1979 Ranchero
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Dec 2005
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1979 Ranchero
My Dad gave me his Ranchero he has been driving. Its got 58,000 miles on it. The interior is fairly nice, but the carolina blue paint needs refreshing. A little surface rust near the tailgate and the metal plate above the front bumper is rusting. Someone put a 8 track radio in it that won't work and the passenger mirror is held on with a nail, yes a nail drove into the body. One fender molding on the passenger rear needs major repair or replace. Where is a good place to find parts and is this a good truck to sink some money into to restore? It doesn't need much body work, any idea how much for a nice paint job?
Ford Parts Specialist
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 88,826
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From: Simi Valley, CA
If a straight moulding, is it behind the wheel opening, in front of the wheel opening, or above the wheel opening?
Does it clip on, or glue on?
There were four different 1979 Ranchero's and each one uses unique mouldings.
I might be able to find you a new original when you post the info.
I can also decode the VIN and all the codes on the Warranty Plate, which is located on the left door below the latch.
Once decoded, the engine size, type of trans, rear axle ratio, where the truck was sold new, the exact body style, color and other info will be known.
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Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 34,475
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One of the rules of life is not to call anyone's baby ugly.
I would only put gas in it till I could get rid of it. --aww, on second thought, I think I'd rather ride the bus....
This might be something special to you because of the family situation. I look at cars like this and think "That's why the US auto industry is where it's at today.....".
Your mileage may vary.
"Nice" paint job? $4000. Roll the windows down and drive it through one of those "one day" places for $200.
Good luck with it.
I would only put gas in it till I could get rid of it. --aww, on second thought, I think I'd rather ride the bus....
This might be something special to you because of the family situation. I look at cars like this and think "That's why the US auto industry is where it's at today.....".
Your mileage may vary.
"Nice" paint job? $4000. Roll the windows down and drive it through one of those "one day" places for $200.
Good luck with it.
Ford Parts Specialist
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 88,826
Likes: 784
From: Simi Valley, CA
H: Lorain OH Assembly Plant.
47: Ranchero 500, Body Style 97D.
F: 302 2V.
143557: Numerical Sequence of Assembly.
This Ranchero 500 came with different side mouldings.
Right (Passenger) Side:
If two tone paint is present, the wheel opening moulding and side moulding is one piece (D7OZ9729140A).
If no tu-tone paint, the wheel opening moulding (D7OZ9729164A) only goes around the wheel opening.
In front and rear of this wheel opening moulding are straight mouldings:
D7OZ9729076A .. Quarter Panel-Front Moulding.
D7OZ9729038A .. Quarter Panel-Rear Moulding.
Which one do you need?
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
One just like this sat in a driveway down the street from me for many years. I meant to stop by and look at it, but didn't.
Last month I drove by, it was being loaded on a trailer...someone did stop buy and bought it for 100 bucks!
It was a one owner CA (rust free) Ranchero 500 just like yours. The owner couldn't drive anymore, so it just sat there.
There was no for sale sign on it. The fellow that bought just rang the doorbell, the owners wife said: "100 bucks, and it's yours...I want it out of here!"
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 242
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A few more numbers
Body-97D
Paint-VR
int-DB
Ac-A
R-2
AX-2
TR-X7788
Any site to buy tonnau cover etc?
Its the wheel well molding and the molding and trim around back window is bad. Also need passenger mirror
Thanks everyone.
AS far as ugly,yes but I'm trying to adjust. Thinking of wider tires/rims in the rear and maybe a little larger in the front. The mag 500 rims on it now can be refinished fairly easy. I may strip all the trim off the body and prep it for paint myself, I may put up plasticin my workshop and paint it myself.
Body-97D
Paint-VR
int-DB
Ac-A
R-2
AX-2
TR-X7788
Any site to buy tonnau cover etc?
Its the wheel well molding and the molding and trim around back window is bad. Also need passenger mirror
Thanks everyone.
AS far as ugly,yes but I'm trying to adjust. Thinking of wider tires/rims in the rear and maybe a little larger in the front. The mag 500 rims on it now can be refinished fairly easy. I may strip all the trim off the body and prep it for paint myself, I may put up plasticin my workshop and paint it myself.
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Ford Parts Specialist
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 88,826
Likes: 784
From: Simi Valley, CA
A few more numbers
Body 97D: Ranchero 500
Paint-VR: VR is not the Paint code....Look below VR for the code(s).
int-DB: Blue all Vinyl
Ac-A Air Conditioning
R-2 AM Radio
AX-2 Rear Axle Ratio: 2.75-1
X7788: X = FMX Transmission / 7788: 77: Front Spring Load Rate: 1984 lbs. / 88: Rear Spring Load Rate: 1100 lbs.
Any site to buy tonnau cover etc? Dunno.
It's the wheel well molding and the molding and trim around back window is bad. Also need passenger mirror
Thanks everyone.
Body 97D: Ranchero 500
Paint-VR: VR is not the Paint code....Look below VR for the code(s).
int-DB: Blue all Vinyl
Ac-A Air Conditioning
R-2 AM Radio
AX-2 Rear Axle Ratio: 2.75-1
X7788: X = FMX Transmission / 7788: 77: Front Spring Load Rate: 1984 lbs. / 88: Rear Spring Load Rate: 1100 lbs.
Any site to buy tonnau cover etc? Dunno.
It's the wheel well molding and the molding and trim around back window is bad. Also need passenger mirror
Thanks everyone.
Do you have tu-tone paint?
---------------------------
D2OZ9742404A .. Back Window Moulding-Lower Right.
D2OZ9742405A .. Back Window Moulding-Lower Left
D2OZ9742492A .. Back Window Moulding-Side/Upper Right
D2OZ9742493A .. Back Window moulding-Side/Upper Left.
These mouldings fit 1972/79's.
-----------------------------
What type of outside mirror do you have, the Racing (painted) type, or does it have a squarish chrome head and base?
The Magnum 500 wheels have been reproduced and are available from dearbornclassics.com, as are a TON of other repro parts.
I'll let you know what is available when the mirror and w/o moulding numbers are known.
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Ford Parts Specialist
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 88,826
Likes: 784
From: Simi Valley, CA
The paint code is below VR.
Is your Ranchero two colors or one?
New User
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 2
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I have a 79 GT that my uncle picked up in California and drove back out to Nebraska when he was done with it. It has about 75,000 on it and I got it when I turned 16. I drove it all through HS and college. When I had to move to the east coast I couldn't bear to let it go to the salvage yard so and I parked it in 01 in a barn. I am going to keep it and restore it in the next couple of years to a good driving vehicle. As it is the same year as I am and it has very little appeal to anyone other than Ranchero buffs. I also think it will be a different vehicle to have and drive. I also think it rides as good as any 30 year old vehicle and is a head turner, if only due to its odd looks. It has very little rust and only one dent due to a non english speaking driver backing into it in california. It also has a topper covered in surfing stickers. I would encourage you to keep it and put a little money into it. It is a cool car and I still wave at every Ranchero I meet.
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