96 Ranger buying tips

[farmer]

Hey guys I'm looking at buying my first ranger... WOO!
the big issues is the guy says the fuel pump is going bad and needs to be replaced, and he claims it does run. I'm not going to buy something I can't hear running first and he tried to start it while I was there. He said something about "It will start fine on a hot day" I know a bit about cars and that sounds like bs to me

other than that it needs a windshield and some body work work, which isn't a big deal. i can do the fuel pump too, but i dont want to buy this and do the pump just to have it not run, or knock like a mother!
any tips for the Ranger newb?

 

[master hec0]

what is the price? how many miles on it.

as for no fuel i would have him crank it while you go and push down on the fuel valve to see if fuel is coming out with pressure. if it isnt he is telling your the truth if it sprays out something else is wrong. go get a can of starting spray from walmart and spray it in the intake and see if it fires.

 

[adsm08]

Go back on a hot day and make him start it.

 

[farmer]

what is the price? how many miles on it.

as for no fuel i would have him crank it while you go and push down on the fuel valve to see if fuel is coming out with pressure. if it isnt he is telling your the truth if it sprays out something else is wrong. go get a can of starting spray from walmart and spray it in the intake and see if it fires.

$1600 but agreed to $1200, could probably do $1000. 115,xxx mi. oh and he claims $800 worth of new brake parts.

the fuel valve? where is that? I'm going over with my brother in law whos a ford mechanic this next weekend

Go back on a hot day and make him start it

yeah if we ever get a hot day, here in southern NH it was like 60* out...

 

[adsm08]

Heco was talking about the fuel pressure test port. It's on the fuel rail under the hood, looks exactly like a tire valve. Your BIL should know exactly where it is.

 

[Hopman]

Hey guys I'm looking at buying my first ranger... WOO!
the big issues is the guy says the fuel pump is going bad and needs to be replaced, and he claims it does run. I'm not going to buy something I can't hear running first and he tried to start it while I was there. He said something about "It will start fine on a hot day" I know a bit about cars and that sounds like bs to me

other than that it needs a windshield and some body work work, which isn't a big deal. i can do the fuel pump too, but i dont want to buy this and do the pump just to have it not run, or knock like a mother!
any tips for the Ranger newb?

First of all, Welcome to TRS!!! Now pull up a chair, grab a cold drink from the fridge , and watch for low-flying BS!

BTW, good call on the Ranger and buy coming to us for advice.

If the truck's a stick, make sure the clutch isn't toast. The good news is that Ranger clutches are pretty durable. The one in my '94 4x4 has close to 160,000 on the FACTORY one. Some other guys here have more than that.

As for the shield, the P/N for that is a DW1205BBN. If you can, get a Carlite one. Carlite was what instaled from the factory, so use it. A windshield IS NOT a place to save money!!!!

115,000 on a '96 for $1200 is a sweet deal.

 

[modelageek]

Hey guys I'm looking at buying my first ranger... WOO!
the big issues is the guy says the fuel pump is going bad and needs to be replaced, and he claims it does run. I'm not going to buy something I can't hear running first and he tried to start it while I was there. He said something about "It will start fine on a hot day" I know a bit about cars and that sounds like bs to me

other than that it needs a windshield and some body work work, which isn't a big deal. i can do the fuel pump too, but i dont want to buy this and do the pump just to have it not run, or knock like a mother!
any tips for the Ranger newb?

I hate to ruin your party but I would offer him $500 while you were in a good mood. look at the rear hanger and shackles for the leafsprings. if they are original and the truck is in NH they will need to be replaced I bought my truck from a guy in southern New hampshire 3 years ago for $1000 it had 88k on it I did a car fax. it needed a power steering pump. look on craiglist. these things come on all the time.

 

[modelageek]

you can buy about 20 carfax for a month for $20 from AAA. it helps get an idea about the trucks.

 

[master hec0]

yes i was talking about the fuel pressure test port. 1100$ for a truck that does not run is too much. post some pictures of it. if you cant get it to start maybe low ball him at around 700$

 

[farmer]

it's an automatic, and a 4.0, and 4x4. it looks like it got a love tap on the drivers side, doors dented and the splash's fiberglass side has a couple of big cracks. i think if it runs and drives good, then I'll buy it, but I won't buy til i hear it run

shackles and hangers were already done, still got the stickers on 'em

I've been here 2 hours and I already love this place!

 

[sfwjesse]

Pull that tranny dipstick and smell the fluid....should be red and shouldnt smell burnt. If its brown and nasty smelling id be worried about the tranny.

Check the motor oil for beads of green coolant....my 4.0 lost a head gasket around 100k.

 

[Hopman]

I've been here 2 hours and I already love this place!

Glad to have you. I felt the same way when I joined about a year ago. There's few egos (except when it comes to pride in our Rangers!) and plenty of helpful characters!

 

[farmer]

I've been lurking here for awhile (I've looking at a couple Rangers locally) but this one looks serious, I dunno.
I'm on other truck forums (proud '74 Chevy C-30 owner, in the family since...'74!) and the responses are quick and helpful. Thanks!

 

[farmer]

so today a neighbor/mechanic/good friend of mine looked at the truck for me while I was at work. he says the truck started right up, and ran beautiful. SCORE! then appartently he talked the guy into doing a straight trade for my 01 Hyundai elantra POS that i was gonna sell for $500. well boys it looks like I'll be joining the ranks of the rest of you guys

 

[Hopman]

so today a neighbor/mechanic/good friend of mine looked at the truck for me while I was at work. he says the truck started right up, and ran beautiful. SCORE! then appartently he talked the guy into doing a straight trade for my 01 Hyundai elantra POS that i was gonna sell for $500. well boys it looks like I'll be joining the ranks of the rest of you guys

Congrats bro! May she serve you well. Can't wait to see some pics!