Rust Free Original Barn Find One 38 Yr Owner Southwest AC/PS/PB Built 400M Auto

1978 Ford F-250 4X4 Ranger XLT Camper Special Description

Beautiful, exceedingly well preserved, desert Southwest, rust free, original, great running and driving, fully optioned, spectacular example of a 1978 Ford F-250 Ranger XLT Camper Special 4X4 pickup truck. This truck was ordered with most every option available in 1978. It was bought brand new by the original (now elderly) owner and he kept it until 2016. He last licensed it in 2008. Just by looking at it you can tell it was his baby. Other than an engine rebuild/upgrade to mildly built status and some tasteful upholstery work, this beauty is completely stock and original. It drives wonderfully too; I'm struck by how tight and rattle-free the running gear and suspension is over bumps and through corners.
Below is a list of goodies in no particular order...
* Fresh Engine Rebuild (less than 200 miles)* Headers* DynoMax 3 Inch Exhaust System* RV Cam* Ford Racing Aluminum Valve Covers* Edelbrock Performer Intake Manifold* Edelbrock Performer Carburetor* Edelbrock Performer Air Filter* MSD Ignition* MSD Distributor* MSD Coil* MSD 8.5mm Plug Wires* New Alternator* New Water Pump* New Master Cylinder* Dual Batteries* Power Steering* Power Brakes* New Front Pads, Rotors & Lines* Air Conditioning* Fresh Oil Change & Coolant Flush* C6 Automatic Transmission* NP205 Transfer Case* Warn Locking Hubs* High Pinion Dana 44 Front Axle* Dana 60 Rear Axle* American Racing Wheels* New LT285/75R16 M+S Tires* Tekonsha Trailer Brakes* New Seat Upholstery* New Door Panels
The rust-free body is just beautiful with the original Ford Bright Yellow paint nicely patina'd (but still shining) and all hard-to-find trim in good condition and still securely in place. Grille has a dent above passenger headlight. Glass is good and doors open and close solidly. There is one location on the cab and one on the bed that show prior evidence of minor dent repair (see pics). All exterior lights work.
The interior is in really good, well preserved condition. Headliner, door panels, and seat upholstery have been replaced over time. A vintage Sony AM/FM/Cassette Deck was installed at some point. Radio works but station display does not. Dash is excellent with no cutting or butchery of any kind. Dash pad and door weatherstripping have become cracked and brittle in the dry, desert heat. Original carpet is also showing its age. Windows roll up and down properly. AC compressor works but heater fan does not.
The running gear is awesome. The mildly built 400M V8 (less than 200 miles) connects to a C6 automatic transmission and NP205 transfer case. The engine runs great, tranny shifts great, and transfer case works great. It has a high-pinion Dana 44 in front and a Dana 60 (4.10 Gear Ratio, Limited Slip) in the rear. Again, I'm particularly struck by how well this truck drives. The engine runs very smoothly, trans shiftly cleanly, 4WD system works properly and it drives much like I'd imagine a new truck would... very tight, solid, and rattle-free.
This model represents the last version of the F-250 with the desirable solid front axle before they switched to the TTB axle in 1980. As such, it's starting to become quite collectible. Examples this straight are sure to lead the pack in appreciation. This one was built in San Jose, CA and shipped to the Los Angeles, CA district. It's entire life has been spent in an ideal climate for vehicle preservation. And if you are a purist, all the upgrades are bolt-on and easily reversible. Just my two cents.
My name is Chris and I am happy to answer your questions. Please call me at 435-669-1470. I also have almost 200 pictures that show every nook and cranny in great detail (including the undercarriage). Send or text me your email address and I'll get them to you. It is ready to enjoy today so you may want to consider flying in and driving home. That would be a fun adventure and I'd be happy to help facilitate it. This outstanding 1978 Ford F-250 XLT Ranger Camper Special 4X4 pickup truck is located in the dry, desert community of Santa Clara, Utah(about 125 miles north of Las Vegas). Good luck and good bidding.