Thinking out Loud about Old and new Rangers: Three Schools

[Lefty]

Links to my build threads in my signature.

Almost not even worth posting pics of my beater '88... this was about four years ago before the rust really started to take over
View attachment 84979

That was the good side, the other side had big holes everywhere. I found a better body and swapped most of it which is now in even worse shape... too many years of this.
View attachment 84980

I love the snow!
One of the greatest joys of owning an old rusty truck is that it is paid for. Every year, every good day of hard labor, is a plus. It's money in the bank.

 

[Shran]

I love the snow too, I just wish we didn't get so much wind with it. I guess that just comes with living in the midwest as I'm sure you are aware.

I'm thinking I have somewhere around $5000 into that stupid truck... $800 purchase price, $500 rear driveshaft, $2000 engine rebuild, $500 trans rebuild, tires, gas tank, etc and a lot of smaller things here and there. But I've had it for 8 years now so that equals about $50/month. I am hoping to get another 2 years out of it.

 

[Lefty]

I love the snow too, I just wish we didn't get so much wind with it. I guess that just comes with living in the midwest as I'm sure you are aware.

I'm thinking I have somewhere around $5000 into that stupid truck... $800 purchase price, $500 rear driveshaft, $2000 engine rebuild, $500 trans rebuild, tires, gas tank, etc and a lot of smaller things here and there. But I've had it for 8 years now so that equals about $50/month. I am hoping to get another 2 years out of it.

That's the spirit. I bought one for $1500.00 and drove it for 20 years.

 

[rusty ol ranger]

Post some pictures is you can.

87 Ranger and 97 F250. The F250 is a bit rustier now then in that pic.

 

[racsan]

Mines quite a mix-up. mostly a ‘94 but with some ‘97 parts thrown in, a ‘98 rear axle, a few things left over from my ‘93 and some ‘70’s inspiration tossed in, Ive referred to it before as the “johnny cash edition “(song reference/“one peice at a time”) After putting on a silver bed I figured if I painted the middle of it blue and added silver to the top & bottom of the cab Id have a old school two-tone stlye. Added cab roof lights, a white painted cap (cause in the 70’s a ‘glass cap was white, color matching with the truck wasnt a thing until the ‘80’s) Check out my flickr album in my signature for a full photo bomb of its evolution. And yes, I do use it. Its driven daily, has close to 170K on it. not perfect but does what I need done most of the time. Its a bit ugly right now with black steel winter wheels, wish I could keep it garaged all winter and away from the salt. I had a gm winter beater hhr but its got some bad noises coming from the engine/transmission. Heres a few too many

pictures of it.

 

[Lefty]

It's most interesting to see how the truck evolved in time.

 

[don4331]

I want a 1b:

Cheapest 2nd (3rd) vehicle you could buy: We've had 5 for my 3 kids and 2 nieces as 1st vehicle. They didn't cost arm & leg to buy, they only needed liability insurance, they have decent visibility and they got OK fuel economy. They were also good for teaching basic auto repair/maintenance - changing tires, oil, wipers. They don't get worked a truck like 1a, but there's been a lot of furniture moved from home to residence to new apartment - cab filled, box to limit of tonneau cover (or tonneau temp ditched during move) with/without u-haul trailer in tow.​

 

[Roert42]

I guess I have to be a number three, due to the super charger. I use and abused it as a working vehicle, the S/C was just a way to help improve that.
Other then that, I haven’t done many mods. Try to keep up with maintenance, and make the repairs best quality as possible.

 

[gw33gp]

Mine is mostly #2, but I did make minor changes to make it more capable off-road. The most visible is the 33" tires. I went to 4.56 gears to make the larger tires work better. The only lift is a 1.5" T-bar crank to level it. I had a Torsen differential installed in the front to match the stock Torsen in the rear. Then I have air helper springs in the rear to keep it from sagging when towing or loaded for two or more weeks on a off-road adventure. The WAAG bar is used to hold my extra high beam lights and for pushing another vehicle if needed. Otherwise, it is pretty much stock.

I will look for a good close up of it. Most of my photos of it are off-road and dirty.

 

[lil_Blue_Ford]

^2000 green Ranger pulling my Explorer

^1988 Bronco II (choptop in the background)

^1994 F-350 (valve guides are shot, next big project)

^1995 F-150

^1992 Ranger before it got wrecked

^1989 Bayliner (with a Ford 2.3l I/O)

^1989 Bronco II choptop

 

[Lefty]

I love the snow too, I just wish we didn't get so much wind with it. I guess that just comes with living in the midwest as I'm sure you are aware.

I'm thinking I have somewhere around $5000 into that stupid truck... $800 purchase price, $500 rear driveshaft, $2000 engine rebuild, $500 trans rebuild, tires, gas tank, etc and a lot of smaller things here and there. But I've had it for 8 years now so that equals about $50/month. I am hoping to get another 2 years out of it.

Don't feel bad about upgrading your baby. I spent about $14,000 on mine. Now I'm driving what is basically a brand new truck. Not only that, but it has character.

Mine is mostly #2, but I did make minor changes to make it more capable off-road. The most visible is the 33" tires. I went to 4.56 gears to make the larger tires work better. The only lift is a 1.5" T-bar crank to level it. I had a Torsen differential installed in the front to match the stock Torsen in the rear. Then I have air helper springs in the rear to keep it from sagging when towing or loaded for two or more weeks on a off-road adventure. The WAAG bar is used to hold my extra high beam lights and for pushing another vehicle if needed. Otherwise, it is pretty much stock.

I will look for a good close up of it. Most of my photos of it are off-road and dirty.

off road and dirty is cool

 

[pjtoledo]

@rusty ol ranger
you're giving your location away Rusty, I've been to that McDonalds a few times over the years.

when the CP Christmas train goes thru this year I'll probably be watching it on Munson road.

 

[97RangerXLT]

I probably fall into the 2 and 3 category. right now it is pretty much stock but I am dreaming of a 6" Skyjacker lift, 35" tires and a 12k lb winch. maybe a locker (or 2) and onboard air...

Need money for that.

AJ

 

[rusty ol ranger]

@rusty ol ranger
you're giving your location away Rusty, I've been to that McDonalds a few times over the years.

when the CP Christmas train goes thru this year I'll probably be watching it on Munson road.

I go to that mcdonalds more then i like to admit...i also get pissed off at that mcdonalds more then i like to admit

 

[Robertmangrum.rm]

Can a person be all 3. I usecit to tow and haul regularly. If something is broke I wanna use best parts I can afford to fix it. But 3rd I will lift it and modify so I can explore more.