To Buy or Not To Buy? 69 Ranchero
 

I'm not sure if I'm entirely in the right place but there is a Ranchero on Craigslist here in Spokane, WA and I had a few questions about it.

Here's a link:

!*!*! 69 Ranchero !*!*!

I was wondering if, because the Ranchero has no engine, if it was worth the $1200 the guy is asking. I had to get rid of my Ranchero some time ago and have been looking for a new one, but I don't want to jump into something if it's overpriced.

Forgive me if I posted in the wrong place, I haven't been on here in a little while but I figured I could use some true-blood Ford enthusiasts to help me.


Thanks in advance!

Looks nice to me

I wouldn't be concerned over the missing engine...because rust is the major concern.

Seller claims Ranchero has no cancer. How does he know that?

Ranchero's are one of the worst vehicles prone to rust, here's the reason why.

Ranchero's are based off station wagons. Ford caulked the Ranchero's bed floor to the sides and front of the bed, to the rear cross brace.

Below the bed floor is the station wagons floorpan which contains the 2nd seat pocket and foot wells, the well for the spare tire.

The caulk wears away, water seeps in and eventually rusts out the floor pan.

ALL of this is totally hidden from view by the Ranchero's bed floor. It only becomes apparent when the damage is done.

This Ranchero is located in the soggy Pacific Northwest, where it rains constantly.

The NADA guide is worthless for evaluating anything, as the given prices are averaged out from ads taken from newspapers, ebay, Hemmings and etc., not what the vehicles actually sell for.

A vehicle in this condition that runs, is one step up from a parts car and isn't worth any more than 2 grand. Considering the state of the economy today, it may not even be worth that.

Just a note on Spokane--it's on the east side of the mountains, and pretty dry compared to Seattle. In fact, very dry compared to Seattle. Now those 2 to 5 feet of snow in the winter sitting in the bed could have done the same work as rain...

Does the front of the bed unbolt like an El Camino, or is it a pry and cut job to look under there?

I looked at the sheet metal pics listed in the car parts catalog, it doesn't show any hardware related to the bed, so I don't know one way or the other.

My '57 didn't have bolts, and I knew it had a rusty floorpan before I bought it, as the sections of outer quarter panels between the station wagons floor and the bed were rusted thru.

The other rust related problem is: 1960/71 Ranchero's are unit-bodied, not body on frame construction like 1957/59's, 1972/79's.

btw: How long has this Ranchero been on the east side of the Cascades? Where was it sold new? In WA, OR, ID or?

If the DSO code as listed on the Warranty Plate is 74, it was ordered out of Seattle. If the 2nd digit of the VIN is an R, it was assembled in San Jose CA

Anything else, the Ranchero is not a PNW native.

It sure looks good in the one picture. But like Numberdummy says. You need to have the flooring checked under the box. They were old wagon made into trucks. I seen lots of these where that hidden area is rusty.
Best to go see in person and try and have a look underneath. Also he puts it at best offer. So if you go for it you may get it for less than 1000.

Wow, I feel a little bit bad for not visiting this site more often. That was some serious sound advice, guys. Thanks so much for the replies. Now, I got a chance to take a look at the Ranchero. Inside has been rhino-lined and the flooring was replaced by the previous owner, it looked like. A decent welding job. It was well taken care of, from what I could see. Inside was pretty nice, considering the age. Since there was no carpet I could see the floorboards well enough and it's all pretty sound.

However, both fenders had been welded on, rather than bolted on like they should be. The guy said the PO did that. It was cared for, but on a budget. As much as I love the Ranchero (it's one of my favorite Fords) I decided not to buy it. Bills came into play and it was either rent or a new toy.

The biggest concern on the Ranchero was the fenders. Underneath looked pretty muddy (not dirt mud, but welding and bondo(?) perhaps). There was nothing for the fenders to actually bolt onto, hence the welding. In reality, not that big a concern considering that the fenders were in great shape. But if I ever wanted to take them off I'd end up destroying both fenders completely.

It would've made a great project rig for me, but as I said, bills come first... unfortunately.

Oh! The PO was in Seattle and that was where the guy bought it in 2007. No idea where it had been before that. If I remember right, the door sticker stated that it was manufactured in Kansas City, MO. Guy said the PO had it for something like ten years or more. But that's just his word. Seemed like a pretty honest guy, though.

It's hard enough to find Ranchero's cheap that aren't total buckets of rust. Maybe one of these days I can find another one. I miss mine!!!

Thanks for all the help guys!!

Welded-on fenders....you made a good call, methinks.

Probably an ok rig as a kind of a beater/hot rod, but a lot of work and $ required just to get to that point.

I have a 69 GT here in CT about the same condition as long as it has a good under carriage it makes a real fun car it shares the running gear and a lot of suspension with the mustangs/torino/fairlanes so its fairly easy to keep going have actually seen a place that sells fiberglass fenders,hood,and doors for it and considering I will not have enough money to restore it I might just make a resto rod out of it they were fun and have a style all their own ....good luck finding one they're a great little ride