Registered vehicle
1969 Ford Ranchero “Espresso-Outfitters”
About the 1966–1971 Ford Ranchero
from the generation archive
The 1966–1971 Fairlane/Torino Ranchero captures that sweet spot where Ford merged muscle-era styling with genuine utility — and the builds here prove owners aren't just parking them. From weathered beds showing decades of honest use and rear windows with original markings to chrome-loaded engine bays with custom hoses and classic examples turning heads at outdoor shows, these pages document the Ranchero life as it's actually lived.
The story
I picked this up from a car lot around 1997 for $1200 and was looking for a cheap truck for work, now it's 2005 it's ran strong the entire time and I drive it everywhere and haul things all over the place including very long distances, I just put in the electronic ignition and it's just flying to such an impressive degree, especially considering it's a straight 6 with that many miles on it that I'm so impressed, I'm sticking with the block and am taking this to the next level.
Current plans:
Yes, you are saying put a v8 into it, but everybody and their brother has done that, I'm currently converting the entire truck over to modern specs, ie. power windows, power locks w/remote system "am spoiled with my 89 Cougar, so will probably salvage what I need from one from the junk yard for those toys", the currently trashed interior will also be torn out and replaced with something modern. I Will be rebuilding the exaust from scratch first though.
Future plans: Creating/Converting a supercharger or air/fuel injection system into it, looks like I gotta do it all from scratch. Disc brakes, chop the cab down 4", build a drop down bed extension, ramp, winch and lift gate w/suspension to handle it. C6 tranny customized for more torque.
The truck has been neglected for many years, even by all of the previous owners, but it's now a matter of getting something new, and all of it's headaches as well as not being able to work on 100% of it myself "such is the case with my cougar" verses this truck that just runs and runs, gets awsome gas milaege, and now, seems to have some balls.
I'll have photo's posted soon, it's a nice looking truck, just when you look underneath the paint, and hood, and interior, and bed, well, um,... it's just better admired from a short distance as it stands now, hehe. — Brian Millar
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