Opinions on Purchase

[Scotts87]

Hello everyone and Happy New Year. I haven't been on here in some time. I use to have a 87 V8 Ranger 2wd and i sold it. Thinking about buying another but would like opinions on the purchase.

Its a 1987 Reg Cab 2wd with a stock 351w and a C4 trans. The C4 has no reverse at this time and it is unknown as to why. I will let the pics speak on the rest.

They want $2250.00

 

[wildbill23c]

It has the wrong engine in it and wrong transmission I wouldn't waste my money on someone else's mess like that, it would lead to problems down the road.

 

[bronco2fan]

Looks like it needs quite a bit of body work and paint too. I guess it depends on if you want to do a project or need it immediately. The motor is a little big for that application but if it runs and drives well and you want a toy talk them down. Asking price is always negotiable lol. Offer what you feel comfortable with. I always offer half what they're wanting, maybe less depending on how bad it really is. Worse comes to worse you can always part it out if you get in over your head.

 

[adsm08]

It's carb'd. I'd walk away right there.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

Its carbed so it has like 5 wires to worry about for the engine. Easy, no big deal to work with. The 5 mile long upper radiator hose would drive me nuts though.

My Ranger had the "right" engine in it and was so screwed up it didn't have a chance from the start. 351W>than anything Ford put in a Ranger, especially anything in that era.

Needs some bodywork, not sure if it is a GT bodykit but it looks like it. Those are not cheap to come by. Body needs a little loving, not bad though, It is a nice looking truck. It has some rust issues... if that is all it is doing far better than 98% of first gens out there. Check the floor pans and firewall if you go look at it.

C4's are not supposed to be that hard to rebuild. Price a kit and there are videos on youtube on how to go through them, looks pretty straightforward but I haven't had to open mine up.

It has nice wheels, nice bed cover, decent paint... Dunno on the price, it looks like a pretty straight/solid truck on one hand, on the other hand the trans is out... might be a tad (not a lot) on the high side.

 

[ratdude747]

Its carbed so it has like 5 wires to worry about for the engine. Easy, no big deal to work with. The 5 mile long upper radiator hose would drive me nuts though.

My Ranger had the "right" engine in it and was so screwed up it didn't have a chance from the start. 351W>than anything Ford put in a Ranger, especially anything in that era.

Needs some bodywork, not sure if it is a GT bodykit but it looks like it. Those are not cheap to come by. Body needs a little loving, not bad though, It is a nice looking truck. It has some rust issues... if that is all it is doing far better than 98% of first gens out there. Check the floor pans and firewall if you go look at it.

C4's are not supposed to be that hard to rebuild. Price a kit and there are videos on youtube on how to go through them, looks pretty straightforward but I haven't had to open mine up.

It has nice wheels, nice bed cover, decent paint... Dunno on the price, it looks like a pretty straight/solid truck on one hand, on the other hand the trans is out... might be a tad (not a lot) on the high side.

I'd skip the C4 and toss in a T5 or some other 5 speed... old automatics, especially behind a 351, are not worth one's time.

 

[hank857]

had a ranchero with the 400 and a c4 and it was a good setup. even stock motor could be more than this rig is setup for. as to a right engine dont know what that would be a 351c? If you want FI, there are TBI kits available now for these, but a 600 holly may work just as well if you know how to tune.

Anyhow its worth whatever you are willing to pay for it since it has no book value now. Gotta remember stuff like this do not add any real value, its what you are willing to pay value. If its just to be a toy its up to you, but with the cab rust as noted check the floors etc for more make sure not a lot of bondo on other areas (time for magnet test maybe).

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

I'd skip the C4 and toss in a T5 or some other 5 speed... old automatics, especially behind a 351, are not worth one's time.

The only reason I want to switch mine for an M5OD is for overdrive and to eliminate any cooling concerns at low speed.

It runs and drives great, I love how it shifts. Like it means it but isn't mean about it.

T5 would probably be ok if you don't do much to the engine. Going to have to change the driveshaft.

The stuff only adds value if it is worth it to you. If you want a V8 Ranger... one way or another you are going to pay for it. It is not a particularly cheap upgrade and not one that everyone will want (aka it might be worth more... to the right guy)

And I love my Edelbrock.

 

[enjr44]

Well, you got figure it needs at least 2K worth of body work and about 2K worth of trans work and the guy thinks it is worth 2K. My guess is that if you got it for $500 and did the trans work yourself you might have a $2000 truck.

 

[Reddy351]

The only way it could be the 'wrong engine' is if the valve covers didn't say FORD. [emoji6]


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[pjtoledo]

seriously??? there's no hole in the bumper for a trailer hitch ball. You can't use that thing like a truck!!
the only purpose that "truck" would be good for is doing burn-outs.
if 'ya want a project, go for it. just give the rust a good inspection because its always worse than it appears.


Perry

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

seriously??? there's no hole in the bumper for a trailer hitch ball. You can't use that thing like a truck!!
the only purpose that "truck" would be good for is doing burn-outs.
if 'ya want a project, go for it. just give the rust a good inspection because its always worse than it appears.


Perry

I have never used the hole in my bumper for a single thing. Such a light loading on it is almost a waste of time on fords part to include it.

My receiver on the hand...

 

[Hagan]

I have never used the hole in my bumper for a single thing. Such a light loading on it is almost a waste of time on fords part to include it.

My receiver on the hand...

X2. I welded a piece receiver tube to the bottom of my bumper and the bumper still flexes pretty bad when I use my strap to yank someone out from being stuck.