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New Member
- Joined
- Aug 4, 2024
- Messages
- 4
- Reaction score
- 21
- Location
- Minnesota
- Vehicle Year
- 1989
- Make / Model
- Ford Ranger
- Transmission
- Automatic
Hi guys, I just joined to share a very rare Ranger I bought last year that I’ve been restoring. I’ve known of this truck that’s been hiding for around 20 years, mostly neglected outside in the Minnesota elements with a short time in a barn (that fell on it). The truck was originally a test bed for prototype parts at Ford then later donated to an auto body college tech school.
Anyway, the truck is a 1989 Ford Ranger 4.0 (I believe possibly the first 4.0 to be put in any Ranger) automatic transmission, Borg warner transfer case, Dana 35 front axle (again, possibly the first one) ford 8.8” rear axle (with fiberglass cover).
The truck still has the remains of the window sticker, along with prototype tag on transfer case, and unique engine tag on the radiator support. The split bench seat doesn’t have any mounting holes or fasteners in the center mounts so the seats flop around, I’m not sure what the deal is with that!
I’ve found less then a hand full of rangers with this completely composite bed, the inside/floor is a black fiberglass looking material and the bedsides are glued on flexible plastic. The tailgate is the same construction with very unique latches. There is NO steel in the bed construction. I have seen this bed on a “Saleen” ranger and a few others on the internet.
Do to this truck being used in a body school to practice painting, and sitting outside in hot sun and cold winters the paint was shot, and the windshield had leaked causing interior damage. I had the body professionally redone, I’m working on the interior currently. I found genuine ford new old stock lighting all the way around to replace the faded lights.
Hopefully you guys enjoy, I’ll post pictures hopefully in order from the day I bought it.
Yes I did get a title in my name and I am the first registered owner. I’ve been asked many times, the truck is not for sale, but I would sell it, I’m curious what you guys think a value is though, I wouldn’t sell it for the $15,000 window sticker price!
Anyway, the truck is a 1989 Ford Ranger 4.0 (I believe possibly the first 4.0 to be put in any Ranger) automatic transmission, Borg warner transfer case, Dana 35 front axle (again, possibly the first one) ford 8.8” rear axle (with fiberglass cover).
The truck still has the remains of the window sticker, along with prototype tag on transfer case, and unique engine tag on the radiator support. The split bench seat doesn’t have any mounting holes or fasteners in the center mounts so the seats flop around, I’m not sure what the deal is with that!
I’ve found less then a hand full of rangers with this completely composite bed, the inside/floor is a black fiberglass looking material and the bedsides are glued on flexible plastic. The tailgate is the same construction with very unique latches. There is NO steel in the bed construction. I have seen this bed on a “Saleen” ranger and a few others on the internet.
Do to this truck being used in a body school to practice painting, and sitting outside in hot sun and cold winters the paint was shot, and the windshield had leaked causing interior damage. I had the body professionally redone, I’m working on the interior currently. I found genuine ford new old stock lighting all the way around to replace the faded lights.
Hopefully you guys enjoy, I’ll post pictures hopefully in order from the day I bought it.
Yes I did get a title in my name and I am the first registered owner. I’ve been asked many times, the truck is not for sale, but I would sell it, I’m curious what you guys think a value is though, I wouldn’t sell it for the $15,000 window sticker price!
