1984 Ranger--Restore to sell or just use as a work truck?

[Jadaway]

VIN = 1FTCR10S3EUA96684

My old truck just popped a hole in the rear tank--it has duals. I cannot find a new replacement tank and it will cost quite a bit to fix this one. Trouble is, I don't know if this truck is worth trying to restore. I could spend a lot to fix it up and not be able to sell it for enough to get my money back. It has the 2.8 V6. It is manual with no 4WD. Not an extended cab. Should I eliminate the rear tank and just use the front or spend the money to get it running as it was originally with two tanks? Anyone interested in buying this truck?

 

[rusty ol ranger]

VIN = 1FTCR10S3EUA96684

My old truck just popped a hole in the rear tank--it has duals. I cannot find a new replacement tank and it will cost quite a bit to fix this one. Trouble is, I don't know if this truck is worth trying to restore. I could spend a lot to fix it up and not be able to sell it for enough to get my money back. It has the 2.8 V6. It is manual with no 4WD. Not an extended cab. Should I eliminate the rear tank and just use the front or spend the money to get it running as it was originally with two tanks? Anyone interested in buying this truck?

They arent making more of these trucks. Keep it. Work it, resto it, whatever you wanna do.

But with these old trucks you cant look at them with an eye for return on investment....its about sentimental value, replacement cost, and if whats wrong is within your skill level to fix.

Got any pics of it?

You might could use a different tank too...maybe a B2 tank?

Either way....id keep it regardless of if its one tank or 2, and drive it, or if youre feeling froggy...resto it.

Thats my plan with my poor old 87 once i get other shit done.

 

[JoshT]

That hurts, those tanks are unobtanium. Not reproduced.

Rusty posted while I was typing and pretty much said the same thing I was going to.

Restoration and tank repair are only worth it only in a sentimental sense, not an investment sense.

FWIW the last Ranger I bought is an 85 2wd LB dual tank. Driver side floor is rusted out, but I intend to restore it to be a replacement for the 84 that I totaled 15 years ago. The 84 wasn't a dual tank, but I do intend to keep this one's dual system working even if I have to spend the money to get a tank fixed or modify the fuel system with aftermarket bits to make it work. There aren't many of these trucks left running around out there, especially not dual tank.

Have you checked to see what it would actually cost to have it repaired?

If tank repair weren't an option, I'd be looking at the BII tank. It's big in comparison to stock single tank, and has almost twice the volume of the stock rear tank, 23 gallons IIRC. That said I think it fits into the same hole as the original aux tank. That added size does mean it's a lot deeper though, it hangs down much lower under the truck. Since I intend to lower mine, I don't think I'd be able to use the BII tank, but if staying stock I'd definitely consider it. If that wouldn't work, I'd ditch the rear tank and probably install the spare tire carrier.

Out of curiosity, do the fuel doors on your 84 have a finger notch to open them? My 84 had a flat door with no finger notch, but this 85 has the notches on both doors. I haven't seen any in person and very few pictures that have the flat doors, so I've always wondered what the deal was.

 

[rusty ol ranger]

You know....

There are places that will custom make tanks. My boss had one done for a semi and it was WAY cheaper then buying a new tank. Cant remember but it was around 1000 dollars. I bet one for a ranger would be 2-300. Just an option maybe worth looking into

 

[Blmpkn]

Well it doesn't have a 2.9 so..... id keep it


Shame it doesn't have the almighty lima.. but thats easy enough to remedy.

 

[racsan]

keep it. You never know when the parts you need could appear.

 

[rusty ol ranger]

Well it doesn't have a 2.9 so..... id keep it


Shame it doesn't have the almighty lima.. but thats easy enough to remedy.

Almighty lima? Almighty compared to what? A 212 predator?

 

[superj]

Welcome!

I would keep it and just use the front tank for now. You always need a truck around the house

 

[JoshT]

Almighty lima? Almighty compared to what? A 212 predator?

Probably a 3.0? Even the predator would look good compared to that.

 

[Blmpkn]

The ranger has never, ever been offered with a motor better than the 2.3 lima. Ever.. and never will!

#2.3FTMFW

 

[rusty ol ranger]

The ranger has never, ever been offered with a motor better than the 2.3 lima. Ever.. and never will!

#2.3FTMFW

Ranger engine heiarchy....

4.0>2.9>2.8>2.3>2.0>3.0.

Atleast it beats the 2.0 and 3.0. So i guess it has that going for it.

Personally id rank the 2.9 ahead of the 4.0...but most would disagree...so i tried to be impartial. However general consensus says anything but the colonges....quite frankly...suck

 

[Blmpkn]

Ranger engine heiarchy....

4.0>2.9>2.8>2.3>2.0>3.0.

Atleast it beats the 2.0 and 3.0. So i guess it has that going for it.

Personally id rank the 2.9 ahead of the 4.0...but most would disagree...so i tried to be impartial. However general consensus says anything but the colonges....quite frankly...suck

Limmmmmaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa! Lima lima lima!

 

[rusty ol ranger]

Limmmmmaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa! Lima lima lima!

 

[Blmpkn]

liiiiimmmmaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!

 

[rusty ol ranger]

liiiiimmmmaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!

Colonge damnit.

Ok...we hijacked this dudes thread. Sorry op lol