Wanting your guy's opinions on wether or not to fix up this truck, and how you would.

[Daven]

Ok, so i have been on here quite a bit and learning mostly about lifts and a 302 swap. But I'm trying to figure out wether or not i should keep this truck and swap out the drivetrain, fix up the rust on the rear fenders, and lift with bigger tires. This is my daily driver atm, but was thinking about getting a good sports car for summer and then obviously have this as my winter and the odd time offroad beasty.

The truck is a '89 Ranger STX that i bought for 1,100. 292XXXkms on it now. Runs pretty well and has never stalled on me, never gave me any problems ecxept the battery dieing(which i was gonna replace anyways lol). But it is definately showing its age so im iffy about wether or not this would be a good idea to keep and put alot of money into.

My plans for it would be to swap out the entire drivetrain (as this one is old and tired), Lift it maybe 4 inches suspension and add some body lift to that also, fix the rust on the rear fenders, then do all the little things to slowly make it into the truck i would love. If i were to do the drivetrain swap i was going to put in a 302, but am now wondering if a 302 is really the better option for basic DDing and offroading, over then 4.0? And i would like to keep a standard tranny and manual hubs like it has now, but obviously newer.

Do you guys think that the truck is worth doing this to, or am i just planning to dump a bunch of money into it and have it break alltogether? I am only 16 myself, and this is my first vehicle. So you can imagine how much i know about swapping out drivetrains and stuff like that. I have looked on here quite a bit for everything that has intrigued me and asked many questions. I do not have a way myself to do the drivetrain swaps, so i would have to find someone in town here that will do it for/with me.

I dont have any pictures on this computer but when i get home i will post some that i have. My profile pic is of the truck tho. Any opinions or advice/suggestions you guys have is aprieciated. Just trying to figure out what i should do (realisticly) before i dump a bunch of money into the truck and wish i just saved for a mustang lol Thanks

 

[shane96ranger]

This really depends on what you want to spend and how deep you're willing to get into your truck. Another thing that factors into this is your confidence in your mechanical skills. For some people a swap to a 302 is a pretty hairy job. For some, it's a walk in the park. If you're willing to go through the ropes, I say do a 302 swap and fix the rust (or leave it). I'd really like a 302 in my 96, and I may do it someday.

Whatever you decide to do, this is the best place you'll find for literature and people with the knowledge and instruction on what to do.

 

[feellnfroggy]

I would do an EFI 5.0 if you have the ability and funds. It will actually be way more economical than a 4.0l. Anything would be more economical than a 4.0l i would also trim the fenders to remove the rusted portion as long as its not more than 5 inches wide. The drivetrain would obviously follow suit with the 5.0 but solid axles from EB would be best in my opinion. If you go this route you have a project on your hands, Id get that summer car and keep some winter tires on hand cuz this will sit at least through one winter.

 

[Daven]

I am willing to put alot of money into it, i just wanna be sure it will pay off. Like i said. im 16 so only in highschool, i make about 300 bi-weekly with my parttime job. I can and will be putting basically all of it into vehicles for a while. And as for the rust around the fenders, it rusted thru and im thinking its more than an inch from wheelwell and up.

I have basically no mechanical skills lol and dont hvave the stuff needed to do it, so i would be paying someone that has a garage and that stuff to do it for me. Still cheaper than a garage :/. Another thing, how much am i likely looking at to rebuild a drivetrain? i know it will be alot, but i really would like to get all good stuff in there and not have to rip the engine out again to replace a 300000km tranny when i could put in at the same time. What all am i looking at needing to do a 302 swap in terms of drivetrain? What kind o vehicle would i be wanting to look at? A salvage lot would be good enough to get a older f-150 from for cheap if im looking to rebuild?

 

[Daven]

Maybe could you guys give me a slight guess on what i would need to spend on this? If i were to swap out the entire drivetrain with a 302 and whatever else is better with that engine? I will also have to find someone with a garage and hoist to do it for me, but i just dont want to spend like 4 grand to get it done... however nicely it will turn out :/

 

[schaffer]

Id put your money in the bank and just drive your truck.

Fix the rust,buy a full service manual and keep the truck running.

 

[Daven]

Id put your money in the bank and just drive your truck.

Fix the rust,buy a full service manual and keep the truck running.

Yes i am saving now, but want to do it big if im going to at all. I dont mean 1-ton axles or anything, just do a 302 swap (and rest of drivetrain to last), 4" susp lift, 4" body lift, etc. Im just trying to figure out wether or not my truck is worth it and dont know how much it will cost do do the swap anyways. Thats my biggest obstacle since lifts are pretty straight-forward lol