Old Rangers Never Die!

[Louisville86]

Hello after many years of not posting!

I am Louisville86 and I still own my 1986 Ranger 2WD. Built at Louisville in May, 1986. Special ordered by the City of Albany, Oregon. Served there until 2009, then came to Denver, Colorado (driven by me). That was 15 years ago. The Ranger is still kicking!

In 15 years the number of Gen I rangers has dropped (especially in rust-prone places like Colorado). But not mine! Stays in the driveway. Goes to Home Depot. But the 2.9L runs like a champ, the A/C is nice and cold and the A4LD still shifts great. I have had two sets of tires. The latest ones are Hankooks, but in the right size. We get a lot of dry rot. I have put maybe 2K miles on this truck in 15 years. I bought she shell myself locally. It is sort of Champagne colored and looks dorky, but it is the right size for a long bed and does the job.

I LOVE my Ranger and will keep it as long as it works as a good little truck. Viva Ranger!

Photo is last May. It is still sitting in December 2024. I start and drive it at least twice a month. But I don't drive it in the snow. No way. Mag Chloride is death to the frames of these.

 

[lil_Blue_Ford]

That thing looks pretty clean!

Also, Fluid Film or other oil/wax based undercoatings is where it’s at for protecting the frame and stuff. A little messy, but they actually work, unlike the asphalt/rubber based ones that destroy stuff by trapping moisture.

 

[Louisville86]

In case you think I am an old fart (I am 60 and just retired), I now live in Florida part time and own three more vehicles down here. Plus my 1966 Mustang in Denver. God help me, I own five vehicles and pay insurance and registration on all of them! But my two "best" Florida cars are a 2024 VW Jetta SE 1.5T (8 speed automatic), a daily. Not great, but it gets 45 mpg on the Turnpike at 80 mph with full-time A/C use. I can live with that.

But my real "baby" at the moment is a 1995 Lexus SC 400. Like a MK IV Supra from "Fast and Furious" fame. No straight six. No 5-speed. Mine is the 4.0 V-8 with a 4-speed automatic. This car looks like the country club but it is FAST. Top speed of 145. I went 137 the the week I bought it in August 2024. New V-rated tires and wheels (16 inch, just like the factory put on). I had more power on tap but wisely slowed the heck down. But this car is stealthy and sick! Plus real leather, real wood, thick carpet, a 12-disc Nakamichi stereo and the greatest A/C God ever created. Ridiculously overbuilt in every way. It cost $59,500 in 1995. That is $122K in 2024 money. Very dorky, but just a car I like to drive. Very fast! LOL

 

[Louisville86]

Great tip. Mine was never undercoated to begin with. In dry (non-coastal) Oregon there really is no rust. It is not Seattle, it is not Portland. But I NEVER let snow touch this truck. I don't need to drive it in the winter anyway, and we get lots of warm-ish, sunny, dry days all winter long.

That thing looks pretty clean!

Also, Fluid Film or other oil/wax based undercoatings is where it’s at for protecting the frame and stuff. A little messy, but they actually work, unlike the asphalt/rubber based ones that destroy stuff by trapping moisture.

 

[leftcoast]

Our trucks came down the line about the same time. May 1986. I bought mine from Montebello School District, been in Southern California it's whole life, so rust free frame. I have the 2.9L as well.