I'm trying to convince a friend to get a '72-76 Ranchero

"RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht" (ramblininexile) 10/24/2014 at 13:46 • Filed to: None

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For his miscellaneous towing/commuting/hauling stuff DD needs. I'm not sure if this means I'm the devil or not.

505Turbeaux > RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht 10/24/2014 at 13:48

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my old GT is still kicking around town. I can find out if it is for sale. 400 Gold with orange decals and white vinyl. 70's-licious

For Sweden > RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht 10/24/2014 at 13:48

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If you have to convince him he's no friend.

Cherry_man1 > RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht 10/24/2014 at 13:53

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Noooooo go for like a 1970 one easier to find parts for. (Owner of a 1973 Gran Torino)

RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht > Cherry_man1 10/24/2014 at 13:59

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Well, the Torino-based ones are the ones with highest towing capacity.

Cherry_man1 > RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht 10/24/2014 at 14:01

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Thats just cause of 351 Cleveland.

briannutter1 > RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht 10/24/2014 at 14:02

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Had the lighter 1968 ranchero when I was 16. It had bad gas mileage with a 2bbl 302. This '70's model is going to be worse for a dd. Hope his commute isn't long.

RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht > Cherry_man1 10/24/2014 at 14:04

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Also, they have a beefier frame, or so I've heard. BOF, not reinforced unibody like some earlier models.

RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht > briannutter1 10/24/2014 at 14:12

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No lie, he was contemplating a Deuce-and-a-Half. "okay" mileage preferred, but not terribly high. A de-smogged 302 with some well-planned mods could beat that without a doubt.

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht 10/24/2014 at 14:22

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but...but...torino's are unibody.....

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht 10/24/2014 at 14:22

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don't let turning the 2 brl into a 4 brl get on that list. man the Montego's mileage PLUMMETED when I did that swap and it's only a 400 cfm 4 brl

RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht > MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner 10/24/2014 at 14:28

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Not after '72, they're not.

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht 10/24/2014 at 14:29

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that'd make it more useful for towing I guess...

RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht > MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner 10/24/2014 at 14:30

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Granted, the unibody used on the earlier ones is no slouch, it's just not "tow 6500lb" level no slouch. Factor in appropriate hit to mileage, of course...

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht 10/24/2014 at 14:32

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yeah it's not. not at all.

I don't know that the mid-70s one is going to be doing 6500 either tho.

I'm thinking something like this:

briannutter1 > RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht 10/24/2014 at 14:42

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I put a new phenolic bowl Demon 650 carb (carter style small primaries) and Performer airgap manifold on my fsj jeep. Picked up 40whp and gas mileage improved. Superior throttle response and cold start too.

RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht > MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner 10/24/2014 at 14:45

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Funny story, this is the same guy. Currently driving an older 4Runner. Some moderation of taste and changes over time. If not 4WD, conversion to LSD preferred.

RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht > briannutter1 10/24/2014 at 14:47

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Sounds like a good compromise. Of course, you can get these with a six, but they're enough of a lardass that you probably don't want anything smaller than a 289 at minimum.

briannutter1 > RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht 10/24/2014 at 14:48

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yep, these were tanks. 351 and toploader would be fun.

RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht > briannutter1 10/24/2014 at 14:50

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A solid way of looking at it, is, "does it get worse mileage than a comparable F-150?". Which, with a given trans/rear end/engine combo, it has a smaller wind cross-section and weighs just a few pounds less - trades out some bed capacity, but comparable towing (possible safer with lower CG).

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht 10/24/2014 at 15:58

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Hahaha.

of course it is.

He needs to sack up and deal with a long vehicle because pictured above is THE vehicle for him

RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht > MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner 10/24/2014 at 15:58

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It *is* of great sweetness. I have suggested he look for Centurions.

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht 10/24/2014 at 16:01

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Yeah I caught that but theres like 1 in each state lol, might as well look for a Montego!

Roundbadge > RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht 10/24/2014 at 17:00

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You're doing God's work, sir.

briannutter1 > RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht 10/24/2014 at 22:26

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Perfectly evil yet scientific reasoning! Lower CG, less frontal area, 70's styling for higher motorboat ratio.