Factory 4-Speed Project: 1963 Ford Ranchero
There’s much to like about light trucks, such as the Ford Ranchero. They offer the comfort of a sedan, coupled with greater load-carrying capacity and versatility than a station wagon. Domestic production ended years ago, and while the rumor mill suggests they might make a comeback, nothing is set in stone. This 1963 Ranchero is a rock-solid survivor needing a new home. The seller has been its custodian for over two decades, and while they have done much of the heavy lifting on its restoration, constant distractions mean they admit they will probably never finish it. Therefore, a new home beckons and many of the parts required to complete the build are included. The Ranchero is listed here on Craigslist in Atascadero, California. It could be yours for $5,500, and I must say a big thank you to eagle-eyed Barn Finder T.J. for once again spotting a fantastic project candidate.
The Second Generation Ranchero marked a significant philosophical change from Ford. Its predecessor rode on the company’s full-sized platform, but the new model was based on the smaller and cheaper Falcon range. It retained a respectable load-carrying capacity, but the lower sticker price attracted many buyers. This 1963 Ranchero is a Californian survivor wearing its original black plates. The first owner ordered the vehicle in Rangoon Red, one of the iconic shades from the period. It looks slightly tired after over sixty years, but the paint is consistent across the entire vehicle. However, its straight panels and rust-free status make it a prime candidate for restoration. There is no evidence of extreme abuse, with the bed sporting only a few minor dings and dents. The front bumper is slightly bent, but I have seen these repaired successfully. Both bumpers might benefit from a trip to the platers if the new owner seeks a high-end result because they would complement the remaining new trim, rubbers, and seals the seller includes.
The seller commenced the interior restoration, treating the seat to a new cover in the correct material. Locating the seatcover was easy, but the door trims posed a more significant challenge. After years of fruitless searching, they commissioned reproduction replacements that are impossible to tell from the genuine article. They haven’t installed them, and they are safely tucked away in a box for the new owner. There is also a new wheel, so with these items installed and the painted surfaces refreshed, the Ranchero will look like it just rolled off the showroom floor.
Delving below the surface reveals what makes this Ranchero genuinely interesting. Buyers in 1963 could choose between the company’s 144 and 170ci six-cylinder powerplants, coupling the motor with a three-speed manual or two-speed Ford-O-Matic transmission. However, Ford also offered a four-speed manual option, which few buyers selected. That wasn’t the case with our feature Ranchero, which retains that transmission. The extra ratio will undoubtedly improve this Ford’s flexibility at low speeds while allowing it to cruise effortlessly at freeway speed. The first owner chose the larger six, providing a healthy 101hp and 156 ft/lbs of torque. Somebody swapped this for a 144 before the seller took possession, but it isn’t bad news. They secured a date-correct 170 and began a comprehensive rebuild. The engine block and cylinder head are machined, with the cylinder head reconditioned and the bottom end balanced. They planned on installing the motor but have struggled to secure another flywheel that meets their exacting standards. Pulling the existing six and using its flywheel is possible, as is sourcing one from overseas. Whatever path the buyer selects, this Ranchero will really sparkle once the new powerplant is in its rightful place.
There’s much to like about this 1963 Ford Ranchero, from its solid condition and four-speed transmission to the included parts. However, those may not be its greatest strengths. The photos and listing text suggest its restoration should be straightforward, but the price might be what attracts many. Locating a roadworthy restoration project for under $6,000 is challenging, but this Ranchero ticks that box. That makes it affordable and is why I think it will find a new home fairly quickly.
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Comments
Cool. Not commonly seen. The four-speed has to be rare.
Read the (lengthy) Craigslist verbiage. It ought to sound familiar. It is what appears to be an honest rehearsal of how keeping an old car running, then proceeding to give it some upgrades, ends up working out. Ups and downs, stalled projects, we’ve all been there.
Thank you Adam.
The 4 speed used in this Falcon & some early Mustang 6 cylinder & 260 v8 cars is not a Borg Warner t10. It is a transmission that was used in 4 cylinder English Fords. Had one in a ’63 Falcon Futura that split in half during a brisk departure from a stop light in the early ’70s. A sheep in wolfs clothing. The oil spot may still be there.m
That was known as the Dagenham transmission.
Years ago I remember reading in a book on engine swaps that the Dagenham 4-speed was “not, repeat not, a high performance transmission.” Your stop light experience bears that out.
Marble, yeah I’m sure this 4sp meant for a 6 cylinder wouldn’t work with a V8 swap in this Falcon Ranchero, and rear end wouldn’t either. Kind of be a shame to do a swap with this 4sp as rare as it is, even with just the 6 cyl
Yep the Dag 4 speed is weak. But three pedals are there and a 67 bellhousing will allow a top loader. Or go the 5:speed route. With a 6 banger this little truck is good for 30 plus mpg with a 5 speed. This is a steal, should not last long
We had a 64 Econoline Travel Wagon camper that had the Dagenham 4-speed. We were very happy with it. It had “4 on the tree” with the column shift, which made for fun (and unique) shifting. It was a good match for the 170 ci six cylinder.
My very first car was a 1960 Falcon 2 door wagon. pretty close to the Ute here. It had the 144 6, which ran ok and was barely adequate-power wise. It also was only goof to 70,000 miles or so. Coupled to the 2 speed automatic it came with, it was basic transportation, but I loved the thing. It had more replacement steel in it than new steel in the Empire State Building… But, again, I loved the thing.
I will eventually grab me one like the one here. Nothing like a mini truck with style!
I’d like to have it, I like the second and third gen Falcons real well. I agree with another poster, a 5 speed and 240 would make a pretty cheap little hustler that’ll get decent mileage but so would a 1st gen Coyote.
I always thought it was odd that Ford placed those underhood body struts directly over the master cylinder.
I saw a Falcon or Mercury at a show one time where the guy had a driver’s side strut fabricated to go around the master cylinder. The fabrication was excellent, it looked like a factory thing.
This will go quick, at 5500 bucks there is a lot to like. 4 speed, solid body, and nice interior. I hope it goes to somebody that appreciates it and not a flipper or a hotrod builder. Could be a nice summer driver, fun to take to cars and coffee or run to Home Depot. It sure looks like a lot of fun.
This 63 4 speed Ford Ranchero for under $6k will be gone soon, if not already. You just don’t see these 4 speeds, hardly ever. So does the larger, rebuilt 170 engine go with this price? If so, even better. I’m kind of glad it’s all the way out in CA.
Very nice find at a fair price. Seeing the compact Ranchero always makes me think of the 007 Goldfinger movie….Odd-job driving back to the farm in a Ranchero with a 5,000 pound block of metal/crushed Lincoln Continental. Believable… it’s a movie!
The Siskel and Ebert of the automotive world
Thank you… I’ll save my commentary about the missing T-Bird fender skirt (same movie) mystery for the next BF 64-66 T-Bird writeup …cats out of the bag.
Actually that was meant for the guy right below
The price is fair. And it seems an excellent specimen, and in an area that promotes good health and minimal tinworm.
My only question, which cannot be answered, is, what is this thing FOR.
I get the original, and later, Ranchero. What Detroit planners thought would be a Cowboy Cadillac. It worked on the original 1957. It worked on the stylish 1968, and then 1972, Torino chassis
What in Hades is THIS thing?
It’s as plain as Jack Benny’s Maxwell. It’s NOT a sturdy chassis – one reason a V8 was so long in coming to the Falcon, was, a lot of modding had to be done to it. Australia discovered the Falcon didn’t work in their world until local manufacturing redid the front end and chassis.
The flimsiest unibody chassis Ford makes, and they make it a truck? What? (no) Style before (little) Substance?
Don’t get me wrong. I like the Falcon of that generation. Pure, generic transportation – my Inner Miser rejoices at the sight. But, to make it a ute, implying style not found in a conventional truck…huh?
Imagine Mitsubishi making a pickup/ute out of the Mirage…and the whole world, saying in unison, Whiskey-Tango-Foxtrot!
I had one of these, sturdier than you might think. Probably due to the thick sheet metal used then.
Another great candidate for a souped up 250 and top-loader
I’ve had a number of Falcons. Some beaters and some pretty. They’re actually tough little cars. One of them had been ridden hard and beaten badly. Still never failed to get me to work. Only bad thing that happened was I lost my muffler going over the RR tracks. Stopped, picked it up and put it on the floor in the back seat just in case the police stopped me for noise. Drove around like that for 2 months. 😉 Newly married and not much money, but fun days nonetheless.
I dunno, I had a 66 ranchero, 200 six that I put a borg warner 4 spd in. I loaded up the back one day with several engines, a load of car batteries, radiators and junk metal and took it to the scrap yard. 1830 lbs. of scrap. Was low in the back and high in the front, but survived fine…
HC is right. Good thing it’s on the wrong coast.
OMG! Would I love to have this truck! I would do two things with it. Number one take a day and clean and detail it. Number Two drive it just the way it is.
If you don’t know what an inexpensive, economical, simple vehicle, with the capability of hauling all manner of miscellania, is good for- I’m quite sure that I won’t be able to explain it.
Yup.
Ford Ranger.
Datsun and Toyota pickups.
Even the S-10.
Those were purpose-built, economical little trucks.
Not a unibody ute carved out of a plain economy-car.
The trucks I get. Also an economical small car. But to take the worst of both…boggles the mind.
You can please some of the people all of the time, and all of the people some of the time. But ya just can’t please all the people all the time.
My very first car was a 1960 Falcon 2 door wagon. pretty close to the Ute here. It had the 144 6, which ran ok and was barely adequate-power wise. It also was only goof to 70,000 miles or so. Coupled to the 2 speed automatic it came with, it was basic transportation, but I loved the thing. It had more replacement steel in it than new steel in the Empire State Building… But, again, I loved the thing.
I will eventually grab me one like the one here. Nothing like a mini truck with style!
I would love to have it. I would make a gasser .
Curiously, the car is located off El Camino Road (!) It begs for a mild customizing. It’s a unibody, I’d have my body man take four or six inches off the back of the bed to stub it up a bit. Put your thumb over the gas cap, but keep the mild fin treatment. Build up the new motor he’s giving you, but not so much that it breaks the tranny. Shoot it in factory red and add some gray pinstripes. Modest rubber and tasteful wheels and it’s a little beast!
I want to buy this Ranchero.
Bub, Do us all a favor and don’t buy it! Also, how old are you? I am guessing in your early teens, maybe 13.
That’s a good one Joe, it’d be a shame to do anything but keep this as is,or upgrade the 6 cylinder to maybe that 170 seller says he’s got in this 4 speed Ranchero.They are so rare and you won’t see any other 4speeds like this in another one.
Don’t lose your poop, Jolene.
It’s. Just. A. Car.
This is a great solid mostly original Ranchero for restoration or mildly improved driver project to enjoy. A rebuilt mildly modified 200 would make this a preppy economial driver. For strenght on more heavily modified 200 I would swap in a fully sycronized 3 speed from a 67-70 Mustang 200 or a 70 up 200 Maverick. For more cubes, power and torque swap in a 250 cid with a 4 speed toploader from a small block Ford, V-8 driveshaft and later 70’s Pinto rear end yoke to the stock rear end. I did this swap on a 1966 Mustang and it ran very well but did not get the economy of the 200 with 3 speed. A late 70’s Granada 4speed overdrive trans would get the fuel economy back driven easily. The brakes will need to be upgraded from 9 in drums if so equipped if you add a lot of power and speed naturally.
Wow Bub, that is curious! Now tell us why?
Rex, that’s the point Bub doesn’t know.
We had a 64 Econoline Travel Wagon camper that had the Dagenham 4-speed. We were very happy with it. It had “4 on the tree” with the column shift, which made for fun (and unique) shifting. It was a good match for the 170 ci six cylinder.
These old Ranchero’s are pretty cool, it’s a shame for didn’t design a better looking back window treatment. The side view is horrible. They always look like a chopped off station wagon. I like it, it could hang out with my El Camino!