Another new guy?

[Millster]

Hey all, just realized I never stopped to introduce myself. I've posted a few times here and there.

This site has been, literally, instrumental in the continued life of my Ranger. I would never have gotten it running again without the information contained in the forums.

So a little about the Ranger...

It's a 1986 XLT X-Cab 4WD with the 2.9L

My Dad bought it about 7 years ago with 180,000 miles on the clock. He drove it until 200,000 and then turned it over to me when he bought a newer F150 (actually, I traded him a chainsaw and a stereo for the F150 for the Ranger).

It's now sitting at 212,500 miles and has, from us, only required a new high-pressure fuel pump, new starter, starter solenoid, TFI, clutch and the regular basic maintenance. Hard to beat for a truck that age with that many miles logged. The engine is original to the truck. Starting to show its age a little as it has actually left me stranded once where I had to be towed (3 years ago when the TFI blew). It sat for two years after that until I found this site and found out about the TFI. Shortly after, the starter went. I was able to drive it home at least with a little "push" from my friends.
Now it's rolling along, enjoying a new lease on life as my DD (ditched my car to save money while my wife is out of work since the truck is paid for). It still has a few little foibles but what can you expect out of a tired old engine like that? A little tune-up as soon as the weather warms up and I'm thinking she'll be good as... well, almost new.

Anyway, "hi" and I'll being seeing you all around!

 

[94twodoor]

I know how money can be tight. I have been laidoff since May 2009. We have a 2003 focus wagon and my 94 ranger xlt. Rangers paid for and focus we owe around 5k on still. I hope you have continued success with the ranger and that it dont let ya down whe youneed it most. Good luck my friend!

 

[Tommy]

Welcome to TRS!

 

[Millster]

I know how money can be tight. I have been laidoff since May 2009. We have a 2003 focus wagon and my 94 ranger xlt. Rangers paid for and focus we owe around 5k on still. I hope you have continued success with the ranger and that it dont let ya down whe youneed it most. Good luck my friend!

Thanks, "94". Similar situation here, but my wife was the one who got laid-off. We have a 2006 Matrix and my 86 Ranger (2001 Buell for fun, too but does that count?). It's nice only having one car payment and lower insurance since the truck is paid off. I figure I can put what I used to pay toward the Cobalt into fixing the truck up and have a pretty nice rig in a pretty short amount of time.

So far, so good with the Ranger since it came back to life. Need to replace the heater core. It's plugged up. Get a little heat out of it but when it was -20F the other day, it was not nearly enough. Funny thing was that it started. No block heater or anything. Turned slow and started like a diesel, but it went. Other than that, I think I have a vacuum leak somewhere, it needs some beautification and new tires. It should be good to go from there. I'm hoping.

Anyway, thanks all for the welcome. Sure is nice to find a place like this with so much information so I can keep this old beast running. It's a blast to drive!

 

[Hopman]

These Rangers are tougher than people think. My '94 2.3 has 154,000 on it, still on the factory clutch, and as far as I can tell, I'm the third owner.

I joking like to say that I didn't find the truck, the truck found me.

 

[Daniel C]

Welcome to the site. Lots of great information. Just make sure you use the search button first.