Fark. To Ranger or to Exploder?

[Zorro]

Ok, help me out with this dilemma here.

I have a 94 Ranger, 4x4 4.0 extra cab. Automatic transmission is done (my second one ... A4LD FTL!), still driveable, but despicable, can blow up any time I go wheeling seriously. Other than that, crappy gearing (3.27) and as any canadian vehicle, surface rust on pretty much every single panel.

I checked out an Explorer today, 1991 4.0L manual, 4x4, 3.55 gears. Engine isn't working, dude says it's cooling related, he never really looked into fixing it ... could be something very simple for all I know.

My original plan was to buy it to do a transmission swap, and sell all the parts I don't need to recoup costs (although he's selling it for less than it would cost me to buy a transmission+bits'n'pieces at a scrapyard).

But the Exploder has new paint and looks suprisingly nice, hasn't been driven in 3 years ... both trucks have 120k miles.

So should I keep the Ranger, do the manual swap and get rid of the Exploder? Or fix up the Exploder and get rid of the Ranger? Pros and Cons to each?
Whichever vehicle I pick will be used as a trail/expedition truck, not a DD.

[Redneckryder]

it would come down to a personal preferance. i personally like the rangers better, but that's me.

[CJREX]

If the Exploder is a great deal, get it.

See if it can be fixed for a reasonable cost and then decide which to keep.

How often do you use the bed of your truck?

Would most of your stuff fit in an Explorer?

Personally, the rust on the Ranger makes it the loser IMHO.

If it's going to be a trail rig, the rust is likely not an issue to you though.

I would think the Explorer would be more trailworthy if for no other reason than weight distribution. The shorter wheelbase is also a bonus on tight trails.

[racsan]

dont know if its a issue in canada, but here in the states (and it wil vary from one to another) truck tags are more expensive than "car" tags. your yearly registration fees (and maybe insurance) could be a better deal with the exploder. if it will get the job done just as well as the ranger, and be a little cheaper on the yearly licence/insurance bill, why not? ive got a cargo traile now and am considering putting it up for sale to buy my dad'a '96 full size bronco, sure that 351 likes its fuel, but i drive 14 miles a day for work most thru town and im not getting much over 14 mpg now anyhow.
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