Custom graphics and celebrity driver pedigree make for one 'rock-solid' truck.
Promoted Stripes
Always cool, but not always in vogue, sundown stripes are making a comeback. Also called rainbow stripes, they hit a high mark in 1979 when the Motor Company enthusiastically promoted factory-customized trucks as “Free-Wheelin' Fords. They're TNT!” With its custom graphics and celebrity driver pedigree, this 'rock-solid' 1984 Ranger 4x4 Styleside is definitely a dynamite package.
Photos courtesy of Hemming.
Current Matters
The first-generation Ranger is a tempting deal, with the added bonus of once being owned by winning NASCAR driver Ricky Craven. While that will not make the truck any faster, it does add bragging rights. The thing is when Craven owned the truck it did not have the eye-catching graphics. Not that it really matters, but the stripes were applied by the current seller.
Honor Win
The sundown stripes do a good job of waking up the alluring beige paint, otherwise known as Light Desert Tan. Craven is best known for winning the Carolina Dodge Dealers 400 at Darlington Raceway in 2003. Wheel-to-wheel with Kurt Busch, Craven was .002 seconds ahead. His win stands as the closest finish in NASCAR history and joins the 'Finish of the 2000s' Sprint Cup Series honor roll.
Carolina Venture
On the flip side, Craven is also remembered for his horrific crash, part of a multi-car pileup, during the Winston Select 500 at Talladega Superspeedway in 1996. Retired in 2006, Craven became a broadcaster and NASCAR analyst for ESPN, FOX, and Yahoo Sports. In 2020, he started his own venture selling sports cars—Ricky Craven Motorsports in Landis, North Carolina.
Backed Generation
A world apart from race-tuned 500+ horsepower NASCAR engines, this 1984 Ranger is fitted with a Ford's 2.8-liter Cologne V6, with a claimed 140 horsepower. The motor is backed by a three-speed automatic transmission and a four-wheel drive manual transfer case. The first-generation Ranger trucks were produced from 1983 to 1992, replacing the Mazda-sourced Ford Courier in North America.
Excellent Step
Despite dating back to the last millennium, the Ranger is in fantastic shape. The seller reports that it has a solid, “rust-free Southern body,” and the paint is free from dents, chips, or blemishes. The glass and all the rubber weather seals are rated as excellent. As an added bonus, the truck is fitted with Westin Automotive side step bars.
New Tracks
The Ranger rides a little taller thanks to a mild lift kit, new shocks, and springs. The truck rides on a set of new alloy wheels from X-D Wheels, wrapped in Mastercraft Courser AXT2 rubber. With a 2021 date code, the tires are basically brand new, showing almost no wear. With a recent alignment, the seller reports that the truck drives and tracks perfectly.
Rock Shape
A spray-in bedliner and a TruXedo Lo Pro Soft Roll-Up Tonneau Cover rounds out the accessory add-ons. The vinyl upholstery and carpeting are newer and reflect the original stock interior. The headliner is in excellent shape. All gauges are functional. Those interested in this 'rock-solid' Ranger with a touch of NASCAR pedigree can find the Hemmings ad here—the asking price is $22,000.
>>Join the conversation about this Vintage All-Electric Bronco right here in the forum.
For help with your maintenance and repair projects, please visit our how-to section of Ford-trucks.com.
