Hello from Indy/ My 78 LTD II S |
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IndyLTD I I
Member Joined: 01-March-2015 Location: Shelbyville, IN Status: Offline Points: 51 |
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Posted: 02-March-2015 at 10:59AM |
Hello,
I have been lurking the forum for a few days, and I must say what a great place this is! I have always been a fan of the 72-79 Ford intermediates, and have owned several over the years. It's been 12 years since my last LTD II (77 Sport w/400) and I figured I would never have the pleasure of owning another. Just when I had given up all hope, I found Nellie. A one owner 1978 LTD II S w/302 c4 and 57,218 miles. The original owner could not drive anymore, and placed it with a local car dealer to sell it on consignment. The asking price was $5,800 when I first saw her, definitely over the budget of this father of 6 growing boys. I drove by the lot every day occasionally stopping by to visit the car and make an offer. For two years I watched this former garage kept car suffer in the elements, paint fading, interior plastic getting bleached by the sun, it was quite depressing. Just last month I got a phone call out of the blue, $1,900 cash take it or leave it... Well obviously I didn't leave it. |
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IndyLTD I I
Member Joined: 01-March-2015 Location: Shelbyville, IN Status: Offline Points: 51 |
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Not 100% sure which direction I am going to go with this project appearance wise. Plans so far include suspension upgrade with poly bushings, cvpi springs, 17 or 18 inch tires. It already has the1.125 front sway bar, and small rear bar which I thought was weird considering how the rest of the car is equipped. It still has the factory AM radio, and I am debating cutting the dash for a DIN chassis radio. Maybe lose the belt line trim. It's messed up in a couple spots where it looks like the original owner probably rubbed it down the side of the garage door frame. I guess that will depend on my ability to find replacement pieces.
Edited by IndyLTD I I - 02-March-2015 at 10:44PM |
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Ranchero Fan
Senior Member Joined: 03-March-2011 Location: Chicago area Status: Offline Points: 1022 |
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Welcome, nice looking car. As they say, "Good things come to those who wait.''
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Brian 1973 Ford Ranchero Big Block. ''THE OTHER WOMAN''
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n2fordwagons
Senior Member Joined: 20-July-2013 Location: GA Status: Offline Points: 2252 |
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Welcome! Looks very clean. If you don't wanna cut up your dash, you can get newer post style stereos that have aux input on the front, and pre-amp output on the back.
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Jeff
71 Torino Brougham 72 Gran Torino Squire |
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Regul8r
Admin Group Moderator Joined: 26-December-2007 Location: Sarasota FL Status: Offline Points: 6624 |
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WELCOME to the Family!
Only thing I would say is rethink the Poly. The stock replacement rubber stuff worked for 40 years and will work for another 40. Just replace whats there and enjoy, easy and no future worry. I just did the ENTIRE suspension, steering, and brakes on my car and she is a world of different car! the rebuild started here on Page 13 of my project thread.
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Carl Corey (Moderator/Event Coordinator) Contact ANYTIME!
1976 Ford Elite "Lola Mae" 97 Suzuki Intruder 1400 US Army Retired |
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gpd294
Senior Member Joined: 18-September-2008 Location: Dallas, Texas Status: Offline Points: 2178 |
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There are a few old style with modern insides stereos out there like these: Custom Autosound and RetroSound just to name a couple. Once you cut the dash there is no going back. Beautiful car!
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Carlos....1975 Gran Torino Squire Station Wagon restored to look like a 1973 Torino Station
Wagon my Dad bought new from McAnary Ford on June 6, 1973 in Gary,Indiana |
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IndyLTD I I
Member Joined: 01-March-2015 Location: Shelbyville, IN Status: Offline Points: 51 |
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Yeah, I've seen those. Definitely would work for me because most of my music collection is digital today. I like the idea of making it look like factory, if nothing else to deter the thieves.
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n2fordwagons
Senior Member Joined: 20-July-2013 Location: GA Status: Offline Points: 2252 |
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I went with Retrosound in my Montego. I've heard bad things about Custom Autosound.
Edited by n2fordwagons - 03-March-2015 at 8:13AM |
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Jeff
71 Torino Brougham 72 Gran Torino Squire |
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unlovedford
Senior Member Joined: 17-December-2010 Location: Tennessee Status: Offline Points: 10142 |
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What a great survivor! I agree with the 17/18 wheel combo. You will be very happy with the ride, look, handling. I would not cut the dash. There are lots of hidden audio choices out there that yield great sound, amps, subs...all with a hidden head unit. Great color combo and what a price. Nice.
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Joe
1972 Mom's Squire Wagon 1972 Torino Wagon 1976 Torino 1968 Cougar XR7-First batch 1972 Torino 460 1989 BroncoII/Jeeps/Titanimous Popeye and Brutus (Rams) |
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GTW
Senior Member Joined: 21-January-2012 Location: SC Status: Offline Points: 5784 |
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Welcome to the site! I love how the LTD II's look without opera windows. Much less common too.
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Griffin
1973 Gran Torino station wagon 1972 Gran Torino 4 Door 1971 Maverick 2 Door |
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fordpower
Senior Member Joined: 02-September-2010 Location: willseyville,ny Status: Offline Points: 1763 |
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I put my up grade radio in the glove compartment.beautiful car,is the body code 65d or 65 something else.
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IndyLTD I I
Member Joined: 01-March-2015 Location: Shelbyville, IN Status: Offline Points: 51 |
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GTW
Senior Member Joined: 21-January-2012 Location: SC Status: Offline Points: 5784 |
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I think 65B would be the base LTD II (no opera windows) then?
Have you decoded everything else on your data plate yet? |
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Griffin
1973 Gran Torino station wagon 1972 Gran Torino 4 Door 1971 Maverick 2 Door |
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IndyLTD I I
Member Joined: 01-March-2015 Location: Shelbyville, IN Status: Offline Points: 51 |
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Everything but the DSO and SCH DATE. I don't have enough reference materials to confirm the body style vs optional trim levels (opera windows, side trim, etc.) What I have read contradicts itself. For example, I have the side trim option which isn't supposed to be available on the base models? I have the sway bars, but I don't believe i have the handling option. Could you special order individual upgrades without getting the whole accessory package? I have never seen vinyl on a 2 door without the opera window before, but if it was only available on the 65B platform that might explain it since in '78 there were only 9004 65B's built. What makes me question that is there were a heck of a lot of the tape striped, Magnum 500 wearing LTD II Sports running around, I owned two myself, and they didn't have opera windows. Maybe some of those were 65D bodies? Is there enough LTD II owners here to do a survey? Sorry for the low quality image here's production info for 78. first column is- ford model #, second- body style, third- description, fourth- MSRP, fifth- avg ship weight, sixth- number produced |
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Ranchero Fan
Senior Member Joined: 03-March-2011 Location: Chicago area Status: Offline Points: 1022 |
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The DSO code #46 is Indianapolis.
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Brian 1973 Ford Ranchero Big Block. ''THE OTHER WOMAN''
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IndyLTD I I
Member Joined: 01-March-2015 Location: Shelbyville, IN Status: Offline Points: 51 |
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Well that makes sense, it was bought at Sharp Ford on East Street Southside of Indianapolis!
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Ranchero Fan
Senior Member Joined: 03-March-2011 Location: Chicago area Status: Offline Points: 1022 |
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The SCH I believe is 29th day of June(F). hope that helps.
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Brian 1973 Ford Ranchero Big Block. ''THE OTHER WOMAN''
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kychevyguy
Senior Member Joined: 16-December-2013 Location: Lexington KY Status: Offline Points: 1996 |
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Welcome to the forum, nice deuce there.
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JT, USAF Ret./Architect
1971 Ford F100 "Lizzy" 1971 Cougar XR7 "Kitty" 1984 Chevy Silverado "Sylvia" 2009 Smart Fortwo Cabrio "Lil Dude" 2015 Volvo XC60 R-Design "Sven" |
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75GranMan
Senior Member Joined: 05-April-2011 Location: Colchester, CT Status: Offline Points: 1225 |
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Welcome, very sharp looking car. keep us updated on any progress.
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John 75Gran Torino 4spd
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Big Bird
Senior Member Joined: 25-August-2013 Location: New York Status: Offline Points: 4194 |
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NICE!!!!
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"What we do in full frontal view, is more honest than your cleaned-up mind."
Randy 1979 T-Bird 2005 F-150 STX RCSB 4.6, 3.55 LSD How the Heck does a REGULAR CAB SHORTBED weigh over 5200 pounds? |
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californiajohnny
Moderator Group Joined: 05-October-2013 Location: winlock, wa Status: Offline Points: 14606 |
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welcome! nice looking car, yes a set of wheels like that would definitely make the car!!
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JOHN
74 GRAN TORINO S&H CLONE 74 VETTE CUSTOM 90 S10 BLAZER 4X4 LIFTED 77 CELICA CUSTOM 75 V8 MONZA SUPERCHARGED 79 COURIER VERT. SLAMMED 75 VEGA V6 5 SPD 70 CHEV C10 P/U 68 MUSTANG FB CONVERSION |
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fordpower
Senior Member Joined: 02-September-2010 Location: willseyville,ny Status: Offline Points: 1763 |
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You have a very rare car.According to ford 65b or s is a striped 302 with no opt. It appears it is a no op window with what ever op you wanted. Sports and touring op. cars have no op. window.Only 9000 or so made in 78 and less than 1000 like 940 or so in 79.of 65b.model. In short you can bet your is a one of one.Nice find.
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unlovedford
Senior Member Joined: 17-December-2010 Location: Tennessee Status: Offline Points: 10142 |
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I agree. Do you have any idea what design of 17 - 18 inch wheels you were leaning toward?
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Joe
1972 Mom's Squire Wagon 1972 Torino Wagon 1976 Torino 1968 Cougar XR7-First batch 1972 Torino 460 1989 BroncoII/Jeeps/Titanimous Popeye and Brutus (Rams) |
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IndyLTD I I
Member Joined: 01-March-2015 Location: Shelbyville, IN Status: Offline Points: 51 |
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Wheels are difficult. I keep seeing things I like. What I am sure of is I will probably go with a 5 spoke design like the Torque Thrust, maybe with the gunmetal finish. All depends on budget. Sometimes I wished I could get an affordable steelie that would let me use my dog dish hubcaps I have in storage, or a Magnum 500 in that size.
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n2fordwagons
Senior Member Joined: 20-July-2013 Location: GA Status: Offline Points: 2252 |
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American Racing makes a Magnum 500, in that size, called the AR500. However, they're very proud of them, costing over $300 each. I found an affordable alternative. Not an exact match, but close enough for me. Mine are staggered 17". |
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Jeff
71 Torino Brougham 72 Gran Torino Squire |
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unlovedford
Senior Member Joined: 17-December-2010 Location: Tennessee Status: Offline Points: 10142 |
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These are 17 inch front and 18 inch rear Bullits. I've been happy with them. I also have a set of staggered 17 inch Salt Flats on my other wagon. Like them as well. |
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Joe
1972 Mom's Squire Wagon 1972 Torino Wagon 1976 Torino 1968 Cougar XR7-First batch 1972 Torino 460 1989 BroncoII/Jeeps/Titanimous Popeye and Brutus (Rams) |
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IndyLTD I I
Member Joined: 01-March-2015 Location: Shelbyville, IN Status: Offline Points: 51 |
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californiajohnny
Moderator Group Joined: 05-October-2013 Location: winlock, wa Status: Offline Points: 14606 |
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these are what i have on my 74 vette 18 x 8 centerline wheels, i paid $1200 for the set, so the same price as jeff, but i DO REALLY LIKE jeff's wheels though!!!
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JOHN
74 GRAN TORINO S&H CLONE 74 VETTE CUSTOM 90 S10 BLAZER 4X4 LIFTED 77 CELICA CUSTOM 75 V8 MONZA SUPERCHARGED 79 COURIER VERT. SLAMMED 75 VEGA V6 5 SPD 70 CHEV C10 P/U 68 MUSTANG FB CONVERSION |
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n2fordwagons
Senior Member Joined: 20-July-2013 Location: GA Status: Offline Points: 2252 |
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Thanks John. But mine weren't that much. Seems like they were about half that.
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Jeff
71 Torino Brougham 72 Gran Torino Squire |
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RAPTOR
Senior Member Joined: 25-July-2013 Location: Florida Status: Offline Points: 267 |
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Welcome !! Great deal you got on that clean ride !!!
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1972 Torino Sport 4Spd Q 351c
1996 Bronco XLT 2010 SVT Raptor 2003 H2 Hummer 1977 CB 750 Cafe Racer |
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