I bought the truck in 2008 from a local dealer. It was an original vehicle from Arizona. The intent was a build that blends muscle with the right amount of customizing and modern upgrades. Although the original build included air ride suspension it was subsequently changed as a personal choice once the truck was finished. The air ride generated too much noise for my taste. The “Quicksteer” branding was a personal touch. A blend of Ford’s use of the Long Horn Steer and it now being quick with the Corvette power train.
The body was smoothed and refinished dark green mica with BASF products, and it was mounted on a custom tube chassis that uses a Mustang II-style front end along with a four-link rear end and a narrowed Mustang axle. I hand-fabricated many of the components – both trim and functional items – out of 6061-T6 aluminum, which was then chromed. The interior was redone with bucket seats, a console, a custom dashboard, two-tone upholstery, air conditioning, and a Pioneer touchscreen. It's powered by a C4 Corvette LT-1 V8 and six-speed manual which were sourced from a C4 Corvette with 33k miles. A replacement factory-specification clutch, flywheel, pressure plate, and gaskets were fitted during the build. The rear end was epoxy-coated, and the frame was powder-coated. The 8.8″ rear end has a limited-slip differential.
I fabricated the valve covers, strut brace, radiator, exhaust system. The grille, bumper, and radiator shroud were crafted from 6061-T6 aluminum, as were the custom bezels for the Buick taillights. The aluminum was then chrome-plated, and the fasteners are stainless-steel. The factory window vents were removed to accommodate custom-cut full side windows. The hood is electronically released from inside the vehicle by a dash-mounted switch and operates using a worm gear to raise and lower. The doors open with a switch hidden in the box.
The rear wheel wells are tubbed, and an access panel in the box lifts to reveal a storage area, the drivetrain, and the exhaust. The tubular chassis uses a Mustang II-style front end with custom-made control arms, while out back is a custom four-link setup. The parking brake is hydraulic, and the custom-made brake setup utilizes Wilwood calipers. The Quicksteer logotype on the tailgate incorporates a third brake light, and the logotype also appears in the calipers. Classic Air climate control was installed along with a Pioneer touch screen and power windows. The driver’s seat is power-adjustable.
Following completion of the build, “Quicksteer” was displayed at the 2018 Detroit Autorama, it won best in class and best truck in show awards.
The Falcon Ranchero is a full custom build. If you’d like deeper detail on the build, components, or workmanship please don’t hesitate to ask. Thank you for your interest.
