My 78 Ranger was the victim of an ill wind that dropped a tree all over it. Damage to hood, roof, bed, and tailgate. Would appreciate y'all's opinion on whether or not it is fixable. My gut says no.

 

Anything is fixable given enough $$. Feasible? Maybe not

 

DO NOT SCRAP and don't let the insurance company tag her as a "total". She drives, right? That means she's got it where it counts. All the glass is in place.

I'd start looking for a replacement cab, bed, and hood. In the mean time push, pound, and pull the dents and creases so she's not as crooked.... looks aren't everything.

 

Everything is fixable, so please dont scrap it, if you dont want to repair it find someone who will. We need to keep these old trucks alive

 

Fix Her ! You need an old school body man . There is real metal under that paint ! It would be easy to replace a few of the panels ... Need an old school guy to square the cab ! All could be "fixed " , needs the proper hands ...

 

Heck... pull off the loose bits , drive it around as it is ! I see worse around here ....

 

As stated above, please dont scrap it. These trucks are going to become unobtanium sooner than we all think.

 

ok first this really really sucks. i would be floored if this happened to any of my trucks and i will say no where near as nice as yours. first how much does the truck mean to you? if its a lot then i say fix it. if you find a cab and bed with a little rust at least you can cut the patch panels out of the bed and cab. just kinda throwing it out there. dont see to many rust from the top down. lot of good steel here yet and when your done its still mostly ford metal and YOUR truck is still alive.

 

Nice truck, sorry to see that happen, but its fixable if you can find the right body shop. A cab roof skin, bed sides and a hood and you are on the road looking good as ever.

At least it did not get the cowl, glass or any thing else, hang in there.

 

Thanks for the input guys. I really want to save it, if I can. Going to talk to body shops tomorrow, and hope for the best. Let ya know how it works out.

 

Hey 78RIB, welcome to the forum, and I'm so sorry this happened to your beautiful truck. Usually, I'm real big on listening to your gut, but not this time! That truck is very fixable!

Not sure if you have full coverage on this, but if you do, they will probably want to total it. As others have said, DON'T LET THEM! They will probably give you a reduced settlement, and let you go on your way. But you will have your truck and a clear title. Check with them first!

If you are just paying for this out of your own pocket, and would be dropping this off at a body shop to be fixed good as new, be sitting down when the body shop gives you the estimate. It will probably be stunning!

Without knowing your particulars, I would say your best bet for a good outcome on this, is to hunt down parts on your own, driving your damaged truck until you round up most everything you will need to have this repaired.

I'm not sure where in Alabama you are, but get searching on Craigslist for replacement parts. Also, check out a few Pick-N-Pull-type junkyards for what you need.

1978-1979 Ford Truck for parts!

1979 ford f150

1973 to 1979 Ford Truck parts

Keep us posted as you go along on this journey. Best of luck to you!

David

 

David, Thanks for the input...I think that what you say is the right way to go. Hopefully there will be enough spare parts around so that I can get them at a reasonable price, then figure out how to put 'em on. Just hope the frame isn't bent. The sites you put in the post look good, I'll keep seeking out others. Thanks again!

 

I doubt the frame is bent...that nice cushy sheet metal took the brunt of the force.

David

 

Hey folks,
since my tree incident, I've been lookin for body parts. I am thinking about scavenging my truck for parts to put on another one. Came across this ad that sounds promising, but I don't know enough about what it means, motor-wise. I'll go and see the vehicle tomorrow, but wanted your take on the info provided. No pics, which makes me leery off the bat. The ad reads:

"This truck is a Camper Tow package Special. It has a 460 Big Block. Bored 30 over with flat top pistons & a brand new comp cam. It has a 600 Holley Carburetor and a rebuilt C6 automatic transmission. It has a Ford 9" rear end. It also has Cold Air. Runs and drives."

I know I'll see the body and know whether it'll work for me. My question is: if the body is in good shape, and I could scavenge my truck, is the engine a known nightmare or a possibility. I have no idea what "bored 30 over" or "flat top pistons" means...or the other stuff. I admit, I am a dumba$$ about mechanical stuff, but I love Ford trucks.

Your input appreciated.

By the way, it's a 79 F-150. Same body style?

 

30 over means the cylinders have been bored +.030" oversize. The 460 has been rebuilt. The flat top pistons usually means a higher compression ratio, unless the pistons were originally flat tops.
Check the VIN, see if the fourth character is a "J". If it is then the truck originally left the factory with a 460. If it's not a "J" then someone swapped the 460 in. That could be good or bad, depending on how well they did the job.
If the truck is an F100 or F150 then the Ford 9" rear is appropriate. If it's supposed to be an F250 then the 9" is the wrong rear, it should be a Dana 60.
Just saw it's an F150 so the 9" would be the correct rear.