Meet the FNG

[Bodaddio]

Hey Everyone,

Name is Shawn and I own a Ranger. Just stopping in to say hello and will need some advice. Little background on my truck.
Son turned 18 and graduated school so the wife and I decided we would get him a nice small truck to get his welding gear around in and be a decent first vehicle. I work in Europe and was not home but the 2 of them found the Ranger on the side of the road for sale. Lucky for them it had just been put there and the people selling it were just getting the phone number and what not put on it. Wife gives them a deposit and a few days later pays them the rest of the balance.
I get home from work 3 weeks later and there is a 1988 blue jacked up Ranger sitting on 12 inch wide 35's. The truck has 84 Toyota front and rear axle. It used to be a 2 wheel drive that was converted to 4 wheel drive using a Nissan transfer case. With the original 2.9l in it.
Here I am back in Europe for work and long story short engine is shot. Wife spent $5000 to find out the engine is shot and no decent used 2.9's in the area. Got to love working away from home.
I am pretty new to the Ranger and looking for options. All advice is appreciated. Once I get back in the real world I will post some pictures of this thing. Good looking truck just ugh.

Thanks,
Shawn

 

[Bodaddio]

Update got a few pics in my album now.

Thanks everyone

 

[Mark_88]

Wow! That is nice looking enough to draw the attention it got (buying it)...too bad about the engine.

I would think for a few dollars more you could drop a decent engine in it...just mating it up with the rest of the drive train might be a bit tricky...

I'm pretty sure the 4.0 has the same bolt pattern as the 2.9 but that would have to be confirmed by someone who knows the ins and outs...maybe check out the threads on swapping a 4.0 for 2.9...

The only thing I don't like about the truck is the solid rims...but I guess it's a matter of opinion and taste...I prefer rims with holes (OK, not too many)...but I also detest those spoked rims...

It is workable...your son will have himself a unique work truck...although I'd avoid using it for that because it is just so nice looking...if you see pics of mine you will know what I mean...