in the 1970's and 1980's. After that a subsequent owner did some nice performance upgrades to the engine (carb, intake, headers, etc.) and then it sat for a while. All upgrades are easily reversible if you choose. It still remains largely stock though and is a good candidate for either a restoration or daily driver.
The running gear is all original and consists of a 360cid V8 (tastefully upgraded with an Edelbrock Performer carburetor and air cleaner, Holley Street Dominator intake manifold, headers, and aftermarket valve covers), NP435 4 speed manual transmission and divorced NP205 transfer case running to a Dana 44 front differential (with locking hubs) and Dana 60 rear differential (with 4.10 gears). The 4WD system works as it should. This is a Holy Grail running gear combo. Unfortunately it has a noticeable clatter up high on the passenger side of the engine. I'm pretty sure it's coming from the valve train (possibly a bent valve from sitting too long? I removed the valve cover and the topside looks good) so it will at least need some passenger side head work. Other than that it runs and drives nicely.
The exterior is in good condition with an ancient respray in the original factory Parrot Orange. The only rust-through is on the driver side fender of the pickup bed. This was very common on Ford trucks of the time where mud got stuck between the inner and outer fender. Patch panels are less than $40 and readily available on Ebay or just leave it as is. Bodywork was done long ago to a high standard on the cab and roof to smooth sheetmetal prior to painting (touched up since then; no sign of rust-through; I have close-up pictures) but is beginning to crack and fade with age. Factory exterior lights work as do two of the four aftermarket foglights and all roof lights. Tires should be considered rollers.
The interior is largely original other than an old cassette deck, tachometer and furry headliner definitely from the 70's or 80's. I removed the carpeting which revealed partially rusted floorboards which is typical (panels are flat and easily replaceable; less than $100 a pair on Ebay or just leave it as is). They have been coated with a rust reformer so it won't spread. Bench seat is the original factory black vinyl (duct taped on the driver side).All glass is good other than three rock chips on the windshield. Windows roll up and down properly anddoors open and close easily. Passenger door panel is missing arm rest pad. All gauges work.
This is a good truck to build from with solid bones. Although the engine has noise everything else about it is strong. It starts, runs, drives, shifts, steers and brakes nicely and is very tight. And it's mostly stock and original with limited and confined rust. It could easily be a daily driver with the engine noise fixed. I hope it ends up with someone who will preserve or restore it. Stock and original vintage trucks like this which haven't been horribly modified over the years are getting harder to find. Just my two cents.
My nameis Chris and I am happy to answer your questions. Please call or text me at 435-669-1470. I also have over 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 cool1975 Ford F-250 Ranger XLT 4X4 Highboyis located in the dry, desert community of Santa Clara, Utah(about 125 miles north of Las Vegas). Good luck and good bidding.