1977 Ford F150 4x4 western high desert survivor barn find Ranger Explorer Custom

For sale: Original survivor 1977 Ford F-150 4x4 from the high desert of north central Montana, never seen salt and the same family owned this truck for 40 years. Purchased new in Cut Bank, and lived life out on the plains amid the sagebrush and prickly pear cactus. Used primarily by an older gentleman for fishing, hunting, and runs to the family cabin near Glacier National park. Never abused and always well maintained. All original documentation from 1977 is included, manuals, owner card, warranty papers, dealer mileage disclosure with 3 miles, factory special paint order sheet, and factory recall letter. Factory Ford “Compass” topper and original jack, handle, and lug wrench. Working period CB radio, even seat belt buzzer and fasten seat belt light both work. Special order paint color is not identified on Marti report, but it looks like 1967 Mustang/Shelby Brittany blue. 140k highway miles, but drives like 40k. Engine was rebuilt and it’s a super tight and nice driving original truck. I’ll do my best to describe it below, see additional detail pics including underside at linked Photobucket album and YouTube walk around video.

Exterior: Original paint with nice patina, still shines well but paint is thinning on roof, hood, and upper part of doors. Straight truck with only a few minor dings as shown in pics. Roads aren’t salted here, and truck is very dry with only one small corrosion spot from exhaust pipe on exterior body. Underside looks good, cab mounts and drop-offs nice, floor had a small patch repair done many years ago from snow melting off boots in the winter, causing moisture. Of course we don’t see frame rot out here in the dry west. There is some surface rust inside bed from a wooden gear box (no holes), I sprayed it with rust converter, that is the black area you see in pics/video. Wanted to leave options open for spray in liner or repaint. I’d say 95 percent rust free, about as good as I’ve seen in these 73-79 trucks. See detail pics at linked Photobucket album. Factory topper is weathered and needs repaint, also it had a roof vent at one time that has been closed off, but the hole will still be there. Topper door has a fiberglass repair on the underside, not visible unless hatch open and doesn't affect function. Glass is good except windshield has a crack. Grille surround and front bumper are nice, so there’s $800 you don’t have to spend. Overall very nice looking truck that will garner accolades at Cars N Coffee, Home Depot, or Steak N Shake.

Interior: Original in very presentable condition for a nice driver. Original door panels and headliner in good condition, carpet and seat upholstery have been replaced. A few small cracks in original dash pad. Truck has been smoked in. Very tight truck that has a low mile “feel” driving it. Doors close like a bank vault with one finger. It’s very hard to duplicate that original “feel” on a truck that’s been used hard and then taken apart and re-done. As far as I know, everything works, all gauges, Hi-Output heater, wipers, radio, windows and door locks, parking brake, etc. Even the vintage CB works along with seat belt warning buzzer and fasten seat belt light.

Mechanical: Starts, runs, and drives, and stops well. No noises, smoke or major leaks and it’s got great oil pressure. Jump in and go. Truck was very well cared for and maintained, whatever was needed was done professionally by Northern Ford in Cut Bank. Engine was rebuilt and upgraded from a 351M to a 400 with a change of reciprocating assembly approximately 40k miles ago, according to the previous owner’s grandson. I do not have the engine documentation, but have many receipts including complete transfer case rebuild. 4x4 works, I tested it in high and low range. This is the bullet proof factory part-time 4x4, with hubs and NP205 transfer case, not the cheesy full time 70s Ford system. Tires have good tread but are older and have a few small weather cracks. About all I can see that needs attention is a wet spot on the backing plate of the driver side rear wheel, not sure if it’s a wheel cylinder or axle seal. Just a solid old truck that will get you there and back. These era Ford trucks are anvil-tough and pretty much indestructible, however old trucks do need work from time to time, so if you haven’t messed with vintage vehicles, adjust your expectations accordingly.

Pricing/Misc: 73-79 Ford trucks are listed as one of the top ten future collectible vehicles by Hagerty and others. I personally sold a very similar 78 F150 4x4 long box for $11.5k right here on eBay last year. This truck is NO RESERVE and will sell. Title is clear and in my name. Truck runs and drives fine, but flying in and driving it home isn’t really advisable, as Montana is a huge and remote state with poor cell coverage. Truck can stay here for 30 days after auction end, after that $100 per month storage will be due. Buyer needs to bind coverage on the truck as I will cancel my insurance upon sale.

Please check with your wife and banker before bidding. If you win this auction, you own the truck, and need to pay for it per the terms below. Thank you!

Link to Photobucket album with 70 detail pics (copy and paste to your browser)

http://s261.photobucket.com/user/burgundyamx/library/77F150blue?sort=9&page=1

YouTube walk around video with truck running:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=334FWNiUBeI&list=PLakBRgNFfiH4uKTLrWBZzQJkZgcLsGSRu

****Shipping will be from Helena, MT. I-15 and I-90 both very near, transport is reasonable. Zip code for shipping quote use 59601*****

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 48 hours of end of auction. The remainder is due within 3 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.

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