1983 Ranger Diesel

[SilveRhino]

My neighbor recently lost her husband, and before he passed away, he purchased a 1983 Diesel Ford Ranger. She would like to sell this vehicle and for some reason she thinks it is worth $4K - $5K. The truck is 2 wheel drive and is in good shape for a truck of its age. According to what her husband told her it has the "desirable diesel engine" ..... Not sure what that means if anything. What would be a realistic price to put on this vehicle?

 

[Shran]

It is desirable to someone who is interested in uncommon old trucks. IMO it's worth a hair more than the same truck with a gas engine but to the other 99% of potential buyers it's not important or might even be a turnoff to some who think diesels are more expensive to work on.

My advise is to put her price on it and see if she gets any bites, maybe she will get that much out of it. Worst case, you lower it gradually until it's sold... just describing it honestly as a nice old truck instead of "RARE L@@K L@@K L@@K" will also result in more interest in my experience.

I've sold a couple trucks for way more than I thought I'd ever get.

 

[Bird76Mojo]

$4000-$5000 isn't an unreasonable asking price in my opinion. They're very rare these days. Especially super clean examples like that one appears to be.. If it's been a Texas truck for nearly all of it's life, then the value will be higher just because it's a rust free specimen.

If she wanted top dollar, and was willing to work with vehicle delivery companies, putting that truck on Ebay might get her far more money than she ever imagined. Or it might flop. You never know..

It really does depend on a lot of factors. Usually the diesels I see, everything under the hood is coated with a thick layer of diesel and sludge/dirt.. The interior being in excellent shape will increase value a lot too.

I see 1st and 2nd gen Bronco II's selling for $15,000 today, so asking $5000 for a rare Ranger that's super clean isn't out of line at all.

If I was currently working, I'd have no problem giving $4000 for that truck right now, but I have to watch my spending.

 

[rusty ol ranger]

Location is a BIG factor.

Here in MI (rust belt) thats a 5000 dollar truck all day.

In georgia, maybe 2500.

The little 2.2 perkins doesnt really have cult followings like the other ranger engines. I think mostly due to rarity.

 

[BrownRangers]

Does it have A/C?
Another factor if this is sold in CA, you dont have to smog it so you can swap whatever you want into it.

 

[JohnnyO]

They are collectible in the sense that they are rare, not collectible in the sense that they are not really desirable. I saw one at the Ford Nationals in Carlisle this year. One potential issue is that the diesel was only available with a four-speed manual that was NOT used in other Rangers so if there are ever clutch or transmission issues they are almost impossible to find parts for.

 

[97RangerXLT]

My Grandpa had an 83 deisel Ranger. he bought it brand new and drove it everywhere (went to California from Wisconsin several times, and Yellowstone a few times too). what killed his Ranger was not mechanical, but rust. Northern Wisconsin winters and road salt rusted through the gas tank and wheel arches by the time he sold it in the mid to late 1990s. had a bit more than 200k miles on it when he sold it.

I would agree with the others that 4k to 5k is probably a good price to ask for it.

AJ

 

[rusty ol ranger]

They are collectible in the sense that they are rare, not collectible in the sense that they are not really desirable. I saw one at the Ford Nationals in Carlisle this year. One potential issue is that the diesel was only available with a four-speed manual that was NOT used in other Rangers so if there are ever clutch or transmission issues they are almost impossible to find parts for.

They didnt run the TK4 with a removable bell?

 

[bobbywalter]

yes toyo kogyo with the deeper 1st gear.

 

[JohnnyO]

yes toyo kogyo with the deeper 1st gear.

 

[PetroleumJunkie412]

I'd list it for $4995 and see what happens.

If you can supply us with photos of the underside, interior, common rust areas, etc. we can give a more accurate idea on value.

Otherwise, nice old truck ??

 

[rusty ol ranger]

yes toyo kogyo with the deeper 1st gear.

How deep?

The 1st in a TK is already 3.96:1

 

[bobbywalter]

4 something. 2wd Tk4d guts in 4x4 gas case got me lower gear