Looking for a project. What should I build?

[TRanger03]

Well, Im finally about to start working again within the next few weeks. I'm looking for something that I could build up for a mud/trailtruck. I'll be on a very limited budget. A couple weeks back I almost made a deal on a Bronco but the deal fell through. Heres the options that I'm considering. I've thought about it for awhile and these are the only things I'm interested in building. I have around $2000 to spend.


My Options:

1991 Ford Ranger Custom Ext-Cab 4x4- $750
It belongs to a friend of mines brother who is also a member on here. I'll post link sometime soon. The body and frame are in very good condition. Very minimal rust on the body. The current 2.9 V6 engine has about 130xxx miles (the first engine was blown). The auto transmission is in bad shape. Doesn't shift right and you have to be in 2nd gear to drive. The truck has a leveling kit and 3in body lift with 33x12.5x15 Mickey Thompson Baja MTS on 15x10 procomps. It also has the expensive Bushwacker extend a fender flares.

My plan: Flush the tranny, and drive it offroad as is.


1997 Ford Ranger Ext-Cab 4x4- $1500
Belongs to a friend of mines. Has about 140xxx miles on the 4.0 OVH. The truck has been beaten off road. It was rolled by the previous owner before he bought it. I believe its an R-Title. It has a small suspension lift (no more then 2inches) and 32x10.5 tires (I believe). The body isn't in terrible shape, small rust, but I saw how poorly the truck was treated.

My Plan: Part it out, sell the bed, doors, engine, tranny, and other parts. Cage the bed, get fiberglass fenders, swap in a bigger engine and tranny. Regear, to run 40s. Possibly SAS if I can find a cheap donor.


Buy a Bronco
I've always wanted a fullsize Bronco, but can't seem to find anything decent around here. I would keep my eyes open and try to find the best deal in my price range.

My Plan: Small lift, Shave fenders, Run 35s

Buy a samurai/wrangler
All my buddies have wranglers. They have spare parts I could buy cheap for whatever will need fixed. Theres plenty around here, but there all overpriced IMO.

My Plan:
Samurai- small suspension lift, 2in body lift, regear, run 31x10.5s, take the doors off and wheel it to death!

Wrangler- Make a "jerryrigged" lower forty

Build up the Ranger-
Although I'm done wheeling it, It would be nice to continue to build up. After all, someday its time as the DD will be over, and then it becomes the off road toy!

Let me know what you all think!

 

[pontiacfieroguy]

Well, Im finally about to start working again within the next few weeks. I'm looking for something that I could build up for a mud/trailtruck. I'll be on a very limited budget. A couple weeks back I almost made a deal on a Bronco but the deal fell through. Heres the options that I'm considering. I've thought about it for awhile and these are the only things I'm interested in building. I have around $2000 to spend.


My Options:

1991 Ford Ranger Custom Ext-Cab 4x4- $750
It belongs to a friend of mines brother who is also a member on here. I'll post link sometime soon. The body and frame are in very good condition. Very minimal rust on the body. The current 2.9 V6 engine has about 130xxx miles (the first engine was blown). The auto transmission is in bad shape. Doesn't shift right and you have to be in 2nd gear to drive. The truck has a leveling kit and 3in body lift with 33x12.5x15 Mickey Thompson Baja MTS on 15x10 procomps. It also has the expensive Bushwacker extend a fender flares.

My plan: Flush the tranny, and drive it offroad as is.


1997 Ford Ranger Ext-Cab 4x4- $1500
Belongs to a friend of mines. Has about 140xxx miles on the 4.0 OVH. The truck has been beaten off road. It was rolled by the previous owner before he bought it. I believe its an R-Title. It has a small suspension lift (no more then 2inches) and 32x10.5 tires (I believe). The body isn't in terrible shape, small rust, but I saw how poorly the truck was treated.

My Plan: Part it out, sell the bed, doors, engine, tranny, and other parts. Cage the bed, get fiberglass fenders, swap in a bigger engine and tranny. Regear, to run 40s. Possibly SAS if I can find a cheap donor.


Buy a Bronco
I've always wanted a fullsize Bronco, but can't seem to find anything decent around here. I would keep my eyes open and try to find the best deal in my price range.

My Plan: Small lift, Shave fenders, Run 35s

Buy a samurai/wrangler
All my buddies have wranglers. They have spare parts I could buy cheap for whatever will need fixed. Theres plenty around here, but there all overpriced IMO.

My Plan:
Samurai- small suspension lift, 2in body lift, regear, run 31x10.5s, take the doors off and wheel it to death!

Wrangler- Make a "jerryrigged" lower forty

Let me know what you all think!

97 xcab all the way. from what you tell us its the only one that is currently running well.


and i dont understand your logic of if you buy the 91 then the 2.9 would stay but if you get the 97 the 4.0 would be replaced because you want more power, you are backwards on this. the 91 has the bad trans plus a shite engine so its out. the fs bronco is a great mud truck but is too wide for me to be comfortable using as a trail truck. the samari has no balls and since your on a limited budget im assuming that you dont have money for a tow rig and will be driving your rig to the trails like i did then it is going to suck trying to get that thing up to highway speeds especially with bigger tires so thats out. the wrangler will most likely be well over 2k and then you have no money to mod so thats out. 97 xcab all the way

 

[TRanger03]

^ Thanks, just for the record, I'll be using my Ranger to tow if I get a Samurai or Wrangler. The others I will probably have to drive to wherever I'm going to wheel.

 

[Surrey]

My vote goes to the 91 ranger.
The wheels, tires, and flares are probably worth near $750 alone.

 

[04sd]

I think both of those trucks are priced a little high, but the '91 is probably the better deal of the two.