My 1971 Ford Ranger long bed was stolen last night from in front of my hose on the westside of Colorado Springs. Blue and white long bed with Yosemite Sam mud flaps. Picture is in my gallery.Collectors Plate number 429OTA. Had it for two weeks It was an early inheretence from my Uncle that raised me - He bought it new in 71 and loved it dearly- as did I. I'm just sick and heart broken over this and appreciate any advice or help.

 

i expected that from the westside of cali, not colorado

 

where on earth will they take it from Colorado? bloody crooks...

 

Yeh, we live in the old part of town but it's not even run down, and we're off the side of a side street. The best theory I've heard is maybe someone saw it at the pull & pay junk yard I go to and had a cousin in Jeurez or T.J. that was looking for one that year, and followed me home. Three different people told me that they love the 70's Ford trucks in Mexico, so it might be on it's way there... I'm still hoping for the teenage joy ride-dump it in a parking lot theory though...

 

Get a battery cut off switch with a key, That is about the best antitheft on these
old trucks. That is if you get it back. The mechanic at a company I worked for has
a one ton dodge with three big full width bed tool boxes in back full of tools and that thing squats it is so heavy with tools. His neighbor calls him one night and says I got
two guys with your truck blocked at the gate, He ran out there with a bat and they
told them they had a repo order on this truck and he said Bulls#!t you do this truck
was paid for when you were in diapers (80's dodge truck) He called the cops and
they said it is legal for them to take the truck then run the numbers and if it is the
wrong truck they can return it or leave it where they want!! He said these boys are not leaving this property with this truck it is mine and I will get the title in 2 minutes
time if you want it. The cop pulled the tow driver to the side and had a talk with
him since his neighbor had a shotgun in the back window and he had a bat plus it was
obvious this was a hard worked truck that no lot would put out for payments, He
convinced him that he should leave the truck there and leave. Of course they did and
the funny thing is they didn't check the VIN, So it was an obvious theft job using a
stupid repo rule, They probably saw that one ton all squatted down with the big tool
boxes and followed him home one night, He is lucky he lives on some land in the country and his neighbor saw them and was able to block them or he would have lost
bookoo$$$$$ tools!! Unfortunately unscrupulous tow operaters can print up some
paper work and legally steal any vehicle they want and if they get caught they show the paperwork and get off scotfree. Most people wouldn't even think twice about
seeing a car getting repo'd and off to the chop shop and sell it off on Ebay the biggest stolen item pawn shop!!

 

Even more so from south floreedah.

 

Hopefully joyriders took it, and you'll get it back, intact.

 

Wow! That repo scam's crazy! I'm just to trusting or simple minded I guess, the extreme lengths to steal from people that these people go through are amazing. Seems like it would be easier just to work a job!

 

Someone restoring a 1967/72 Ford truck would be my guess on why it was stolen. Stealing someones old ride to fix up theirs, happens all the time here in CA.

A word to the wise: When posting pics of your car or truck on the Internet, blank out the license plates!

Also, don't post pics of your rides that show your house, house address, street signs, or any other vehicles in the photo where the license plates are visible.

The best place to take pics is on a grassy field, with nothing in the background.

Background items may detract from the vehicle, and possibly lead directly to it.

 

Actually, S.F. has a 80+% recovery rate of stolen vehicles; as quoted by the police.

A lot of vehicles are stolen here so "they" can go from point A to point B, and also for the thrill.

 

I'd be willing to bet that 90% of them have an auto trans.

In what condition are they recovered?

 

Most vehicles here have auto trans. Could be the hills? They are a challenge.
Most probably don't know how to drive a clutch.

As for the condition of the recovered stolen vehicles, most had minimal damage,
except for the broken window, damaged ignition cylinder and related steering column parts.
Maybe a missing radio/CD player, and personal contents, but drivable.

Of course, you're always going to get recoveries that have everything stripped off of them.

Again, as quoted by the police.

 

> appreciate any advice or help

If you get it back, put a hydraulic brake lock on it.

I would keep an eye on E-bay and local WANT AD type magazines for it. Check the various craigslists in your area and surrounding states for it.

 

My uncle got his truck stolen an few years ago. The police found it on the interstate on blocks. Other than the pain of getting new wheels the truck was OK.

 

Hopefully, you'll have the same luck; I mean on recovering your truck in tack.