i need some advice. my ranger might be leaving me depending on what you think

[pontiac_fiero_g]

i responded to an ad on craigslist from somebody needing to find a 2.9 so i offered to sell him mine thinking i could use that money to go to a 4.0 but he offered to buy my whole truck just for spare parts and the price is right at a thousand bucks. i figure i can find an early 90's with a 4.0 and 4wd in that price range if since im willing to put a little work into it or maby a bII or explorer if they are 4wd. the ranger i have is an 88 xlt xcab 2.9 5spd 2wd and runs very very well but has some cosmetic damage such as dents in the doors (not dings), dings all around, and a broken passenger quarter window. now for the good new clutch, rear main seal, freeze out plugs, trans mount, water pump, plugs and wires, in tank water pump, and two brand new goodyear viva 2 tires and she comes with two spare tires.

so my question is if you were in my shoes would you go ahead and sell or keep her?

 

[Andres629]

I'd probably sell it... try and pick up a 2 door Explorer or something.

 

[darkspork]

Sounds like you put close to or possibly more than $1000 worth of work/parts into it. I would think any truck you buy for $1000 (unless it's from a family member or friend) will need parts pumped into it.

From what I've read on these forums the 2.9 (or maybe I'm thinking of 2.8?) is the least thirsty of the V6 engines used in the Ranger. Sure, the body isn't perfect, but if it runs good it's probably worth keeping.

 

[straycat]

Good luck on finding a nice older 4.0 4wd for $1,000 that you won't need to put money into. I see them here in running shape high milage and decent body shape for about $2,500. Anything you buy for $1,000 you still need to spend some money on it.

 

[RangerMtnHigh]

here's an older one for a thousand but its a rebuild title


http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1985-ford-ranger-r-title-/230568266187?pt=US_Cars_Trucks&hash=item35aef089cb#ht_500wt_1182

 

[RangerMtnHigh]

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1994-4-x-4-Ford-Ranger-/180606300023?pt=US_Cars_Trucks&hash=item2a0cf96f77#ht_500wt_1182

$2000

 

[AllanD]

You find a nice gen2 or Gen3 truck for a grand and it probably isn't a 4.0.

From what I see around here a factory (or installed well enough with factory parts) 4.0 adds $1000 to the price of a Ranger.

As a reference I have a nice 1993 supercab I'm not driving, 4x4 5sp...
the reason I'm not driving it is because it's got a very unhealthy 3.0 in it
I paid $300 for it.

If it had a dead 4.0 in it (making for a very easy swap)
I could sell it for a grand-plus... strangers have rung my doorbell
to offer me $1200 for it, but wilted when I told them it was a 3.0
(even with a fresh 3.0 engine sitting in the bed)

BTW, RangerMtnHigh, while it's true that any landing you walk away from is a "good one" any
landing after which the aircraft is reuseable is a superb landing...

that all being said, you could turn down the deal and have your engine crack a head next week...

I've owned over the years six or seven 2.9 powered trucks...
Frankly I wouldn't own another one unless I had a 4.0 ready to go in it.

And I don't trust any 2.9 engine further than I could throw it.

AD

 

[pontiacfieroguy]

he is coming by tommorow to check it out and i think i may go ahead and deal if he wants to.