I bought my 1960 Ford Ranchero in March of 2012, had no intention of obtaining such a vehicle, as I was without, and just looking for basic transportation. I kept coming back to the Ranchero. After 3 attempts to buy a used Toyota pickup, I relented and called the seller. It was a good 60 miles from where I lived, and had to arrange several bus excursions to get to the car, which pretty much meant I was going to buy it regardless. The car was, and still is a fixer upper, but the body is straight, as is the frame, there are very few dents, and the drive train is solid, all in all a steal for $1200.00.
The car is slammed to the weeds, lowered 4 inches; this does detract from its daily driving attributes, so it will eventually be raised 2 inches, so it will be much more capable of a car. It came with a 1964 200ci inline 6 from a Ford Fairlane, it only has 4 main bearings though, not the more desired 7 main bearings that were standard starting in 1965, and have the whole bottom end statically and dynamically balanced and a 3-speed on the floor, and the stock 6.75” rear end with 3.89 gears.
My plans for the car are to install a larger “Log” cylinder head I got off a 1969 Mustang; with 1.75 intake/1.46 exhaust valves; I will eventually get a 1969 block as well. I am going to have some cylinder head work done to make the engine breathe better, install a mild 264/264 110H cam, 1.5 adjustable rocker arms, electronic ignition, most likely a D.U.I. setup, dual timing chain, headers and exhaust system, I am also going to install a weber 32/36 progressive 2 barrel carb with a 2-1 adapter, and raise the compression ratio to about 9.3:1. I am also planning to install a T-5 transmission out of a Mustang GT, and an 8” rear end with 3.55 gears. My goal for this vehicle is to make it perform like a modern car with all of the character and styling of a 1960’s auto, as well as being a daily driver.
I plan on using the original 13” rims for at least 1 set of tires, as I like the look of the hubcaps, I plan on upgrading to 15” wheels with torq thrust rims and 205/60r15 tires and disc brakes up front.
I have already purchased, new tie rods, new ball joints, center link, spring perch, spring insulators, U-bolts, upper and lower control arms, and 4 new KYB shocks. I also bought 4 new brake drums, wheel cylinders, brake lines, master cylinder, hoses, and all of the hardware. I just need to get new coil springs (2” lower than stock)and 2” lowering blocks for the rear am waiting for the weather to get nicer to install it all, then it will ride like a new car.
I am a total newbie, but have learned a lot from reading this forum, as well as the Falcon performance handbook.
The car is slammed to the weeds, lowered 4 inches; this does detract from its daily driving attributes, so it will eventually be raised 2 inches, so it will be much more capable of a car. It came with a 1964 200ci inline 6 from a Ford Fairlane, it only has 4 main bearings though, not the more desired 7 main bearings that were standard starting in 1965, and have the whole bottom end statically and dynamically balanced and a 3-speed on the floor, and the stock 6.75” rear end with 3.89 gears.
My plans for the car are to install a larger “Log” cylinder head I got off a 1969 Mustang; with 1.75 intake/1.46 exhaust valves; I will eventually get a 1969 block as well. I am going to have some cylinder head work done to make the engine breathe better, install a mild 264/264 110H cam, 1.5 adjustable rocker arms, electronic ignition, most likely a D.U.I. setup, dual timing chain, headers and exhaust system, I am also going to install a weber 32/36 progressive 2 barrel carb with a 2-1 adapter, and raise the compression ratio to about 9.3:1. I am also planning to install a T-5 transmission out of a Mustang GT, and an 8” rear end with 3.55 gears. My goal for this vehicle is to make it perform like a modern car with all of the character and styling of a 1960’s auto, as well as being a daily driver.
I plan on using the original 13” rims for at least 1 set of tires, as I like the look of the hubcaps, I plan on upgrading to 15” wheels with torq thrust rims and 205/60r15 tires and disc brakes up front.
I have already purchased, new tie rods, new ball joints, center link, spring perch, spring insulators, U-bolts, upper and lower control arms, and 4 new KYB shocks. I also bought 4 new brake drums, wheel cylinders, brake lines, master cylinder, hoses, and all of the hardware. I just need to get new coil springs (2” lower than stock)and 2” lowering blocks for the rear am waiting for the weather to get nicer to install it all, then it will ride like a new car.
I am a total newbie, but have learned a lot from reading this forum, as well as the Falcon performance handbook.
congrats on the score! 
