Input please?

[Redneckryder]

So,I have a '94 suburban. I know, I know....Stupid....but it was cheap, and I got 3 kids, so I thought it was a good idea. Well, it dont have a back seat, nor does it have the shit to put the rear seat in it. So, I am trying to sell it. Guy emails me, asking if I want to trade for a '95 ex-cab, 4 banger/5speed ranger. He says he got in a "fender bender" that bent the bumper, and deployed the bag. says it runs and drives fine.....

My question to the infinite wisdom of TRS....Should I get it? I have some mechanical ability....I can replace a bumper, pound out a fender. I cannot however straighten a frame, nor do I have the funds to ask someone else to.

Little backstory, this thing will eventually have a better engine (Either a turbo 4, a 4.0, or a v8----not sure which yet), and a solid front axle and t-case. Until then, It will be my winter beater.

I emailed back asking if it has a clean title, and asking for pictures of the damage. If I post the pics, Could you guys do your best to help survey the damage?

 

[Lil-Pony]

Im pretty sure we can help figure some things out...

 

[RonD]

I think air bag deploys at 35mph and above impacts.
The 1995 only has the drivers side air bag, not hard to replace, I saw one on ebay for $60
You can't "legally" drive an airbag equipped vehicle without a working airbag, just FYI.

If you get the seller to drive the truck while you follow, you can usually see if frame is bent enough to be worried about, 4 wheel alignment isn't too expensive in my area, $140

 

[ZMan]

When you say the suburban doesn't have a back seat, are you talking about the third row seat...or mean it doesnt have one at all? Sounds like a simple trip to the junkyard to me..better than trading it for a salvage ranger.

 

[Andy D]

Burb is a better kid mobile , What ever it is missing, shouldn't be harder than pounding out a a smooshed Ranger.

 

[fordracing60]

Install a rear seat and belts. Like Zman and Andy say Its better and safer for the lil ones. A extended cab ranger will be too small for ya all.

 

[adsm08]

I am thinking the real issue here is that you were dumb enough to buy a vehicle that is missing it's back seat for a kiddie carrier.

Go hit up the junk yard.

 

[Redneckryder]

Im pretty sure we can help figure some things out...

Thats what I was hoping

I think air bag deploys at 35mph and above impacts.
The 1995 only has the drivers side air bag, not hard to replace, I saw one on ebay for $60
You can't "legally" drive an airbag equipped vehicle without a working airbag, just FYI.

If you get the seller to drive the truck while you follow, you can usually see if frame is bent enough to be worried about, 4 wheel alignment isn't too expensive in my area, $140

I honestly didn't know that about airbag vehicles.....So swapping the steering wheel to aftermarket is illegal?

When you say the suburban doesn't have a back seat, are you talking about the third row seat...or mean it doesnt have one at all? Sounds like a simple trip to the junkyard to me..better than trading it for a salvage ranger.

Third row....it was an old first responder burban, so it had cargo in the back, no third seat. A friend told me I didn't even have the right bracketry....

Burb is a better kid mobile , What ever it is missing, shouldn't be harder than pounding out a a smooshed Ranger.

Not smooshed, see pictures. And, the kids are still small....all under 10. We have a Jeep Liberty is we need to travel as a family or something too....

Install a rear seat and belts. Like Zman and Andy say Its better and safer for the lil ones. A extended cab ranger will be too small for ya all.

I see what you're saying, but I am really a ford guy.....I don't do chevys. The second time I drove it was at night. The dome light didn't work,and it took me 5 minutes to figure out how to turn on the headlights.....

I am thinking the real issue here is that you were dumb enough to buy a vehicle that is missing it's back seat for a kiddie carrier.

Go hit up the junk yard.

Ouch! No, I was dumb enough to listen to my Chevy loving friend that said the third row seats are a dime a dozen, then when I get it home, tells me I don't even have the brackets to put a rear seat in it.....

Damn.....Can't upload pics.....yet. workin on it, please hold

 

[adsm08]

Air bag thing depends greatly on local laws. Since it is a supplemental system and not the primary restraints the only federal law is that it has to be present on new vehicles past a certain year.

Check with your local safety inspection station or state police barracks to find out what your local laws are.

 

[Mark_88]

Burbans are sub in gas consumption to a Ranger...but safer...way safer...

If it were my kids and my call I'd make a back seat out of something else...I'm sure you could retro fit a newer couch seat from another Chevy to work...3 kids will fit in a Ranger if it has the bench front seat...you're SOL if it's buckets though...

 

[ZMan]

A member on another ranger forum actually just added a third row seat to his tahoe, he posted a bunch of detailed pics of how he did it on facebook. Well, of the seatbelts anyway. I could post them in here if you want...he even added the rear a/c.

The whole airbag thing..I've personally driven a couple salvage title Rangers that did not have the airbag replaced and they passed inspection, just took it out and glued the cover back together on the steering wheel.

 

[Jim Oaks]

We had a Suburban with a plow on it when I was a State Trooper in Chardon. I loved the thing. I use to plow snow with it and use it as a patrol vehicle when I worked midnites in the winter. I would've liked to have it as my personal vehicle, even if it did have a bowtie on it.

 

[Lil-Pony]

We had a Suburban with a plow on it when I was a State Trooper in Chardon. I loved the thing. I use to plow snow with it and use it as a patrol vehicle when I worked midnites in the winter. I would've liked to have it as my personal vehicle, even if it did have a bowtie on it.

Oh no. Not Jim, they got Jim. Noooooo... Thou in all reallity i do like my little brothers 92 gmc sierra 1500... No i said like not love, only reason being is that big old 350. One day my little truck will have a new heart that will put the 350 to shame...

 

[Jim Oaks]

Don't worry. I cured it with my Expedition EL. Fords answer to the Suburban.

 

[Redneckryder]

I like the power of the burban, dont get me wrong....but I got a special place in my heart for rangers.....much to my wife's dismay......LOL