Probably buying another Ranger!!

[177CIOfPureLove]

Ok. so I got a lead on another Ranger in my area, and my buddy just checked it out for me. I am going to see it tomorrow morning, figured I would tell everyone.

Its a 1989 ranger, like mine, long box and reg cab, 2.9, 4wd, with the manual transfer case (thank god) and m5od. I think around 9xxxx miles. I doubt its rolled, so it prob only has just shy of 100k miles. it also has the bigger mirrors I always wanted to put on mine. The guy told me that it has a newer clutch, all the rubber was replaced a year ago, new brakes, but it has sat for a year. The only rust it has is behind the rear wheel on the passenger side, that quarter panel. No wheel well or frame rot, which surprises me, because it has a (working) meyer snowplow on the front of it. The truck has the snow plow prep package, and was ordered that way for a township around here who had it until 2 years ago. If its anything like the prep package my BII had, it should have 4:10's and trac-loc in the rear right? At least trac-loc I hope. And of course, a very nice 3pt hitch. It needs a few things here and there, I am headed around a very good junkyard down south, which would complete the truck. Also the passenger door handle, its like a weld snapped and it hangs on one side and is all sloppy, is it just the handle? I have never had to take mine apart before. He told me $800 takes it, and I believe its more than fair. I just really want the 4wd, and the locking rear, it would give me a lot more confidence hauling my boat at not so super ramps and such where my 1wd truck really has a hard time. and of course, some mild wheeling every once in a while. So I am pretty excited to give it the look over tomorrow. make sure the heads aren't crap and that she is tight and everything else.

 

[Deamers87ford]

makes sure to get pictures

 

[177CIOfPureLove]

Lol of course! I have spent a lot of time in the tech library, but how reliable is the additional drivetrain? like the hubs and axle u-joints? I know its only a dana 28 up front but I won't be needing anything more. Transfer case rides in atf as well as the m5od? Its been a long time since I had RBV 4x4....

 

[Sevensecondsuv]

My experience with a 2.9 that sat for a year before I bought it was that the camshaft bearings failed shortly after I started driving it leading to catastrophic loss of oil pressure. Now it's been sitting for a year. Someday I'll get around to putting another engine in it.

 

[177CIOfPureLove]

My previous 2.9L sat for a year, and had no problems coming back to life. Come on man, look at my user name... I am another proponent of the lil 2.9. So long as the heads are still intact and I don't have a milkshake in the coolant or the motor, I fear not. Sounds like yours had bad bearings already.

 

[177CIOfPureLove]

Ok, I went to look at the ranger this morning, only to really be disappointed. Its rotted real bad. And really bashed up. The plow is nice, its about the only really nice thing. It has a 2inch body lift, which is pretty gross, I have reasons to believe the head is cracked, there is a lot I really did not like, esp for the price he wanted. But there was a BII next to it. I was told the BII was too far gone, so I was not even thinking about it. However I was attracted to it right away. Once I surveyed the Ranger, I went straight into the Bronco. Its an 87, has brand new aggressive tires, the biggest you can fit in those wheel wells, I really love the aggressive look it has, my BII had little tires. It has a factory moon roof, roof racks, and newer paint. Still has the typical rot though, and the pass fender and grill are screwed up. It has the manual transfer case, and sadly, the mitsu trans... It also comes with an extra mitsu trans and manual transfer case. I jump started it with my truck and it started right up. The 2.9 sounded real good even the tapping was very minimal, just like mine. I drove it around his little lot, its sat for about 1-2 years so i guess the brakes were hanging? I had to get on the gas to get her moving. He says the drive shaft is new (cv type) and it seems it. it needs some interior pieces and stuff, Its no big deal really, at least for me. He wants 800, he wants to at least recoup for the new tires he bought. What do you guys think?

 

[177CIOfPureLove]

As you can see, one of the knobs for the hubs is pretty much gone. I was able to spin it with a pair of pliers, do I just remove the screw and replace it with another? And weird question, but when the truck is in 4wd, can you usually feel it through the steering wheel? My old bronco used to, well, you knew it was in 4wd once you put it in. This one I did not feel a thing. Both indicator lights did come on, for 4x4 and low range.

 

[177CIOfPureLove]

Bump?

 

[Mtrhd0024]

Hmm the Bronco seems in ok condition, although I personally think you might be able to do better. Offer him 600 and see what he says.

Not exactly sure where ya live, but unless most all old trucks are full of rust, I'd say you could do better for $800. I got my 89 XLT for $200 and all it needed was an alternator belt. There's not much rust in it either. How many miles does the BII have on it?

And also, I may be mistaken, but I'm not sure Bronco II's could be had with a factory sun roof. Pretty sure that may be either a dealer installed or DIY conversion. Not to say it couldnt be a good job but not so sure its factory!

Try and work him down on the price a little, but at the end of the day if you like the truck and its worth 800 to you then go for it!