Not Exactly What I Was Looking For (better)

[Cologne Ranger]

Hey. Hello. Longtime lurker just now joining, now that my 7 year search for the right truck has ended successfully. I've been wanting to replace the rusty little 4wd '89 Ranger I reluctantly let go in 2013, after the engine blew a few hours away from home. I almost pulled the trigger on several Rangers for sale since then, but it seems like something always came up- (the need for another family car and so on,) and buying something 'frivolous,' (like a fun to drive little pickup) always got relegated to the back burner. Over the years I've purchased vehicles with enough seating to haul young family members around; nieces, nephews, foster kids... I've got a 2003 Mountaineer that has outlived its usefulness, a 2008 Taurus X that isn't drivem anymore, a 2017 Pacifica for long trips, and an Acura TL for when I want to get somewhere fast. I started looking again in earnest for a small truck as winter was ending, spring was on the way, and coronavirus locked everything down. A decent truck near enough could not be found for quite awhile.

Sooo... I just acquired this 1989 Ranger XLT 4x4 (manual transmission) with power windows, locks, (working) A/C, and only 76,588 actual miles. It has a couple minor scratches, but no (zero) rust on the body or frame. The interior is immaculate. When I purchased it, the body was covered in mud and the drive train needed a new clutch; a repair I didn't think I could do without assistance, but a trip to visit family, and a helpful brother-in-law got this beauty back on the road in just a few days. It was advertised on Craigslist as "4-cylinder," but thankfully, the 2.9l V6 engine runs perfectly, and the truck is a total blast to drive. My "new" Ranger also came with an pricey Bluetooth CD player already installed, almost new tires, and nice-looking rims that probably could have been sold separately for the price I paid for the whole truck.

I was looking for a mechanically sound squarebody Ranger, (hopefully 4wd,) with less than 200k miles and a frame that wasn't rusted out beyond saving. I had a maximum $800 to spend. I live in the rust belt, so I expected I'd have to fix rocker panels, fenders, and maybe replace the truck bed eventually, once I found the 'beater' truck of my dreams, so I guess you could say I really didn't find what I was searching for...

Thank God I didn't. THIS Ranger is awesome! Instead of spending my days out in the garage with sandpaper and primer, I'm washing, waxing and polishing this mint condition, 31-year-old, 4x4 truck!

Of course, I already want to buy all kinds of parts to make it make it run better, go faster, etc... (even though I love it just as it is) Tell me what you'd do with this XLT. I need ideas. I want to keep it as original looking as possible, but I'm open to suggestions. Are there any compatible parts I should rob from the Mountaineer (Ford Explorer) before I junk it?

Been reading and soaking up good advice from this forum for years. I'm looking forward to hearing anything you can tell me about this new (to me) '89 Ranger.

I uploaded several pics of it already, but not sure how to attach them to this thread.

 

[rusty ol ranger]

Keep the 2.9 cool and itll run a long time.

Welcome to TRS!

 

[Cologne Ranger]

Keep the 2.9 cool and itll run a long time.

Welcome to TRS!

Thanks for the good advice and the welcome! I am going to do everything in my power to keep this truck in the great condition it is in right now. I was reading a thread earlier that mentioned exactly what you said, and warned somebody to keep the radiator filled,too. I've been admiring the Ranger pictures on this forum for years, but I finally signed up because all the useful information.

 

[rusty ol ranger]

Thanks for the good advice and the welcome! I am going to do everything in my power to keep this truck in the great condition it is in right now. I was reading a thread earlier that mentioned exactly what you said, and warned somebody to keep the radiator filled,too. I've been admiring the Ranger pictures on this forum for years, but I finally signed up because all the useful information.

Being an 89 you should have the 89TM heads which arnt as prone to cracking as the 86TM, but they are still kinda fragile compared to other heads.

A cooler (185*) t stat and a 4.0 explorer radiator are big helps too.

 

[RobbieD]

Welcome! And, Congratulations on finding such a good example. I really like hear your enthusiasm, and of your plans to keep it original looking. There's a lot of good information and advice here.

P.S.- pictures, please!

 

[Uncle Gump]

I see you got pictures posted in another thread... so it appears you have figured it out. It sure is a nice 2nd Gen. You should post a few here to keep it together with your post.

I'm not sure what I would do to it... I think I would bask in the original glory of what it is for awhile anyway.

Glad you finally signed up.... and welcome to TRS.

 

[ericbphoto]

 

[Cologne Ranger]

Welcome! And, Congratulations on finding such a good example. I really like hear your enthusiasm, and of your plans to keep it original looking. There's a lot of good information and advice here.

P.S.- pictures, please!

Thank you. These were posted elsewhere, while I was trying to figure out the site. Posting here again for continuities sake.

 

[Cologne Ranger]

I see you got pictures posted in another thread... so it appears you have figured it out. It sure is a nice 2nd Gen. You should post a few here to keep it together with your post.

I'm not sure what I would do to it... I think I would bask in the original glory of what it is for awhile anyway.

Glad you finally signed up.... and welcome to TRS.

"I'm not sure what I would do to it... I think I would bask in the original glory of what it is for awhile anyway."

So true. That's where I'm at so far, but reading through all the information here has me considering the kind of modifications that would keep the engine cooler, for starters. It's a good looking truck. I just want to make sure it lasts. There's no rust underneath at all, so I also want to prevent the frame from the damage salty roads here may do in the future.

 

[ericbphoto]

"I'm not sure what I would do to it... I think I would bask in the original glory of what it is for awhile anyway."

So true. That's where I'm at so far, but reading through all the information here has me considering the kind of modifications that would keep the engine cooler, for starters. It's a good looking truck. I just want to make sure it lasts. There's no rust underneath at all, so I also want to prevent the frame from the damage salty roads here may do in the future.

Move far enough south to avoid salty roads and far enough inland to avoid salty air.

 

[Cologne Ranger]

Move far enough south to avoid salty roads and far enough inland to avoid salty air.

Well, it turns out my truck is from NC, (which may explain the lack of frame rust.) If I could, I'd gladly move there with it. However, there are probably undercoatings that would cost me less money than moving to another state...

 

[ericbphoto]

No pain, no gain. There's a nice house up the road from me for a mere $400k. I don't worry much about rust.

Mine is smaller and simpler, so just $160k for us poor folks.

 

[EvanCole45]

That's in incredible condition for the year.
If it were my truck I would sell those wheels and tires and get some more period correct and 15" wheels.
Keep us updated!

 

[Cologne Ranger]

That's in incredible condition for the year.
If it were my truck I would sell those wheels and tires and get some more period correct and 15" wheels.
Keep us updated!

That would be a tough decision. I've warmed up somewhat to the wheels as they are. (I'm partial to gold, silver and chrome, so black takes getting used to.) Like I said though, I'm open to suggestion, and yours is a good one. Post me some pictures of some shiny 'period correct' ones if you get the time. I can be swayed easily on this subject. On the subject of size, I like the height it has with the 16"s. Is there a technical/mechanical reason for using 15"s that I should consider?

 

[EvanCole45]

15s are considered the period correct size wheels for just about all pickup trucks before ~2000. There is no big mechanical advantage to 15s. Most people just like having more sidewall on the tire, and more sidewall will be better off road (the 1" doesn't really matter for off road performance though).
I personally would put 15x8 American Racing wheels on it because they are period correct and timeless designs. The Outlaw 1s and Outlaw 2s are my favorite but the Bajas are nice too. I think you can get the Bajas in 16" and maybe the Outlaws too if you like that size better.