Happy Fathers Day! -

I brought home another project - a 1966 Ford F100 Ranger Custom Cab long box pickup! I have confirmed that it is the real deal with a U81 code on the VIN tag. It has the original bucket seats and console, but no carpeting or gas tank cover. The paperwork shows that it spent the first 30 years in California.

The truck appears to have under 90k miles and runs/drives okay. It definitely needs some attention mechanically though. Body-wise, it is 97% rust free with no rot through except for some small spots on the radiator core support and cab corner.

Now that I've checked it over somewhat, I'm concerned about the old adage "it's only original once". This truck appears to be in original, unmolested condition. Considering the condition of the box and add-on hold-down brackets, it appears this truck had a slide-in camper for a long time.

My short term intentions are to replace the windshield and back glass, as well as one of the fenders, front grille, and bumper. I also want to treat the floor with POR-15 and top coat with paint. Other than that, I'm thinking more work will tip into "restoration work" and could be more harmful?

I love fixing up and driving these old trucks. This is my first real Ranger and I do not want to screw it up.

Any thoughts will be appreciated.

Thank You,
Dan M.

 

Congrats on finding a ranger, if you plan on keeping it the ranger do what ever makes you happy.I myself have a 66 ranger short box and I'm in the process of customizing it,colour change ,engine swap, brake upgrade and drop beams, I'm keeping all the original parts I've removed in case I ever decide too sell or decide to put it back to stock.

 

Unless it's unusually clean, straight and complete, then I'd go ahead and do whatever mods I wanted....if it were mine.

Rangers are cool and everything but they made a fair number of them.

My 66 is what I consider to be unusually straight, clean and complete (and low mileage) so I'm leaving it stock. But then again, I really wanted a bone stock straight six, three on the tree grandpa truck.

Something else to consider....these slicks (and most old cars in general) are usually worth more in mostly stock form, unless the mods have been done in a first class manner.

In the end though...it's yours do what you want.