Taylor Spencer’s Daily Driven ’72 F-100 Ranger
Who wouldn’t give anything to own a truck like this stunning ’72 Ford Ranger? It has so much going for it in the way of a perfect Highboy stance, a nostalgic two-tone paint job, and an interior that is roomy enough to fit the entire gang. While all those features would seal the deal for anyone looking for a clean and classic Ford pickup, there’s so much more in store that often goes unseen. Proud owner, Taylor Spencer, knows exactly how special her truck is, which is why she can’t help but drive it every single day without fail. Vehicles come and go but when something this good comes around, the wise move is to take the proper time to appreciate it in all its glory—and that is what she is all about.
Now, it must be said that Taylor and her dad Logan are vintage Ford purists through and through. Logan is one of the scene’s most prolific F-Series truck collectors and builders, and he is extremely proud to see that his love for these trucks has rubbed off on his daughter. Together, the two have teamed up on other auto projects, but when it came to building this ’72 for her, they went all out. The 2WD frame was converted to a 4WD setup, which was a total gamechanger for the functionality of this pickup. The factory Highboy ride height has been kept, maintaining the Ranger’s original charm, which gets even better with the presence of timeless OEM wheels and caps. While this sounds like a lot to accomplish right out of the gate, these two were only just getting started.
Reusing the factory-equipped engine was out of the question so Taylor and Logan decided against having it rebuilt and opted for a much more exciting power plant. Instead of finding another gas guzzler, the two selected a ’96 5.9L 12-valve Cummins to replace the existing unit. This bold move was only made bolder by upgrading the diesel mill with a 62mm turbo, modified P7100 fuel pump, and a 4-inch Diamond Eye exhaust system to really make things interesting. Further kicking the build into high gear is an ’06 48RH transmission with all the fixings. With some much-earned pep in their step, the two charged ahead to the next phase of the project.
Rust and patina look good on certain trucks, but Taylor and Logan were dead set on cleaning up the Ranger’s act by first treating it to a round of metal massage work. Next, fresh coats of paint, a perfect combination of Boxwood Green and Wimbledon White, were applied by Logan to give the truck that old nostalgic feeling. To add a subtle curveball into the mix, a toolbox was added to the driver side of the long bed. Taylor recognized that these trucks only came equipped with one on the passenger side, but the idea of storage options on both sides was too cool to pass up. With the addition of fresh bumpers from LMC Truck, new trim and accessories where needed, as well as a thorough spit-shining of hazy metal surfaces, this ’72 was well on its way to hitting the road in style.
Since Taylor planned on driving her truck daily, she felt nothing fancy or over the top was needed inside of the cab. Instead, she wanted to allow for the truck’s original style to shine through, so aside from the LMC factory-looking Bluetooth stereo unit and fresh black vinyl upholstery on the seats, the interior space looks like a well-preserved time capsule from the 70s, which was exactly the point.
Taylor does her best to avoid scrutinizing the receipts she accumulated during the 6-month process of building her truck, and instead focuses on the feeling she gets every time she turns the key, which is priceless. What’s better is the experience she shared with her dad, which is ever apparent in every facet of her F-100. There is nothing Taylor would have done differently. She is truly honored and appreciative to be the caretaker of this revitalized relic, and it shows.
TRUCK Specs
Owner
Taylor Spencer Tucson, AZ
1972 Ford F-100 Ranger XLT
Engine & Drivetrain
1996 12-valve Cummins 5.9L Diamond Eye 4-inch exhaust kit Modified P7100 fuel pump 62mm turbo 48RE transmission converted to 2006 48RH Billet shaft and servos TransGo TFOD-HD2 shift kit ATS TripleLOK torque converter NP241DHD transfer case
Chassis & Suspension
Factory 1972 2WD frame converted to 4WD Factory Highboy springs Factory front and rear springs Rancho shocks and stabilizer 1978-1979 F-250 / F-350 steering box Kingpin 60 front axle Dana 70 rear axle Factory fuel tank
Wheels, Tires & Brakes
16×7 Ford wheels BFG all-terrain tires 1979 F-350 front disc brakes, factory rear drums 1997 Dodge Hydroboost
Body & Paint
Boxwood Green and Wimbledon White paint by Logan Spencer LMC Truck bumpers Dual toolboxes
Interior
Factory Ford crew cab front bucket seats 2004 Dodge crew cab rear seats Black vinyl upholstery by J&F Factory door panels LMC Truck Bluetooth stereo Factory AC unit