This Ford Falcon is a second chance for Don Boys of Rathdrum, Idaho. He owned this car since 2007 and had it built by Roger’s Rod and Custom out of Jonesboro, Arkansas. It’s been done for seven years and every step of the way it’s been an adventure.
“I had the money, but no time,” he said. “I made a deal with these guys and they delivered it to Reno for me when they were done.”
How cool is this Ford Falcon with the Two-Valve 4.6-liter powerplant? This functional little car gets the job done.
While he didn’t build it himself, he had an image in his mind that he worked with the shop to make into a reality. Don had a Falcon similar to this back in the day, of course without the V8 and fuel injection, but his wife got pregnant with twins. He loved his Falcon Ranchero, but it just wasn’t big enough for a family that size so he had to sell it. Now, decades later, he can have a car like the one that he’s always regretted cutting loose. The big difference now is that it’s a lot nicer and sports a few more features.
The wheels really make the look of this hauler.
Don wasn’t too picky, but he knew what he wanted. “I wanted fuel injection and I wanted Ford,” he explained. “I saw this engine and thought that it would fit so I ordered it and had the engine and transmission shipped to the hot rod shop.”
Sure enough, the Two-Valve 4.6-liter V8 from a 2000 Mustang was a perfect fit. Mated to the T-5 five-speed manual transmission and a 4.10-geared, Traction-Lok-equipped 8.8-inch rearend, this Falcon was made to fly. It gets up and goes with no trouble, and looks good doing it.
The Falcon’s handling is also improved thanks to a Mustang II Front suspension system and Heidts 2-inch drop spindles. On top of that it features 15×8-inch, custom Mustang Styled Steel wheels that give the look of a classic pony car, but with a little modern flair. The fiberglass bed cover keeps the bed contents dry and adds a cool look while the Pecan Frost metallic paint really makes it look great. This gold hue is from a 1966 Ford Galaxie.
The interior is another area where this build really stands out.
The inside of the car is just as cool as the outside, as it features a full complement of Dakota Digital gauges, a wood steering wheel, and all new upholstery. For comfort it is equipped with a Vintage Air air conditioning and an Auto Sound stereo with a digital screen that can change from a stock look to a more modern view at the flip of a switch. The look and feel of the interior is all stock, but it’s also all new equipment so it’s clean and vibrant.
The radio is really cool, as the face isn’t a sticker or an imitation. If you flip the lever under the face it actuates an internal pivot that changes it from a flat digital screen to a factory-style dial.
This Ranchero looks great, but it also packs the performance and comfort to match. It’s a well-rounded build that is just too cool! The fuel-injected V8 makes it fun to drive, and its gold paint stands out at on any show field.
