87 Ranger XLT 4x4

[atjones44]

Hey all, Im new here. Just intersted in this truck that this family want to trade me for one of my buicks. I got a '86 Buick Lesabre Custom with a 3.8l which i love and is a great driver and only has 113k miles and is spotless. This truck they want to trade me has a new clutch, 5 spd. 181k nice interior and cd player. good working 4x4 with electronic push button for it to engage. heater works good, ac isnt cold, but it runs good and i am looking for a truck.
How good are these 2.9 liter motors and will it suffice for me to use for putting motors and trannys in the bed? or pulling a car dolly with a car on the back? thats mainly what i want it for.... i hate borrowing the inlaws truck.

I know its a small pickup but for as little as i need it (hauling a few things mayb 15 miles...) i think its what i need. Drivetrain sounds healthy. tires are decent.

They just saw my add on craigslist for my car., i was asking 850 OBO/ trade for a chevy or s10 or any other pickup.

Let me know if it'd be a decent trade. but i already drove the truck and the interior is clean. its a california truck so it has no rust anywhere. clearcoat is fading badly on the hood tho

Thanks

-Andrew

 

[Boggin]

you will probably be good with the towing you want to do. ive had many 2.9s and they are awesome engines. ppretty easy to work on once you get used to them, have some power when you need it, and it takes an awful lot to kill one.

 

[atjones44]

awesome, So it's a pretty good motor then huh?
How long do the bottoms end usually last on these suckers cuz the GM fwd 3.8's last foreverrr but the automatics in those arnt the greatest. so this will be my first ford and first rwd vehicle ever. Im 23 and love working on cars.

 

[Boggin]

if you properly maintain it (fluid changes etc regularly) then some can last forever, some might not

 

[atjones44]

ok, Thanks for the tips. Im glad the history on these 2.9's is good.
overall sounds like a good deal to me then.

 

[Boggin]

also read the tech library about 2.9s

 

[atjones44]

Sure will. thanks again

 

[drturbo]

Electric cooling fan, synthetic oil, big tranny cooler,, and you have a lasting truck
Tommy, Norway

 

[atjones44]

Well Im a ford ranger owner now! gotta do some maintenance but other then that im happy. valve cover gaskets look leaky (oil all over heads and stuff) prolly should power wash it all off and install new valve cover gaskets. also power steering line is leaking that goes into the rack. its a short on, possibly a easy fix i hope. Just traded vehicles tonight, so i'll get her in my shop somtime and look 'er over. got any tips for me? plug wires look brand new, i am going to check diffy oil and all