Phantom 1978 Ranchero GT, small update, 7-22-2017

[blunc]

Here is a scan of a fuzzy photo from the 80's

Some pics of the engine before changing to more "factory" options.

 

Dual quads and manifold removed, going with single 4-bbl carb setup

The body is already soaking in the purple pond, but it doesn't seem to be having any effect on thirty-something year old car paint, going to have to use brake fluid.

Comments welcomed.

Edited July 22, 2017 by blunc
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[gatorincebu]

 

  I always like to see older builds , put on on the bench to be updates and improved. looking good thus far!

 

 

 

  Be Well

   Gator

Edited March 21, 2017 by gatorincebu

[blunc]

The brake fluid is definitely working better than the purple pool, another day of soaking and I will see how much of the 30 year old lacquer and primer will actually come off.

Meanwhile, my brain is percolating the new paint job.

[blunc]

Finally, after a week in purple stuff, brake fluid, easy off then Bleche White (now under the Black Magic brand), I can start bracing thirty year old polystyrene and fixing the body work of the less skilled builder I was back then...

Comments welcomed.

 

Edited July 22, 2017 by blunc
botophucket

[blunc]

Removed the inner door panels to make interior detailing easier.

Creating new rear sub frame, the old pieces were discarded.

Comments welcomed.

Edited July 22, 2017 by blunc
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[bobthehobbyguy]

Cool project. Definitely will be following. 

[blunc]

Rear sub frame roughed in, fine tuning to follow later.

 

Replacing old Plastruct (which I've had warp on me over time more than once) with Evergreen.

Mock up and wheel check, wheels from Torino kit inside Pegasus sleeves

 

Comments welcome, thanks for following

Edited July 22, 2017 by blunc
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[espo]

I like the whole Ranchero concept here. Now you get to improve on the chassis and body. The original look good but this is going to be so much better.  

[blunc]

Roughed in motor mounts which were never on the original kit.

Rear sub frame mostly done, need to research Ford shock mounts, stabilizer and panhard rod set ups.

Other bed side finished out, just have to recreate the cab bulkhead and inner tailgate.

Thanks for following along, any comments welcomed.

Edited July 22, 2017 by blunc
botophucket

[blunc]

Completed inner tailgate panel, the bed will be permanently reattached once the cabin bulkhead is done.

thanks for following, any comments welcomed.

Edited July 22, 2017 by blunc
botophucket

[blunc]

Finally got a chance to work on this a bit more, got cabin bulkhead in.

thanks for following, any comments welcomed.

 

Edited July 22, 2017 by blunc
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[1930fordpickup]

Mike this is looking good. 

[blunc]

thank you.

it's slow going because of my work schedule and the extra details I'm trying to add in.

I want this to seem like a factory option rather than a custom pickup, there will be some mustang and ranchero styling cues from various years...

and I'm trying to use what I've learned from all the great builders on this forum.

[blunc]

Got some bench time...

added in some firewall to chassis pan filler panels

 

Added chassis to bed filler panels:

 

Hole in the hood has been filled so it can be marked for the CJ shaker once the intake and carb have been sorted out, also tweaking the hood fitment and gaps:

 

Re-thinking the wheel-tire choice to something more likely to be used in 1978:

 

Fitted the Mustang II console:

 

Thanks for following along, any comments welcome.

[fordf-100]

I really like the idea! The Mustang front end fit very well! A Mustang station wagon would be a really cool conversion!

[blunc]

I really like the idea! The Mustang front end fit very well! A Mustang station wagon would be a really cool conversion!

thanks, it should be interesting to see how the rework on this goes...

creating a believable "phantom" is my goal, and to take it to the next GSL.  

 

[Randy D]

Loving this build Mike !!!

Randy

[Danno]

That's killer, Mike!   Great job - looks just right.

[blunc]

thanks for the comments.

[vintagedragcrazy]

Looking pretty cool!!!

vince

[fordf-100]

This is pretty cool! How close is the fender contours of the Pinto door to the Mustang fender? I have a couple of junk Mustangs and a junker Pinto wagon and might likr to give this a try!

[blunc]

the contours are close till you get to the bottom of the fender, but not so much that a little sanding doesn't resolve the problem.

one issue (which I did not consider well before cutting) is the cowl vent, which doesn't match between makes.

I now have to graft one in on mine.

I suggest cutting around the cowl vent on whichever body you choose and notch the receiving body accordingly.

[blunc]

bump for thread necro