ranger check out

[BLUTHUNDER1]

Going to check out a 1991 ranger 2x2 with a 4.0 what things should i look at it has 200,000 miles on it ?

 

[Nhaz]

Ball joints. tie rod ends. Oil leaks, smell for rad leaks,

Listen to the engine for misses and odd pings. Check the oil for colour (milky is bad) look at the dipstick for rust on it(not good rust on a dip stick) look at the rad fluid for oil floating it in.(also not good)

Look at the exhaust for white/blue/black (white=coolant, black = running rich, blue=burning oil) smoke after the engines warmed up. small amounts of blue smoke on starting and then going away is generally valve seals.

Look at the frame get right under it and tap any bad looking sections see it it still has a nice steel sound or is going crunch, crunch is bad btw. knocking a outer layer of rust off and then hearing a good steel sound is ok.

Check the springs for cracks, check the leaf hangers for bad rust the same as the frame. its a common rust through point.

Check the cab corners for rust. don't beat on them like the frame its much lighter duty steel and won't take the abuse. Just look at it if you see peeling rust its not a great sign. same with the floors. and the bed. rusty bed fenders looks bad but is a minor problem that can be fixed when you have nothing else to fix LOL.

Look at brake lines again looks for rust same with fuel lines. If someone has replaced sections of fuel lines with rubber high pressure line(which is good) there maybe still sections in need of replacement.

Check tire wear patterns, bald on one side or the other indicates needing a alignment. which can also lead back to ball joints and tie rod ends.


Thats all I can think of for now

 

[srteach]

Nhaz has it correct, except for the brake lines. Steel as far a possible to the wheels. There will be a short section of rubber at the wheels.

 

[Nhaz]

I wasn't indicating the brake lines should be replaced with rubber.

 

[Big Jim M]

Howdy Bluth It is good to put where you are in your signature.. One simple reason is around here you don't have to look so closely for all that damn rust! You raise the hood and if anything under there has a coat of simple rust you close the hood and go away..
We simply don't have any rust! If any is seen it is a northern car and we aren't interested.. So in short...where the hell are you?
Big JIm

 

[BLUTHUNDER1]

Sorry i did not tell u guys im in AZ the lady that owns it wants to trade it for my 1995 Buick century with 150k on it. i just need to make sure the truck would be a good daily driver until i get the chance to rebuild and swap engine into my 1989 4x4 xlt supercab 2.9 with Mitsubishi tranny