Reunited with my truck!!!

[88stepside]

I bought an 88 Ranger in October of 87'. It was customized with a fiberglass box and charcoal and silver stripes on a black paint job. I think the dealership sent it out to Sturgis, MI to have it done. When I bought it, it had 136 miles on it. After 113,000 miles, I put a 302 into it. It never liked cold weather and was hard to start in the cold Michigan winters. My wife grew tired of the whole situation and I sold it in 98' with 246,000 miles on her. I always wondered what became of her and watched Craigslist for quite some time but eventually gave up after 9 months. She eventually was listed on Craigslist and a buddy of mine called me. Anyways, I got her back!!! I've had to pull the motor to replace the ring-gear on the flywheel to fix a starting problem but have been driving it since. Looking for a stock bench seat to accomodate 3 people. Also looking to fix a rusty floor under the drivers seat. I know I'll have to replace the cab corner, rocker and front floor pan but what to do to the rear section?!?

 

[nine-teen91stxranger]

pics!!!

 

[06RangerXLT]

 

[jhammel85]

Thats a great story! We definitely need pics though

 

[4.0B2]

pics man, pics!!

see a theme here?? lol

 

[2004xlmiller]

awesome story. how mad was your wife that the truck showed up again?

 

[88stepside]

Pics posted. And my wife, she was probably more excited than I was. It was the vehicle I had when we met in 93'.

 

[sohc86-06]

truck looks pretty cool man

 

[kunar]

good looking truck! i had actually emailed the seller about a month ago when it was on craigslist but never heard an answer back from them. after hearing your story, im glad the original owner/builder got it back though! the 1st gen step sides are extremely rare, theres a little info on TRS about them but i dont think anybody really knows for sure when/where they were built.

 

[88stepside]

I swear the dealership told me the conversion was done in Sturgis, MI. There use to be a logo on the tailgate that said "Park Avenue". I remember thinking that that was a Buick and was glad when it fell off. Wish I knew more!

 

[cody93]

holy crap, is that a shadow? only 15 were made i think..


EDIT: i finded sumthing
http://www.therangerstation.com/forums/showthread.php?t=70280

 

[backroad101]

So did you tell the guy it used to be yours before or after you bought it back?

.

 

[Captain Ledd]

I saw that very Ranger on CL! I wanted to buy it!

Soooo glad it went into the hands of someone who appreciates it though. Welcome to TRS!

 

[88stepside]

I knew it was mine as soon as I saw the pic. Waited a week, trying to work out a deal with the guy. The wait paid off and I had to tell the guy when I picked her up at his house. He didn't know that it wasn't very common and I KNEW it was mine. Funny how others take the credit for someone elses work. All the engine work was done by a guy who owned it 2 owners back (so the previous owner said). A buddy talked me into the v-8 conversion probably in 91' or 92'. It all looks the same (under the hood) except for a new MSD ignition. Lots more rust and the bench seat is MIA.

 

[doorgunner]

glad you got it back!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!