Thinking about buying a '95 Ranger

[navets]

There's a '95 Ford Ranger sitting a few houses down from mine. I talked to the owner tonight and he says "it has some electrical issues" and I'm a bit hesitant.

It's a 5-speed manual with 184k on it.

Looks okay inside and out. I'm REALLY in need of a back-and-forth to work (5-miles) vehicle so that I can stop leaving my wife and daughter (and soon-to-be-born son) at home without a vehicle.

The electrical issues include the wipers turning on without reason and the radio won't turn off, so he just leaves it turned down all the time.

He's the second-owner and has only driven 3,000 miles in the last 8-years - so he said.

So, Ranger enthusiasts - what should I offer him? He's currently asking $800.

 

[ati190]

From what I've seen, search around for the wiper fix on this forum, I hear it's easy fix, as for the radio, it could be the stock radio buttons are worn out. Mine do the same thing, however Im going to install an aftermarket CD player. Turning it down all the way isn't that big of a deal. If there were major electrical/computer problems etc, I would offer him less, but if body and interior is in good condition, it's worth 800$, but if he'll take less, offer less. "It has some electrical issues", does he elaborate, or is he shady about it, trying to change the subject. Look the vehicle over well. He's asking 800, but if you offer him 600 cash will he take it?

ati190

 

[dhinch279]

I have dealt with similar issues. If the guy already put an aftermarket radio in it or has messed with the original radio at all, he could have crossed a couple wires or pinched some. I have seen people butcher the wires up pretty bad behind the radio. either way as long as it runs pretty good I think that $800 isn't a bad price, but you should definately try to offer a little less just to see if he will take it. Is it 2WD or 4WD and what engine does it have

 

[BlackBII]

184k...

What motor? 4wd?

 

[Insanejughead]

I'd buy it outright. The electrical issues it has are fixes you can do in a day with simple electrical knowledge. It might be even faster if you had a Haynes manual to compare it with so you can rewire to factory condition.


For me.... I wouldn't have left his yard without the truck.

 

[km_ranger_owner]

There's a '95 Ford Ranger sitting a few houses down from mine. I talked to the owner tonight and he says "it has some electrical issues" and I'm a bit hesitant.

It's a 5-speed manual with 184k on it.

Looks okay inside and out. I'm REALLY in need of a back-and-forth to work (5-miles) vehicle so that I can stop leaving my wife and daughter (and soon-to-be-born son) at home without a vehicle.

The electrical issues include the wipers turning on without reason and the radio won't turn off, so he just leaves it turned down all the time.

He's the second-owner and has only driven 3,000 miles in the last 8-years - so he said.

So, Ranger enthusiasts - what should I offer him? He's currently asking $800.

That doesn't sound too bad of a deal. I test drive the truck before I even think about price, actually see what's he talking about and if it's worth the $800. That truck actually has less mileage on it than mine and mine's a year older. I recently bought a truck, actually for $800 bucks, and it's a 1994 Ford Ranger XLT. It's a 4-banger with a 5-speed manual tranny, 2WD, and has 227,038 miles on it. Funny thing is my radio don't work either (probably a fuse blown I guess.) lol. All in all, it's a pretty good truck. Just test drive it before you talk price.

 

[PickupMan04 FX4 L2]

Do it! Should turn out to be a good truck! if not ill pick it up from ya and give you 800!

 

[oldjohnny]

Dude, Buy IT!

The Wiper problem is easy to fix, and the Radio on my Ranger went bad too, The button would not stick down, but turning down the volume was an easy fix as well.

 

[pacodiablo]

Those are not serious issues. I believe the wiper issue is caused by grease in the switch hardening over time. Removing the end of the control stalk and cleaning it should fix the problem.

The radio issue is just the power/volume knob not locking in the "off" position. My Explorer did the same thing, but I never bothered to fix it.

$800 sounds good to me as long as there isn't bad rust. Offer $700 anyway to see if he takes it, but I'd pay $800.

 

[navets]

Bought it!

Got the title transferred today. New tag is already on and even got it through our horrible Pennsylvania inspection-process!

Thanks for all the great replies to the post you guys! I'm so pumped about being a Ranger-owner AND having a forum like this to find support and troubleshooting advice!

Pics of new baby: http://picasaweb.google.com/navets/20090303MyNewTruck

 

[pacodiablo]

Nice truck! $800 well spent for sure.

 

[TheTopher]

Great find mate. Congrats.

 

[odley2001]

95 ranger

well worth 800 , its hould be a neat driver project

 

[Copytech]

I would try replacing the ignition switch first for your electrical issues. They a cheap to replace and known to go bad.

 

[navets]

believe it or not, I paid only $500 for the truck! I noticed the clutch slipping when I test drove it and the radiator may have a leak, too. So I offered him $500 and he took it - on the spot. Cash-in-hand helped I'm sure!