Here’s a garage find you don’t find that often. It’s a complete 1988 Ford Ranger STX 4×4. What makes this Ranger so unique is that it came with a Ford factory 1.5-inch suspension lift, grill guard, and bed mounted light bar. No, it’s not a roll bar. The factory 1.5-inch lift was part of this ‘High Rider’ package that was only offered from 1987-1988. It was offered in 1989 as the ‘Sport Rider’.
According to the 1988 sales brochure:
High Rider became available in 1988 only on regular cab STX models. “A list of 21 unique components was required to give the STX High Rider it’s increased vehicle height and greater handling performance” including a front mounted sway bar, a redesigned rear sway bar, new re-valved gas shocks, new rear leaf springs, revised brake components, front drive shaft and transfer case. 140 Hp 2.9L V6 was standard with this package. The High Rider STX rides on P215/75Rx15SL outline-white-letter off-road tires. (from factory brochure)
All High Rider Ranger’s are STX models which includes “special accenting, sporty trim, tinted glass, black foldaway mirrors, black grille and bumpers, and new tape treatment” (from field and stream)
“STX features reclining cloth bucket seats in the Regular Cab model, or dual cloth Captain’s Chairs with individual recliners and power lumbar supports in the SuperCab. The door trim panels are cloth-covered and include carpeted map pockets. The steering wheel is wrapped in genuine leather. Standard sound system is electronic AM/FM stereo with digital clock and four speakers. In STX you also have pivoting front vent windows for added ventilation, a convenient trip odometer, and a tachometer on the instrument cluster to read the pulse of the STX’s electronically fuel-injected 2.9 liter V-6 engine.” (from factory brochure, also noted on the page that some equipment may be optional)
“The optional Sport Appearance Package – light bar** with off-road lights, grille guard with fog lamps, plus tubular rear bumper – is available to give your Ranger STX an even bolder performance image. **Light bar not intended for occupant protection.”
Although you can still find these old Rangers, it’s rare to find one with the original grill guard and bed mounted lightbar. Especially one that isn’t rusted out.
This Ranger is for sale on Craigslist for $19,500. That seems pretty steep considering you’ll be able to buy a brand new 2022 Ford Maverick compact pick-up later this year for under $20,000.
Want to know how these old Ford Rangers compare in size to the new Ford Maverick? Click HERE to learn more.
To learn more about the 1987-1988 Ford Ranger STX High Rider, click HERE.
More Photos:
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About The Author
Jim Oaks is the founder of The Ranger Station, one of the longest-running Ford Ranger enthusiast communities on the web. He has spent over three decades owning, modifying, repairing, and driving Ford Rangers on the street, trail, and cross-country routes.
Since launching TheRangerStation.com in 1999, Jim has documented thousands of real-world Ranger builds, technical repairs, drivetrain swaps, suspension modifications, and off-road tests contributed by owners worldwide. His work has been referenced by enthusiasts, mechanics, and off-road builders looking for practical, experience-based information rather than theoretical advice.
Jim’s hands-on experience includes long-distance overland travel, trail use, drivetrain and axle upgrades, suspension tuning, and platform comparisons across multiple Ranger generations. The content published on The Ranger Station is grounded in first-hand experience and community-verified data, not marketing claims or generic specifications.
