What to do with my inoperative, stock '84 Ranger?

[DMPS]

Hey everyone. I've got a non-running Florida '84 Ranger, 122K mi., 4x2, 2L, 4spd manual transmission truck taking up space in my garage. The body is nearly perfect with no rust and barely a ding or two. I'm a mechanic only by necessity and not by choice. That means that any kind of build that I would choose for the truck would be hired out. I almost sold/gave it away, but the buyer backed out when he had financial issues. Since then, I thought about maybe a rebuild involving an engine swap to add power, adding 4wd, and a 4"-6" lift with appropriate suspension upgrades, and a tire and wheel package suitable for onroad/offroad use. Is this possible on a $10K budget? What would you do if it was your truck? Thanks.

 

[ericbphoto]

I think you’d be better off trying to find a truck that meets those requirements.

 

[sheep herder]

Converting a 2WD Ranger to 4X4 pretty much means a frame swap. You won't do what you want for 10K if you gotta pay for labor.

 

[luterome]

Your 10k budget won't make the cut. Just wait it out a little more until you save up enough amount for the rebuild. Once everything is settled, you can sell the truck for a good price.

 

[DMPS]

Thank you, gentlemen. That is what I needed to know. That being said, I am still faced with disposal of the truck. Would you part it out? Anyone interested in buying a project truck?

 

[sheep herder]

What's wrong with it? Just curious, I'm not buying.

 

[DMPS]

Besides the time that my ex-wife parked it next to a golf course while visiting her mom's house and got the windshield busted by an errant golf ball, it was running rough and rich. I think it needed a carb replacement. It would often times smooth out after being thoroughly warmed, but she would never bother doing that and would just mash down on the accelerator until finally I think maybe the timing belt jumped timing. It's been parked in the garage ever since then. That was about 10-12 years ago. Since then the radiator crapped rusty water onto the floor and the two front tires are flat. They can be inflated, but will leak out in a few days. That's it. Probably a new battery, some fresh fuel, water in the radiator, oil change, spark plugs, timing belt check and carb replacement would probably get it running.

 

[1986RangerXL]

Alternative to a full 4WD conversion, you could just put the clean body you have on a cheap 4WD chassis and upgrade from there.

Says you're located down south, in which case it's probably a lot easier to find a clean 4x4 for cheap. If you were in the rust belt a body swap would definitely be worth it.

 

[RangerFabWorks]

I’m almost tempted to buy it lol

 

[rusty ol ranger]

Bet someone could have it buzzin up and down there driveway in a afternoon

 

[Ranger850]

@DMPS sending you a pm

 

[DMPS]

So I thought I'd bump this back to the top once more, just to let everyone know that I'm grateful for their input and that if anyone is interested in buying this truck, I'm going to put it on Craigslist and ask $800. The body is straight, with no rust. It's been garaged and it shows as even the factory pin striping is 99% intact. The interior is also in good shape with no cracks in the dash and no rips in the bench seat. The four speed trans is good along with the rear end. All the glass except for the windshield is also intact. Don't hesitate to ask any questions.

 

[Rick W]

Where in Florida?

 

[DMPS]

Brooksville, FL 34601

 

[Ranger850]

It's a clean truck and well worth the $800 asking price.