Here We Go

[Rangers Apprentice]

This is my son's first vehicle (and with his own dough). This is going to be a journey in humility and patience for all of us. We had been looking for a cheap starter car in his budget for months, and I was just about done with all the scams on FBMP.
New Years Eve morning I got a notification on a 1987 Ford Ranger original owner 111K and it was close (20 miles away). Ad said it had a blown head gasket and had been a farm truck (implement of husbandry). I was able to set up a meet with the seller, so we loaded up tools and fluids and drove out to see it. Turns out the thing ran good (no head gasket issue) My son was not thrilled with it, but my husband and I sold him on the costs (DMV, Insurance and purchase$$) and possibilities this truck could be.
We got the truck home and now begins the Journey. I registered on The Ranger Station the day we brought it home and have already found a lot of useful information, especially about this model year not having no visible check engine light (smoging is going to be fun). Today searched 3 different subjects just today while doing a tune up and looking for body parts.
Thank for having Us.

 

[Curious Hound]

Welcome to TRS! That looks like a great truck. You're off on a fun adventure with this.

 

[RobbieD]

Welcome!

Great first post, and that's a nice honest truck.

Don't hesitate to ask questions; a lot of helpful people here.

 

[SenorNoob]

Looks nice to me. What engine does it have that didn't a have check engine light in 87? 2.0 or one of the diesels?

 

[sgtsandman]

Welcome to the forum. Kids usually aren't happy about vehicles with no flashiness to them but they also have a lot to learn in life. So, there is that.

It looks to be in great shape. Something us desins of the rust belt are jealous about. Finding something that old and in that great of shape is a unicorn up here.

 

[alwaysFlOoReD]

86 with a 2.9 definitely doesn't have a cel light. Not sure about 87, but maybe its an early 87 using 86 parts up.

 

[scotts90ranger]

That should be a good rig for a youngin, I'm sure not as fun to drive as the lightning behind it in the one pic...

With that intake manifold it's a 2.9L, they like to crack heads so hopefully you have a good one. Those transmissions aren't the best but treated well they're fine from what I've heard (looks like a TK4 or 5) not that I know much about them... My '90 used to be a 2 wheel drive grandpa mobile but has transformed a lot over the years...

 

[JoshT]

He may not like it, but with a little elbow grease someone is going to love it. If he decides that he likes it, there are also a lot of possibilities to customize it however he wants to.

Regular cab, V6, 2wd, manual transmission. Sounds like my first truck except mine was an '84 with the 2.8L. Might not be the fastest or fanciest thing in the parking lot, but it's a good starter. If set up right they're also faster and more nimble than an almost 40 year old (that hurts to say) small truck has any right to be. While it might not be a lifted 4x4, you can still blast it down a dirt road without having to worry about destroying it.

Does it have AC? That was the only thing that mine really lacked.

 

[lil_Blue_Ford]

Welcome to TRS!

That will make a good starter truck. It’s really a blank canvas right now. Keep the cooling system in top shape and watch for snot on the oil cap and coolant in the exhaust. Those are usually indicators of a head/head gasket problem. I preferred using a 180* thermostat and a 4.0 radiator for a 90-92 Ranger with an automatic, they are twice as thick as the 2.9l one.

 

[2011Supercab]

Great find, nice truck

If it was a farm truck, I'd check the date code on the tires, They my have lots of tread but could be old and unsafe.

Discount Tire | Tires and Wheels for Sale | Online & In-Person

www.discounttire.com

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

Welcome!

IIRC the check engine light did not start until '88.

 

[JoshT]

Great find, nice truck

If it was a farm truck, I'd check the date code on the tires, They my have lots of tread but could be old and unsafe.

Discount Tire | Tires and Wheels for Sale | Online & In-Person

www.discounttire.com

View attachment 121975

Definitely a good point. It isn't a farm truck, but my F-100 is low usage. Tires look great and have almost full tread, but they are nearing the 6 year mark. I don't have a problem driving around town on them, but it won't be long before I'd want to replace them if I were going far.

 

[JohnPsz]

Welcome to TRS, I too am new here for very similar reasons. My son bought his first starter truck with his own money just a few months ago. It's a good vehicle for a great price, we have tore the motor down twice including buying new parts (new everything but the short block) and he still has less into it than he budgeted for his first vehicle.

 

[gaz]

@Rangers Apprentice
Both my 87 2.9ls had check engine lights. They were both passed smog in Orange County; only issue was the the ole "pay for it twice", get it $igned once routine.

 

[MaicoDoug]

The steering rod ends, radiator & the catalytic converter, plus the transistor pack located under the distributor were the only failures I ever had with my '83 2.8l. Drove all around California with that sweet & fast truck.

Welcome! Please post more pictures as you (he) comes along with his new project.