Ford produced a number of rare pickup trucks throughout its illustrious history, but the most elusive of them all is actually a convertible. And it’s for good reason – droptop pickups fill an odd niche in the car industry, intended to combine the rugged practicality of a truck with the open-air thrills of a convertible. It’s of a similar spirit to the Chevrolet El Camino , albeit a bit less harmonious. As you’d expect of what is, effectively, the platypus of the automotive world, such an odd hybrid results in more compromise than utility.

Ford

DivisionsFord Model e, Ford Blue
Founded1903
FounderHenry Ford
HeadquartersDearborn, Michigan

Practicality aside, this Ford pickup stands apart as an exaggerated example of ‘90s performance pickup trends . Though it couldn’t match the power and the acceleration of notorious trucks like the GMC Syclone , it nevertheless boasted its own unique appeal. Unfortunately, however, Ford killed the project before the pickup had a chance to prove itself. As a result, it’s hardly ever seen today, and you’ll be lucky if you find one that comes up for sale.

The SkyRanger Is The Rarest Ford Pickup Ever Made

In the world of rare Fords , few trucks stand out quite like the SkyRanger. A quintessentially ’90s concept, it combined the practicality of Ford’s Ranger compact pickup with the sporting appeal of a convertible. In practice, this meant lopping off the roof, adding a roll-bar and retractable soft top, and fitting the bed with a tonneau cover and spoiler. Exact counts on the SkyRanger’s production differ depending on where you look, but it’s generally agreed that fewer than 20 of these oddities existed at any point in time.

If you can’t tell based on the looks alone, the SkyRanger was an outside job. Like the Mustang McLaren and other special-production, low-volume offerings, Ford didn’t ship a truck such as this from the factory. Most sources you’ll find claim that it was completed by American Sunroof Company/American Specialty Cars (ASC). However, our research (including an ad posted by a SkyRanger owner) suggests that it was actually the product of Professional Autocrafters, a now-defunct outfit that was based in Livonia near Ford’s Dearborn headquarters. Bob Kaiser (of Clark Kaiser Customs) worked to design and modify the trucks in collaboration with the company.

Ford Never Signed Off On The SkyRanger

As what was effectively a coachbuilt conversion , the SkyRanger was pitched to Ford with the aim of factory support and expanded production. While the Blue Oval never gave the concept the green light, it did agree to sell the completed conversions through its dealership network. Still, the SkyRanger was a privately-funded effort, and its failure to attract Ford’s attention meant that its existence was bright but short-lived like so many other failed startups.

Convertible Trucks Are Few And Far Between

Now, that’s not entirely the fault of the SkyRanger. Modern droptop pickups were a novel concept back in the ’90s, and they remain a rare sight on the road today. You’ll find plenty of older examples, like the Ford Bronco and the Willys Scrambler , but newer trucks are limited to a few notable exceptions, like Chevrolet’s SSR and Jeep’s Gladiator . While convertible trucks are designed to combine the utility of a pickup with the experience of an open-air ride, traditional folding tops typically occupy the bed to the point that it’s more of a compromise than a value-add. Dodge made similar attempt at a droptop truck with the Dakota convertible , but (as we’ll address a little later) it also proved niche in its appeal.

Making An Extended Cab A Flashy Droptop

eBay via The Ranger Station

1991 Ford Ranger SkyRanger Engine Specifications

Engine
Cologne V6

Displacement
4.0 Liters

Transmission
5-Speed Manual

Power
160 Horsepower

Torque
225 LB-FT

Drivetrain
4×4, RWD

Ford

Ford introduced the Ranger in 1983, and the truck received its first facelift in 1989 before it was replaced by the second generation in 1993. Between 1989 and 1992, Ford offered the Ranger with a variety of engine, transmission, and drivetrain options to enable buyers to cater the compact pickup to their needs. The 2.3-liter four-banger was perfect for those in search of maximum fuel economy, while the larger 2.9-liter V6 offered a bit more grunt for hauling and towing.

Of course, the SkyRanger’s head-turning appearance demanded something a little more performance-minded under the hood. For this reason, trucks that received the conversion were top-of-the-line items from the Ford factory, fitted with a 4.0-liter V6, a Mazda-derived five-speed manual transmission , and the buyer’s choice of a rear-wheel or 4×4 drivetrain. Left up to us, we’d equip such a vehicle with some sportier suspension and brakes, too, but the original advertisements we’ve found make no mention of changes to the ride or components.

Features Of The SkyRanger Convertible

The SkyRanger was offered in ‘Elite’ and ‘GTS’ trims
GTS cars received lowered ground effects and a trick chin spoiler
All SkyRangers were fitted with a tonneau cover, a sport bar, and a rear wing

Even if the SkyRanger is a little unconventional in its design, you have to hand it to the builders — they managed to execute the conversion better than some unfortunate factory convertibles . The sport bar and spoiler are surprisingly natural in their integration with the lines of the bed, and the folding top tucks away nicely thanks to the extended cab body configuration. Sure, the SkyRanger’s convertible conversion isn’t quite as tidy as setups like that of the Chevrolet SSR , but let’s not forget that it started life as a boxy Ranger pickup.

How Much SkyRangers Are Worth Today

RM Sotheby’s 

If you have your heart set on acquiring a SkyRanger, best of luck. In keeping with the low production count (again, certainly less than 20 but potentially as few as 14), the truck rarely comes up for public sale, let alone on a major auction platform. In fact, the sole completed transaction we found came back in 2008, when RM Sotheby’s sold the pictured example for a mere $13,200 as part of the Bud Mick Collection. Though we’ve since seen some buzz about SkyRangers being advertised online, we can’t confirm if those sales were ever completed. At the time, though, the seller had advertised the pickup – showing around 7,500 miles – with a $24,995 asking price.

Unsurprisingly, you won’t find valuations for the SkyRanger on appraisal sites like Hagerty. However, looking into 1991 Ranger XLT values can at least give you a general baseline for how the Ford’s appeal is trending, as even Bronco Rangers are rising in value. Classic.com reports an average sale of $12,696 for first-generation Rangers, but the 1991 model year is a bit more affordable with the most recent sale coming in at $10,750. Needless to say, though, we’d expect prices to be at least double that number on account of the truck’s rarity . If you’re looking for the closest comparable offering, though, Dodge’s Dakota convertible could prove helpful in your SkyRanger valuation efforts.

Dodge Dakota Convertible Values

First-generation Dodge Dakotas average $10,787 on Classic.com
Hemmings auctioned a 1989 Dakota Sport Convertible that sold for $19,500
The most recently auctioned Dodge Dakota Sport Convertible sold for $4,000

Dodge Also Tried A Convertible Truck

Mecum

If you’re intrigued by the idea of an open-air pickup truck, but you’re not 100% sold on the SkyRanger, be sure to check out the Dodge Dakota Sport Convertible. It’s another cool ’90s droptop option that hit the market around the same time, and it’s a far sight more common than the Ford, even if it is a rare breed in its own right.

Unlike the SkyRanger, the Dakota Sport Convertible was a bona fide production vehicle. Dodge offered the truck from 1989 to 1991, and it employed ASC to help with the factory conversion. The Dakota featured a 125-horsepower 3.9-liter V6 under the hood at launch, and buyers had the choice of a five-speed manual or a four-speed automatic. Dodge introduced a smaller four-pot and some additional colors for the 1990 model year, but even those options weren’t enough to bolster the droptop’s appeal. The Dakota was bigger than competition like the Ranger and smaller than its full-size alternatives, and not even Shelby badging could help free it from such a limbo.

Dodge Dakota Sport Convertible Spec

Engine
LA V6

Displacement
3.9 Liters

Transmission
5-Speed Manual, 4-Speed Auto

Power
125 Horsepower

Torque
195 LB-FT

Dodge

Dodge Dakota Sport Sales Numbers By The Year

Dodge delivered 2,842 Dakota Sports for 1989
Sales fell to 909 in 1990, even with additional engine and paint options
Rumor has it that a mere eight Dakotas received ASC conversions in 1991