Starting First Gen Build in 2023 - Bad Idea?

[triggerslaps]

I've combed through the TRS help articles (EX - https://www.therangerstation.com/tech/1983-2011-ford-ranger-off-road-builders-guide/ ) and have come to conclusion I would like to get into a 1991 or 1992 4.0L 4×4 5-speed for a low-budget street-legal trail rig.

Knowing I will have all sorts of issues just trying to find my way as a newcomer on the Ranger platform, I don't want to also run into crippling parts availability problems...

I'm curious to know your thoughts on overall parts availability for a Gen 1 build vs a Gen2 build. Is the Gen 1 heyday behind us? Should I just stick to the Gen 2 in order to keep my project moving, keep the budget low, and keep my spirits high?

Thank you, everyone.

 

[superj]

I don't think you will have parts issues. The ranger was the best selling mid size truck for so long, there are still many on the road so parts are still being made to support them.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

89-92 is second gen.

Part support is still pretty good.

 

[Uncle Gump]

Ford Ranger Generations 1983-Present - The Ranger Station

Introduction: There have been questions concerning what years make up which generation of Ford Rangers. I think the problem came from the re-release of the Ford Ranger. A number of people seizing the opportunity to write about anything they can … Continued

www.therangerstation.com

 

[scotts90ranger]

85, it depends on who you're talking to, almost everyone here I completely agree with you but some like Walt and Ron might not...

I think the '90-97 is about as good as you can get, independent suspension enough to drive good offroad bot not stupid enough to have too many moving parts... by default you get a Dana 35 front axle, a 1354 transfer case and 1310 rear U joints... Given they made a bazillion first gen Explorers with the same basic drivetrain parts availability shouldn't be an issue...

 

[triggerslaps]

Thanks for the feedback guys!

Looking over the classifieds here locally, it seems there are very few Generation-II (1989-1992).

Also, I found a guy selling a 1991 4x4 and heh is selling it because he says he can't find the necessary parts to fix his four-wheel drive...

I've never had a detailed conversation with him... this is just what he said...

I guess something I've never realized, and maybe this guys doesn't know, is that the first gen Explorers have cross-platform capability.

I'm NOT experienced in automotive work at all, so I'm certainly NOT familiar with the nuances around finding parts.

 

[snoranger]

Thanks for the feedback guys!

Looking over the classifieds here locally, it seems there are very few Generation-II (1989-1992).

Also, I found a guy selling a 1991 4x4 and heh is selling it because he says he can't find the necessary parts to fix his four-wheel drive...

He must not have looked in my garage.

A lot of parts aren’t available new, but I’ve yet to find something that isn’t available used or rebuilt.

 

[triggerslaps]

Well... I know where a cheap 91 is for you!

Can I ask were your go to places are for acquiring specific used or rebuilt parts?

I have plenty of salvage yards around me, but I live in the city and highly doubt there are old Rangers sitting in there very often.

 

[Uncle Gump]

If it's cheap and not rotted... you should just buy it.

It all can be fixed.

 

[Ranger850]

Well... I know where a cheap 91 is for you!

Can I ask were your go to places are for acquiring specific used or rebuilt parts?

I have plenty of salvage yards around me, but I live in the city and highly doubt there are old Rangers sitting in there very often.

You might be surprised at what is in your local JY. RockAuto.com and Carparts.com are good sources for "most" cars. If you ever get near a "You Pull IT" type of JY, you should check one out. They let you go inside the field of cars an pull the part you need from the junked cars. You get the experience you need to replace your broke/missing part before you do it to your own. Or you could revese that and do it on yours first, then at the JY you already know what to do. You can use the TECH LIBRARY at the top of the page so you can figure out if other parts cross over. That allows you to get the newest version of the part that will fit your truck.

 

[triggerslaps]

You might be surprised at what is in your local JY. RockAuto.com and Carparts.com are good sources for "most" cars. If you ever get near a "You Pull IT" type of JY, you should check one out. They let you go inside the field of cars an pull the part you need from the junked cars. You get the experience you need to replace your broke/missing part before you do it to your own. Or you could revese that and do it on yours first, then at the JY you already know what to do. You can use the TECH LIBRARY at the top of the page so you can figure out if other parts cross over. That allows you to get the newest version of the part that will fit your truck.

Holy Cow! I've never seen docs like these before. I see now how easy it could be to find additional parts that may not necessary be labeled explicitly for a Ranger. I'm guess the Bronco ii and Explorer are very compatible in general based on some of the docs I briefly viewed.

 

[Blmpkn]

In 2023 it would be a bad idea.

Best to start now.

 

[triggerslaps]

I got an impossible question for you to answer...

How much would a decent Gen 2 go for in your area?

I've seen four 1991/92 4.0L 4×4 5-speed options locally and all have been under 5k. Two of those options specifically call out that they have no major rust issues and run and drive good.

Seems like fair prices to me... but I also know very little.

 

[Ranger850]

I'm seeing newer Rangers for less. This was just a "prime" example of what's on Facebook Market in my area.

 

[Uncle Gump]

I'll give you my personal experience. Last fall I bought a pretty clean 86 Bronco II. The owner had spent a ton of money... and I mean a ton! I give 5K shipped to my door from Florida to Illinois. All the details are in my build thread.

What I know is I'm gonna have 12 tons of fun with it.