The Rastrojeros was already a popular pick-up truck that was made by Argentinian state owned firm, IAME. However due to mismanagement and financial losses, the firm IAME was put on the block for sale. 

A San Juan based firm called Imetal SA (subsidiary of tractor giant Massey Ferguson) purchased this firm and revived their famous model by providing rectangular headlamps, changing it's interiors providing additional features such as quartz clock, radio, heater, etc. Outside, the engine was changed to a more powerful 2400 cc VM diesel engine with a power output of 70 hp and provided Borgward made manual transmission. This new model was called the Ranquel.

The Rastrojeros (whose last production figures dwindled to 15 units per month), in her new avatar started climbing up with sales clocking at 1000 units/month. All this was possible as the local outfit of Massey Ferguson had a strong distribution and service network.