4WD F250 Survivor Great Daily Driver SoCal Family Owned 38 Years Stock Original

Unmolested, great running and driving, very well-preserved, all stock and original 1978 Ford F250 Ranger 4X4 pickup truck which was owned by one family for 38 years (1978-2016) and spent most of it's life in the dry, moderate climate of Southern California before moving to Utah. It was built at the Ford plant in San Jose, CA and shipped to a dealer in Los Angeles prior to finding its long-term owner.
The running gear is super-strong and this truck is mechanically ready to be enjoyed today. It has a 351M V8 (with new starter and alternator) hooked up to an NP435 4 speed manual transmision andNP205 transfer case. Differentials are a high-pinion Dana 44 (with disk brakes and locking hubs) in the front and a Dana 60 in the rear (with 4.10 gears). The clutch and steering box were replaced recently and the brakes are new front and rear (including master cylinder). Everything works properly and it runs and drives very well.
The exterior is in really good condition. It's evident it spent most of its life in a dry climate. Rust is confined to the rear fender lips and outer cab corners (very typical 1973-1979 rust areas regardless of climate). Patch panels are available very inexpensively in the aftermarket or just leave it as is and preserve the patina. The body is otherwise extremely straight other than some isolated dents near the driver side taillight. It was painted long ago in the original Dark Blue Metallic but has faded since then. All exterior lights work. All glass is good (minus one rock chip) and doors open and close solidly.
The interior is largely original and well-preserved. The dash is in really good shape with all buttons and knobs in place and no cutting or butchery of any kind. All gauges work. Driver side window is difficult to roll up and down. The passenger floorboard had small sheet metal plates screwed in to cover some modest rust-through. I removed them so you can see it's not too bad and can easily be repaired (plates are included if you want to just put them back). The driver side has almost no rust-through. What little there is on both sides has been coated with a rust reformer so it won't spread. Speakers were installed long ago to the right and left of each seat back but the aftermarket stereo has been removed.
This is a great truck. It's mechanically very sound and just needs minor cosmetic love. Or use and enjoy it as is. It's also all stock with no modifications. Trucks that haven't been horribly buggered up over the years are getting harder and harder to come by. My hope is it ends up with someone who will preserve and enjoy it or take it to the next level.
My nameis Chris and I am happy to answer your questions. Please call or text me at 435-669-1470. I alsohave almost 100 pictures that show every nook and cranny in great detail (including the undercarriage). Send or text me your email address and I'll get them to you. This very cool 1978 Ford F250 Ranger 4X4 pickup truckis located in the dry, desert community of Santa Clara, Utah(about 125 miles north of Las Vegas). Thank you very much for your interest.