seriously thinking 1984 camper

[Angie]

this is calling my name. can anyone give more info about this style camper? i have a couple 2.8's sitting on the floor ready to drop into this truck.

cheers

Rare vintage ranger fiberglass camper - cars & trucks - by owner

1984 ford ranger roll-a-long pop top camper. I love this beautiful piece of 80’s style and engineering, but losing my housing and I can’t prioritize having her as a project anymore. Her engine is...

vancouver.craigslist.org

1984 ford ranger roll-a-long pop top camper. I love this beautiful piece of 80’s style and engineering, but losing my housing and I can’t prioritize having her as a project anymore.


Her engine is fried and my plan has been to swap with a diesel (I’ve been told kubota engines fit perfectly) but if you want to go gasoline carb swap is $2000.

Pros:
-frame is perfect and beautiful
-fibreglass is mint (truly a miracle!)
-interior cab is original and rip free
- camper floor plan is built out very minimalist- keep as is or personalize
-camper is newly insulated (2021)
- new brakes
- new transmission radiator
- wheels and tires very good condition
- vinyl on the pop up is has been kept indoors and is in good shape, but needs replacement windows


Cons:
- needs engine swap
- needs to be towed
- either pro or con depending if you love a project.


This is an extremely rare beauty of a camper. I lived in it and travelled in this thing all last fall in winter through Vancouver island and the islands. She brings smiles to many people and is just the coolest camper you can find. Not in a rush to sell but looking for the right person to turn her into all she can be.

 

[RobbieD]

I'd love to have one of those, and this one is just begging for a 5.0 swap.

 

[Fast Eddie]

Now that's just different and just plain cool. Yes to the 5.0 swap. Maybe a 4wd conversion to reach those out-of-the-way places?

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

Check for rot, basically everywhere. Floors, walls, ceiling canvas. Check that any appliances work.

Do soul searching on the powertrain. My '85 is 4wd and much less aerodynamic... the 5.0 runs it perfect with the Skamper in it. It knows it is there but goes great.

Mine is shown in the brochure in a first gen Ranger and I have often wondered how it would go with half the hp.

Now that's just different and just plain cool. Yes to the 5.0 swap. Maybe a 4wd conversion to reach those out-of-the-way places?

Those campers are not meant for much, they will twist themselves apart.

 

[Angie]

i love this site.... answered my own questions.... and the same rig is written about from here...... wow... i am so interested now.

cheers

for info someone might want to archive the pics from this CL posting i posted .....

Ford Roll-A-Long Ranger

www.therangerstation.com

 

[Angie]

hi 85.... ya it won't be a power house for sure..... but already was looking for a rig to tour across the country in next year ... so this already has a use. and decent winter fix'er upper ... ya would definatley check out all those usual spot for rot and decay.

cheers

 

[rusty ol ranger]

Those things are cool as hell.

I cant tell by the pics is it automatic or manual? A 2.8/5sp might be acceptable powerwise...an automatic would be rough and i wouldnt expect it to tow...anything.

Also...a kubota diesel swap? Thats a new one. That would be weaker then the 2.8 i would think.

A 302 would be cool...but eh id keep it original personally.

 

[Blmpkn]

I'd love the hell out of one of those. Tdi swap would be perfect.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

Those things are cool as hell.

I cant tell by the pics is it automatic or manual? A 2.8/5sp might be acceptable powerwise...an automatic would be rough and i wouldnt expect it to tow...anything.

Also...a kubota diesel swap? Thats a new one. That would be weaker then the 2.8 i would think.

A 302 would be cool...but eh id keep it original personally.

Automatic would be key to capture all them gvws for a camper builder that has to fuss over such trivelties.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

Walk around video of one:

 

[Angie]

it is auto, you can see the shifter in one of the pics.... just talked to owner, common prob, blown head gasket.... going to look at it thursday (tomorrow)

 

[Angie]

85, that vid he said it has a 2.9 in it??? that seems odd so someone must have customized it, the seats are not 84 for sure. but cool vid. cheers

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

85, that vid he said it has a 2.9 in it??? that seems odd so someone must have customized it, the seats are not 84 for sure. but cool vid. cheers

They look like Eddie Bauer BII seats.

No idea on the engine.

Wonder if the builder changed the seats or if someone swapped them.

 

[RobbieD]

going to look at it thursday (tomorrow)

PLEASE buy it.

Because I'm sitting here wondering how much the shipping would be to Georgia. "And lead us not into temptation . . . ".

 

[JoshT]

but already was looking for a rig to tour across the country in next year ...

Sounds like all the more reason to engine swap it. As much as I like the 2.8L, I don't think that would be a good engine choice for this rig and what you want to do with it.

Maybe a 5.0L, maybe a newer V6. Just something newer, stronger, more reliable and efficient than the 2.8L.

I know if I spotted one of them around here, I'd probably do something similar.