Debating selling/what should I ask for

[SlaughterhouseSean]

I got this truck 10 years ago, I don’t really drive it anymore. It’s still drives, needs new tires,new battery because it’s been sitting, no AC(someone before I owned ripped a lot out). I’m debating selling it but not sure because I would like to actually fix it up someday but if I’m being honest I probably won’t. So I’m just trying to get an idea of what I could ask for it if I decide to sell, any input would be appreciated.
1988 XLT 2.3L 5 speed

 

[franklin2]

Depends on what area you live in and where the truck came from. Rust is the no.1 enemy of these trucks and a northern truck would bring less money.

 

[SlaughterhouseSean]

I’m in FL, purchased from AL 10 years ago.

 

[rusty ol ranger]

I’m in FL, purchased from AL 10 years ago.

In florida? Probably 2000ish. Up here in the rust belt, if you were paitent, probably 4-4500

 

[Shran]

I sold an '85 and an '87 this year. Both were in good running, driving, reliable condition with no mechanical issues. Both single cabs, V6's, 4x4, 5 speed manuals. I had a ton of receipts included with them. The '85 was pretty solid, no major rust except for the driver's side floor pan that I completely replaced. The '87 had a ton of rust holes in the fenders, doors and box but really none in the cab itself. New windshields, tires, brakes, clutches, tune-up parts, etc on both. I think I took a small loss on both but needed them out of the driveway when I bought other projects... I got $3500 out of the '85 and $3200 on the '87. They both sold within a week and I had a ton of buyers lined up.

If the body is in good shape and the interior is pretty nice (looks like it checks both of those boxes) then that will help you a lot. I would NOT discount the price at all because it's 2wd or a 4 cylinder... that might be just what someone wants. Things that will hurt the sale value are major leaks, anything that prevents it from being a reliable driver, major repairs needed, worn out tires, obviously janky wiring, etc... all that stuff will determine whether you get low offers in the hundreds of dollars or people lined up willing to drop a few thousand.

Just my experience. The better you can make it, the more your value will go up... I sold a 94 Mazda B4000 4x4 a few years ago and only got like $1100 for it because it would grind going into 2nd gear. I had that stupid truck for months - it was pretty nice other than that one problem but nobody wanted to deal with it.

 

[rusty ol ranger]

I sold an '85 and an '87 this year. Both were in good running, driving, reliable condition with no mechanical issues. Both single cabs, V6's, 4x4, 5 speed manuals. I had a ton of receipts included with them. The '85 was pretty solid, no major rust except for the driver's side floor pan that I completely replaced. The '87 had a ton of rust holes in the fenders, doors and box but really none in the cab itself. New windshields, tires, brakes, clutches, tune-up parts, etc on both. I think I took a small loss on both but needed them out of the driveway when I bought other projects... I got $3500 out of the '85 and $3200 on the '87. They both sold within a week and I had a ton of buyers lined up.

If the body is in good shape and the interior is pretty nice (looks like it checks both of those boxes) then that will help you a lot. I would NOT discount the price at all because it's 2wd or a 4 cylinder... that might be just what someone wants. Things that will hurt the sale value are major leaks, anything that prevents it from being a reliable driver, major repairs needed, worn out tires, obviously janky wiring, etc... all that stuff will determine whether you get low offers in the hundreds of dollars or people lined up willing to drop a few thousand.

Just my experience. The better you can make it, the more your value will go up... I sold a 94 Mazda B4000 4x4 a few years ago and only got like $1100 for it because it would grind going into 2nd gear. I had that stupid truck for months - it was pretty nice other than that one problem but nobody wanted to deal with it.

That is very true. Of all the old vehicles ive bought/saved and DD'ed...i always looked for ones that were unmolested. If i popped the hood and seen a dozen wires out of looms ran to everywhere, or hopped in the cab and found similar signs...it usually drove me off.

Id rather pull something out of a field factory intact then some idiots "project" that he drives.

 

[Blmpkn]

I would NOT discount the price at all because it's 2wd or a 4 cylinder... that might be just what someone wants.

This.

Freaks that fit that description ARE out there.. I'm one. 3/4 of my rangers have been 2wd and ALL of them have been a 2.3.


Personally.. I think a premium should be put on the 2.3 trucks the lord really was shining his light on that thing as it was making its way down the assembly line... it could of been built with a 2.9 after all... thank heaven that wasn't the case!

 

[RobbieD]

Of all the old vehicles ive bought/saved and DD'ed...i always looked for ones that were unmolested.

Amen, brother!

A truck can only be original once.

A 30 or 40 year old truck (like what I'm into) that's still unmolested, is about like a virgin at at at a Viking class reunion- not common at all.

Original old trucks need a special kind of love . . . preservation, appreciation, and care.

 

[rusty ol ranger]

This.

Freaks that fit that description ARE out there.. I'm one. 3/4 of my rangers have been 2wd and ALL of them have been a 2.3.


Personally.. I think a premium should be put on the 2.3 trucks the lord really was shining his light on that thing as it was making its way down the assembly line... it could of been built with a 2.9 after all... thank heaven that wasn't the case!

Thats why 2.3's are more common these days then 2.9's...


The 2.9 trucks were actually useable.

 

[rusty ol ranger]

Amen, brother!

A truck can only be original once.

A 30 or 40 year old truck (like what I'm into) that's still unmolested, is about like a virgin at at at a Viking class reunion- not common at all.

Original old trucks need a special kind of love . . . preservation, appreciation, and care.

Totally agree.

Thats why i wont let my 77 go even though its turning green and the body is rotting...bad. It hasnt run in 2 years either.

I told the wife id rather it sit and rot in original peace then get sold to some kid to hack in to a mudtruck, run into trees, or whatever

 

[alwaysFlOoReD]

Totally agree.

Thats why i wont let my 77 go even though its turning green and the body is rotting...bad. It hasnt run in 2 years either.

I told the wife id rather it sit and rot in original peace then get sold to some kid to hack in to a mudtruck, run into trees, or whatever

I've seen so many classics go to the crusher because of that thought process....

 

[RobbieD]

I've seen so many classics go to the crusher because of that thought process....

As long as my dead body is in it, what does it matter?

 

[Blmpkn]

Thats why 2.3's are more common these days then 2.9's...


The 2.9 trucks were actually useable.

Useful things get kept around & spared from the crusher

 

[rusty ol ranger]

Useful things get kept around & spared from the crusher

You dont crush something not wore out.
Hard to wear one out driving 3 miles to the grocery store. About all anyone had paitence for with a lima

 

[rusty ol ranger]

I've seen so many classics go to the crusher because of that thought process....

Its not going to the crusher either