Do I buy this Ranger?? Educate me please!!

[cbxer55]

Heck yeah!!

View attachment 44766

That's a good one right there. Bet not many people knew that Ford actually did make an aircraft. And a beautiful one at that. Beautiful sounding as well. You just can't beat round engines (radials) for mechanical sounds. And three of them to boot. I've flown in a B-17 (Collings Foundation) . Awesome experience. Unfortunately it crashed last year. Still, I'd do it again in a New York City Minute. Waiting on the next time they are here to fly in the B-24. You only live once.

 

[ericbphoto]

That's a good one right there. Bet not many people knew that Ford actually did make an aircraft. And a beautiful one at that. Beautiful sounding as well. You just can't beat round engines (radials) for mechanical sounds. And three of them to boot. I've flown in a B-17 (Collings Foundation) . Awesome experience. Unfortunately it crashed last year. Still, I'd do it again in a New York City Minute. Waiting on the next time they are here to fly in the B-24. You only live once.

Never had the cash when I’ve been to an airshow with those planes. Would love to have a ride in an old warplane and a Ford trimotor would be great, too.

 

[cbxer55]

Never had the cash when I’ve been to an airshow with those planes. Would love to have a ride in an old warplane and a Ford Tri-motor would be great, too.

I'm single, live alone, no kids. Money in the bank, no debt. No problem. I even bought a good friend of mine a ride on the same B-17. Doing it again when the B-24 is next here. Even though the B-17 I flew on crashed, I'll do it again. I'm 58, I've been around. I don't care if my time comes while flying an old WWII bomber. That would be a great way to go, far as I'm concerned. My Dad, who is in Heaven, would be proud.

Far as the OP and the Ranger. Sounds like it's your call. Even though it's carbed, it sounds like more of a nuisance than the computer fuel injected ones are. And blown transmission, I'm walkin.

 

[Shran]

I believe my grandpa worked on B17s in England during WWII. Said that anyone who volunteered to be a tail gunner in one got an automatic promotion of several ranks and often did not return alive, I guess most of the planes came back pretty shot up on a regular basis.

 

[Thuddles]

Ok he said he's not sure on the milage, thanks for the help guys, he only wants a few 100 bucks and its been in the family for a while so i think i'll go through with it.

I think i still know a guy that will be able to pass smog so i might just go through with the conversion anyway!!

i don't know jack sh*t about airplanes though so you guys have fun

 

[Dirtman]

I believe my grandpa worked on B17s in England during WWII. Said that anyone who volunteered to be a tail gunner in one got an automatic promotion of several ranks and often did not return alive, I guess most of the planes came back pretty shot up on a regular basis.

I got to see one up close and crawl around in it at the mighty 8th museum in Savannah. Seeing one flying is way different then looking at one close up. Flying, they are beautiful machines. Up close you wonder how the hell it even gets off the ground. Its just a puzzle of randomly riveted together poorly fit patch panels. Parts and controls just welded or bolted crudely back together. Repairs I wouldn't even do to a geo metro...

But the things were basically indestructable. They could fly with 3 engines blown off, missing noses or chunks of the wings. Remarkable planes if for nothing else but their ability survive practically any damage and still make it home. I think only the A-10 is even close to the toughness of a B-17.

Imagine being able to take this much damage and still fly home and land.

 

[Dirtman]

Kinda ironic that Boeing now makes planes that randomly drop out of the sky for no aparent reason...

 

[ericbphoto]

They just don’t make ‘em like they used to.

 

[Eddo Rogue]

How about this?

 

[ericbphoto]

How about this?
View attachment 44798

I’d carry an umbrella to protect from oil raining from the sky.

 

[Dirtman]

How about this?
View attachment 44798

Yes... as long as it was carrying several barrels of extra oil.

 

[tw205]

Whats up everyone! I have the option to buy an early ford ranger i believe 83. It was supposedly used as a Forest Ranger truck, the odometer is pushing 200k, and the standard transmission just went out. i think its 4x4 too...

Whats it worth?
Do i even bother?
Is this a good model year?
Pro's Cons of early model ranger ownership?
Whats it gonna cost to replace a transmission?
Is there costly maintenance thats required?
Educate me please!!!

I'm looking for a small work truck that i can use to go to the hardware store and small hauling jobs. Not looking for a daily driver, just want something I can rely on when i need it and be able to work on it if something needs replacing... Thanks for any and all help.

Too many variables to estimate value. Being an 83 it must have a 2.8 (most common) or that little diesel with 58 horse.
Being in So Cal it’s most likely solid body wise.
The 2.8 is not the best friend to the non mechanical among us. Over all a bad head design leading to overheating and head failure. Cylinder 2&3 and 4&5 exhaust ports are side by side with no coolant flow between causing a bad hot spot. It also requires valve adjustments on a regular basis which is most often overlooked by the “drive it till it pukes “ variety of motorists. If you are a gear head and enjoy garage time things can be done to aid in preventing failures.
200k is a LOT of miles for a pushrod engine ( 2.8 is a pushrod engine). Rubber valve stem seal are proven to deteriorate causing a nice blue smoke mosquito fog.
For a guy who doesn’t mind getting a little dirty the trans issue wouldn’t be a problem. Although you didn’t mention what failed ( clutch or trans proper). For a guy who takes it to a trans shop it gonna cost ya.
Over all, for the right price I would get it. It’s easy to work on. Cheap for most parts. And you have a whole web site full of opinions and half ass knowledge to help point you to your next failure or success.
Good luck.

 

[cbxer55]

Blue smoke mosquito fog! LMAO! Seen a guy driving around here in a late model sedan of Toyota or Nissan manufacture. Exactly that. Looks like he's burning more oil than gasoline.

 

[tw205]

[

Blue smoke mosquito fog! LMAO! Seen a guy driving around here in a late model sedan of Toyota or Nissan manufacture. Exactly that. Looks like he's burning more oil than gasoline.

sounds like my brothers old Vega.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

Never had the cash when I’ve been to an airshow with those planes. Would love to have a ride in an old warplane and a Ford trimotor would be great, too.

Ford made MANY B-24’s. Granted they liked to catch on fire and crash but they didn’t design them. Trade off against a 17 is more bombspeed and range.

And I would not have a 2.8 if I lived in California. That is painting yourself in a really bad corner.