im looking into buying a 1986 ranger with 48,000 miles on it. the truck has been used very little in the past few years but has been started regularly and driven a bit. i know it has new brakes all around and new tires along with a fairly new clutch.

the body has some rust spots on it but nothing too bad and the engine ran strong and tranny shifted smoothly when i drove it. it is a 2wd 4cyl also. what else should i be looking for in this truck and what are major issues i should look for with this year and type of truck.

 

Honestly, an '86 2wd 4 cylinder stick is almost as sure a bet as you can get. If it's a 2.0l (carbureted) it will be underpowered, but no big unless you need power. 2.3l will be fuel injected, and get a little better mileage, but either will be reliable. I'd jump on it if the price is right, that truck should have a couple hundred thousand in it if it's been taken care of at all.

 

it is fuel injected so it good to know it has the bigger motor. power isnt really an issue im really jsut looking for a small truck get around in. the only thing that worries me is it did sit for sometime and has minor rust issues on both the body and some other components. should this be anything to worry about?

 

I bought my '91 two years ago with 58 k miles on it. It has been stored for 6 months each year as the owner went to Florida for the winter. At the time it ran fine and still does (it now has 88 k miles on it). The only problem I have had it with it is a quirky staying on fast idle sometimes. The only items I have had to replace are shocks, tires, thermostat, radiator, timing belt and power steering pump. Many of these are normal wear and tear replacement items.

Hope your ride works as well for you.

 

when i test drove this one the idle seemed kind of high but i figured that would be an easy fix and i didnt have it out long enough to see if it dropped down. but im already plannin on replacing anything made of rubber fairly soon after getting it if i do end up getting it. im just worried about rust i hate doing body work lol