We'll, I just shook virtual hands for my 1st 70's era truck. I'm stoked!

It's an all original Ranger XLT Custom 4x4.
Needs a bit of work, but then, what's the fun if you can't do 'something' to your new ride.






I'll have it home this weekend. Plan on putting up a project posting
and looking forward to all the inputs from the 6th gen team here. I'll need
all the help I can get!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

 

Looks like a nice clean truck you got their

 

Are those compass emblems in front of the side windows? If so, it's a genuine Ford camper shell.

 

you not only have books and knowledge to know almost everything ford that has happened from the factory but you also seem to have eagle eyes. i cant see a compass...

 

Welcome and congrats! Did you get this off of Ebay? I thought I saw this truck, or perhaps one like it, on Ebay recently. Looks awesome. The topper is a "Deluxe" Ford topper as it has the sliding windows and the alum trim in the window gaskets. The compass emblems are usually missing but I can still see the emblem backing plate. Nice way to start off the New Year!

 

You have a nice truck there. I think you will be very imressed with it. Is that a front 60? Hard to tell in the pic. A few things to do: Make sure it has the right thermostat for the 400, has the internal bypass blockoff, all of these I have seen have the wrong one and they tend to run hot because of it, go through the front end so as not to ruin the wheel bearings and spindles for lack of care, keep good oil in the rear 60 to avoid the carrier bearing spinning the race, and make sure you have all the right fluids everywhere, 80w-90 in the diffs, 85w-140 in the 4 spds, 80w-90 in the T-cases, ATF in the tranny and power steering. I have seen a few 4 spds burn up due to having ATF in them, Had a noisy T-case or two from having atf in them. You have one nice truck there.

 

Got to bed late last night, so just getting around to reading the posts.

Thanks to 'gpence', 'NumberDummy', 'F350 SCS' and 'WARHORSE' for the nice comments.

To reply to the questions:
Yes I believe that shell 'is' genuine FOMOCO. At least that's what the seller is telling me.
Not having the knowledge in this 'yet', I was taking his word for it.
The inside looks to be solidly built (as opposed to the aftermarket shells I've seen).
Here's a pic from the inside.



I can't make out that 'compass' emblem you mentioned, so I blew up the
best pic I have of the side and circled it. Is that what you're talking about?

How rare are these toppers?
I wasn't really looking for one (a truck) with this. just came with the deal. I was going to put a tonneau on it.

Excellent input Warhorse!
I'll run that check list 1st thing. I wouldn't want to mess something up by driving it right off the bat without
making sure all the essentials were covered. Now that I have a list, I'll get those addressed'

Any thoughts on the hub caps? I've never seen ones that look like these?
All the pics on the forum (and other websites) show completely different looking caps.
Are these Ford factory? How can I verify?

cheers
Oilseed

 

DOAZ-8575-A .. 192 degree 351C/351M/400 Thermostat (Motorcraft RT-139) / Factory installed 1970/82.

D7PZ-8575-A .. 180 degree 351M/400 Thermostat (Motorcraft RT-310) / Dealer installed 1977/82.

These t/stats only fit these engines. All other engine t/stats are different.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Post 7: Compass emblems were located where circled. Camper shell dealer installed accessory, as was the self-contained "slide-in-the-bed" over the cab roof type.

Ford Dealers in rural areas had asked FoMoCo for these two types, but when introduced, were vastly overpriced, sold poorly. Were actually made for FoMoCo by Open Road.

Post 1: Hubcaps are not genuine Ford, what they're from, gawd only knows. I've never seen these caps before...on any vehicle.

The 1973/79 Ford Light Truck Parts Catalog is available on a CD from hipoparts.com / Includes F100/500, Econoline, camper and M450/500 parts.

M450/500's were genuine Ford factory Class A Motor Homes assembled at KY truck plant: 1973/77. When was the last time (if ever) y'all have seen any?

 

I'm 100% certain that's an original optional Ford topper. The circled area is where the compass is or would be. Sometimes if you look inside the topper, usually near the hatch door, you might be able to find a FOMOCO sticker that has the topper part number on it. Sometimes the sticker is missing after 40 years. The deluxe topper has the alum trim around the windows and hatch, sliding windows, odd little roof vent (like in your pic) and it also had an interior light near the rear hatch. It came in wimbledon white and some had a matching painted accent stripe from the dealer. It weighs 250 pounds. It should also have these "J" hook hold downs with a large rubber bushing, in each corner stake pocket. These were original to Ford. Here is a link to the topper in a Ford brochure: Page-07
There are a few FTE threads on refurbishing the topper as well if interested.

 

To ND: thanks for the Tstat part info. as well as the topper feedback.
As for the Hubcaps, I'll have to pull them off and see if there is any info
on the inside (stamping, etc). maybe that will give a clue.

The seller said he got the truck from the original owner. He bought it that way
with those options and features. I was drawn to it because of it not being
'hacked up' yet (I tend to lean to the OEM side of restores) and it was it really clean condition.

Being my 1st 6th gen truck, I didn't want to jump into a
"found it in the field and started the restore" route.


Thought I'd get my feet wet with something that just needs 'tidying up', repaint, etc.
If that goes well and I have fun, then we'll take on more challenging possibilities. (plus the wife will be more receptive.

To: F250 SCS;
Great feedback on the topper. I'll check out those details when I get the truck.
Nice to have this knowledge when I see it. I'll post my observations then.
I'll be picking it up this Friday (Jan 4th). I'll be back home on the 5th.

 

Nice truck

 

Nice truck, I'll be watching this as I'm going through a similar situation with my '76.

 

Congrats, it looks like a very clean truck!

 

New pics! Here's the Ford number for the hubcaps.





any info on that part number?
I see it as DSUA-4430 ?? maybe not?

 

Oh, and that color code on the VIN, here's what the truck
looked like when it was sold (I guess)??



WOW, the wild 70's!