1988 Ranger - opinions?

[One Sick Puppy]

I test drove this ranger today:

http://www.usedvictoria.com/classified-ad/8280780

Seemed to drive ok. Only took it down a short road and back, tho.
- Engine seemed to idle a little up and down. Not very noticeable, tho. - problem?
- V6 engine looks mostly stock, dirty but nothing stands out as being broken, odd or needing attention.
- Pro-comp shocks on both ends, but the leafs have some 3-4 inch spacers between the axle and the leafs - is this normal? I thought the leafs usually go all the way down...
- owner isn't sure about the gears. I couldn't tell if it's been regeared - if not, would it need it?

Honestly, it's a bit big for me. I'd prefer a bit less lift and maybe some 33's. Anyhoo, it's on my short-list of strictly off-road trucks (and whatever highway it takes to get to the trails).

Any comments, suggestions appreciated. Thanks.

 

[Mark_88]

Nice looking...I'd ask to see the documents on the engine rebuild...find out who did it and investigate the shop...other than that...find out if there have been any drive train mods to the front axels...see the other thread posted about the 91 4x4...might give you some things to ask about...

 

[Shran]

Very nice truck. I'd definitely drive it.

I'd find out if it's still got the D28 front axle and the 7.5 rear...the front especially is not going to hold up to 35s for long. I would think that they swapped it out though since at least one is supposed to have a detroit in it.

The spacers (blocks) on the rear are ok as long as there's not more than one.

I would definitely have the owner find out what gears are in it. They should be pretty deep, like 4.88s or 5.13s so that you're not going through clutches, etc like crazy.

 

[Rico]

Take that sucker out on the highway. I drove a ranger just about those dimensions before and it could stand a gear change for sure. Big, heavy tires will slow down a ranger a little.
Other than that, it looks like a killer truck. All the rangers that I know of have always been reliable.

 

[rusty ol ranger]

Nice truck.

But a 2.8L with 35's and stock gears is going to be a dog.

later,
Dustin