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OtakuN3rd
Member
Last Friday I jumped at buying a $300 1989 Ranger off of Craigslist. It was dark when I picked it up, and I knew it would be gone in the morning. I called the guy a mere three hours after it was posted. Between the price and my main vehicle being another 1989 Ranger, I didn't think long about buying it.
Daylight on Saturday revealed major rust damage to the frame of the vehicle (I knew it had suspension issues when I bought it).
The seller was asking $300 because the junk yard offered him $76.
Right now I am torn about what to do with it.
Should I keep it for parts for my current ranger?
Is it feasible to get a frame on these repaired or reinforced?
Should I look for yet another one to fix up using parts off of this one?
Should I flip it as is since I only paid $300 for it?
Specifics on the recent purchase Ranger:
XLT trim with long bed
2.3L 4cyl
M5OD transmission
rear wheel drive
200k miles
Failrly rusty body, frame is shot
Tires great
Specifics on daily driver ranger:
XLT trim with long bed
2.3L 4cyl
A4LD transmission
rear wheel drive
255k miles
badly rusting body, ok frame
Tires great, purchased new in Sept. 2014
Aside from the problems with both (there are more minor ones than what is listed here), the only real differences is the transmission and the fact that the $300 truck also has cruise control.
Both trucks spent most of their lives in Northern Indiana, and I live in Southwest Michigan, so we are talking over 25 years in the rust belt.
I have really come to love driving these old Rangers. Also, I have learned a lot about repairs on them, but I am by no means a mechanic, and I don't really have a good place to work on them.
Any thoughts about my impulse or direction of what to do from here would be appreciated.
Thanks!
Daylight on Saturday revealed major rust damage to the frame of the vehicle (I knew it had suspension issues when I bought it).
The seller was asking $300 because the junk yard offered him $76.
Right now I am torn about what to do with it.
Should I keep it for parts for my current ranger?
Is it feasible to get a frame on these repaired or reinforced?
Should I look for yet another one to fix up using parts off of this one?
Should I flip it as is since I only paid $300 for it?
Specifics on the recent purchase Ranger:
XLT trim with long bed
2.3L 4cyl
M5OD transmission
rear wheel drive
200k miles
Failrly rusty body, frame is shot
Tires great
Specifics on daily driver ranger:
XLT trim with long bed
2.3L 4cyl
A4LD transmission
rear wheel drive
255k miles
badly rusting body, ok frame
Tires great, purchased new in Sept. 2014
Aside from the problems with both (there are more minor ones than what is listed here), the only real differences is the transmission and the fact that the $300 truck also has cruise control.
Both trucks spent most of their lives in Northern Indiana, and I live in Southwest Michigan, so we are talking over 25 years in the rust belt.
I have really come to love driving these old Rangers. Also, I have learned a lot about repairs on them, but I am by no means a mechanic, and I don't really have a good place to work on them.
Any thoughts about my impulse or direction of what to do from here would be appreciated.
Thanks!
