Newbie looking to sell in UP Michigan

[surrenderstorm]

Hello all. Long time lurker. This forum has been a useful reference for me over the past few years as I tried to keep a 1997 Ranger XLT alive, but the vehicle is unfortunately worse off than when I bought it, and new problems keep popping up. I've realized the Ranger life isn't for me. I'm hoping you can help me get realistic expectations of what my truck is worth.

• 1997 Ranger XLT Extended Cab, automatic 4-gear trans, 3.0L 6cyl Vulcan engine. Bought in Wisconsin, driven in Michigan for 4 years.
• Clean title, all original manuals, I have at least 2 keys. No missing parts.
• Aftermarket frame-mounted weight-distributing trailer hitch and trailer braking system, as well as bed liner, installed by the previous owner.
• Cab: Everything in the cab needs a cleaning but is otherwise decent. Aftermarket single DIN BT & CD player that I'd honestly like to keep. Pretty sure I still have the original tape deck lying around if desired.
• Body: Glass is good. 1 dent in the tailgate. Wheels and tires were good last I checked. There is rust, frame and body. I'm honestly not sure the extent of it. I don't have a garage or a bed topper, so it's subject to the snow.
• Engine: There have been long-term recurrent coolant leaks. It's been sitting for 1-2 months due to current issues with the starter and engine. I've been told the engine is probably not worth repairing at this point due to rust around the freeze plugs. No transmission issues that I know of, and it's always shifted well.
• Frame: Rolls fine and drives well once started. No suspension or brake issues that I currently know of. 4WD has always worked well. No aftermarket frame or suspension mods. There is frame rust as mentioned before.

Is this worth anything, or am I best off selling it for scrap? If there's someone who would be willing to buy it to part out, I'm open to that.
Located in upper peninsula Michigan. If there's interest I'll haul my ass outside and take photos.

 

[Brain75]

Amongst us (TRS members), you might get a little more (not much more cause we know what it is worth too and it's only unicorns that are worth more really). Amongst the whole general public... well go to edmunds.com plug in all the info, and you will see a pretty scary low number - that is reality. The days of overinflated used car prices post pandemic are gone.

For example, my 1990 if I was to sell it to a junkyard would be $250-$500 depending entirely on weight, a tow truck might give me $180 (they are counting on making a quick $75 at the junkyard), a dealer $500 (they will hide it in the paperwork claiming they give you $1700, but then make it up to themselves elsewhere), a private deal person to person somewhere between $1,100-$2,722, where $2,722 would be very good condition .... which it isn't.


BTW, You wont get any bites here without pix especially since it is in the rust belt.

 

[2011Supercab]

a dealer $500 (they will hide it in the paperwork claiming they give you $1700, but then make it up to themselves elsewhere)

I doubt a dealer would even take a 35 year old truck/car no matter how good of condition it is in.

 

[Uncle Gump]

Not sure the Ranger life isn't for you as much as you Ranger has just seen it's better days.

That said... it's not worth more then scrap price.

That said... maybe just scrap it after you pull a couple common parts from it. Scrappers want the converter... battery... radiator and the scrap weight. Maybe pull the locking hubs... MAF... IAC... Intake tube and other easy Motorcraft pieces and peddle those for a couple extra bucks.

Good luck with your decision...

 

[pjtoledo]

@surrenderstorm
you might want to state where in the U P, it's a big place last time I checked.

 

[MaicoDoug]

God's country in the summer.

 

[surrenderstorm]

Not sure the Ranger life isn't for you as much as you Ranger has just seen it's better days.

After this experience, I'm fairly sure that a pickup truck was the wrong choice for me. I'd do better with a rugged hatchback and a tow hitch.

Thanks for the advice, yall. I'll get some pics up and see if there's anybody local who'd want it for parts.