Got a new project car.

Yes, yes I know.

How does it feel to have it "made"? Absolutely wonderful. Course, I've waited mah whole life for this. Really is a dream come true.

I have to say that I've had an impact on most of my friends too. Sure, they do generally have new(er) vehicles. But, hanging out with me for the past 20+ years, every single one of them has at least one classic that they drive on a very regular basis. Just trying to do my part to make the World a better place.

Oh yes, and this weekend I will be taking the Father-in-laws GT 500 for a cruise.

 

Here are some close ups pics of the Ranchito. Kinda gives you more of an idea of what I'm dealing with.

The good news is my Mother-in-law found the title in the safe today. Off to the DMV!

 

And the outside is a bit ruff too.

 

You need to find a Futura console and some buckets, upholstered in light beige, to go with the brown dash.

 

Gee man! The stuff you have to deal with... NOT!!!!

Is that a speaker behind the passenger front seat, or an optional Mother-In-Law squawk box?

You scored a gem there. Nothing but hours and hours of quality fun.

If you're stuck for ideas, try this site!
http://www.stormloader.com/falconccwa/feat.htm

Oddball Falcon fixes:
http://www.stormloader.com/falconccwa/hint.htm

Uncommon Falcon links. The earlier Aussie Falcons were more similar to ours, than today's:
http://www.stormloader.com/falconccwa/links.htm

And my good Woodgrain buddy's site:
http://www.rickwrench.com/index79.htm

If you were only closer... but then I wouldn't get my own projects done!

Here's what yours looked like from 1978 to 1982!
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ford_Durango

You've got one rare bird man!

 

OOOOH yeah, you've got it so tough - We're crying a river for ya. Uh huh, yep, we are really feeling badly for you.

Matter of fact if it is too much trouble more than a few of us will "help" you out by picking up a couple of your toys, you choose which ones, it doesn't matter to us, and relieve you of those burdens . Life will be so much simpler for you and you can always go drive :2_thumbs_up_-_anima the FIL's GT 500 when you get the urge.

Glad to see you are at least perverting your friends. Someone has to keep the old car hobby alive and well. Too many kids these days are heading down the "it has to be new, it has to be a foreign make, and it has to be tiny" path IMHO.

 

Yep, it's a speaker. There is one on the other side as well. 1980 Hi-Fi.

 

Well, it's been a few weeks since I had time to work on the Ranchito. Finally a few hours this afternoon. Picked up the new plates, so she's legal. started working on the new fuel lines. Got about halfway done and Momma and the boy came home. I'm going to try and git er finished up tomorrow. Can't wait to drive it again!

 

Drove the Ranchito to work today. Had an appointment for the exhaust shop first thing in the morning. The cool thing is, they are right across the street from us. This guy is quite renowned, people bring stuff from miles around to have him install exhaust.
He's installing the headers, an "X" pipe, Flowmasters and the tips I've had on my garage floor for 4 years.
I can hardly wait, it's gonna be awesome!

 

Sheesh! You'll be out struttin' your stuff, with all that bling!

Back to the speaker boxes, were they a Stock Ford item, or aftermarket? I have to make a change in my wagon, using the Mustang Hatchback Cargo cover, and move the rear speakers (side to side) up on the wheel hump facing forward, like the newer (post 1984) Mustangs did. I might make my own with PVC sheet stock.

 

Norm, I don't think these are stock Ford items. Look more like early 80's Radio Shack fare to me.

 

New exhaust!

Fellas, got the new exhaust system on the Ranchito.

Took it down on Wed last week, said he'd git it in on Thurs, appt was for Friday. (I was a bit anxious, what can I say)

He didn't get it finished Friday so I realized I would have to wait till Monday.

My Buddy was helping me plant a couple of trees on Sunday (I know, working on the Lord's day. But hey, I had a friend so it wasn't all work )

He actually was going by the shop on his way home (We live in a small town) and Dave (exhaust man extraordinaire) was working on it! so my buddy went in an took a look. Saw it finished before I did!

So this morning I'm coming in to work and it's parked out on the street (the shop is literally across the street from where I work) So now I'm getting excited. I thought I was excited before.

Our shop Forman tells me he heard it when Dave backed it off the lift. He says it sounded mean.

I can't hardly stand it.

I decide that I'll go over during break at 10:00 (don't want to set a bad example)

So now I'm like a 5 year old on Christmas Eve!

Had to take a tire across the street to be mounted. So I cruise over there on the Forklift (again, we live in a small town) as I'm leaving Dave comes out waving his arms. I flip a U-ee in the street and come back. He's got this huge grin on his face and the first thing he says is "man, that thing sounds bad ass"

At this point I'm getting giddy.

I go back to the shop and wait. finally, 10:00 rolls around.

Time to get the car.:banana:

Moment of truth.

Twist the key, and I'm in love.

This thing sounds so good, I don't think I can describe it.
I was so giddy I was giggling like a little school girl!


took er for a little "test drive"


Dave, you are the man!

 

Headers.

Kinda hard to git a good shot of em, not much room.

 

Now that you mention it, I think you nailed it. Thanks.

 

You've got discipline! Don't think I could've waited.

He made those mufflers or he cut a pair down? They look Ford Tough!

She must sound mean!

What about the wagon? The what?