rare? 1986 ex cab 4x4 4cyl

[plottwalker]

I bought a 4x4 1986 ranger from the original owner and its the 2.3 4cyl.
the truck is a ex cab, 5 spd, 4x4. everything looks original, i have not found another like it, is this a hard truck to come buy or was this thing swapped motors... its a base model as well. not xl or xlt.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

Not common.

What does the emission label on the radiator support say for an engine?

 

[rusty ol ranger]

I thought all ext cab/4x4s had the 2.9 in those years?

Whats the 8th VIN digit? Im guessing it was swapped

 

[plottwalker]

Not common.

What does the emission label on the radiator support say for an engine?

the label says its a 2.3 radiator support looks original as well.

 

[plottwalker]

I thought all ext cab/4x4s had the 2.9 in those years?

Whats the 8th VIN digit? Im guessing it was swapped

1FTCR15A6GPB44101 is the vin.

I have heard that the only year the ex cab 4x4 came with the 4 cyl was 86, when i seen this one pop up i bought it.

 

[rusty ol ranger]

Ill be damned. "A" denotes a 2.3.

2.9 was vin "T".

Sounds like you do have something cool there.

 

[RonD]

Yes, good find

Point of the smaller Pickups was MPG so 4cyl was popular engine option
Extended cab and 4x4 were not good options for MPG, lol, 400lbs of extra weight

So not a common factory build unless ordered that way

It could be ordered that way until mid-1990's although not a popular combination

Like the Regular cab 4x4 with 4.0l engine, rare as hens teeth, but out there

 

[plottwalker]

Yes, good find

Point of the smaller Pickups was MPG so 4cyl was popular engine option
Extended cab and 4x4 were not good options for MPG, lol, 400lbs of extra weight

So not a common factory build unless ordered that way

It could be ordered that way until mid-1990's although not a popular combination

Like the Regular cab 4x4 with 4.0l engine, rare as hens teeth, but out there

What kind of mileage should I be looking at? I did plugs rotor,wires,cap,air and fuel filter. Looks like I got 21mpg all hwy going 60. Is that as good as I'm looking for?

 

[RonD]

Yes, with the extra weight that's about as good as it gets, 24+ in a regular cab 2WD

But for old technology 21mpg in a 4x4 is not all that bad
The V6s, 3.0l and 4.0l, were 17/18 with extra cab 4x4, lower around town

4x4s usually have wider tires and ride higher, both reduce MPG, skinny tires and low to the ground = best MPG

 

[turbo91xlt]

'86 only deal. '86 was the 1st year for extended cabs, ford realized it was too underpowered and made the v6 mandatory in extended cab 4wd rangers by '87.

Heres a door tag I saved from years ago of another one. If you could get a picture of yours for my own personal records it would be much appreciated


BTW if anyone curious *R15* in the VIN means extended cab & *A* designates 2.3 as previously mentioned.

Fun fact, every factory 2.3 4wd ranger made had a manual transmission, & every '87-'97 2.3 4wd will have the VIN *R11A* as they only ever came regular cab (short & long bed) after that point.

To the OP, as far as rarest "regular production" rangers go, I could almost guaranty the '86 2.3 4wd extended cab trucks to be the rarest ones built.

 

[plottwalker]

thanks for the info guys, i sort of bought this thing to hunt out of, the bed will have 500 lbs in at all times. i dont know if it will cut it going up and down mountains. 4.0L might just be what i go back to.

 

[rusty ol ranger]

If youre planning on hunting out of it id drop in a 302 with a good truck avenger carb or a factory 2150 motorcraft 2bbl. Both handle angles well, and will be less wireing/more power then a 4.0 and will require the same amount of changing trannys/mounts.

Just remember to jet for altitude

 

[97RangerXLT]

for hunting and offroading with a load... maybe some taller gears will help out. but that could cost a bit as you have two axles to update.

AJ

 

[turbo91xlt]

DO NOT RUIN THAT TRUCK WITH A 3oh..2 junk. Sell it to someone who'd appreciate it for what it is then get a later 4.0 truck.

 

[fastpakr]

How exactly is a 302 junk?