Which one do I fix?

[1990RangerinSK]

I have a bit of a dilemma, here. A few weeks ago, I was talking with a friend of mine who had offered me a 1995 Ford Taurus (sedan) two years ago. He wasn't sure of its condition, it has some problems. So, he suggested that instead of giving me the Taurus, he would help me fix the truck. Well, the mechanic we talked to last week claims to know the truck (he worked on it for the previous owner, small town!), and insisted that the truck needed an inspection, and should be off the road until EVERYTHING he found was fixed (this could get expensive! My truck was supposed to be picked up on Tuesday for the inspection, but they never showed up.

So, here's the question: Taking into account what I know to be wrong with both vehicles, which one should we fix?

1995 Taurus Issues (assume it has 3.0l OHV engine)
Temperature Guage Fluctuates while driving (Causes according to google):
Low Coolant
Air in system
Bad thermostat
Bad Temp Sending Unit
Leaking Radiator
Leaking Water Pump
Two Tires
What size are the tires?
Sticking brake
my friend says it seems to be fine, now.
Battery
Ranger Issues (known 2.9l OHV engine)
No Fuel Guage
Washer Fluid Pump
Leaking brake line (Left Rear Wheel)
Bad Fuel Pump (Symptoms)
Power Loss while driving
Feels like it wants to stall while idling
February No-start
* Engine would crank but not start, started just fine to drive to church and home
* Pump could not be heard priming
* Started next day after gas added to tank (5 liters), however when tank was filled it took $29.00
* When I put gas in in March, asked for $20.00, took $10.00.
Fuel pressure has not been tested

 

[1990RangerinSK]

As for the tires, I've done a little research, and found this:

Ford Taurus Rims
5 lug, 4.25 bolt pattern
Ford Ranger Rims
5 lug, 4.25 bolt pattern

Ford Taurus Tire Size
205/65R15
Diameter 25.5"
Ford Ranger Tire Size
215/70R14
Diameter 25.9" (+1.6%)

So the Taurus needs two tires, and I have four perfectly good tires in my driveway, on rims. I can just swap them straight across. Yes, I know that my speedometer will be out by 1.6%, I'll be going faster than my speedometer says. I can live with that.

 

[alwaysFlOoReD]

Ford ranger rims are 4.5". 5 Lug pattern is measured from the outside of the stud, skip the next stud, and to the center of the third stud. Yes, it sounds weird as no other stud pattern is measured like that but that's the way it is.

 

[black_demon69]

As for the tires, I've done a little research, and found this:

Ford Taurus Rims
5 lug, 4.25 bolt pattern
Ford Ranger Rims
5 lug, 4.25 bolt pattern

Ford Taurus Tire Size
205/65R15
Diameter 25.5"
Ford Ranger Tire Size
215/70R14
Diameter 25.9" (+1.6%)

So the Taurus needs two tires, and I have four perfectly good tires in my driveway, on rims. I can just swap them straight across. Yes, I know that my speedometer will be out by 1.6%, I'll be going faster than my speedometer says. I can live with that.

No they don't fit or I would be surprised if they did

Offset is different mainly because 1 is FWD and the other is RWD

 

[1990RangerinSK]

So wheel offset, according to Google, is how far off the centerline of the wheel the hub mounting surface is. How will that affect me? Will I rub on the suspension? Will I rub on the fender when I hit a bump?

Regardless of offset, the wheels WILL bolt on, right? Isn't 5x4.25 the same no matter what vehicle the rim is for?

Ok, I'm trying to find answers.... We have a Ford Tech guy. (are you reading this?) Would you look up the part numbers for the standard steel wheel for both vehicles please? Are they the same part number?

Thanks guys for pointing to the potential wheel issue. It means I'll need to buy tires for the Taurus, if the wheels off my Ranger won't fit. This doesn't tell me which vehicle I should fix, though.

 

[black_demon69]

So wheel offset, according to Google, is how far off the centerline of the wheel the hub mounting surface is. How will that affect me? Will I rub on the suspension? Will I rub on the fender when I hit a bump?

Regardless of offset, the wheels WILL bolt on, right? Isn't 5x4.25 the same no matter what vehicle the rim is for?

Ok, I'm trying to find answers.... We have a Ford Tech guy. (are you reading this?) Would you look up the part numbers for the standard steel wheel for both vehicles please? Are they the same part number?

Thanks guys for pointing to the potential wheel issue. It means I'll need to buy tires for the Taurus, if the wheels off my Ranger won't fit. This doesn't tell me which vehicle I should fix, though.

Taurus wheels offset should be closer to the outer edge of the wheel whereas the ranger offset should be closer to the center of the wheel meaning ranger wheels might stick out further on the taurus and have clearance issues.

However I could be wrong

 

[1990RangerinSK]

Taurus wheels offset should be closer to the outer edge of the wheel whereas the ranger offset should be closer to the center of the wheel meaning ranger wheels might stick out further on the taurus and have clearance issues.

However I could be wrong

That's what I need to know. I might find it rubbing the fender.

 

[1990RangerinSK]

Never mind part numbers. OF COURSE they are a different part number, because the offset is different. I forgot a MAJOR detail, though - the center hole. OOPS!

Ok, so for our friendly neighbourhood tech, or to somebody else who can find the info for me, I have the bolt pattern (5) and spacing (4.25), both are the same. I need the offset (15 inch Taurus wheel vs 14 inch alloy wheel on the Ranger), and center hole. OH! And wheel width. I think they are both 6" width. Oh, and will my 14's fit over the brakes on the Taurus?

 

[BlackBII]

They are not the same bolt pattern.

Taurus is 5x4.25
Ranger is 5x4.5

They will not bolt on.

 

[1990RangerinSK]

Rats. I just went back to the site I got the bolt pattern from, and you're right. Ranger is 4.5. Rats. OK, scratch the entire idea of swapping my tires/wheels onto the Taurus. I need two tires.

 

[Ranger850]

What year is the Ranger. both vehicles are basic. so it probably would be advantageous to find a donor vehicle for one, sale the other for $$$. The Taurus sounds like the easy fix, seems like its the coolant system. lots of Taurus/Sable out there to get replacement parts. As for the ranger, that sounds like fuel problems. Not as easy to fix as the Taurus.

Tires. Maybe you could switch the good tires you have to the rims of the Taurus saving the price of tires for the price of having them swapped over.

 

[saskbill]

Tires. Maybe you could switch the good tires you have to the rims of the Taurus saving the price of tires for the price of having them swapped over.

Good idea but might need a tire stretcher Older 2wd rangers are typically 14" rims while the Taurus is 15".

Fun fact: Taurus and Windstar vans have the same bolt pattern and somewhat similar tire sizes. I have a pair of Taurus snow tires I use on the van in winter.

 

[1990RangerinSK]

The Ranger in question is the one in my profile. It's a 1990 Extended cab.

I was actually going to just put the entire wheel from the Ranger on the Taurus, but it won't fit. Oh, well.