Buying my first ranger, question about high mileage chassis.

[Boomers13]

Hi all, just joined the forum and hopefully will be joining the ranger world soon. Lately I've been needing a truck more and more to transport parts for my project car (turbo 93 240sx) so I figured its time to buy one. Since my plans for a 2.3 turbo fox body got canned after I had to sell the car, I thought id just buy a ranger and continue with the 2.3t idea. My landlord has the exact truck I'm looking for sitting in my back yard, 93 regular cab 2wd 2.3 5sp. The only issue is the odometer reads 368,201. I know from dealing with unibody cars that high miles can affect the strength and rigidity of the chassis. Is this as big of an issue on a full frame vehicle? Is there anything in particular I need to look out for when I inspect the truck? And most importantly, will it safely handle my final goal of 300-350whp and a 3/4 drop? Any and all help will be greatly appreciated.

 

[robertc1024]

Where do you live? The first thing I'd be worried about was rot. The second thing I'd be worried about is the frame twist you'd get with that kind of HP. Have you seen the chain of episodes on Trucks where they're putting a modern V8 into a Ranger chassis? I'd look at what they have done, some of it is probably overboard, but some of it has pretty useful info.

 

[Boomers13]

I live in southern Indiana near the Ky border. Road salt is pretty bad around here but I don't know if the truck is from here or how long its been since its even been on the road. He bought it with a miss and never fixed it. I'm pretty familiar with the engine and ignition from constantly working on my fox body, so Im pretty confident that I can get it running without much work. I know all about the rot issue after having to replace a shock tower and a few spring hangers on my old 95 f150. I planned on puling it into the driveway and running codes and doing an I'm depth under body inspection to see if its even worth buying. I just didn't know if there were any places in particular that would weaken over time and become prone to breaking. I figured id have to add bracing, especially with an 8.8 LSD and wide sticky tires.

 

[brokemechanic3000]

With that many miles it probably needs a complete rebuild front to rear. lucky find 8.8" and LSD

 

[Boomers13]

If it checks out structurally I planned on pulling the bed and cab and all off of the frame and cleaning up all rust and welding in new metal where needed. I also planned on replacing all wearable parts, bushings,ect. I'm pretty sure its a 7.5 open diff right now, haven't been able to get a good look under the truck. At the minimum I want to swap in a ranger 8.8 but really want the explorer for the discs. The only reason I'm really considering this particular truck is 1. It's already at my house. 2. I'm short on cash, I can fix things over time just can't really spare much more for a better truck. And 3 the body is almost perfect and from what little that I can see from where its sitting the rest looks pretty good which makes me think the cluster might not be original. I'm still waiting to hear what's on the title.

 

[doorgunner]

PICS.......if you buy the truck!

 

[Andy D]

The odometer reads, 36820.1 It is a 5 place odo. In stock form , I wouldnt build it much past 300 HP

 

[Captain Ledd]

The big thing is why is it sitting (assuming it doesn't run).

Rear spring mounts rot out, you need to grind/drill rivets out to replace them. The rear shackles also prone to rusting in half.

Cab mounts, floors, etc. Radiator core supports can get pretty bad.

Rust can eat a frame away, you ARE looking at a 20 year old truck at this point... Generally speaking, Rangers have pretty strong frames, much beefier than the GM s-series. Tap on whatever you can on the frame with the ball end of a ball peen hammer, check for thin spots.

As for your build, 3/4 drop is plenty attainable if the rest of the truck checks out. It probably has the 7.5" rear end, which is prone to popping spider gears out under higher horsepower. The RANGER 8.8 is a direct bolt in, no muss no fuss. The EXPLORER 8.8 will bolt in ON TOP OF THE SPRINGS (once you flip the spring pack bolt around) and will get you quite a bit of drop, otherwise you need to cut off the perches and re-weld them on the otherside. There's much more info on this swap and the axle differences if you search around in the axle forums.

If the price is right and it isn't rusted in half, you should be good to go. If the 2.3L lima series engines didn't work or weren't reliable it wouldn't have lasted 30 years or have the following it does.

 

[Boomers13]

That didn't click til I read your post Andy. It makes more sense now as to why the truck looks like it does. I guess that's what lack of sleep will do to you lol. Tried moving the truck before work today without much luck. Engine hates life and traction was an issue. I did however get it to a better place to check it out. Body isn't as good as I thought but still isn't too bad. Most of the dents and stuff are on the bed which i planned on swapping for a step side. Frame seems to just have surface rust from what I can see without being under it. I plan on towing it to the car port this weekend to get it in the air. Gonna do a closer inspection on frame and do a compression test and run codes. Did a little investigating on the wrecked 4x4 sitting in the yard too. Has a nice set of American racing outlaws and a 3.73 LSD 8.8. Maybe I can get a package deal with wheels and rear end.

 

[Frank The Tank]

My dads 97 2.3 ranger has 275k showing. Solid as a rock. Stock everything other than clutch and timing belt.... He drives it everyday 60 miles to work. The rear shackles are not rusted. It's a Kentucky truck since new.

If the rear of the frame looks good the front end is pretty indestructible on the 2wds.

 

[Boomers13]

My phone somehow posted this again 2 hrs after I originally posted it and I have no idea how to delete/merge it. More info in the other thread. Check the reply count if you can't figure out which one it is. Thanks for the replies.

 

[kunar]

My phone somehow posted this again 2 hrs after I originally posted it and I have no idea how to delete/merge it. More info in the other thread. Check the reply count if you can't figure out which one it is. Thanks for the replies.

Done. Welcome to TRS!

 

[Boomers13]

Thanks kunar

 

[Captain Ledd]

My phone somehow posted this again 2 hrs after I originally posted it and I have no idea how to delete/merge it. More info in the other thread. Check the reply count if you can't figure out which one it is. Thanks for the replies.

When I typed my response it said no one had posted yet, and I had just logged on. I'm kinda confused now.

*edit: Oh I see, Kunar merged it.

 

[Boomers13]

@ captain ledd, I fell in love with the Lima engines after I had my 92 fox body. Even with all the electrical problems that kept it from running completely right it still was a great engine. On top of that, I'm a big fan of making a lot of power from a small engine. I plan on around 550whp out of the 2.4l in my 240sx. I figure a single plug 2.3 at around 350whp would be enough to keep me from getting bored with the truck and would keep it streetable without being a pita to drive.