just got a ranger...81k miles..mr first trcuk...anyone know anyt details on 88 rangers or have things i should know as a 1st time truck owner?

 

like ive got 4 spds and overdrive but im not real sure when to sue overdrive...so my stick goes

13(overdrive sign like a d circles)
24R


not sure when to use overdrive tho really

 

hope the motor isnt the 2.8 v6. ive heard they had probs with those.
change all the oils, or have a quik lube place do it.
change the antifreeze. antifreeze should be changed every 3 yrs.
over drive should be used when cruising on the highway, or over 50 mph.
eden

 

I had an '86 Ranger with the 4 cylinder 2.3L engine and a 5 speed transmission. The overdrive (5th) is geared pretty high, so I really could only use it on flat stretches and on the highway. The truck would actually bog down on hills when in 5th.

Otherwise the truck drove very well and was completely reliable. It *never* went to the dealer for any problem. I sold it six years later for 60% of what I bought it for. They really hold their value.

My brother-in-law also bought an '86 Ranger, but his is a 4x4. Also has the 2.3L engine and 5 speed transmission. He still has it. It has 350K+ miles on it. He uses it to haul construction supplies and to tow a boat onto the Olympic peninsula in the Seattle area. The thing just won't die. Goes up steep rocky hills like a mountain goat.

The Ranger is a great truck... I'm sure you'll enjoy it. Congrats!

 

>I had an '86 Ranger with the 4 cylinder 2.3L engine and a 5
>speed transmission. The overdrive (5th) is geared pretty
>high, so I really could only use it on flat stretches and on
>the highway. The truck would actually bog down on hills when
>in 5th.
>
>Otherwise the truck drove very well and was completely
>reliable. It *never* went to the dealer for any problem. I
>sold it six years later for 60% of what I bought it for.
>They really hold their value.
>
>My brother-in-law also bought an '86 Ranger, but his is a
>4x4. Also has the 2.3L engine and 5 speed transmission. He
>still has it. It has 350K+ miles on it. He uses it to haul
>construction supplies and to tow a boat onto the Olympic
>peninsula in the Seattle area. The thing just won't die.
>Goes up steep rocky hills like a mountain goat.
>
>The Ranger is a great truck... I'm sure you'll enjoy it.
>Congrats!

I agree. I still have an '88 with 271000 on it and is still going strong.

 

thanks a lot for the info here...anyone else?

 

 

TTT

 

also would anyone know how to get a cd player in it or where speakers should go? (only have the one cab so they are in teh doors right now but they are all rusted out..only one works)

 

>also would anyone know how to get a cd player in it or where
>speakers should go? (only have the one cab so they are in
>teh doors right now but they are all rusted out..only one
>works)

Going from memory (I owned an '88 for five years - sold back in June)

To get the radio out, you'll need to pull the trim off of the dash that covers the radio, heater/A/C controls and speedo area.
To get that off, first pop off the 2"ish wide trim that runs across the front of the dash, from the glove box to the headlight switch. (I usually left it hanging around the headlight ****) This will expose screws that hold the large trim piece on the dash. There are also screws under the top edge above the speedo cluster. Remove all of those pertinent screws, and wriggle that trim piece off of the dash.(It can be a little tricky getting it out from arouns the steering wheel/column, but it will come out) Now you can see the radio staring you in the face. I think mine was held in place by four screws right in front; two on each side. From this point, it'll depend on your new setup as to how the new one installs.

Again, this was from memory, and mine was an XLT, so I don't know if there was any trim variation between models.... Good luck with it, and I hope this helped!

Wade