I just ran across a 76 Ranchero GT with a 460. It is complete, runs,good interior, power everything, good tailgate, body repairable, $400. Oh yea the frame is shot, rusted right through, rusted out spring hangers, spring came right through the bed.

I am thinking of dragging home and disassembling it so;

Is there anything particular to the GT models I want to make sure I keep?

What other years will the body parts fit onto?

Is the frame for this year the same as any other ford vehicle?

I have never owned a ranchero but always wanted one, pardon my newbie questions. I guess my real question is What do I do with it now?

Thanks in advance

 

Not sure about 76 ranchero. We have a 68 Ranchero GT. After 71 Ranchero's, were on larger frames like for a Ford Galixie or station wagon. Prior to 71 ranchero's were on Torino frames.
Gt's tend to have bucket seats instead of the bench seats, so you might want to keep the bench seat. Also GT's have special wheels and emblems. The chrome "Ranchero" lettering on the body is worth keeping. For more info on ranchero's try www.ranchero.us Those guys are just as helpful as they are here.
Good luck

 

a quick Ranchero history:

57-59 based on a full size Fairlane frame

60-66 based on the Falcon frame

67-76 based on the Torino frame

77-79 based on the LTD2 frame

 

Aren't the 65-67 on a Fairlane platform? None of the early one's had a frame, they are all unibody......

 

Got my info from this site:


http://www.dearbornclassics.com/ranchero.html

 

Looks like the 66 Ranchero was in a class all by itself accourding to the dearborn website. All I know for sure is the 68 if on a Torino frame

 

66 was a one year Falcon based style, 67 was also a one year style but from the Fairlane. 68 on were Torino Wagons with the 77-79 being the LTDII (restyled Torino).

 

Motor mounts are getting hard to find on the 460.