Rare Prototype Ranger with no miles.

[rusty ol ranger]

It has a VIN

if no VIN he wouldn't be able to plate and insure it.

Prototype parts are typically destroyed.

Ah ok.

That tailgate looks like a one off too.

 

[bobbywalter]

I would also guess that @bobbywalter probably knows the crew that built it in Dearborn.

i had a prototype 4.0 b2 chassis with the same tagging that was partially "disassembled" because it was given to the school district and used as a plow/maintenance vehicle ... iirc those assemblies started in 88.

some are factory program vehicles ...x-tech ect.

this looks legit to me.

there are several ways to title them. even body in white can be titled running it as a home build with base dot and re-titling say in S/D.

like they did with the ol AFX cars

 

[Prototype_Ranger]

i had a prototype 4.0 b2 chassis with the same tagging that was partially "disassembled" because it was given to the school district and used as a plow/maintenance vehicle ... iirc those assemblies started in 88.

some are factory program vehicles ...x-tech ect.

this looks legit to me.

there are several ways to title them. even body in white can be titled running it as a home build with base dot and re-titling say in S/D.

like they did with the ol AFX cars

In Minnesota it was super easy, I brought 4 pictures of the truck and vin tag, sense there was no registration in the last 10 years they printed me a title and handed me plates.
It’s interesting to hear from someone who knows the history on these, is there anything else rare or pre-production I should look for, I’m not a ranger expert.

 

[bobbywalter]

In Minnesota it was super easy, I brought 4 pictures of the truck and vin tag, sense there was no registration in the last 10 years they printed me a title and handed me plates.
It’s interesting to hear from someone who knows the history on these, is there anything else rare or pre-production I should look for, I’m not a ranger expert.

look at the front core support and see if it is screwed on or spot welded

and the fuel system

 

[stmitch]

Really cool truck! There were a handful of fiberglass beds made in production for that generation. They're rare, but they do exist.

 

[Prototype_Ranger]

I put new tires and wheels on today, I finally settled on old school 15”x8” American racing wheels, and 235-75-15 good years that were supposed to be white letter but obviously they’re not. I think it looks sharp

 

[RobbieD]

I think it looks sharp

It is sharp!

I hope that it lacks the antenna because you keep a cover on it. Baby it; that's a rare truck.

 

[bobbywalter]

hell yeah.... looks awesome.

 

[felgar_1]

it's not a prototype by ford or it would not have a vin and it would not show as being sold. i have messed with a few and all had to be destroyed after testing, it was probably sold to BorgWarner for the testing of the prototype transfer case. the secondary companys get titles and vins but they don't transfer them usually and donate them for a tax credit. it is a good find they usually are trashed by the schools

 

[bobbywalter]

it's not a prototype by ford or it would not have a vin and it would not show as being sold. i have messed with a few and all had to be destroyed after testing, it was probably sold to BorgWarner for the testing of the prototype transfer case. the secondary companys get titles and vins but they don't transfer them usually and donate them for a tax credit. it is a good find they usually are trashed by the schools

yeah definitely supposed to be crushed. but ... sometimes as long as something gets crushed......something gets saved.

 

[SierraRanger]

Nice Restoration!

 

[Prototype_Ranger]

it's not a prototype by ford or it would not have a vin and it would not show as being sold. i have messed with a few and all had to be destroyed after testing, it was probably sold to BorgWarner for the testing of the prototype transfer case. the secondary companys get titles and vins but they don't transfer them usually and donate them for a tax credit. it is a good find they usually are trashed by the schools

Incorrect. It was a run of the mill off the assembly line truck, taken to ford research and development where the 4.0, Borg Warner transfer case, Dana 35, and composit bed were prototyped. It went from ford to a local tech college where it was donated, when they were done it escaped the crusher, stuff wasn’t tracked nearly as well as it is now days, hence the reason donation vehicles no longer get valid vin numbers.

 

[bobbywalter]

Incorrect. It was a run of the mill off the assembly line truck, taken to ford research and development where the 4.0, Borg Warner transfer case, Dana 35, and composit bed were prototyped. It went from ford to a local tech college where it was donated, when they were done it escaped the crusher, stuff wasn’t tracked nearly as well as it is now days, hence the reason donation vehicles no longer get valid vin numbers.

absolutely.