Looking at a 1988 2.9L, Auto, Ranger

[KC200787]

Well, in my quest to find a ranger, I have found one that is everything I want, but a manual trans.

it is a 1988 xlt Ford ranger.
2.9L motor.
4sp auto.
manual shift xfercase (He said he changed it over from pushbutton)
manual (warn) hubs
extended cab, bed cap

I for get how many miles on it.

Other things
about a 4 in lift in the front, none in the back as far as I can tell.

The guy says the motor was rebuilt 20k ago and the auto trans was rebuilt about 5k ago, and it was all done by him.

Huge radiator, I believe it is a 3-4 core.

It has wide wheel wells, almost like a dual wheeled look to them, and a visor, hood scoop and brushguard on the front.

Interor has a little to be disired, but isn't all that bad.

Best of all, no rust at all!

The bad:

Cracked windsheild (Can be done for 174 bux)
Bad heater core (has part, I would have to put it in)

Interior is prety ruff, but needs really cleaned and would be ok

Price: 1000.00

Only thing it isn't is a 5sp, but I hate to buy something that isn't quite what I want!

From what I have read, the trans in these things (AL4D ?) are not the best off road, but I am not really concerned with that as it would see all pavement, maybe some dirt roads and some puddles. I am worried that the trans won't hold up, but if it dies, I would want to put in a 5sp.

What can I expect mpg wise? (maybe 18-20 in town and 22-24 highway?)

Towing isn't important, at most 1k lbs.


Say the trans gets toasted, how much work is it to change over to a manual? Would I need a new intermediate housing? AND if I had all the parts, how much time do you say it would take to finish?

Thanks for reading,

KC

 

[almostclueless]

Those slushboxes have a bad rep on road too.


I wouldn't bother with that truck.

 

[grnrngr]

Thats kind of a lot of money if it's not exactly what you want. You can swap out the auto for a 5spd, but that's more money and time, you'll need the pedal set, flywheel, clutch set, hydraulic line and master cylinder and the trans from a donor,and a day or two to do it, and if the interior is thrashed...well...Personally, I'd be worried about the bad heater core, it's an easy job to change it, but even tho it's a relatively recent rebuild, it could have been overheated and much as I like the 2.9, they don't take well to overheating..and how many other motors has he rebuilt? Not saying he doesn't know how, but it's not like he's giving you a warranty..

 

[KC200787]

Well, I think I'm going to pass. The guy couldn't show me any proof of the rebuilds, not even one slip for parts, so I told him he was feeding me a line.

Needless to say he didn't like that and I said good luck selling, and left.

I guess I'll keep looking for one.

Thanks for the advice guys.

KC