Here's my 1979 Bronco Ranger XLT I've had for about 3 weeks now. I picked it up off craigslist for $700. Its on 80% tread 35 x 15.50 x 15 Super Swamper TSL SX tires and very nice 15 x 12 aluminum wheels. I'd say the wheels and tires are worth about what I paid.
The guy told me it was a totally built 351m with plenty of power to turn the Swampers with a 3.50 gear -sounds impressive! No lift but has cut out fender wells. But he said it will need a head gasket soon because it goes into spells of heavy white smoke for a few mintues at a time then it usually clears up for a few hours.
He bought a 77 F-250 just to get this engine. It supposedly ran circles around another 85 F-250 with a stock 460. He was told it was built top to bottom but didn't have the details. It holds about 25-30 psi old pressure warm, real impressive for a 335 series in my opinion. I have a real negative opinion of these engines. He also said it had a Performer intake and Holley 650 4-barrel. He had removed the thermostat and ran with a loose radiator cap to help with the blown head gasket.
During the test drive it was rolling white smoke, I couldnt even see through it! When I got it home it didn't do it for about 2 weeks and running it about 20 times. But then it started, unbelievable white smoke. I started checking it out and found the brake booster completely full to the top with brake fluid! It wasn't burning coolant, it was burning brake fluid! I dumped the booster out and threw on a $15 Autozone master cylinder, good to go! I also measured the stroke, its actually a 400. The carb is a 3310-3 which is a 750 not a 650. And the valve covers are from RHS in Memphis. My cousin has a catalog for them. He told me to pull the valve covers and see if the heads are painted with ceramic paint, if so, thats them. He said only 1 in 3 400 heads is good enough for them to use and they would have a 3 angle valve job and porting. This thing really has some power so I don't doubt it.
At that point I put in a 180 degree thermostat. It was originally an AC truck but the entire box was missing a plate over the hole in the firewall. I had to cut new holes but I installed a non-AC heater box, I don't want to be cold! lol.
I had some 4-5 inch lift coils that I put in the front along with a shackle flip on the rear. He said the rear springs are from an 80s model and he removed the rear blocks. Id like to add them back in since the rear is little low compared to the front. The U-bolts are new and plenty long. I grabbed a receiver hitch from a junkyard I can be pulled out easier. It still had the factory trailer hitch for a rear Bronco bumper, its not bent or anything. Whats that worth? It also has a pretty hefty front square tube bumper that I welded a tube on top that will accept a receiver hitch, again to be pulled out. I extended the original front shocks by welding a bolt to the end. lol. I also got the radio working. It just had speaker wires going to the doors cuts. Sucks because that was all factory stuff, still has the original AM/FM stereo. I also ran the vent lines for both differentials and transfer case into the interior. I also picked up a set of headers for $25 which I have not installed yet.
Every Superbowl Sunday about 12-15 trucks go out to a buddy's property for some off roading so next Sunday will be my first time out. I did take it to my dads and it was great there. I'm REAL happy so far. Sorry the pics aren't the best. The license plate expired in 1996 and it came with a clear title from 1979!

Before the lift.


After the lift free lift!


One of the more worn swampers making my 33 x 12.50 x 15 Duratracs look like street tires.


Heres the booster after I unhooked the hose!

 

Great truck and nice story, it just needs some love, I would be considering a paint job to save that body, before the salty roads do their thing.

 

That's pretty nice. Good to see another 78-79 coming back to life

 

Now it need's some 38's! and a re gear

 

I'd love that! I've got a 79 F-150 that has 4.10s, its got a 400 with a spun rod bearing. And tires are so damn expensive. Thats what drew me to this thing was the tires, though I do wish they were bigger. They should do just fine though.

 

Im trying to sell my 38's lol to bad your a ways away

 

Heres some more pics. Wow what a beast. I was really impressed. Couldn't have asked for anything more from it. Only real problem I had was the ignition module went out so I pulled it off the highboy. lol.

 

Wow! look at that thing go.