Towed from Texas IN GEAR

[Boiler]

I am looking at a 2002 Ranger with 2.3NS Duratech & 5-speed manual. Advertised as head damage (no head). After looking it over then calling the owner, he towed it from Texas to Northern Indiana on a dolly behind straight truck/ It would turn over but wouldn't start. Had it towed to a shop where the head was removed, after long period had falling out with shop, got truck back without head. I determined he probably had left it in gear when driving it onto dolly and forgot to put in neutral. It has axle code 87 (4:10 gear open)
At this point I assume he broke at least 2-3 rods (or all?) and probably damaged the transmission too.
1) Would anyone like to guess on the damage incurred?
2) What is the value of a base 2002 2-door Ranger extended cab, standard bed with no engine/transmission? Being a Texas truck it is certainly rust free.

 

[armadillon]

I wouldn't pay more than a thousand for a roller like that, but it'd have to be in excellent condition. It'd be a candidate for a V8, and a SAS.

 

[kryptonitecb]

After hauling it that far in gear I would guess the tranny and engine are good for lawn ornaments. You're buying a shell at this point which is good if you are planning on a v8 swap or putting in a new drivetrain. Seriously I wouldn't pay more than 500 with 600 being my highest offer. He won't get more than $400 at a scrap yard.

Sent from the road while ignoring traffic

 

[Hahnsb2]

Other than making it harder to tow, I fail to see how much damage occurred. The tranny would have been lubed fine and the motor would have been getting oil pressure


Unless it was 1st, 2nd or maybe 3rd, then yeah, it was spun pretty damn fast.

 

[adsm08]

I'm with Hans. The trans would have spun the crank. The crank drives the cam and the oil pump, and the oil slinging components in the trans. The lube system should have been operating, so unless it was in a low gear, maybe as high as 3rd depending on how fast, the worst thing I might expect is a floated valve, which at worst should only need a new head and MAYBE a piston. I've seen guys slap new heads on the 2.3 Duratechs after a valve hit a piston and just drive. No new piston, no tear down, no problems.

 

[Boiler]

which gear?

I doubt I will ever know which gear he towed the truck in from Texas, however if you were driving your truck up to load it onto a dolly would you do it in 3rd gear? I could see faint indication of very minor valve contact on the piston reliefs which leads me to believe that no valves were 'bent'. Floating, perhaps. He did note that it turned over easier than normal but it stopped normally when unkeyed.
If it was towed in 1st gear and the truck has 4.10:1 diff gearing I believe the engine must have been spinning at quite a velocity (I may try to do the math if I can identify the trany ratios).
If he has never driven a large rental truck he might not be able to detect the additional drag from the Ranger being in gear. The Duratech may be a tough engine but it didn't survive this torture (since it didn't start when trying to unload). I would love to pull the oil pan!
Assuming the engine is a right-off I am trying to decide if the trans has been damaged and how much it may be worth at this point. 2001 engines are not plentiful.
Thanks for those who have submitted their estimated values.