Gen I Trucks in the Salvage Yard

Louisville86 · Jun 6, 2011

Took a visit to the local salvage yard in Denver (Western Salvage up on Federal Blvd.) and spied some Gen I trucks.

First is an '84 4x4 longbed, 2.8, 5-speed, in Dark Walnut Metallic. Equipped with dual fuel tanks.

A local Denver (DSO 76) truck, built at Louisville (10/83).

Next is an '87 4x2 flatbed (!), 2.9, 5-speed, in Bright Silver Metallic (painted black later). Not sure if it came that way or was converted later.

Also a Denver (DSO 76) truck, built at Louisille (02/87).

Last is an '88 4x4 SuperCab, 2.9, 5-speed, in Bright Regatta Blue Metallic over Dark Shadow Blue Metallic.

Another Denver (DSO 76) truck, but built at Twin Cities (Minneapolis/St. Paul) (08/88, making it one of the last Gen I trucks built).

I wish they all were still on the road!

noahkenny · Jun 6, 2011

Hard to find those trucks in salvage yards anymore. Regular yards anyway. I know we have one here called pull a part who specialize in older vehicles. They have yards in several places and Im sure there are other yards across America that keep older vehicles. But most yards you wont find anything from the 80s or 90s anymore. Just isnt cost productive for them to keep them. I like pull a part because they have a set price for things up front on their website so you wont be suprised when you get your part. And theirs yards are really nice, all gravel, no grass or weeds. You can even go on their website and see what vehicles they have on the yard but not specific parts.

cody93 · Jun 6, 2011

dang it, i cant find any gen 1s here in NW AR. if those were here, id buy up the flat bed+the blue ones bed. that blue one looks just like my old ranger, same color, except mine was auto with 2wd. why cant i find a gen1 thats not hacked up or 2wd :\ those look in realy nice shape, im just glad those parts are living on in other trucks

Louisville86 · Jun 6, 2011

I was excited to see those trucks as well. A few weeks ago the whole back part of the yard was empty (cleared out completely over the winter). Now it's about 3/4 full in three sections: GM, Ford, Chrysler. The other vehicle that caught my eye is not a Ranger, but still had me wanting to take it home before the parts start to disappear:

A '73 Ranchero 500, Copper Metallic with Ginger (brown) bench-seat interior, 400 2V, C6 automatic (column-shift), PS, PB, GT gauge cluster (no A/C, though).

Also a Denver car (DSO 76), built at Atlanta, 12/72. Poor '70s cars are so unloved sometimes.

Il Brutto · Jun 6, 2011

All I want is to find a first gen to get my project back up and running! All I can find are 3rd gens, they are everywhere!! Send your first gens to Pennsylvania!!!!!!!!

jhammel85 · Jun 6, 2011

Those pics make me sad.

But also, I don't have any up here either. Of course the parts I'm looking for need to be OEM (passenger side kick panel and dash "ranger" emblem)

Louisville86 · Jun 9, 2011

I found one interesting thing comparing my '86 to those in the salvage yard: the DSO numbers. The four vehicles I showed all have "76" as the DSO, which is Denver. My truck has a DSO of "740421," which translates to "74," the DSO for Seattle, plus "0421," indicating a special-order vehicle.

Since my truck was a fleet truck from Albany, Oregon, this makes sense. Geeky, I know, but interesting.

strvger · Jun 10, 2011

any of those have a decent manual steering box and pitman to go with it?

doorgunner · Jun 10, 2011

Good pics

sad ending

85_Ranger4x4 · Jun 10, 2011

jhammel85 said:
Those pics make me sad.

But also, I don't have any up here either. Of course the parts I'm looking for need to be OEM (passenger side kick panel and dash "ranger" emblem)

Sad, but hopefully they can be put to good use and keep others going.

At last count my truck comprised 18 vehicles... :dunno:

mhughes165 · Jun 10, 2011

jhammel85 said:
Those pics make me sad.

But also, I don't have any up here either. Of course the parts I'm looking for need to be OEM (passenger side kick panel and dash "ranger" emblem)

theres lots of them out here, on new road in tabernacle is friendship auto parts, probably about 2 dozen first gen ranger and b2s

DHEM · Jun 10, 2011

Up north its hard to find 1st gen's that are not already completely rotted out.

Louisville86 · Jun 11, 2011

strvger said:
any of those have a decent manual steering box and pitman to go with it?

I think the trucks I showed all have power steering, but I might go up there today and have a look.

Boggin · Jun 11, 2011

i would die for the 400 in that ranchero. direct bolt in for my 79.
shipping to a0g3a0 newfoundland?

:thefinger:

j/k

jhammel85 · Jun 11, 2011

mhughes165 said:
theres lots of them out here, on new road in tabernacle is friendship auto parts, probably about 2 dozen first gen ranger and b2s

Really? Wow..I need to go!

Gen I Trucks in the Salvage Yard

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