Is a 1992 ford ranger worth fixing up

[rangerman2020]

Hello, I have a 1992 ford ranger xlt 60k miles. The frame is 50% rusty but not bad at all, just light surface rust (you can still see the original paint from the frame). The parts that aren't rusted are coated in dirt/oil. Some steering components are rusted as well. I have the bed detached and am ready to start removing rust/painting it. Other than old gas in it right now, the only things things that need to be addressed are:
1. Leaf spring bushings/mounting brackets
2. Shock absorbers (I have those already)
3. Valve cover gasket (starting to leak a little)
4. Differential gasket/fluid change
5. New tires/wheels

These have been replaced:
1. Spark plugs/wires
2. Transmission fluid/pan gasket/filter
3. Oil/filter
4. Transmission cooler lines
5. Radiator/Heater hoses
6. U joints

Am I just wasting my time?

 

[alwaysFlOoReD]

Sounds like a good start. Checked prices on similar in you area?

 

[fastpakr]

Sounds like a winner.

 

[rangerman2020]

Sounds like a good start. Checked prices on similar in you area?

Yes I have. Cheapest around is $600 more than what I paid for mine and it's almost 100k more miles. Car/Truck prices are insane now.

 

[rangerman2020]

Sounds like a winner.

Thank you

 

[alwaysFlOoReD]

Prices up here are high too. Glad im not in the market right now.

 

[sgtsandman]

From the sounds of it, definitely and you will be way ahead money wise as long as you don’t run into a major problem.

 

[ozzy85]

I'd do it. My '93 is starting to turn into a real beater. Wouldn't mind finding a 1st or 2nd gen Explorer and parking the Ranger and going through it a bit.

 

[rusty ol ranger]

If it wasnt the victim of a total loss fire or isnt rotted totally in half they are always worth fixing.

Vehicles arnt investments. If you look at it as a "cost/worth" type thing youll go nuts.

Fix it, drive it, enjoy it. When youre tired of it sell it to someone else who will do the same, and start over again.

 

[rumblecloud]

Vehicles arnt investments. If you look at it as a "cost/worth" type thing youll go nuts.

I've said this before:
When I started to restore my 94 Ranger my wife and I were talking about the money and costs to fix it up.
She asked "How much is that thing worth?"
I said about 15 hundred to 2 grand.
Then she asked "What'll it be worth when you're done?"
I said about 15 hundred to 2 grand.

Definitely not an investment, but certainly worth it. And from the sounds of what you have and what you've done keep at it.
Oh yeah and post some pics too.

 

[Blmpkn]

What's "worth it" is up to you.

Weighing how much work you've already done, vs what it still needs though.. id say it leans heavily towards worth it. Especially considering its low miles and that the square rangers are ever increasing in desirability.

 

[rusty ol ranger]

I've said this before:
When I started to restore my 94 Ranger my wife and I were talking about the money and costs to fix it up.
She asked "How much is that thing worth?"
I said about 15 hundred to 2 grand.
Then she asked "What'll it be worth when you're done?"
I said about 15 hundred to 2 grand.

Definitely not an investment, but certainly worth it. And from the sounds of what you have and what you've done keep at it.
Oh yeah and post some pics too.

Thats basically the same convo me and the wife had when i bought rusty.

I *might* in this market get 1k, maybe 12 or 1300 to the right person. I mean, its ugly but its a running, driveing, solid truck.

But i got well more then that into it lol.

 

[lil_Blue_Ford]

Yes. But that’s my opinion. If you don’t want to put the effort into it, I’d be interested. I had a 92 that I fixed up, body was pretty rough but I had it mechanically in excellent shape. Ended up totaled in a wreck a few months ago and I miss it. Was a great truck for running around in, especially in the winter.

 

[bobbywalter]

You guys are nuts. Investment?


If you drive a 2000 dollar truck for five years and only put 2k More in it ..


That's a winning lotto ticket.

 

[Roert42]

You must also consider the cost to repair / the amount of time you will have the truck after the repair. If you plan on putting a bunch of money into it and keeping it for 5+ year, you will be ahead of the game compared to buying a new truck.

if you spend $5k fixing it up and drive it four 5 years without needing to do much else they you are spreading that cost out. $84 a month. Cheaper then a car payment. Even if you buy a $5k car that works, may still need some repairs in those next 5 years, you never know. With the truck you rebuild yourself, you know what it may need and what it shouldn't need.

If you want to sell the truck again in a couple months then you probably will not see any of the money you put into it.