66 Ranger

Hoofbeat Racer · Post by **Hoofbeat Racer** » April 27, 2009, 4:41 pm

Finally got a round to posting a few pics. Here is how it started life

1966 F250 - Hauled it home on holidays in 2005 from northern Washington. Truck was rust free, not a dent on it. Unlike my forehead, 4 years of frying pans have taken their toll

Ranger parts truck that I got for 100 bucks. Nice donor

4 years later... I wanted to build a truck that looked like it was hot rodded in the late sixties. Unfortunately, I wasn't born yet but I think it turned out pretty close.

Truck is sitting on a 1976 F150 frame that has been shortened 4". The front end is dropped 3" with DJM beams. Rear is dropped 4" with Belltech drop hangars. Chassis engineering ladder bars and leaf spring floaters are hiding under there somewhere too. Rear end is a 31 spline 9" with 3.25 gears and Detroit locker. Fuel tank is stock 76 in frame above rear axle. I fill from inside the the box

Ranger (mustang) seats recovered and refoamed. I integrated a Hurst Promatic 2 truck shifter into the falcon console. It actually fit pretty good and then just made a leather shift boot to finish it off. Steering column is from a 74 truck with a 4 spd, so no shift guts hangin around. Wheels are real Cragar S/S, first available in 66

Those of you that know me will understand the plate.

Alan should appreciate the gas pedal

Gauges are all Autometer Traditional Chrome. Bezel was vacuum plated, turned out real nice.

Engine was a 460 that was worked over a bit. So good that it cratered last fall. I won't go into too many details, most know the story anyway. That is part of the reason I am posting this now, I need to find some ambition.

Not all is lost, I am getting to build my stroker that I always wanted. This summer will see a stock 71 429 go in just so I can drive the truck and enjoy our 2 months of summer (groan)

Sorry for the goofy photo format. I pulled them out of my appraisal album. Truck is still in the garage from sitting all winter, can't take fresh ones for a while. Hope you all enjoy. Thanks again to the many members of this site that made building this truck possible.

As always, it is a work in progress. This truck hopefully will be in Iowa next summer

ICEMAN6166 · Post by **ICEMAN6166** » April 27, 2009, 5:44 pm

very nice truck Mark. spend the summer getting the engine done and you should make Iowa no problem.
im going to try and get all the major work done on the uni this summer, will be parked for the winter again and finish up the rest next year.

36truck · Post by **36truck** » April 27, 2009, 6:31 pm

Mark that is one sharp looking 66. I really like how the interior turned out.

Now get it on the road.

jkimbrel65 · Post by **jkimbrel65** » April 27, 2009, 7:16 pm

Beautiful!!

Post by **Greg D** » April 27, 2009, 8:26 pm

I have only seen one shot your truck til now Mark, was real nice. That is one real nice truck - very nicely done!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

ezernut9mm · Post by **ezernut9mm** » April 27, 2009, 8:43 pm

i hate it....because it is not mine! lol. great job on a great looking truck mark. hope to see it up close someday.

Anthony · Post by **Anthony** » April 27, 2009, 9:03 pm

I WANT A GAS PEDAL LIKE THAT!!! nice looking truck Mark. keep us posted on the engine build.... Anthony

slick4x4 · Post by **slick4x4** » April 27, 2009, 9:15 pm

S W E E T

f100matt · Post by **f100matt** » April 27, 2009, 11:08 pm

bluebolt · Post by **bluebolt** » April 28, 2009, 12:59 am

Anthony wrote:I WANT A GAS PEDAL LIKE THAT!!! nice looking truck Mark. keep us posted on the engine build.... Anthony

I just removed one of those highly valuable gas pedals off of my white 66 F100 because I coudn't bear to get it dirty.

It's yours for $60

EmSee · Post by **EmSee** » April 28, 2009, 10:40 am

I view this site often and seldom post comments but... I'd really like to thank you - you've done a lot with your truck and given me a nudge to get back to work on mine.

eaglefan · Post by **eaglefan** » April 28, 2009, 4:31 pm

Mark-- Your truck is awesome!!!! I just started to tear down my 66 sw and you have really put the fire back into my project.... I'll post some pictures as soon as possible!!!! Randy

dotcentral · Post by **dotcentral** » April 28, 2009, 5:02 pm

Looks good to me. Awfully clean.

You left it a long bed, right? Just shortened the frame 3" to fit the body/bed a little better?

JROD2TRUX · Post by **JROD2TRUX** » April 28, 2009, 6:26 pm

BEAUTIFUL TRUCK!!! Excellent inspiration for my 63 uni project!!

FORDMANLCRACKEL · Post by **FORDMANLCRACKEL** » April 28, 2009, 7:49 pm

Very good looking truck!!!

Lonnie

Hoofbeat Racer · Post by **Hoofbeat Racer** » April 28, 2009, 11:00 pm

I appreciate all the comments fellas. Glad you all like the pics. It really is an experience to drive. Truck is downright nasty to be honest. Definately made me grin anyway.

Dot, it is a longbed. Frame was cut exactly 4" and wheelbase is the correct 129" for a 66.

semotrucker · Post by **semotrucker** » April 28, 2009, 11:16 pm

Very sharp indeed. Especially like the interior, wish mine looked half that nice. I have one of the foot accel pedals laying around somewhere out in the shed. Also had a matching little foot that went on the dimmer switch but I hav'nt seen it in years.

Cam

tschmitt · Post by **tschmitt** » April 30, 2009, 6:40 pm

That is a great looking truck. I love the color. Fantastic job on it.

ezernut9mm · Post by **ezernut9mm** » April 30, 2009, 6:56 pm

mark, i just noticed the twin antennas. it can't tell, but it looks like the original was on the drivers side? why the twins? just because it looks cool, or performance??? lol

Hoofbeat Racer · Post by **Hoofbeat Racer** » April 30, 2009, 10:50 pm

When we sanded the cowl, there was a second hole that was on the passenger side that had been filled. Both holes were identical in shape and location. Blue truck was on driver side, red truck was on passenger side. I couldn't resist "dual antennas whipping in the wind"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Cdzt_8D ... re=related

Mostly for cool factor in my own eyes though Chris. They are functional however, there is a splitter hooked to the working AM radio. You can't see them in the pics but there is also a set of purple lights in the top corners behind the windshield as well as the blue dots.