Newbie here, I was wondering if anyone could answer a few questions concerning a truck that was given to me. I was going to restore this to pull my Mustang race car and I like the looks of the late 60's F-100's. This truck has an original 390 engine with a 3 speed on the column. I will likely convert this to a C6 auto.

My first question is that I believe this truck is a standard (long?) bed pickup. What is the difference between a F100 ranger and this pickup truck? Secondly, can a F100 be converted to a Ranger fairly easily by switching beds, etc? I like the looks of the short bed Rangers and would be willing to perform frame modifications within reason to accomplish my goal. Any help would be appreciated. Nice site and I have seen some very nice trucks!

 

Only difference between the two is trim package. Standard F100 did not have the chrome trim on the bed and body, and had the Ranger placard on the front grille and glove box. I also believe the Ranger had chrome over the windshield trim.....

John.

 

It looked to me like the wheelbase was different, can a short bed be put on the truck to give it the ranger look? Excuse my ignorance I'm just learning about these trucks!

 

The length of the bed doesn't differentiate a regular F-100 from one with the Ranger package. There were short beds available for each. The Ranger was just a trim package.

 

Great, thanks for the input. Anybody know where the best place to pick up a used bed? I haven't checked out the parts forum, maybe this would be the place to go. I also am going to replace a fender, some trim etc...

 

If I'm not mistaken the Ranger package came with the cargo light which is operated by a switch in the cab which glows red when on...kinda cool

 

I have a 69 f100 Ranger....but the emblem on the glove compartment says "explorer"...really confused my wife..

 

DAMN!!! does anyone else know if that red light that operates the cargo light is stock? I think that is really cool if it is, but i thoght it was something a previous owner added to the truck. My 68 f100 doesnt have the cargo light, but my 69 ranger has it and a dashboard emblem but no grille emblem so maybe its a fake

 

All of what has been posted here is added trim... readily available and added to a "standard" Ford truck... the seats and interior in the Ranger were an upgrade from the F100 Custom Cab and, but the body was the same. I added the cargo light ansd switch to my '67 Custom Cab... piece of cake.

Adding a short box to a long box truck involves shortening the frame... not worth the effort.

 

I've got that cargo light on my 68 Ranger, red light works great, cargo light don't...heh. Had one thing on it, don't know if it was stock or aftermarket. Under the hood, there is a light mounted on the driver's side fender well that is activated by a push switch when the hood is opened. Take it out of it's bracket, and you have a nice little light to work with, or use the "red" half to put out as a warning light.

John.

 

I had the cargo light on my '69 F-100 non-Ranger, but the previous owner may have added it.

 

I just like the looks of the short bed. I guees there would be considerable effort needed to shorten the frame, driveshaft, etc...Anybody else on here tried this modification?

 

My '69 Ranger has the "redlight" special too !!!
Pretty factory for all I know. It does work too.

 

So what was the point of Ford making a Ranger and an F-100?

 

It's all in how much frilly stuff you want. Just like the new stuff, vinyl seats or cloth/leather?? XLT or Lariet?? The old trucks were Plain F100 , Sport, or Ranger?? It's just a package name. Gives you a variety of options, including paint/color layouts(two tone) too.