Should I buy a 1988 Ranger 4x4?

[Cjllak9688]

Hey guys, this is my first official thread! So here we go, I checked out this 88 ranger extended cab auto 4x4 2.9l today with 107000 miles for $1000. the guy said all it needs is a right side shock and coil tower and rear shocks. When I inspected the truck I noticed some fluid build up around the tranny cooler and also some fluids leaking underneath. I would appreciate some opinions and if this truck would be a good back and forth to work truck. Thanks

 

[ab_slack]

I think 88 is a great year...but no telling on a specific vehicle. Right now my 87 BII I trust more than my 02 Explorer, but I have gotten the bugs out of the BII.

"all it needs..." Well you know at least some things. I always figure on any used acquisition I will end up putting another $1500 to get out the problems.

 

[SenorNoob]

Any Ranger is better than anything else. LOL. But seriously I wonder sometimes if the 88's weren't cursed or something. I've had 2 in row and had problem after problem with them. Probably because both had been sitting for a while before I bought them though. Oh, and I bought the second one knowing it was gonna be a project.

I had an 86 that after replacing the engine cause the one in it came with a 2 inch hole in cylinder 3, needed very little in the time that I had it.

Moral of my story: Be careful if it looks like it's been parked for very long. Otherwise you should be fine as long as you don't expect it to be like a new car or do more than what it was intended to.

 

[SenorNoob]

I always figure on any used acquisition I will end up putting another $1500 to get out the problems.

This is like a rule to live by.^

 

[Ozwynn]

unless that has a million mile odometer then the mileage claim is irrelevant. that being said........ a ranger is like dog........ every boy should have one.

 

[97RangerXLT]

yep, what the slacker said.

The price sounds pretty good for a running and driving vehicle with 107k on it. And you will spend probably at least another grand in fixing the little stuff.

I don't know what area you are in, but if you are in the rust belt, (sounds like this may be true, with a shock tower that is bad..) but check the frame and spring hangers and the other side shock/ coil bucket. I would probably plan on replacing both front shock/ coil buckets anyways.

Also, I believe that the 88 and older had 5 digit odometers... so I would take extra care and look at wear items. a true 107k vehicle will not have a ton of wear on the pedals and other things like the steering wheel. Ask for service records. If it looks a bit more worn out than what 107k should show, it probably is.

Good luck and post pics

AJ

 

[SenorNoob]

I'm with you on that one. Besides the 1st gen odometer doesn't even have the 100,000 position. It only goes to 99,999 before it flips over. There is now way that person could know it's 107,000 unless they've owned it since new. Probably more like 407,000.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

I'm with you on that one. Besides the 1st gen odometer doesn't even have the 100,000 position. It only goes to 99,999 before it flips over. There is now way that person could know it's 107,000 unless they've owned it since new. Probably more like 407,000.

There is no way of mistaking a 400k vehicle with a 100k vehicle...

 

[tmcalavy]

I hope you're not eyeballing it thinking the 4WD works right? If he won't let you check the fluid levels underneath,etc., or road test it...walk away fast.

 

[CAD]

Bought my 88 Ranger a little while ago and it sat for 15+ years in the weather. They stopped driving it because of a bad tranny, replaced that and put in a rebuilt 2.9L and am replacing the cracked head (probably froze through one of the cold winters it sat through) on the original to go back in later. Slapped some tires on it, flushed out the fuel system and cleaned it up a little and it runs and drives great. Has a lot of surface rust where the paint wore off from the weather but otherwise no rust holes at all. For $800 I would not trade it for anything. I plow through snow where other newer 4x4's just spin. The limited slip differential helps a lot. The 88's are simple and easy to work on if your mechanically inclined. Every time you buy something this old it's a crap shoot, I just go with my gut and it seems to work out for me. Good luck with your decision.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

Bought my 88 Ranger a little while ago and it sat for 15+ years in the weather. They stopped driving it because of a bad tranny, replaced that and put in a rebuilt 2.9L and am replacing the cracked head (probably froze through one of the cold winters it sat through) on the original to go back in later. Slapped some tires on it, flushed out the fuel system and cleaned it up a little and it runs and drives great. Has a lot of surface rust where the paint wore off from the weather but otherwise no rust holes at all. For $800 I would not trade it for anything. I plow through snow where other newer 4x4's just spin. The limited slip differential helps a lot. The 88's are simple and easy to work on if your mechanically inclined. Every time you buy something this old it's a crap shoot, I just go with my gut and it seems to work out for me. Good luck with your decision.

As long as the window/door seals are not shot that is a great thing about finding something that has spent a significant amount of time off the road.

I would far rather fix mechanical stuff that bodywork. Painting ain't so bad but it is the cutting and welding that keeps me awake at night.