Ah, my resolve crumbled. I decided to get a Ranchero with a 400M, or 351C for my shop vehicle... I looked into a Ranger, but it would be too hard to shoehorn a mans engine in...

The big difference for me is the ability to drop stuff in from a crane, instead of the ordeal of loading things in under a roof.

My big concern is the suspension.

 

If you are worried about the suspension I think '72 and newer used a full frame.

 

[updated:LAST EDITED ON 18-Oct-02 AT 03:22 PM (EST)]just get a pair of air shocks or coil-overs, and throw a sheet of plywood in (about 4'x7') for a bed liner, and you should be ready to throw some iron back there - they are stout vehicles!

'72-'79 station wagon rear springs might also be worth looking at. they're basically just 4-door rancheros with a heavy steel & glass camper shell on the back! if you can find a parts book that lists the spring rates, lengths, and end sizes & treatments (flat, open, etc.), then you may be able to find something stronger - or at least replace the tired old springs with fresh ones.

fresh control-arm bushings might be a good idea too - it's a 4-link.
a rear sway bar from a cougar xr7 or similar may help control top-heavy loads too.