Does anyone have a '68 Ranchero out there have an access panel in the bed of the car. My 68 has a panel screwed in to the bed that is about 2 foot by 4foot. I'm assuming it is a seat well from the Fairlane chassis. I cant get the panel out (bolts are rusted and I can't get them out...yet). What is under the panel? Is there a storage area or is it just opening to the street?
Smugglers used that for Pot and Coke, Take it to the nearest DEA agency and have the dog sniff your Truck..... Its just an access panel to get to the Shock mounts..
Wouldn't doubt that it had "alternatvie" uses. I just got the book that was mentioned in one of the threads. So, just got through reading it. It actually addresses this thing. It was a footwell left over from the Fairlane and Torino chassis. It was there off and on since the 50s. At one point it was modified to keep the spare tire to provide more baggage space in the cab. Some time in the 60s it was used for the gas tank (does not say which models but hints 66/67). But, if the shocks can be accessed there now, better when I get to replacing those. That book is quite informative. Most pointedly, the Ranchero began getting owner modified almost as soon as it began arriving in customers garages.
PB blaster should loosen them up.May take a couple days and applications.If your not concerned about paint,propane torch will speed things up.
I remember the day I removed the panel from the bed of my first Ranchero. I could see the ground through huge holes, so I put the cover back on and started looking for Ranchero #2.
Thanks for the info. I just sprayed a lot of pb blaster on it. I'll give it a couple days to see what I get. I saw a 68 at a car show, and it had four wells under the panel. So, maybe it will work with mine. If not, I think weld is in order and grind prime and paint.