New to the forums : should i buy this ranger?

[Jraymer360]

Ok so i'm new to rangers , and only 17 and i'm wanting something simple that is 4x4 and can just be used as a daily driver. i don't have much of a budget ( probably about $1k max )

There is a ranger on craigslist for sale and it's a little beat up but it's only $950 atm and i can probably get him down to like...800 or so. another thing is the rangers around where i live are all in too good of condition and are expensive, so i can't afford them. this one is about..150 miles away so i'd like to find out like how good of a deal this is before i shell out the cash to drive out there and then find out it's more of a project them what i'm looking for.

and since i don't really know much about rangers, is there any major flaws or anything i should know about this year ranger to look for when i actually go to look at it? i'd rather drive and realize it's too much work then come back and realize i just bought a truck that's going to need something major that i can't afford to fix.


here it is :


Year: 1988
Make: Ford
Model: Ranger XLT
Drive Train: 4X4
Miles: Unknown

2.9l V6 motor and 5 speed manual transmission.
Ext. Cab. Short Box.
This truck gets about 20 MPG.
Would make a great starter truck/small project.
Oh and did I mention it had Working super bright off road lights!
The Bad:
*No Tailgate or steering column cover.
*Leaks coolant/antifreeze and possibly power steering fluid.
*Pretty sure Cruise control doesn't work.
*4x4 needs bolting flange (can get from any 4x4 ranger or bronco around this year) and install. (both U-joints are new)
*Right now it needs rubber break hose replaced on front passager side. (Friday I'm going to do that anyways but after that you might need to watch the driver side one as well)
*Upper and Lower ball joints should be replaced.
*Needs tie rod ends.
*Coil on drivers side is a little compressed (so the truck does lean to that side.)
The only reason I'm not driving it right now is because of the brakes. Other than that it was my daily driver. The U- joints, battery cable ends, and heating core are all new. Does come with new fuel pump and other two snap rings. Stereo is currently there and works perfectly fine but the truck comes with replacement stereo and two 6" speakers. Reason for selling is that I wanna get something with better gas mileage and not as high off the ground with a smaller interior. This truck is worth it as a project!

 

[Sunk]

Seems priced a bit high to me considering the list of things it needs, but if you said it's cheap for your area I guess you don't have much choice. None of those things are terribly difficult to replace, but make sure to track down the leaking coolant and confirm it isn't a cracked head, as 2.9s are known for that.

 

[alwaysFlOoReD]

Are you asking or telling? I get confusing input from your post, are you going to look at it or have you bought it already? Something in similar shape is worth ~C$500.00 here near red deer, alberta.

richard

 

[Jraymer360]

Are you asking or telling? I get confusing input from your post, are you going to look at it or have you bought it already? Something in similar shape is worth ~C$500.00 here near red deer, alberta.

richard

looking, sorry for the confusion. and yeah seems a little high to me but there aren't that many beaters around here anymore. ranger beaters at least. and i can't really afford a full size truck so ranger is the way to go.

 

[alwaysFlOoReD]

I reread your first post and figured out the last part is a quote, now it makes sense. I'd also be worried about the coolant loss, make sure to check the oil and rad for signs of cross contamination. There is an article in the resources at the top of the page dealing with what to look for in used rangers.
Good luck,

Richard

 

[cody93]

Id be real suspicious on the coolent loss, the 2.9L from 86-88 had weak heads, it could be a later 88 ranger wich had inproved heads though. id also be concerned about it rusting out in critical structual places.

 

[Jraymer360]

Id be real suspicious on the coolent loss, the 2.9L from 86-88 had weak heads, it could be a later 88 ranger wich had inproved heads though. id also be concerned about it rusting out in critical structual places.

yeah i emailed the guy asking if he'd take a kinda lowball price compared to what he wants ( 600 because of the work needed) and asked for some closer up pictures and a pic of each side along with some interior pics and a pic of the engine.

/e: Assuming it has bad heads, how much would another pair cost me?

 

[Hagan]

I would pass. I just saw an $800 BII with new BFG's MTs. I am considering getting a 3rd vehicle (Ranger/BII) to drive around while I work on mine.

Everything is going to have problems though!

 

[Jraymer360]

I would pass. I just saw an $800 BII with new BFG's MTs. I am considering getting a 3rd vehicle (Ranger/BII) to drive around while I work on mine.

Everything is going to have problems though!

yeah i actually want something with a few problems i can get decently cheap. i won't be able to drive it daily straight away so instead of it just sitting i can fix the few problems it has and probably save some money while i'm at it too.


/e: BTW I live in michigan, if it's like 10 years or older, it has rust. unless it's been stored for most of it's life.

 

[pcollins]

I'd keep looking. This was my first ranger 3 years ago. Paid $725. suffered 13 NY winters didn't look too bad. You could probably find a better shape one.

 

[Jraymer360]

I'd keep looking. This was my first ranger 3 years ago. Paid $725. suffered 13 NY winters didn't look too bad. You could probably find a better shape one.

i want a 4x4. and apparently in Michigan anything that runs and is 4x4 is worth 1k out here...but i found exactly what i wanted ..it was a 97 for 1300 but needed a clutch..came with the parts to fix it too...only didn't have the money. someone bought it and posted it for 2650 like 3 days later ( diff phone number and diff house in pics so i assume someone bought it, fixed it, and is selling it. :c)

 

[trail B2]

I would wait long enough to know thats the best you can do.To give yourself a real vehicle cost it's going to be some money to repair these too.If you add that money to his price what can that get you?If your looking for a lower priced truck look in a the little papers around town older people still use those and you will get a better truck from an older guy.When your 17 you want to go get the one you see and go to work.You can't out work being smart and getting a good deal.You want to spend the next few months cruising for girls not listening to your parents about the piece of $hit stuck in there yard.

 

[4.0B2]

a 1st gen ranger ain't a bad buy... but dang that thing is rusty!
i'd be looking for a 1st gen explorer unless you're dead set on a pickup...

the 1st gen explorer is 4.0, bw1354 t/case, the better rear axle(ford 8.8), the better front axle (d35)..

that being said... i bet all vehicles that old are gonna be rusted out up there..i'm in MS, we don't salt roads, our vehicles don't rust.


i'd probably pass unless you can find the coolant leak, or get prepared for a couple hundred dollars to fix it, or do a motor swap to a 4.0... it needs work, i'd offer $500 and if he doesn't take the offer, walk away. keep a look out. you'll find something

if it needs brakes, ball joints, coolant leak fixed, and all the other stuff listed...you could spend a few hundred just to fix it; making it more than your $1K limit.

 

[ronclark]

Thats pretty pricey for how rusty and all the work its going to need.

 

[badmts]

DANGER WILL ROBINSON!!! IT IS A POS !STAY AWAY! Its SCREEMIN' blown head gasket keep saving and go back and revisit some old ads at end of month when rent and bills trump EGO! KEEP US POSTED AND remember be patient MONEY TALKS - (CRAIGSLIST TIP -flash twenty's it looks like more than eight 100's)