me and my bastard stepchild

[Balzer]

Hello all. My name is Balzer im new here (obviously)

I am NOT a ford guy, but Im not tottally close minded either.

Anyway My girlfriend (not a ford person either) has a ranger she picked up cheap $700. I let her drive my yukon because its safer for her and her 3 year old daughter, and just myself I dont really need to drive around in a fullsize yukon.

My first thought was to just get rid of it and buy something else. But after thinking about it, fixing it up would be the cheapest way into a second vehicle.

So I have adopted the ranger. Its a 96, extended cab, 4x4, 4.0L, 5 speed, roll up windows and rubber floors about the only option it has is AC. It runs good sometimes and sometimes not so good. It has a bad front down rake, I think the front springs are sagged bad. The alignment is crap and the 4wd doesnt work. I think the auto hubs are gummed up or broken. It has a bad vibration on decelleration. And it had scuffed feathered cupped front tires and bald back tires.

I just put a set of new goodyear MTR's on it in 31x10.50x15. I also had them siped. I dumped about 300lbs of snow in the bed with my backhoe for traction and now I can get out of my own driveway.

I would like to fix the problems and clean it up cosmetically a bit. I would also like the 2" leveling springs since it sits so low in the front. I would rather swap to manual hubs than keep the autos. Just a few things here and there.

heres some pics. note it almost sits level with 300lbs of snow in the bed.

 

[88gt]

not a bad ride man. all the information you are looking for is here. The ranger is a dependable truck, you will proably grow to love it. welcome to trs!

 

[martin]

once you get the auto hubs changed out for manual ones and the other odds and ends sorted out you will be impressed with the capabilities of these small trucks. All the information you need will be found on this site and if you can't find what you need somebody will point you in the right direction.

 

[kunar]

replace the front springs and have it aligned asap. if the alignment is bad, youre gonna kill those tires. if you're replacing springs, youll need to have it aligned anyways. other than that, welcome, you're gonna love it here. everything you need to know is all in the forum... if you can find it by searching, ask and someone will help you.

 

[idriveafordranger94]

Nice find! Not bad for $700. Good choice on the tires too, Goodyear is always the way to go.

 

[Geeshik]

I've got rough country leveling coils in my truck now, and i'm not sure i would recommend them. They were cheap to buy, and the ride is better, but the coil compressed alot more than i thought after installation. There isn't much room between the coils. They are a little lighter-duty than i was hoping for because i wanted to put a 300+ lb snow plow on the front for the winter.

Also, if you were having tire issues; make sure the front wheel bearings are adjusted properly and the radius arm bushings/brackets are good. For you chevy guys, radius arms are Ford's stubby/non adjustable version of torsion bars.

 

[irishblessing]

idk how anybody could not like Fords they build great trucks and great cars owning a Ranger will change your perspective on Fords ive had mine for 3 years now 157k miles on it never had a major problem actually only had several minor problems when i first bought i bought nes springs cause i had to get it aligned anyway i think i went 2 inches from stock and the rear end still sits higher but i learned to live with it Welcome

 

[Daniel C]

Welcome to TRS. Please use the search button. It is functional. Btw nice rig.

 

[Balzer]

idk how anybody could not like Fords they build great trucks and great cars owning a Ranger will change your perspective on Fords ive had mine for 3 years now 157k miles on it never had a major problem actually only had several minor problems when i first bought i bought nes springs cause i had to get it aligned anyway i think i went 2 inches from stock and the rear end still sits higher but i learned to live with it Welcome

I have owned many many fords and actually own a 93 f-350 single wheel with a tool bed on it. I have give up on replacing engine control parts such as TPS MAFS and that stupid whatever its called that allows more throttle. Its a lemon. My first truck was a 75 f-250 highboy with a 390P.I. out of a 68 gallaxy and a C6. I just sold a 72 1/2 ton short bed 2wd with 20,000 original miles on it to my uncle. I was actually the first person to regester that truck. It was a very nice truck and I regret selling it.

Welcome to TRS. Please use the search button. It is functional. Btw nice rig.

thank you and I have been using the search function please note there are no questions in my post.

 

[Balzer]

I highly doubt I will keep this truck for long probably this spring Ill try to sell it.
Just doing a tune up and repairs And drive it for a month or 2.

 

[jetblack93]

700 was good deal wont find 1 around here 4 that

 

[Boghog1]

Where you from Balzer? your truck is what I am looking for

 

[Hopman]

Balzer, I can almost garuntee you that after one or two months, you won't want to give up thar Ranger.

Your story sounds a bit like mine. My tall friend (6'5") was getting ready to sell his truck as he was having a tough time fitting into it. Well he knew I was looking for a vehicle, and offered to me for $2,000.

I too am not a Ford guy, but in the 2.5 years since I bought the truck, I've fallen in love with it. Due to the maroonish-purple color of the truck, I've dubbed it the "Flying Eggplant."