1979 Ford Ranchero pictures, photos, videos, and sounds

The story

Bought from father in '90 and has been in repetitive restoration for a LLLLOOOONNNNGGGG time. It won't be a show vehicle but wouldn't be worried to enter one.Removed all emblems, door handles and welded up holes including rear cover snap holes for vinyl cover. Installed remote door releases as well as hidden manual door releases for emergency reasons. Painted w/ black cherry pearl. The Ranchero has power steering, power brakes, factory A/C, tilt steering, power windows, cruise control, power leather seats, interval wipers and GT gauge package w/ 140 MPH police speedo. Re-chromed front & rear bumpers, re-chromed tail light bezels. Rebuilt factory Saginaw steering box and installed quick ratio internals from a '94 Jeep Grand Cherokee. Installed 3G alternator from mid 90's Taurus which allowed removal of most of original alt wiring. Champion 3 core all aluminum radiator, '96 Windstar dual electric cooling fans. Lowered rear of Ranchero by cutting 1 1/4 coils then heated the cut end to remake the coil springs' pigtail to fit into upper spring pocket in chassis. This lowered the rear by 4.0 inches, lowered the front by removing 1 1/2 coils with a cut-off wheel (no heat). This dropped the front end by 3.5 inches. Riding on (4)chromed Boyd Coddington J5R 20 x 8.5 with (4) General G-Max 245-40-20's. — aquartlow

Day one vs. today

Drag to compare 2010 against 2026.

2010 2026

Photo history

509 photos across 14 years — drag the dot to travel through this vehicle’s life. Captions are the owner’s; where there isn’t one, the AI caption fills in.

2010

14 photos added — showing 8

1979 Ford Ranchero - Fabbed bracket to Ranchero spindle and cut down Ranchero hub note the wheel studs' shoulder protruding from hub face. You can see in pic wh…

1979 Ford Ranchero - Aimco extreme service rotor #5418. I originally stated that I purchased Raybestos rotors but I was mistaken. These were the rotors I used t…

1979 Ford Ranchero - This shows the Crown Vic front brake assembly and how it mounts and looks on Ranchero. This is as close to vertical the caliper can mount,…

1979 Ford Ranchero - Aftermarket stock Ranchero rotor on left 10.75" stock Crown Vic rotor on right 12.44" used for mock-up of brake conversion only.

1979 Ford Ranchero - fabricated bracket for Ranchero to accept Crown Vic front rotor and dual piston caliper

1979 Ford Ranchero - Fabricated bracket and caliper bracket mounting hole locations

1979 Ford Ranchero - This shows the lower spindles bracket mounting hole and the welded spacer 1/4" additional to 3/8" bracket both were tapped for 1/…

1979 Ford Ranchero - Stock bracket is left fabricated is on right. The fabbed bracket is made with 3/8" x 2" mild steel with a 1/4" x 1 1/2"…

2011

38 photos added — showing 8

1979 Ford Ranchero - 2000 Crown Vic rear disc brake backing plate installed with new parking brake shoes and hardware. Freshly painted.

1979 Ford Ranchero - Small bearing housing end, trimmed to allow Crown Vic disc brake backing plate to be installed onto axle flange.

1979 Ford Ranchero - 31 spline axle from '72 Lincoln Mark IV small bearing housing installed in my '79 Ranchero. This pic shows the retainer, wheel bearing spac…

1979 Ford Ranchero - Spacer thickness needed for conversion. The thickness of needed spacer is the difference between stock drum backing plate and the '00 Crown…

1979 Ford Ranchero - Drilled and slotted rear Crown Vic rotor conversion onto '79 Ranchero.

1979 Ford Ranchero - 466" w/ C6 work in progress. Just re-installed 6126 Hooker headers after being coated and a little detail work. new rad on it's way, a…

1979 Ford Ranchero - 3G 130 amp alternator from mid 90's Taurus. A definite upgrade from original 1G w/ satellite voltage regulator. Still waiting on new radiat…

1979 Ford Ranchero - '75 Lincoln longshaft trans. Modified trans crossmember with new mounts. Had to turn crossmember around backwards, weld-in new mount and in…

2012

86 photos added — showing 8

1979 Ford Ranchero - '72 Lincoln Mark IV 9 3/8 small wheel bearing axle housing with 31 spline axles. I installed a 4 pinion Trac-Lok carrier w/ 3.25 gears from…

1979 Ford Ranchero - Close-up view of a wheel bearing and spindle assembly, showing signs of wear and lubrication.

1979 Ford Ranchero - '75 Lincoln Mark IV front coil spring(Orange) cut a full 2 coils. New Moog 6446 Front coil springs on left. I cut coils to 15 in. free heig…

1979 Ford Ranchero - Dynomax UltraFlo welded stainless 3" mufflers #17221

1979 Ford Ranchero - Dynomax Mufflers purchanse from Discountexhaustsystems.com $49.43 each

1979 Ford Ranchero - A close-up view shows a stamped part number on a metal component, possibly from a vehicle's cooling system.

1979 Ford Ranchero - 3" Dynomax mufflers, inlet end.

2013

33 photos added — showing 8

1979 Ford Ranchero - These boxes contain seat belts, not a 1979 Ford Ranchero.

1979 Ford Ranchero - A maroon seatbelt assembly, including the buckle and housing, is shown on a wooden surface. Text is visible on the seatbelt strap.

1979 Ford Ranchero - Business card for Green Sales Ford Parts, specializing in current and obsolete Ford, Lincoln, Mercury, and Motorcraft parts.

1979 Ford Ranchero - A flaring tool kit with various dies is shown against a white background.

1979 Ford Ranchero - Two diagrams illustrate alternator charging systems, one for indicator lights and another for ammeters.

1979 Ford Ranchero - Bypass fuel return plumbed at the carb supply line. #60 Holley fuel jet epoxied into hosebarb fitting prior to clear fuel hose. Clear fuel…

1979 Ford Ranchero - Removed original 3 sheave crankshaft pulley, drilled, grinded and removed v-belt alternator sheave. Replaced with 6 rib sheave from mid 80'…

1979 Ford Ranchero - Installed '96 Ford Windstar dual electric fan housing. Used 2 Derale fan controllers with separate screw-in temperature sending units. One…

2014

49 photos added — showing 8

1979 Ford Ranchero - Two serrated metal discs, possibly cutting blades, are shown on a wooden workbench.

1979 Ford Ranchero - A serrated metal washer is held up, with a lawn mower tire visible in the background.

1979 Ford Ranchero - Two diagrams illustrate alternator charging system configurations for indicator lights and ammeters.

1979 Ford Ranchero - This diagram shows the manual A/C-heater electrical system wiring for several Ford models.

1979 Ford Ranchero - This diagram details the electrical system for various Ford models, not a specific vehicle.

1979 Ford Ranchero - Close-up view of the exhaust system and undercarriage components, with SuperMotors.net watermark visible.

1979 Ford Ranchero - Engine bay detail with AC lines and a valve cover. No year is discernible.

1979 Ford Ranchero - Rusted U-joint assembly with a bolt being threaded through.

2015

32 photos added — showing 8

1979 Ford Ranchero - Close-up view of a vehicle's engine bay, showing the radiator, fan, and various engine components.

1979 Ford Ranchero - Close-up view of engine components, including belts, pulleys, and a power steering pump.

1979 Ford Ranchero - A humorous sticker on the rear window of a vehicle reads, "YEAH, IT'S A HYBRID....IT BURNS GAS AND TIRES!"

1979 Ford Ranchero - Digital voltage meter connected to a car battery, displaying 19.88 volts.

1979 Ford Ranchero - A digital voltage meter displays 18.8V connected to a car battery and alternator.

2016

8 photos added

1979 Ford Ranchero - A tool is used to tap a hole in a metal carburetor part, likely for repair or modification.

1979 Ford Ranchero - A mechanic uses tools to measure a gap on a carburetor part.

1979 Ford Ranchero - A digital caliper is used to measure a component to 0.239 inches.

1979 Ford Ranchero - Hand adjusting a screw on a carburetor component, likely during maintenance or repair.

1979 Ford Ranchero - A close-up view of a vehicle's carburetor component, showing internal mechanical parts.

1979 Ford Ranchero - A digital caliper is used to measure a component, with a ruler visible in the background.

1979 Ford Ranchero - This image shows a close-up view of an engine component, possibly a cylinder head, exhibiting signs of wear and scoring.

2017

23 photos added — showing 8

1979 Ford Ranchero - Disassembled oil pump components are laid out on a paper towel for inspection or repair.

1979 Ford Ranchero - Disassembled mechanical components are arranged in a line on a cloth-like surface.

2018

24 photos added — showing 8

1979 Ford Ranchero - Disassembled oil pump components with handwritten label indicating '76 T-Bird'.

1979 Ford Ranchero - Various parts of a brake master cylinder are arranged on a workbench with identifying text written on tape.

1979 Ford Ranchero - Disassembled oil pump components, including springs and a retaining clip, are laid out on a wooden surface with a label reading CGAP-7A300.

1979 Ford Ranchero - Disassembled engine part with handwritten labels indicating '80 F150 302'.

1979 Ford Ranchero - A hand holds a small component next to a disassembled part, with handwritten labels in the background.

1979 Ford Ranchero - Two metal engine lifters are shown against a textured background. The image includes a 'SUPERMOTORS' watermark.

1979 Ford Ranchero - Two metal caps with recessed centers are shown on a light-colored surface.

1979 Ford Ranchero - Two automotive valve components are shown with rods, secured by tape.

2019

19 photos added — showing 8

1979 Ford Ranchero - Article detailing a shift-improvement kit for Ford's C6 automatic transmission, a close-up of the transmission itself.

1979 Ford Ranchero - Diagram shows assembly and disassembly of automatic transmission valve body components with numbered steps.

1979 Ford Ranchero - This article details the reinstallation and adjustments for an automatic transmission valve body.

1979 Ford Ranchero - This document details transmission parts and assembly procedures, not a vehicle.

1979 Ford Ranchero - Instructions and parts for a Ford C6 automatic transmission performance upgrade kit are detailed in this registry entry.

1979 Ford Ranchero - Close-up of a brake cable and a mounting bracket, labeled A and B, against a textured wall.

1979 Ford Ranchero - Close-up of unidentified metal brackets and a cable, possibly automotive parts.

2023

9 photos added — showing 8

2024

14 photos added — showing 8

2025

2 photos added

1979 Ford Ranchero - A Snap-on Cam Adjusting Tool, part number WL-25A, is shown in its original red plastic packaging.

1979 Ford Ranchero - Two parts for a camber tool are shown on a wooden surface next to their red storage pouch.

2026

8 photos added

1979 Ford Ranchero - A carburetor part is shown in detail, with some text visible on a label.

1979 Ford Ranchero - A detailed view of a vehicle carburetor, highlighting its mechanical components and wear.

1979 Ford Ranchero - Detail shot of a carburetor assembly, showing mechanical components and fasteners.

1979 Ford Ranchero - Buckets of Shell Rotella T6 5W-40 oil are stored in a workshop or garage setting.

1979 Ford Ranchero - Buckets of motor oil are stored together in what appears to be a workshop or garage setting.

1979 Ford Ranchero - Underside view of vehicle engine components, including the oil pan and exhaust system.

1979 Ford Ranchero - Close-up view of an engine bay, highlighting blue spark plug wires and an air filter assembly. The registry claims this is a 1979 Ford Ranc…

1979 Ford Ranchero - Underside view of an engine oil pan and exhaust system components.

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AQ aquartlow Member since 2010 · 1 vehicle

Engine: '70 429 replaced internals with 460 crank and pistons w/ .030 overbore to make a 466. 9.5-1 comp. ratio, football/truck rods, Dove heads stock sized valves ported exhaust and port matched int. and ex., Crane 1.73 roller rockers, Comp cams lifters, pushrods, guide plates, Comp Cams 280 magnum camshaft, Cloyes 3122 timing set, Edelbrock 8876 water pump, Edelbrock Performer intake, Hooker 6126 headers, Holley 770 cfm vac sec. Street Avenger carb, Carter P4600HP electric 100GPH fuel pump, Accel distributor, Crane HI-6 Fireball ignition with LX92 coil, Ford Motorsport plug wires, Mickey Thompson cast aluminum valve covers. Dual 3" exhaust to Pypes narrow X-pipe kit to Dynomax Ultraflo 17221 mufflers.
Drivetrain: '75 Lincoln longshaft C6 rebuilt with TCI and B&M products. Cut drum for extra clutches and steels(5 ea). Superior Super servo, TCI Saturday night special torque convertor. Rear axle housing is out of '72 Lincoln Mark IV, it's a 9 3/8 w/ 4 pinon Trac-lok out of a '71 F100. 3.25 gears and 31 spline axles, it's not popular but very strong and I only have $150 invested with new clutches/steels for Trac- lok. The small bearing rear axle housing now has 2k Crown Vic disc brake set-up and I am modifying the front brakes for 2K Crown Vic rotors and dual piston calipers. '95 Chevy Astro van hydroboost brake booster with '79 Corvette 1 1/8 in bore dual disc brake master cylinder w/ aftermarket combination/proportioning valve, 1 1/8 in front sway bar, 7/8 in rear sway bar, '01 F150 front coil springs, urethane bushings front and rear.