What would you buy?

[litleblue]

I purchased my Ranger new in 84. As much as I love driving the vehicle I am coming to the realization that it might not be practical to keep repairing this truck. As most 2.8 drivers know they were only produced for 3 years with the feedback carb engine managiment system, the TK5 transmission is also problamatic, and parts are becoming hard to find. In addition the bed is starting to rust out and the paint is in real rough shape.

Within the last year Alaska has repealed the emmisions testing program that was in place for about 28 years. I don't see that decision sticking. I would imagine within the next few years the program being reinstated. So converting the vehicle to a Duraspark non feedback carb may only last for a few years untill the I/M program is reinstated.

Finally to the point of my question! What year of Ranger should I look at. I do like the new OBD systems and work on them regularly.

My criteria is
Best mileage engine
5 speed manual
4 wheel drive
I prefer manual hubs and transfer case.

 

[superds]

Finally to the point of my question! What year of Ranger should I look at. I do like the new OBD systems and work on them regularly.

My criteria is
Best mileage engine
5 speed manual
4 wheel drive
I prefer manual hubs and transfer case.

Well, a '95-'97 meets many of those criteria: OBDII, manual hubs and tcase available, 5 speed and 4x4 can be fairly easy to find. As for engine, the 3.0 and the 4.0 V6 are going to be the easiest to find (a few might have been available with the 2.3 4 cyl). The 3.0 is supposed to be better on fuel but I have heard of people getting better mpg with the 4.0 than some others report with their 3.0.

On the other hand, you could go with a newer Ranger with the SLA IFS and convert it to manual hubs, although I can't remember exactly which years you can do that with, possibly 98-00?

Either way, probably the trickiest thing to find will be the manual tcase. For some reason Ford seems to think electric shift tcases are the cat's ass and they were very common after about '89.

 

[jsmith]

Would you still have to meet the current standards for emission testing even though your truck is older? In WA vehicles older than 25 years don't have to be tested.
If thats the case I would keep going with the one you've got. You could pick up some sheet steel and square steel and make yourself a nice flatbed. Once you've done the Duraspark conversion you'd be set for a while. Of course you won't get super good gas mileage but thats the nature of the beast.
As far as the trans goes, I got a quote from a shop to do a total rehaul on my old Ranger (85 5spd 4wd V6) and it was around $650-700. Thats also when its already out of the truck.

Thats just me though, I'd probly keep it...

 

[adsm08]

I'd do the flat-bed, or even find a newer bed, and then put a 4.0 or even a 5.0 in it with an M5 or T5 trans respectively. It would be very easy to convert at least to FI if not OBDII with either engine, and I can't see any emissions program looking down on going from carb to FI.

 

[strvger]

i have a better option for you. just hang onto it till late next summer. that's when i'll be there on my month long ALCAN drive and i can cannabilize parts off it for my '83!

if you can't wait that long, then i vote to upgrqade it, too.