1st post, questions, and favor to ask.

[DragRag]

Thank you for the site, great reading here. I have lurked here off and on for a bit. Anyway, I have owned many Rangers, but don't own one now. I am actually looking at a BII now. I will not be using it as a daily driver, more of a toy, but will not mod it much, a mild rig. I am looking at a 1990, this is my first choice due to the stock D35 axle. 89' was my second choice, I like the body on them better then the older models, the headlights are nicer looking to me. Anyway, I looked at the one I want to buy today, and havn't dropped the cash on it yet, because he is waiting for the title to come in the mail, it was processed a week ago, and shouldn't take long to get. What do I need to look for on this, are there any unusual thing to look for on the BII body or anything?

My second question is does anyone here have a carfax or autocheck account so I can run the VIN on it. He says 87k original, and it looks like it does have the low mileage, but I am just not sure about that. I have had autocheck accounts in the past, but just don't have one right now. I have done this for others, I am hoping someone will return the favor. Here is the VIN on the BII, and I will pass my email on so you could email the report over.Or just post here and let me know if the miles are original on it or not, thank. Looking forward to interacting more here.

1FMCU14T7LUA47501

 

[86ford]

Things to check

Core support area around body mounts are known for rotting/rusting away.

body mounts under the front core support are usually cracked beyond recognition

Check the oil fill cap for "snot" particularly green/yellow colored "snot" (head gasket issues)

check trans fluid for any signs of burning smell or appearance (yes this can be done on a manual trans too)

check the front u-joints (usually they are stock Spicer joints and are done for)

check and make sure the gas tank and t-case skid plate are present (VERY important if you plan on wheeling it)

86

 

[DragRag]

I checked under the oil cap, and all the fluids, they do look good. I havn't checked the trans fluid though. I will check for the skid plates, I definitely want to have those in place. The under side is clean and dry to, I was suprised all the 2.9's I have had leaked a lot of oil. No valve train tick either, I thought that was strange, don't they all tick. I think this one is a real good one, but I will look at the other items you have listed also, especially the core support area.

 

[Shran]

A 90 BII would have the D28 up front. I think they all have D28s. I can't remember, long day.

If it's an auto and is in good shape, enjoy it while you can if you're wheeling it. Don't expect a whole lot; they're not very strong.

I like BIIs but given the choice I'd take a 1st gen Explorer Sport over a BII any day. Just a better all vehicle in almost every way. Other than being longer they're like a BII on steroids.

Good luck and welcome to TRS.

 

[DragRag]

I gave a lot of thought to the 1st gen explorer. It makes more sense for me to get one with the kids and all. For once though my unpractical side is overriding that though. I like the wheel base of the bronco better, alot better for tighter spots, and I like the fact that is has only two doors. My family will barely fit in this vehicle, but it is more about fun with this then what really makes practical sense. I hope it turns out that it only has 87k miles like the guy states, sometimes they are just wrong though on the real mileage. For some dumb reason a nice 1st gen explorer is cheaper then a BII in equal condition, I guess a real nice stock BII is just getting hard to find these days and they are creeping up in price....

 

[snake]

I have a friend's acct so the actual report will go to their e-mail- but I can tell you what I see.

It started life 10/06/1989 in WA state
Stayed in four cities in WA until 2002
shows in Palo Alto CA in 2004
It failed emissions testing once in 2004 but then passed (repaired) right away.
****The last mileage data it has is in 11/2002 with 154,900 on the clock then.****
The last entry is when It passed emissions 11/02/2007. It is squeaky clean... no red marks at all.

Betcha it has 187,000 miles, the guy is a lying sombitch

 

[Shran]

I gave a lot of thought to the 1st gen explorer. It makes more sense for me to get one with the kids and all. For once though my unpractical side is overriding that though. I like the wheel base of the bronco better, alot better for tighter spots, and I like the fact that is has only two doors. My family will barely fit in this vehicle, but it is more about fun with this then what really makes practical sense. I hope it turns out that it only has 87k miles like the guy states, sometimes they are just wrong though on the real mileage. For some dumb reason a nice 1st gen explorer is cheaper then a BII in equal condition, I guess a real nice stock BII is just getting hard to find these days and they are creeping up in price....

Explorer Sport's have 2 doors, and they're shorter than a 4 door Ex but longer than a BII. So more room for the kids and 4.0, D35, 8.8, 1354, etc etc etc

 

[Beanmachine7000]

I like my '91 Sport better than the BII I had, it doesn't feel as top heavy or squirrely on the highway... The BII in a strong wind was scary... The Explorer isn't as bad, I guess a few inches more wheelbase and having a spring under instead of spring over makes a big difference...

 

[86ford]

A 90 BII would have the D28 up front. I think they all have D28s. I can't remember, long day.

If it's an auto and is in good shape, enjoy it while you can if you're wheeling it. Don't expect a whole lot; they're not very strong.

I like BIIs but given the choice I'd take a 1st gen Explorer Sport over a BII any day. Just a better all vehicle in almost every way. Other than being longer they're like a BII on steroids.

Good luck and welcome to TRS.

1990-1993 everything got a d35. Now were in the 1990 model year they switched over to a d35 I dont know. RandyM has a friend who owns or owned a b2 with a d35 stock.

86

 

[91rangerxlt]

1990-1993 everything got a d35. Now were in the 1990 model year they switched over to a d35 I dont know. RandyM has a friend who owns or owned a b2 with a d35 stock.

86

yea thats what i thought to. as far as i know every ford ranger/bronco2 got the switchover to the dana 35.

 

[DragRag]

I have a friend's acct so the actual report will go to their e-mail- but I can tell you what I see.

It started life 10/06/1989 in WA state
Stayed in four cities in WA until 2002
shows in Palo Alto CA in 2004
It failed emissions testing once in 2004 but then passed (repaired) right away.
****The last mileage data it has is in 11/2002 with 154,900 on the clock then.****
The last entry is when It passed emissions 11/02/2007. It is squeaky clean... no red marks at all.

Betcha it has 187,000 miles, the guy is a lying sombitch

Thank you so much for doing that for me. The owner was pressuring me to buy it, rather then getting it when the title showed up. I just said no, and would when it was in hand. I really wanted to wait so I could get the mileage info, plus I never walk from a sale without the title. This truck runs perfect, and looks very newish. Even the paint is beautiful on it, and has not had a repaint. There is not even a rip in the seats. I will renegotiate with the mileage though, he is asking $1500 for it. What is it worth with that mileage on it, considering it looks clean.

 

[Shran]

1990-1993 everything got a d35. Now were in the 1990 model year they switched over to a d35 I dont know. RandyM has a friend who owns or owned a b2 with a d35 stock.

86

Huh, that's pretty cool. Learn something new every day.

 

[snake]

Thank you so much for doing that for me. The owner was pressuring me to buy it, rather then getting it when the title showed up. I just said no, and would when it was in hand. I really wanted to wait so I could get the mileage info, plus I never walk from a sale without the title. This truck runs perfect, and looks very newish. Even the paint is beautiful on it, and has not had a repaint. There is not even a rip in the seats. I will renegotiate with the mileage though, he is asking $1500 for it. What is it worth with that mileage on it, considering it looks clean.

Not sure, but considerably less than if it only had 87,000...

 

[86ford]

Huh, that's pretty cool. Learn something new every day.

I am not sure when in the 1990 model year everything went to the d35.

The problem is that after some point in the 93 model year that bastard child d35 "hybrid" came into use.

86

 

[86ford]

yea thats what i thought to. as far as i know every ford ranger/bronco2 got the switchover to the dana 35.

some time during or after the 1993 model year(I Believe this continued until 1997)some of the 4cyl and 3.0 equipped vehicles got that bastard child d35 hybrid.

86