Ranchero or El Camino?

[Schumi]

I'd like to hear the pros and cons of both.

Ford Ranchero, or Chevy El Camino?

1960-69 for the years of Ranchero (second or fourth generation)

and

1963-72 Caminos (seconds and third generations)

are the years in question for me.


I'm somewhat read on the engines in the Camino, but I don't know much about the different possible Ford V8's other than having dealt with FE truck engines (like the 360 in me mate's F250).

I need a dirtbike hauling vehicle that seats no more than two, is smog-exempt, and has potential to haul ass, and a 'Ute really sounds like a good fun project after I finished my current ones.

[winders]

'72 Ranchero with a 351 Cleveland....

[RANDY P]

Chevy. End of story.

[DonDavis]

And not the year Ranchero you mentioned, but since Winders threw it out here...

[BeyGon]

You can find a lot of 64 to72 El Caminos and they are all good vehicles, good style and easy to get anything for. The re sale is better than the Ranchero, so yes, the Ranchero would be cheaper to pick up right now but the El Camino is better in the long run, better looking, more resale, easy for parts and easy to work on. I have had two, a 65 and a 75. I have even been looking at the 86/87 with the V8 lately, the SS, bucket seats, center console. Good prices but you have to smog them so you are a little more limited with what you can do to them. Good looking and roadable.

[VINMAN]

Being a Ford guy, of course I'm gonna say the Ranchero.

[masraum]

Originally Posted by RANDY P

Chevy. End of story.

^ Yep.

[FLYGEEZER]

I'm easy, I like both! lotsa El Caminos and very few Rancheros here in the bluegrass. The few Rancheros I see at events (cars & coffee) are outstanding and draw more lookers than the El Caminos. Either way good choice.

[mreid]

1970 El Camino 350 with M22 "rock crusher" 4 speed. Beautiful!

[Seahawk]

Originally Posted by FLYGEEZER

I'm easy, I like both! lotsa El Caminos and very few Rancheros here in the bluegrass. The few Rancheros I see at events (cars & coffee) are outstanding and draw more lookers than the El Caminos. Either way good choice.

Agreed. We had a 1959 El Camino when I was a kid. It was our ranch truck, the car we all learned to drive first (three on the tree and about a foot of run on the clutch). When I was in the 7th and 8th grade I would load my bike in the back and drive it the two miles to the paved road, park and ride to school.

Unlike the pic below, ours was a bit of a clapper.



Frankly, either vehicle, any vintage, makes the Baby Jesus smile.

[Nickshu]

El Camino!

Personally I like the look of the 59-60 bodystyle the best. (Red one pictured above)

Maybe GM will bring the Holden Ute to the USA someday!

[lendaddy]

Jeebus, that Holden looks like a hairy festering boil on a fat chicks ass. The purple one is literally painful to look at, make it go away!

[bleucamaro]

I'd personally go with a 68-70 El Camino. You can add any hop-up part from a Chevelle.

The good part about them as well is that they're cheap, which is also the downside. If you buy a beater for $5k, put $20k into it making it really nice, it will only be worth $12-$15k when done. Smart money is to buy one already done.

[masraum]

Originally Posted by mreid

1970 El Camino 350 with M22 "rock crusher" 4 speed. Beautiful!

sounds good, but the rock crusher is probably overkill and much harder to find. Also noisy because they are closer to being a straight cut gear than the M20 and M21. I think the M21 has the same gear ratios as the M22, so an M20 would be more fuel friendly these days with a reasonable rear end ratio.

[mreid]

Yes, the M21 is also a close ratio set up, but the M22 just sounds fantastic (IMHO). Of course they are hard to find, so M21 would be just fine. A good friend had one in a gold color when I lived in Hawaii in the 70s. Great car and good memories!

[VINMAN]

Gotta say there is nothing like the solid feel of shifting a Muncie!

[enzo1]

El Camino w/ 454 cowl induction.....press on accelerator and watch the gas gauge drop in a cloud of smoke

[creaturecat]

buddy has a 1970 factory ram air 429 CJ Ranchero, with 4 speed.
bought it new for 3200.
lots of fun, that car.

[GH85Carrera]

Well of course I am not at all prejudiced, but the El Camino it a great choice.

[Skytrooper]

Originally Posted by winders

'72 Ranchero with a 351 Cleveland....

I had one of these when I was in the Navy. I loved it !