First Ford 4x4?
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First Ford 4x4?
what is the first year ford made a 4x4?
Does anyone know where I can find a list of trucks, listed by year and the model name and what was offered?
What is the first year they called any of the trucks by the name of ranger?
Does anyone know where I can find a list of trucks, listed by year and the model name and what was offered?
What is the first year they called any of the trucks by the name of ranger?
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From: 3rd Rock
Originally Posted by RESQD1
what?, I am just wondering what the first year ford made a ford truck that was offered with a 4x4
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Ford hired companies to do conversions for them on the early trucks. http://www.cutsoldtrucks.com/46mh4x4.htm
Originally Posted by RESQD1
what?, I am just wondering what the first year ford made a ford truck that was offered with a 4x4
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From: Connecticut
1959 was the first year you could get a 4x4 built at a Ford plant. Before that, they were Marmon-Harrington conversions or very rare NAPCO conversions. NAPCO did mainly GM. The M-H's were sold with a model called a Ranger, but these were the 48-52 panel trucks with windows and seats added like a Suburban.
Barry
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Barry
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1959 was the first year of Ford factory 4x4 production. Marmon-Herrington conversions were available back in the 30s and Napco in the 50s. 1965 was the first production year of a Ranger, but the buckets seats and console could be ordered in 1964, though not called a Ranger. There are a few books available at larger bookstores that deal with ford pickups and may list the info you are looking for.
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From: SE Wisc. (the Rust Belt)
The Ranger Barry is referring to was built from '48-52, I don't think they were built outside of these years but I could be wrong. Chuck of Chuck's Trucks had a extremely nice one:
Postmaster
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From: Connecticut
The "Ranger" Name was used by M-H, not Ford. And yes, it was used from 48-52 only. I've got several ads showing the M-H conversion with the ranger name and no mention of Ford in these ads.
Barry
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Barry
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From: SE Wisc. (the Rust Belt)
Barry,
I didn't realize the Ranger was made specifically by Marmon Herrington. You are a wealth of Ford truck information. I do have a Ranger magazine ad that states:
Some day I am going to get one of these trucks. 
I didn't realize the Ranger was made specifically by Marmon Herrington. You are a wealth of Ford truck information. I do have a Ranger magazine ad that states:
Built principally of standard Ford parts, the Ranger is easy and economically serviced at all Ford dealers.
Cargo Master
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From: Mandan, ND
Actually the Ranger model (48-56; Wagner has an artist rendition of a '54 in his book Ford Trucks from 1905) was marketed by M-H through Ford, but the conversion from panel to passenger was handled by Shop of Seibert, a partner of Ford that did low-end airport limos, ambulances, hearses, and other service-type car conversions. This info is straight from Chuck Mantiglia and from James K. Wagner.
The first Rangers were circa 1942. They were a sedan delivery, converted to passenger duty (a steel station wagon), then given the M-H treatment. As you may know, the .5 tons and the cars shared the chassis, so the LD4 M-H chassis conversion was used for the cars as well. Don Chew, a note M-H collector, has one of these ultra-rare pieces.
Bob, just what type of vehicle are you looking for? A Ranger? Good luck, supposedly only 50 from 48-56 were built.
The first Rangers were circa 1942. They were a sedan delivery, converted to passenger duty (a steel station wagon), then given the M-H treatment. As you may know, the .5 tons and the cars shared the chassis, so the LD4 M-H chassis conversion was used for the cars as well. Don Chew, a note M-H collector, has one of these ultra-rare pieces.
Bob, just what type of vehicle are you looking for? A Ranger? Good luck, supposedly only 50 from 48-56 were built.
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From: SE Wisc. (the Rust Belt)
I had a feeling the Seibert company was involved the manufacture of the Rangers. I have been in contact with a couple of other people who have Rangers, and a few years ago had a lead on a '48-50 Ranger. At the time, as is the same now, I didn't have the funds to follow up on the lead. I even saw a '51 on eBay about two years ago. If I remember correctly, it was in decent restorable condition and went for something like $1000! If nothing else, the presuit of a Ranger gives me a goal in live 
Cargo Master
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From: Mandan, ND
Doesn't that about tear it? You find a decent restorable something or another, it's relatively cheap, but the money is elusive or the timing is wrong. Then, then, you have the money (yeah, right) or the time, and you find what you always wanted, but it's going for 3-4 times what it did earlier, and in 3-4 times worse shape. 
Actually, the reverse happened to me.
I wanted a 3/4 ton Marmon Herrington, found one '52 locally (in Oregon), the fellow wanted $1200, being rare, yadda 
yadda, etc. It had 90,000 plus miles, had spent its life on the coast, and the body was certainly showing it. I don't think there was a panel that didn't have a fist-sized hole through it (rust). I'm glad I waited, my father found a one-owner '52 with 20,000 miles and a solid body; all for $300. So, 3-4 times less miles, better shape, and less money.
Where are the other Rangers that you know of? I've seen a picture of a restored '51 or '52, then, of course, Chuck's '50, and another '50 from the Classic 4x4 book.
Thanks for putting up with my long-winded typing.
Happy New Year! I enjoy your website.
Actually, the reverse happened to me.
I wanted a 3/4 ton Marmon Herrington, found one '52 locally (in Oregon), the fellow wanted $1200, being rare, yadda yadda, etc. It had 90,000 plus miles, had spent its life on the coast, and the body was certainly showing it. I don't think there was a panel that didn't have a fist-sized hole through it (rust). I'm glad I waited, my father found a one-owner '52 with 20,000 miles and a solid body; all for $300. So, 3-4 times less miles, better shape, and less money.Where are the other Rangers that you know of? I've seen a picture of a restored '51 or '52, then, of course, Chuck's '50, and another '50 from the Classic 4x4 book.
Thanks for putting up with my long-winded typing.
Happy New Year! I enjoy your website.
Last edited by 1952henry; Jan 1, 2005 at 04:56 PM. Reason: spelling
Cargo Master
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From: Mandan, ND
Not done yet
Not done with my typing on this subject yet. That same character that had the '52 3/4 ton had a '51 1.5 ton M-H cab and chassis (old snow blower truck), he had a '51 .5 ton in good shape, missing the transfer I believe ( could have been the tranny), then, a '50? panel with M-H underpinnings. Not a Ranger, but a regular ol' panel. They would have to be somewhat out of the ordinary, not as much as the Ranger, but still. Far as I know he moved them all up to the Seattle area. I actually talked to him about the 3/4 ton. Didn't ask him about the others. I don't remember his name, but believe he is one who thinks rare = made of gold. Some kooks 
like that would rather watch something rot and rust into the ground all the while babbling about how rare and valuable it is. Or else, "I'm going to restore it one day". We have all met these types. Anywho, I'm done.
That same character that had the '52 3/4 ton had a '51 1.5 ton M-H cab and chassis (old snow blower truck), he had a '51 .5 ton in good shape, missing the transfer I believe ( could have been the tranny), then, a '50? panel with M-H underpinnings. Not a Ranger, but a regular ol' panel. They would have to be somewhat out of the ordinary, not as much as the Ranger, but still. Far as I know he moved them all up to the Seattle area. I actually talked to him about the 3/4 ton. Didn't ask him about the others. I don't remember his name, but believe he is one who thinks rare = made of gold. Some kooks like that would rather watch something rot and rust into the ground all the while babbling about how rare and valuable it is. Or else, "I'm going to restore it one day". We have all met these types. Anywho, I'm done.