my80chevette
New Member
- Joined
- Feb 25, 2009
- Messages
- 22
- Reaction score
- 0
- Points
- 0
- Vehicle Year
- 1988
- Make / Model
- Ford
- Transmission
- Manual
Okay first off let me say that I own a 1988 Ranger and a !986 Jeep Cherokee. I however have come to the point where I have to decide which vehicle I will be putting my money and time into. I am a pizza delievery guy and have been using the Ranger for my del vehicle for the past few months and I love it. It has a 2.9 \5 speed and gets really good mileage. It is very bare bones with no power anything, even down to no radio or speakers. The ground clearance comes in handy on some of my runs down less than great country roads and driveways. It does however have a couple less than great points though. Traction, well it sucks on any hill that isn't dry blacktop. If I have to stop on a slightly steep gravel road or drive I will be spitting gravel everywhere to get moving again, or stuck and have to back down. This isnt only a pain it could be dangerous. Wet pavement can even cause problems!! Clutch Slave cylinder, needs replaced and that isnt cheap for a po boy like me. Of course theres also the fact that you can only fit one or maybe two other people in the cab if your lucky. My Ranger also has some other issues but they are not such that they can't be overlooked for now. This Ranger is a beater but I do like it. I would like to overcome its shortcomings and keep it both for its mileage and the fact that I like simple to work on vehicles.
The Jeep. I have actually owned the Cherokee for 4 years and drove it for 2 1/2 years. That is until the flywheel/torque convertor plate broke from loose engine to tranny bolts!! I like the old Jeep for its 4-wheel drive, passenger room and traction even when not in 4-wheel. The downfall of the Jeep however is it poor gas mileage. Its not even close with the 2.8 chevy v6 and torqueflite 3speed auto. Plus the Jeep needs the torque plate replaced and the engine/tranny put back together. The 2.8 is also not in the greatest of shape either.
So...... I am stuck trying to figure which of these beasts I should mess with. They both have problems, I like both but only have the time and money for one. How should I go on this? I know the general consensus will probably side with the running Ranger but I dont see how I am gonna make it safe enough to drive in the winter? HELP!!
The Jeep. I have actually owned the Cherokee for 4 years and drove it for 2 1/2 years. That is until the flywheel/torque convertor plate broke from loose engine to tranny bolts!! I like the old Jeep for its 4-wheel drive, passenger room and traction even when not in 4-wheel. The downfall of the Jeep however is it poor gas mileage. Its not even close with the 2.8 chevy v6 and torqueflite 3speed auto. Plus the Jeep needs the torque plate replaced and the engine/tranny put back together. The 2.8 is also not in the greatest of shape either.
So...... I am stuck trying to figure which of these beasts I should mess with. They both have problems, I like both but only have the time and money for one. How should I go on this? I know the general consensus will probably side with the running Ranger but I dont see how I am gonna make it safe enough to drive in the winter? HELP!!