2008 Ranger FX4 - write off, but works?

[One Sick Puppy]

I noticed an ad for a 2008 Ranger FX4 w/9000km. Word from the seller is that the truck runs perflectly fine, but it's a insurance company write off. I'm in the market from a truck to just use for off-road, but I would need to drive it on the road to get to wherever I go.

Would it be a reasonably cost-efficient idea to buy this truck and simply but an old beater body on it?

 

[GB4000]

Nah b/c the whole IFS thing. A lot of people shun the 98+ front suspension for off-road use as it is way too much to lift ($), kind of defeating the cost-efficient idea.

 

[exbass94]

It's hard to determine if it's cost efficient if we don't even know how much they're asking for it.

 

[One Sick Puppy]

Well, I bought it. $4500 CAD (that's about $3800 USD).

- 2008 Ford Ranger FX4
- Manual trans
- 5900km
- 1 tired has a hole in the sidewall that you could stick your thumb thru. The rest are fine.
- the radiator has been removed and installed in a different vehicle
- the engine starts and the verhicle backs up and moves forward, gears seem to work fine
- the front bumper part of the frame has been welded off to install on another rebuild, but I have the bent piece from the other write-off to weld back on if I fix it, or whatever.
- the steering seems to be VERY stiff... power steering my be messed, maybe no fluid?
- driver door does not close
- passenger functions fine apart from some minor scraping on the front quarter panel?

I'm now the proud owner of my first fixer-upper. I'm sure I'll have alot of questions and I'll post some pics asap.

 

[LearjetMinako]

What was it written off for?

 

[One Sick Puppy]

Not sure, but it appears to be a multi-vehicle road crash to my uneducated eye. I'll post some pics tomorrow and you guys can give me some feedback hopefully.

 

[metalmacguyver]

I want to see some pics of this.