I found this 1978 F150 Ranger XLT in a field and it need some help so I bought it. The engine is a 460 and the bed is some what rusted out. The interior was in fair shape and the motor turns over but no gas tank so I ordered a 38 gallon take for that 460. The carb is frozen shut and will not open. I removed all the spark plugs and put WD-40 down each cylinder incase I have a little rust or stuck rings. I will be changing the oil and the transmission fluid and putting new filters in both. The intake has a lot of rust on it so I will be replacing it when I change out the carb. Anyone gat any good advice for a aluminum intake and carb set up for this truck. I do pull a boat and will be doing Hwy and town driving. I will post some pics.

 

And a Ranger to boot!

IMHO,, I’d leave it as near stock as possible. Looks to be a diamond in the rough of sorts. The Rangers are starting to command some coin, actually most of the late 70’s iron. They happen to be my favorite rigs..
The carb could be worked loose.. Certainly your choice,, but don’t toss the old bits.....

 

I now own 3 Ford trucks a 1969 F100 Sport Custom with a 390 and 3 on the tree, 1978 F150 Ranger XLT with a 460, and a 2006 XLT 4x4 with a 5.4. The 06 is my least favorite. I like the older ford trucks. I found the 69 in a yard on the side if the hwy and talked the owner into selling it to me for $900.00 it does have a new rebuild on the original block and it is installed in the truck with new clutch, pressure plate, and throw out bearing. I need to put the carb back on the motor and engine is ready to go. I found the 78 in the back yard of a guys house and he sold it to me for $1200.00 I am not sure if these would be considered a good price, but I am having fun putting them back into running order. The 06 is my daily drive and loves the gas stations. I forgot to mention I am retired. I am either working in my garden, tending to my chickens, gone fishing, or playing with my trucks. The trucks are my toys. I have a 5 car garage and is to full of my hobbies.

 

I used to work on a commercial Ford fleet. Retired now as well..

I picked up many projects along the way too. I built a 68 2x4 for a DD, and my crown was a 69 250 4x4 390 4spd built from the leaf spring shackle bushings on up. It was a gorgeous piece of old Ford iron, wish I still owned it.. Have had my share of late 70's trucks, and flew to AZ to pick up an extremely clean 79 F150 4x4 4sd (later convert to auto and I added A/C) and seems like just yesterday wrenching on them all. More like 30-40 years! Back in the day, we used to custom install Perkins and Detroit diesels in the late 70's trucks well before Ford.. lol Talk about a beast for their time..

I look around locally here, lots of barns etc, and there's quite a showing of Ford trucks here and occasionally an older one will pop up.. I don't need anymore projects, but just cant resist them old Fords...
Enjoy your projects,, and DO post up images along the way!