With Pickups maintaining their popularity in the classic market, promising projects are usually highly sought after. That description would best summarize this 1976 Ford F250 Ranger 4×4 Highboy. It needs love, but the included parts will set the winning bidder on their way to returning this gentle giant to its former glory. It is part of an extensive classic collection the owner is downsizing and is listed exclusively at Barn Finds Auctions with No Reserve.

There’s quite a bit to unpack with this truck, but there is plenty of positive news to gladden the hearts of potential bidders. The first owner ordered this beauty in Code P Light Blue, and it retains most of its original paint. It shows its age, but that is expected from a workhorse with forty-seven years under its belt. Restoration is the obvious choice, but there is rust requiring attention before the winning bidder grabs their spray gun and sets to work. It has impacted the usual areas like the lower cab corners, and it initially seems daunting. However, salvation is at hand because the owner includes a replacement cab that is in good order. It requires typical preparation before receiving a repaint, but it is rock-solid. The bed doesn’t miss out because a partial spare is included that can be cut for the correct steel to make the original rust-free. The frame is in good order, and sprucing it up while the bed and cab are removed would ensure it doesn’t cause future problems. Some trim pieces are damaged, but most should look good with an old-fashioned polish. The buyer needs to source the driver’s door glass, but the remaining windows look fine.

This Pickup’s interior is basically complete but requires effort to present at its best. It is worth remembering that regardless of which path the buyer follows with the interior, it will all be swung into the replacement cab at some point. It is unclear how the seat upholstery looks under the slipcover, but with replacements retailing for under $250, any shortcomings can be addressed without breaking the bank. The winning bidder has wiring to sort out and may choose to remove any additions to start from scratch. The radio is gone, but the dash and pad look pretty good. With those issues tackled and a fresh coat of paint inside the replacement cab before swapping everything over, the interior could easily present in as-new condition for a minimal outlay.

I’ve never heard a classic vehicle owner complain about their toy having too much power, but somebody wasn’t happy about the 145hp and 263 ft/lbs of torque produced by this Ford’s original 360ci V8 because that engine is a distant memory. Its spot now houses a 460 that started life in a Ford or a Lincoln. Its specifications are unclear, but if it came from another vehicle from the same model year, power should rise above 200hp, with torque around 350 ft/lbs. Those are worthwhile gains, meaning load carrying and towing would require less effort. The power feeds through a four-speed manual transmission and a dual-range transfer case. The only identified problem is with the front axle, which the owner believes is negatively impacted by the PTO and winch. It is another case where removing the items might be the best solution to achieve a roadworthy state. The owner has the rear fuel tank, but the winning bidder needs to source a replacement front.

This 1976 Ford F250 Ranger 4×4 Highboy needs work, but everything is there to return it to its former glory. The upgraded V8 would allow it to carry heavy loads in the bed or to put the hitch receiver to good use. These trucks are renowned for their towing ability, while the Highboy’s stance means it could tackle harsh terrain easily. Some people may find the restoration daunting, but with no structural weaknesses, a competent person could tackle most of it in a home workshop. If that prospect sounds tempting, bidding on this beauty could be the first step in returning it to its rightful place on our roads with you behind the wheel.

• Location: East Point, Georgia
• Mileage:  TMU
• Engine: 460ci V8
• Transmission: 4-Speed Manual
• VIN: F26YRA31898
• Title Status: Clean

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