1979 Ford F150 F-150 4x4 western high desert survivor barn find Custom Ranger

1979 Ford F-150

For sale: 1979 Ford F150 4x4 from dry central Montana, land of the sage brush and prickly pear cactus. This truck was ordered new at the local Ford dealership by an elderly neighbor of mine. When he passed, it went to his son, whom I purchased it from last year. Nicely equipped with big 400 V8, automatic, part-time 4x4 with hubs, PS, PB, tilt wheel, quad shocks, inside hood release, cab lights, two-tone paint with racetrack moldings, chrome folding mirrors, and factory aluminum mag wheels. Cost per the original invoice from 1979 was $10,324. I've driven and enjoyed it, but recently found the yellow short box I've been looking for, so this one is now up for grabs. Great rig with a mountain of documentation including original window sticker, build sheet, dealer order form, warranty papers, manuals, everything. Truck has never been lifted, mudded, wheeled or abused. 1979 was the best and final year for this truck series, with integral power steering and the better front suspension. Please see linked Photobucket album below for more detail pics, including underside.
Exterior: Paint is very nice, original owner's son had it professionally repainted at a local quality shop here in town. No major rust issues, this is arid country and sand, not salt, is used on the roads. We just don't see much body rust out here, and frame rust is unheard of. The only areas that needed attention (and were repaired with metal) were the spot over each rear wheel where mud accumulates, and a spot on the box floor where a wooden toolbox trapped moisture. Inside of box is in good condition and was repainted per factory, and not lined with cheap black coating like so many trucks you see. Very straight, there is one ding in the passenger front corner of the hood. Glass is good, moldings are good with no pitting, there are a few dings in the grille surround. Front bumper was scratched,so I replaced with new. Wheels are original 1979 Ford truck/Bronco slotted mags, I had them polished and added chrome center caps. Original black center caps will be included. 30 x 9.50 tires are like new with great tread and no cracks. Underside of truck is very clean with no corrosion showing on cab mounts, cab drop offs, or floors. Only thing I see is the usual rust in the bottom of the gas tank skid plate due to dirt and debris accumulating and holding moisture there. See linked Photobucket album below.

Interior: All original and in very good condition. Original factory seat upholstery, door panels, dash, and headliner in good shape. A few cracks in original floor mat. Previous owner said seat and mat were pulled and floor sprayed with rust inhibiting paint. Everything works as far as I can tell, right down to factory inside hood lock, parking brake, and factory radio. Just a great survivor.
Mechanical: Starts, runs, stops, and drives out well. Previous owner signed off the indicated 72k miles as original, and I have no reason to doubt that. No noticeable smoke or leaks. Pulls strong and shifts well. Truck did a lot of sitting over the last 20 years, but original family was diligent about driving it periodically to stave off any deterioration. There is a bit of piston noise cold, goes away warm, as is typical with these 351M/400 engines. Will run a very long time as is. Really a good original truck. I have used 4x4 in high and low range and driven with the hubs in up to highway speeds and it all works well. As far as I know everything works, about the only fault I can find is the temp gauge reads a bit high, near the upper end of the "normal" range, even though it's not running hot. I put in a new battery this winter and the truck starts to well below zero, even without using the tank heater.

Pricing/Misc: If you've been watching clean original 70s Ford 4x4 trucks on Ebay lately, prices seem to be following the Broncos sharply upward. A 77 F250 4x4 went $20k, and a 76 F250 4x4 went $23k just in the last couple weeks. I prefer the ride and handling of the F150 to the F250, and with a set of 33' tires this F150 can be just as high as a high boy. There is NO RESERVE, the truck will sell.

Keywords 4x4 four wheel Task Force Thriftmaster Scout 1100 1200 110 120 392 345 304 266 Jeep Bronco GMC Jimmy Sierra Cheyenne super Custom Blazer off road CST XLT Ranger Custom High boy Hiboy Ranger Lariat F1 F2 F3 Highboy Power Wagon 100 200 1 Camper Special 67 68 69 70 71 72 73 74 75 76 77 78 C10 K10 K20 C20 K5 F100 F150 F250 Land Cruiser FJ40 Rover K10 K20 K30 C10 C20 C30 Scottsdale CST 1500 2500 327 350 402 307 283 396 427 55 56 57 flathead 272 292 312 85 289 302 351 360 390 428 410 427 429 bumpside dentside
LINK TO ADDITIONAL PICS INCLUDING UNDERSIDE - pics in this online album, just ask if you need more. (copy and paste)
http://s261.photobucket.com/user/burgundyamx/library/79jade?sort=9&page=1

****Shipping will be from Helena, MT. I-15 and I-90 both very near, transport is reasonable. Zip code for shipping quote use 59601*****
You are welcome and encouraged to personally inspect the truckprior to bidding.I'm not a dealer, I don't do this for a living, I'm an enthusiast. If you'd like any detailed photos of a specific area of the truck, just ask! I have many photos of it but will be glad to take more if needed. Please ask any questions you like before bidding. You will be answered quickly and honestly.Transport isreadily available, and probably cheaper than fixing rust on an eastern tetanus truck. Montana title isclear and inmynamewith no liens.After the sale, I can store the truck for up to 30 days free, after that $100 per month storage will be due. Buyer needs to get insurance as soon as truck is paid for as I will cancel mine at that time.

AS IS NO WARRANTY
This vehicle is being sold as is, where is with no warranty, expressed written or implied. The seller shall not be responsible for the correct description, authenticity, genuineness, or defects herein, and makes no warranty in connection therewith. No allowance or set aside will be made on account of any incorrectness, imperfection, defect or damage. Any descriptions or representations are for identification purposes only and are not to be construed as a warranty of any type. It is the responsibility of the buyer to have thoroughly inspected the vehicle, and to have satisfied himself or herself as to the condition and value and to bid based upon that judgement solely. The seller shall and will make every reasonable effort to disclose any known defects associated with this vehicle at the buyer's request prior to the close of sale. Seller assumes no responsibility for any repairs regardless of any oral statements about the vehicle.

Winning bidder must contactme within 24 hours of auction end and make arrangements for payment at that time. A $500.00 non-refundable deposit is due within 3 days of end of auction. The remainder is due within5 days of auction end. If no contact is made within 24 hoursI reserve the right to re-list the vehicle, sell it to the next high bidder, or sell it otherwise. Most banks and credit unions do not finance vehicles older than 1995, so make sure if financing that your financial institution accepts the year and miles of this vehicle before bidding. Please arrange financing prior to bidding. Payment is by bank wire only. Buyer is responsible for pickup or shipping of this vehicle. If you wish to have it shipped using a service,I recommend Certified Auto Shippers http://www.certifiedautoshippers.com, ask for Kathy Gant. If you are not sure about something, please ask! Do not assume anything not listed is included.I reserve the right to refuse bids with excessive negative feedback.I reserve the right to end the listing if the vehicle is no longer available for sale. Please do not bid on this auction unless you are serious about owning this vehicle. All non-paying high bidders will be reported to eBay and negative feedback will be posted. PLEASE ONLY BID WHAT YOU ARE WILLING TO PAY. IF THE RESERVE IS NOT MET,I MAY CONTACT THE HIGH BIDDER TO OFFER THE SECOND CHANCE OPTION.

************IF YOU ARE A ZERO FEEDBACK OR LOW FEEDBACK (under 5) DO NOT BID WITHOUT CONTACTING ME FIRST. YOUR BID WILL BE CANCELLED. THE LAST FEW AUCTIONS I'VE HAD WON BY LOW FEEDBACK BIDDERS HAVE BEEN NO-PAYS. EBAY AUCTIONS COST TIME AND MONEY. PLEASE DO NOT BID IF YOU ARE NOT PREPARED TO WIRE THE FUNDS. THANK YOU*************