Rebuilder Ranger

[cpy911]

Hi,

As I do not have a Ranger yet, I have been toying with the idea of working on rebuilding a salvaged Ranger. Has anyone done something like this before?

I am looking at rebuilding a 2005+ Ranger 4WD that has had a LIGHT hit with no airbags deployed. I am seeing these go on the internet for 4K-6K with mashed fenders, hoods, doors, beds, front clip screwed up, grills mashed, bumpers mashed, etc. Most of the trucks have <60K on the clock. I can not tell if there is frame damage until I get serious and call the salvage dealer to ask the questions. (I am trying to figure out what questions to ask!!!)

My buddy has opened up his shop to me (hydraulic lift, tools, welders, benders, you name it, he builds custom rods and trucks) and I might talk to him about using a corner of the shop for a rebuild.

I am somewhat handy and can tear anything down (putting it back together is another story). As for body work and paint, I don't really care as it will be a work truck and looks not top priority. I might do some minor body work myself and get it painted at a low end shop so any replaced fenders, doors, hoods, beds, etc look a "similar color" at least.

My end goal is to put some time in and have a decent truck with moderate miles that is safe and mechanically in good shape. Looks are secondary. My price ceiling is <$7000 for the truck and parts. Labor is on me and maybe my buddy will help here and there on stuff I need a hand with.

How about it? What should I watch out for? I don't want to learn something the hard way....how do I tell a light hit from a hard hit? (No airbags deployed is my criteria, plus pictures and asking the dealer about frame damage.)

Thanks in advance for your input.
cpy911

 

[4byranger2000xlt]

I also have considered doing this. Except I was going to do it with a newer Rubicon Wrangler. First, don't trust whoever is selling it to be honest about frame damage. Find a reputable collision shop near where you will be purchasing the vehicle and have them put it on there frame rack. Its something like a $100 at my local collision shop to have the inspect the frame and make sure it is true. Ask if they have any pictures from the accident seen or the claim paperwork from when the vehicle was totaled. There should have been a written report of exactly what happened. Other than that, it seems like a good way to get a newer ride without having to spend huge bucks.

 

[goodie85]

a light hit when the air bags dont deploy......huge hit when they do they way most of the time you can tell if the frame is bad is if the bags did deploy considering the fact that the sensors are on the frame