New Member of the Family

By now, I’m sure you have heard about my April vehicular aquisition of Grimm.

At the end of that post, I mentioned that the co-worker I purchased him from, Don, was also selling a couple of other trucks like Grimm for prices that could be considered kick-yourself-for-passing-them-up low.

Times at Don’s place have changed and he absolutely, positively needed to get rid of everything because he has decided to sell his place and move closer to work, where he will have less property.

So I, being the best opportunist I could be asked him about the one remaining mid-70’s F-Series truck he had. Which is how I ended up buying Fred.

Fred is a 1975 F-250 Ranger XLT Camper Special Model.

The F-250 part is self-explanatory and the Ranger XLT is a paint and interior package. It is the Camper Special portion of that description that should catch your eye. That particular package was sold as an upgrade option for the 3/4-ton trucks, and if I remember the old brochures correctly, includes the 1-ton axle and springs, a four-core radiator instead of the three-core, an upgraded brake package and a more expandable electrical package for things like lights and trailer brakes.

Fred’s powerpant is the stout 390ci V-8 which transfers its power to the rear axle via a C-6 auto trans.

Fred is currently sitting under what I have in the past called “Grimm’s Backpack”, but will most likely become “Fred’s Backpack” due to the ride height of Grimm, which makes motoring around with it on Grimm quite “interesting” (SHTF plans have not changed, however, and Fred will be joining us if possible).

While Fred isn’t the prettiest truck, only the ‘yow’ in the fender you can see and a ‘bonk’ on the passenger side of the bed, keep his body panels from being perfectly straight.

And for $500, how can you turn down ‘ol Fred?

I also snagged up a spare 390 engine for a price too low to mention here and Don threw in a new-in-the-box tailgate, spare alternators, ignition modules, manuals and a bedfull of other F-Series parts he’s collected and never installed during his years as a ‘Ford Truck Guy’.

Don is also trying to not have to send his 79 Chevy 18ft Motorhome to the scrapyard, so if you’re looking for a decent SHTF famliy mover, leave a comment and I’ll give ye the particulars.