The body lines of the 1983-1988 Ford Ranger will probably always be my favorite. When I saw this truck, I felt that it needed to be preserved here at TheRangerStation.com.
This 1983 Ford Ranger was owned and built by Chick Deitz of Pennsylvania, and is a grand national champion show vehicle. After competing and winning car shows, it was eventually listed for sale at the 2014 Mecum Auction in Harrisburg Pennsylvania.
If anyone should come across more photos and details of this truck, please use the Submit button and contact us.
Highlights:
- Over 250 custom handmade parts
- Big block Chevy 454, 850 HP
- Kinsler injection
- 6-speed ZF Corvette transmission
- Old school Crower-type staggered injector setup that has been converted to EFI
- Featured body modifications, lengthened fenders 7″, lengthened hood 12″ and built for reverse tilt of opening
- Grand National Champion ISCA
- Great 8 pick for Ridler Award
- Elite 6 hot rods and customs award, Philadelphia/Oaks, PA
- Featured in Popular Hot Rodding magazine
- AACA museum’s Art of the Build vehicle exhibit
More Photos:
Click the photos to enlarge.
Jim Oaks is the founder of TheRangerStation.com, the longest-running Ford Ranger resource online since 1999. With over 25 years of hands-on experience building and modifying Ford Rangers — including magazine-featured builds like Project Transformer — Jim has become one of the most trusted authorities in the Ford off-road and enthusiast space. In 2019, he was loaned a Ranger FX4 by Ford Motor Company to test and document across the TransAmerica Trail. Jim continues to inspire and guide Ranger owners around the world.
