New Ranger owner in SC (Thanks to Sandy)

[Razmear]

Howdy,
So this Monday I'm driving into work in my 86 Dodge Ram 50 beater truck, and this happens:

Got clobbered by a 15-20 foot, 200lb branch, probably from about 50 foot up.
Luckily I got off with just some glass cuts to my left hand instead of being dead.
So next day I kick out the windshield, straighten the frame a bit and keep driving the little tank of a Dodge. The insurance company inspects it, calls it a total, and today I got a check for $1003, after the $250 deductable. Why they thought the Dodge was worth $1253, I have no idea, but I wasn't gonna argue with them.
So, after driving for a week with no windshield, I drive another 80 highway miles round trip to pick up the insurance check, and meet the guy who posted this on Craigslist:

I probably would have looked it over a bit closer if I wasn't so wind-beaten from the trip, but for $1200 (Only $200 out of pocket) just being in an enclosed space seemed to be worth it.
So far I've discovered the crack at the top radiator neck, and that he's poured some copper junk in there to try and stop the leak, so a new rad and a good flush is in order.
The tires are stupid big mudders and 2 don't hold air, so will be swaping for ~235/15s street tires as soon as I can find a cheap set on CL.
The headlights are for some reason aimed about 6 feet in front of the truck, easy fix, just wondering how the dude drove at night.
He said he put in a 'custom clutch', which is extremely hard and short, but works well once you get used to it.
But other than that, the body is solid, the 4.0 engine purrs, and I get to watch my stepson's 6ft 3in friend cram himself into the jumpseat, which is almost worth the price of admission.
Tomorrow I'll get some pics, and do some more digging around for problems. For now I'm drinking some Woodchuck Hard Cider and watching bad movies on Netflix.
Glad to find a great source of info here in these forums, I'll be reading up and stealing your ideas.

--Eric

 

[6.2]

Nice buy man.

But those aren't stupid big mudders lol

 

[Razmear]

Nice buy man.

But those aren't stupid big mudders lol

lol, that was the Woodchuck talking. Forgot a comma.
They are nearly bald, post mudder, almost racing slick, non-air-holding, crap however, so new shoes are needed pretty quick.

Currently post woodchuck, pre-coffee, so apologies for the incoherentness.

eb

 

[Mark_88]

Welcome...lol...windbeaten...

I've often wondered what it would be like to drive without a windshield and I think you summed up the experience...

Mine got hit a few weeks ago with a stone from an oncoming truck and now needs replacing...but I can still drive it without too much wind burn...

Nice little Ranger...hopefully a full inspection doesn't reveal too many problems...but they are easy to fix...usually...and sounds like you have an idea of what you are doing...if not...there are many on here that can help...

 

[jhammel85]

Lol welcome. I think you got a good deal...even if the tires are trashed.

 

[Razmear]

Welcome...lol...windbeaten...

I've often wondered what it would be like to drive without a windshield and I think you summed up the experience...

Mine got hit a few weeks ago with a stone from an oncoming truck and now needs replacing...but I can still drive it without too much wind burn...

Nice little Ranger...hopefully a full inspection doesn't reveal too many problems...but they are easy to fix...usually...and sounds like you have an idea of what you are doing...if not...there are many on here that can help...

Driving without a windshield around town wasn't bad, with the windows rolled up you don't get too much air in the cabin, even when it was 38 one morning it just felt no worse than skiing. Wear safty glasses tho.
Driving down the highway at 75 miles an hour is a different story. My stepson got pelted by a stinkbeetle in the face (he's 24, don't go calling CPS), and the vehicle is significantly less aerodynamic, even a leaf at 75mph sting a bit, and there were lots of them.

I'd rate my knowledge at the 'just enough to be dangerous' level, so I'll be bugging you from time to time with stupid questions, no worries about that.

Thanks for the welcomes, will keep you updated on the progress.

eb

 

[dangerranger83]

If you can dodge it ram it lol.

I will say i would have either sh!t my pants or my a$$ would have eaten the seat first.

I'm 6ft 1in and i will say getting into one of those jumper seats isn't easy.

Sent from my SPH-D710 using Tapatalk 2

 

[shane96ranger]

Nice find, even if it needs a little work.

Mine got hit a few weeks ago with a stone from an oncoming truck

What the frank? Do your rocks fly the opposite way in Canada, or what?



Sent from a Commodore 64 using a 300 baud modem

 

[Mark_88]

Driving without a windshield around town wasn't bad, with the windows rolled up you don't get too much air in the cabin, even when it was 38 one morning it just felt no worse than skiing. Wear safty glasses tho.
Driving down the highway at 75 miles an hour is a different story. My stepson got pelted by a stinkbeetle in the face (he's 24, don't go calling CPS), and the vehicle is significantly less aerodynamic, even a leaf at 75mph sting a bit, and there were lots of them.

I'd rate my knowledge at the 'just enough to be dangerous' level, so I'll be bugging you from time to time with stupid questions, no worries about that.

Thanks for the welcomes, will keep you updated on the progress.

eb

I think you're going to fit in here nicely...

What the frank? Do your rocks fly the opposite way in Canada, or what?



Sent from a Commodore 64 using a 300 baud modem

That's what I was thinking...it really came out of nowhere on a paved road...started to think the guy shot at me...but I didn't recognize whose husband he might have been...lol

Could have been stuck in his tire and let fly or he hit it just right...I was doing about 90 Km/ph (believe it or not...)...so the combined forces might also be a factor...and if I didn't have a windshield I'm sure that could have killed someone with a direct hit...

 

[Razmear]

Just found a radiator on Amazon for $55 with free shipping.
Cheapest local is about $95 and RockAuto is $80 (inc shipping).
Anyone know this Shephard brand?
http://www.amazon.com/Shepherd-Parts-Complete-Replacement-Radiator/dp/B0073MG9BC/?tag=959media-20

in case the link don't work:
Product Information
Brand Shepherd
Manufacturer Part Number SAP2190A

 

[shane96ranger]

Is yours only a 1 row? I would consider upgrading to a 2 row if you have to be in there anyway.

 

[Razmear]

Is yours only a 1 row? I would consider upgrading to a 2 row if you have to be in there anyway.

Mine is whatever is stock, haven't looked much past the leaking issue.
Cash is tight, just shooting for road worthyness for now, will consider upgrades once I'm sure I'm not gonna damage something else by overheating.

Thanks for the advise tho.
eb

 

[Razmear]

Just picked up another one for the wife:

Off the original owner who bought it in California in 84 when he got out of the navy.
Still has the original factory cassette player in it, and the owners manual in the glovebox, still in it's sleve.

Still semi-blown away that in less than 7 days I went from nearly crushed by a tree to owning two trucks that are better than the one I had before.
Hail Eris! Been a wild week.

eb

 

[Mark_88]

Either the camera is moving or my eyes are weak this morning...but it looks in good shape...congrats...I prefer the extended cabs...

And there is a fix for the oil leaks that might help...something about valve covers...but I've never worked on a 2.9...190,000 is just a warm up for them if you catch that oil leak...

 

[Razmear]

Was up til about 2am reading about fixing oil leaks. He said there is a leak in the rear main seal, and also from the valve covers. Also read the bit about PCV valves causing the seal leaks.
My 94 will be a daily driver, the 84 more of a weekly driver for my wife.
The 84 is super clean, needs some touchup on the paint but everything else is almost mint.