BF Exclusive: 1971 Ford F-250 Sport Custom 4×4
Farm fresh and full of nostalgia, this semi-refurbished 1971 Ford F250 Custom Sport 4×4 runs and drives “great,” according to the seller. The Marsing, Idaho classic seeks a new owner here on Barn Finds, where $28,000 puts a clean title in your name. The new tires look perfect with the white 16-inch steel wheels. Not restored, the mostly-original Ford shows some dents and minimal rust. Western mirrors, new parts, and shiny trim render this honest 4×4 ready for a second life of hard work, or a well-earned retirement visiting car shows and the occasional trip to the lumber yard.
Built July, 1971 in Ontario, Canada, this late ’71 Ford came with the 360 cid (5.9L) V8, and this one appears to have gained a remanufactured non-original motor from Washington state at some point, according to the seller. Thanks to the tag decoder at Fordification for some details.
Ford truck enthusiasts call the 1967-1977.5 Ford F-250 4X4 “Highboys,” thanks to a high-lifted body necessitated by a divorced transfer case. The higher center of gravity comes with some drawbacks, but they look rugged and readily accept larger-than-stock tires. Check out more details on the Highboy Fords at BlueOvalTrucks. The seller awaits a Marti report to dish more details on this jolly two-tone green rancher. The non-factory looking fuel fillers may be dealer-installed auxiliary tanks, according to Fordification.
The F-series dashboard carried forward 1960s styling until the array of rectangles of model year 1973. The five-foot-long gear shifter stirs a four-speed New Process 435, and a locking Dana 60 out back should handle any challenge you’re willing to throw at this 51-year-old truck. The body tag decodes to 4.10 gears, perfect for getting that trailer up the hill, but less than ideal for high-speed cruising, unless you enjoy frequent fuel stops as an excuse to stretch your legs and your gas card. A steering-wheel spinner eases one-handed maneuvers and backing up with your head out the window. Rubber flooring and a mostly metal interior promise no-nonsense cleanup, even with a hose if you like. That’s how my Grandfather did it! Just don’t spray north of the pedals and you’re all good. If that foot pedal parking brake is in good shape, it will hold with authority and release with the force of a trebuchet. Would you put this Ford back to work or shine it up for weekend cruising?
Auctions Ending Soon
2002 Subaru Impreza WRXBid Now2 days$333
1975 Chevrolet Corvette ConvertibleBid Now2 days$4,000
1964 Ford F-100 Camper CustomBid Now2 days$2,000
2006 Jeep Wrangler SportBid Now4 days$10,500
1974 Datsun 260ZBid Now6 days$460
Comments
Such a beauty! Love the Highboys.
72 grille.
Being a BF ad, I never comment on the price, HOWEVER, a few things must be said. 1st, of course it’s an outstanding find, 4×4 pickups always led a rough life. It’s why they were bought in the 1st place. 2nd, I don’t see any P/S or P/B, when was the last time you actually drove a vehicle like this? Ever hear of “bump steer” or without power brakes? It’s just how these were equipped then, as cheap and as powerful as possible. I repeat these misgivings to possibly educate someone with good intentions, compared to a new truck may think, hmm, how different could it be, and will be horrified this is what we drove in 1971. They are a handful, and may want to check local laws about the spinner, I kid you not. I don’t know about you, gas has come down a bit ( up $1.75, down .75) so travel will be limited by your pocketbook. Don’t get me wrong, these were a culmination of 75 years of building trucks, and just the best work horses you could buy, before they slid into what is known and used as a pickup today. I just hope people know what they are plunking $30grand down for.
I completely agree with Howard about the riving experience with these 3/4 and 1 ton 4 x 4 “s I see on sale . I have driven and owned them so I know that at best they handle like farm implements , the only safety feature sits behind the wheel . That said they are great to look at and once you get used to their quirks very friendly and reliable . These tings are for rugged outdoorsy types , no soy boys need apply .
This ford will need front knuckle seal and bearings to drive and steer decent, I imagine another 10K in vested to get it up to carshow standards and your all set.
Work it! Wish i had $$ to buy.
Nice truck, although real truck drivers use their mirrors rather than sticking their heads out the window to back up. That way, you see what’s happening on both sides. I always liked these highboys, but even in the old days, I didn’t want to pay for the gas these things drink.
I had a ’68 F250 4×4 without the higher trim package and it was a great truck for general use. I never missed having power steering or brakes, but simply drove accordingly. It seemed perfectly happy at 50 or 55mph. So long as the wheels were turning, even a little, it didn’t steer too hard, and steered very nicely out on the open road. Trucks of that type in that time period and before didn’t commonly have any power assists, and a fair number of larger trucks didn’t either. If you require power assists, find a newer truck, or enjoy this one for what it is (in my opinion.)
I had a 1971 f250 back in 1971 as my work truck, it could out pull, out tow , out plow every thing of that era, but could not pass a gas station . Loved that truck , and this truck is a very nice example !
Had a number of these, and later highboys. Some of them came with a ram type PS setup that usually leaked profusely. The spinner and driving off road with your thumbs inside theWheel sure could wreck your thumbs when a rock was hit.
Still, greatest rigs. Wish I had this.
These are real trucks, my F26Y is like driving a mid 60’s international school bus, the granny low saves on brake when pulling into parking lots. Rebuild the carb and have 2 1/2″ dual exhaust installed and it has no problem getting out of its own way. Definately has a drinking problem with 4:10 gears