Please Help Me Decide!!!!!!

[Lee_533]

Ok...Here's the deal. I have a choice between getting a 98 ranger 4x4 and selling my 83 4x4 or keeping my 83. I need to know what I'm getting myself into here. So if anyone has any info on the 98s I would appreciate the input. My 83 has a 2" block and 2" body lift and this one will be stock. Will my 31s fit the stock 98? And how much of a beating can the 98 take?

Also looking for drop brackets for the front axles on my 83. I have 4" coils and blocks and pitman arm that I was able to track down pretty cheap....But I can't find the brackets to save my life. I don't have tons of money so if anyone knows where I could get a cheap pair please let me know....thanks

 

[99RangerKrazy]

You should be able to fit 31s easy, worst case is if you're rubbing a bit in the front you can crank the torsion bars a bit to gain a little more clearance. I loved my 99 Ranger, but if you plan on lifting it, get ready to spend mucho bucks to do so. It costs a lot more to lift 98+ Rangers compared to 97 and older Rangers because of the different suspension systems.

What motor is in the 98 Ranger? The 3.0L? If so, those motors can take a beating, just keep oil and coolant in it and it'll run forever.

Also, on 98-00 Rangers, the front hubs are prone to failure (vacuum actuated hubs). This problem can be avoided by swapping in manual hubs. I know AVM makes replacement manual hubs for roughly $120-$150.

Other than that, they can take a beating. I'm sure others will chime in with some more info for ya.

 

[Lee_533]

ok...ya I'm pretty sure it's a 3.0L. I haven't gone to look at it or drive it though, but for $700 bucks why not?

 

[97RangerXLT]

For 700 bucks for a running and operational 1998 4x4 ranger? that sounds like a pretty good deal.

How many miles? what condition?

AJ

 

[Lee_533]

The guy said about 150xxx on it and runs and drive great.

 

[cappin90]

like the other guy said, if your planing on lifting it your going to spend double what you would have to on a 83-97 ranger. that being said i have actually had better luck with durability with my 98 then my friend did with his 91, (we both had 4.0 auto 4x4's both with around 150k miles on em and both had 31's) my 98 took a much harder beating off road we cracked a beam on the 91 in the dunes, my 98 didn't break anything hitting the same stuff. really it depends on what you want to do with it, a older ranger is going to be cheaper to build up, but the newer one might last longer.

 

[Toms01PSD]

$700? I think you ought to check for a leaky head gasket or other problems. I paid $3150 for mine. Busted head gasket, rotted rear frame, and a nail in the master cylinder line because the rear brake lines were rusted through. Inspect it thoroughly! They are good trucks, I love mine now that I have it in the best possible condition I could get it, but it took a lot of blood, sweat, and tears. 31's will fit it stock with out a t-bar crank by the way.

 

[Lee_533]

Well if I do end up lifting it...I know enough to do all the labor myself so that will take a lot of the price out. And I'm into the prerunners so I'm guessing that a 98 with the A-arms will be better than a twin I-Beam.

 

[Lee_533]

$700? I think you ought to check for a leaky head gasket or other problems. I paid $3150 for mine. Busted head gasket, rotted rear frame, and a nail in the master cylinder line because the rear brake lines were rusted through. Inspect it thoroughly! They are good trucks, I love mine now that I have it in the best possible condition I could get it, but it took a lot of blood, sweat, and tears. 31's will fit it stock with out a t-bar crank by the way.

Well I will definitely check everything out and I will drive it before I buy it too so...and the 31 fitting was one of my major concerns because I have four 31s and four 30s and I didn't want to have to buy another set of aggressive tires when I already have too many. But I will probably start messin with it if I get it and see what mods I can do.

 

[B2 Addict]

I say keep the 83, but I am just biased towards the 1st gens!
At least you already know what you have.

Just my opinion though, good luck either way.

 

[Lee_533]

Well the problem with my 83 is it needs some work and the parts are hard to find where I live for that year...I do love my 83 don't get me wrong but I just figure that it might be cheaper just to get the 98 and sell my 83. If I could...I would keep the 83 and buy the 98. But I don't know...it's still up in the air, I still have to go look at it and then I'll decide what I want to do...

 

[Lee_533]

By the way....I am having trouble finding drop brackets for the front I-Beams on my ranger...I have 4" coils blocks and the drop pitman from friends...but I can't find the drop brackets. I don't have a ton of money so if anyone knows where I can get some cheap, please let me know.

 

[Toms01PSD]

Take it for a nice test drive, not just around the block. Try the 4x4 too, make sure that works.

 

[Lee_533]

Oh I will run the 4x4....I just hope it's not the push button 4x4...I don't trust those for some reason.

 

[Toms01PSD]

It's electronic on the dash, and has pulse vacuum hubs. Unless of course he switched to manual hubs.