What is this truck worth? 1981 F-150 Ranger, 8ft box, V8 180k miles. (See link below)

It is sold as-is and I don't have a trusted mechanic, so any advice on how to have it checked out? (I am no mechanic!)

Cars For Sale: Car Details - AutoTrader.com

Also, I'm not clear why it's called both F150 and Ranger?!

 

it looks great,the truck isnt a f150 its a f100(ranger) the pice isnt too bad for its condition

 

Thanks Rockin'!

For what it's worth... (as in what-it's-worth?)...

The dealer says it is an F150 and so I went ahead and decoded the Vin at Decodethis.com (one of the only sites that seems to correctly decode a pre-1982 truck) and found that it does indeed appear to be an F150, not F100.

Here are the results:
VIN 1FTEF15F8BPA79306 VALID
Year 1981
Make Ford
Model F-Series Pickup
Engine Type 8 Cylinder Engine
Style 2WD F-150 Reg Cab
Engine Size 5.0L/302 CID
Towing 6,001 - 10,000
Fleet Only No

 

The term "Ranger" in those years, 1982 and before, was a trim level. They then moved the name to the new small truck line in 1983. Seems to be a decent price "IF" it runs out good and does not have any unusual noises. I would go in with a $1,100 and say this is all i could scrape up. this is what i got to take this truck out the door tax and all. dealers are hurting right now, cash talks very loudly.

 

that is true cash does talk louder then a check