Looking for a Ranger
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New User
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 2
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Looking for a Ranger
I'm 16 and need a truck. I would like to get a F-150 but with gas prices today that anit going to happen. So next in line is a Ranger, I would like a early to mid 80's model. How relible is this truck?. which is the best engine (Durability, not power) The carb 4, the EFI 4 or the V6. How about transmissions Auto of manual. In general is this a good truck. Thanks in advance. Matt
Freshman User
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 27
Likes: 0
From: Indianapolis
Looking for a Ranger
I dont have much experience with Ford's, but my ranger (4banger Carb) has been very reliable. It is my winter driver. I got it for $400. I have put all new drum brakes on the car (wheel cylinders and all). It has somewhere around 200k miles. I think these little guys could last forever with the proper maintenance. Parts are cheap, and there are replacement body panels in JCWhitney sell for cheap as well. It would definitely be a good starter truck. I had a 97 Tahoe 2dr 4X4 before this. It has some serious *****, but drank 13/17mpg. This little Ranger hasnt been drinking like that (mid 20's I think), and I have the bed to haul all my goods around at college. Good luck!
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87 Ford Ranger 2.0L 2WD
98 Trans Am - 316RWHP 327RWTorque 13.3@107.9
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87 Ford Ranger 2.0L 2WD
98 Trans Am - 316RWHP 327RWTorque 13.3@107.9
Senior User
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 254
Likes: 0
Looking for a Ranger
i own a 1991 2wd/2.3L/ext.cab/5spd w/175,500 miles on it. best thing i have ever owned. i get about 450-480 miles out of a 20 gallon tank. 4cylinder is good but now that its paid for (bought used) i am desiring more power. if your confident about driving a standard transmission i suggest a 5spd. chicks dig burnouts! very reliable and relatively easy to work on. drive carefully young driver.
Senior User
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 261
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From: Winnipeg, MB
Looking for a Ranger
I purchased a 1983 Ranger longbed with the 2.3L 4cyl in 1993 for $250 at the local write-off auction (dented box - 1hour to repair). I beefed up the rearend with 3/4 ton springs and a diesel ranger rearend, for use in my landscaping business.
The previous owner was a farmer and had stripped the engine and disconnected all of the vacum lines as well. It cost me $50 at the local speed shop for them to set the engine up in the old style (no computer, no extras) and it still runs like a top to this day.
The only thing I needed to do was use 20W50 oil and be sure to take it out on the highway for a carb cleanout once a month or so.
I would buy another one in a second. They are great, and very flexible if you ever get tired of them. You can drop a 302 into them fairly easily, or swap the body with a 1950's almost as quick.
Hope that helps you decision!
Kris Taylor
<copeina(No Email Addresses In Posts!)>
The previous owner was a farmer and had stripped the engine and disconnected all of the vacum lines as well. It cost me $50 at the local speed shop for them to set the engine up in the old style (no computer, no extras) and it still runs like a top to this day.
The only thing I needed to do was use 20W50 oil and be sure to take it out on the highway for a carb cleanout once a month or so.
I would buy another one in a second. They are great, and very flexible if you ever get tired of them. You can drop a 302 into them fairly easily, or swap the body with a 1950's almost as quick.
Hope that helps you decision!
Kris Taylor
<copeina(No Email Addresses In Posts!)>
