Roam the Country in this Super Clean 1973 Ford F-100 Ranger XLT Camper!
Van Life may be popular, but this Ford F-100 Ranger Camper is the “old school” way to see the country!
This 1973 Ford F-100 Ranger XLT featured on Bring A Trailer is a sweet original old truck! Finished in two-tone green, it was acquired from the original owner’s estate. By all accounts it’s a clean, classic rear-wheel-drive pickup. The odometer shows a little over 85k miles, which is probably accurate judging by the truck’s condition. The selling dealership serviced it, flushing all the fluids, replacing the gas tank, and repairing the radiator to get it road worthy again.
The Hop Cap drop-in camper is old-school from the bumper to the roof-top vent. It features a lockable door as well as louvered, screened in windows with curtains. The drop-in camper offers similar space to a modern roof-top camper while providing a sturdier and better insulated sleeping area.
Inside it’s pure 70’s rec room with wood paneling, linoleum flooring, and orange and brown patterned upholstery. The benches fold out into a large bed. Small cabinets and cubby holes provide storage. It’s a bit cramped inside, but there’s enough space for two. Or if you’re an out of work actor, you can use it to boldly go in search of your next gig.
The F-100 Ranger comes with a green vinyl bench seat, air conditioning, and a CB radio. It looks totally stock with its chrome front bumper and trim. Steel fifteen inch wheels and chrome dish hubcaps complete the stock look. Only the rear bumper, a white step-up for the camper is aftermarket. Wisconsin-themed rear mud flaps complete the period camper look.
The sixth-generation Ford truck was produced from 1973 to 1979. Known as the “dentside” it’s popular with Ford truck enthusiasts. Mechanically this ’73 Ranger has a 360 cubic inch V-8 and three speed transmission. Painted Ford blue, the FE series engine puts out around 143 horsepower and 327 lb. feet of torque.
While camping trailers had been around since at least the 1930’s, it wasn’t until the late 1960’s that companies made drop in camper shells for trucks. Made of fiberglass or aluminum, these campers were the predecessors of today’s overland rigs. They were extremely popular in the 1970’s but eventually the craze died out in the early 1980’s. But with the popularity of Van Life and the desire to roam, truck campers are seeing a resurgence.
Photos: Bring A Trailer
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