Highly original and ultra-clean one owner F150 Ranger 4x4. Lifetime western truck with extensive recent service. Rebuilt engine, new shocks, tires, exhaust, upholstery, grille, bumpers, and more. Original paint with patina. Heavily documented. Runs and drives great! A cool old truck ready for anything!

Before you glance at this 1978 F150 Ranger’s paint and decide it’s not nice enough, take a closer look. We’ve never seen a cleaner undercarriage on an original 45-year-old vehicle. We’ve never driven an old pickup that feels tighter and better assembled than this one. And with the way these late ‘70s Fords are rapidly appreciating, you could easily add some value if you decide the paint just isn’t good enough. It’s a truck that spent its life out west, so rust is a total non-issue and original paint means no nasty surprises underneath. Check out the fender openings, the cab corners, and the door bottoms—not a trace of bubbling or corrosion anywhere. That’s why western vehicles are better. The doors close with precision, the hood clicks closed without a slam, and aside from some wrinkles on the hood and tailgate, everything’s quite straight. The burgundy color is a nice change of pace for the late ‘70s (most of them were brown or tan or both) and the stripe package adds a sporty look. You’ll also find a new grille and chrome surround, new parking light lenses, fresh bumpers, new fender moldings, new door seals, and a slick tonneau cover for the bed. The bed itself has been used, no doubt about that, but check out how solid it is—nothing to hide here, just solid OEM steel. There’s been a significant investment in this truck, making it ideal for going out and having fun.

The red interior is just awesome, starting with the plaid inserts on the bench seat—pure 1970s cool. You’ll also note fresh carpets and upscale XLT accoutrements that include some simulated burled walnut and a full array of gauges. Options include a tilt steering column and cruise control, two items seldom seen on working-class pickups, and everything works including the AM radio. Controls for the 4-wheel drive system are simple—locking hubs and a single lever on the floor for the 2-speed transfer case, giving this F150 go-anywhere abilities that will surprise you. There’s also a sliding rear window that makes it comfortable to drive in almost any weather, offering pleasant ventilation without a lot of wind. Overhead there’s a new headliner that ties everything together rather well, making this a place you’ll enjoy spending some time.

The engine is a strong running 351 cubic inch V8 that was rebuilt about 5000 miles ago according to records that come with the truck. There’s good truck-like torque at low speeds and a nice V8 burble from the tailpipe out back. That’s factory-applied Ford Blue engine enamel, so you know how clean this truck really is, and it remains 100% stock so reliability and service are unaffected. There’s a big radiator up front so it’s ignores low-speed work and just check out how absolutely pristine those inner fenders are, still wearing their original Cosmoline protectant (with the jack still in place!). A C4 3-speed automatic transmission plus power steering and power brakes with a new master cylinder make it easy for anyone to handle. There’s a light coat of oil on the chassis to help protect it, but nothing is hidden and the frame, floors, cab corners, and bed are all in exemplary condition with zero rot—have you ever seen one so clean? There are recent suspension bushings, new brake calipers and hoses, and a new muffler out back with just the right tone. All the fluids have been flushed and replaced so it is 100% ready for the road. Even the 235/75/15 BFGoodrich radials are new and those 5-spoke hubcaps are a rather rare find, too!

Documentation is extensive, including the original manuals and warranty booklet, factory build sheet, original purchase order and registration documents from the original owner, and a Deluxe Marti Report. Spares include a brand-new steel tailgate and a fresh set of decals should you decide to freshen it up.

Please don’t judge this truck by how shiny it is, judge it by the quality under the skin. It’s incredibly clean, drives great, and a rather large sum of money has been spent on the mechanicals and interior to make it one of the best drivers you’ll experience. With just one owner, it’s lived a good life and offers the kind of documentation and history that buyers of far more expensive vehicles rarely get. Yes, you’d be right in thinking that we like this truck a lot. Call today!

Harwood Motors always recommends and welcomes personal or professional inspections of any vehicle in our inventory prior to purchase.