Hello from Virginia

[500]

Thanks for having me. I have inherited, if I choose to accept it, a 2003 Ranger XLT 4x4. It was my father's truck. He passed away. My brother and I are executors of the estate. He said I can take it if I want, or we sell it. I am strongly considering taking it and using it as a daily driver. It has 175,000 miles and has typical surface rust, as it has been in Ohio all its life. I'm considering getting the body work done, but also think it's not worth it, as the value of it, monetarily, is only about $3,500. It has sentimental value to me. He once owned a 1977 Ford "Ranger" full size pickup that I loved, but sadly it was wrecked. Still processing everything, but thought I'd join here for inspiration. I need to get some work done to it, if I decide to take it. It has a top end oil leak, the driver door lock won't unlock from the outside, and it needs a lot of TLC and cleanup.

 

[fastpakr]

Welcome! Condolences on the passing of your father. Hopefully the Ranger will be a healing project for you.

 

[MikeG]

Yup. Good looking truck. Too bad about the circumstances. It's a slippery slope once you start turning a wrench on these things though....

 

[dvdswan]

Welcome to the site. Prayers for you and your brothers loss. Great looking truck. Sentimental value adds memories to the heart. I'd keep it until the tires fell off, then restore it and drive some more.

 

[Rick W]

Condolences on your dad, you’re both in my prayers and your family.

But you have many blessings. I’d give anything to buzz around in the vehicle my Dad drove. I did it when he passed (1970) in a Duster, kicked my self ever since after I sold it in 79.

While many possibilities might run through you mind, what’s the rush? Take your time.

If there are any driveability or safety issues, fix them. Even if you sell, you’ll get it back most likely.

Do you have a truck now? Keep it 60-90 days. It’s like a hammer, you don’t need it every day, but you’d never get rid of it because of how useful it is when you need it!

& on fixing it up, you have come to the right place. Not so much me, but these guys know more about ranger pick up trucks than any normal person would want to know. I’m fixing up an old one and painting it with rustoleum right now, all on the cheap, but some of these guys have world-class show trucks. And anything that can be done mechanically, these guys have done it three ways in five colors.

Welcome aboard, enjoy the site, ask many questions, and take your time.

 

[500]

Thanks for the positive words. I’m leaning toward keeping it. Not sure about fixing the rust and respraying it though.

 

[Rick W]

The truck looks pretty nice. Any repair on the rust tends to slow it down, but you don’t have to repaint the whole thing. & these trucks are popular to the point of being a cult. If you keep it up, it’ll probably sell well when you’re ready.

Maybe stop by and talk with some of the lower end used car lots and ask who does their work. They buy cars and trucks at auction, and usually they have a bondo shop, er, I mean body shop, that does the repairs on the cheap. Like a gal, you love ‘em more when their cleaned up a little...

My 2 cents, hope it helps!

 

[Shadowrider6661]

Welcome to the club.