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  #1  
Old 08-16-2017, 10:07 PM
fordlover201 fordlover201 is offline
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Thumbs up Just turned 16, which Rangers should I look at?

Hey y'all! I turned 16 a month ago and my parents are considering buying me a truck. the budget is $1000 (I/they can spend more if we have to) and I really dig the look of the 80s and 90s Rangers. I'm not too familiar with Rangers all that much, so I don't know what to look for. what's the checklist when looking at a Ranger in person? (especially the older models). also, (sorry if I sound like an absolute idiot) does a Ranger come stock with a turbo? or does it even need one? btw, I'm learning stick (manual transmission) on my dad's 2001 F250 7.3L, is it at all comparable to a Ranger? thanks guys, howdy from Texas!
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  #2  
Old 08-17-2017, 03:03 AM
ISaylor ISaylor is offline
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Default Re: Just turned 16, which Rangers should I look at?

I'm not sure how the market is where you are but $1,000 will be tough. I got my 2001 in ok condition for $4,300 with 141,000 miles, the guy was asking $4,995 which was a few hundred over kbb. If you haven't I would go on kbb and put in more specifically what your looking at to get an idea on price. The main issue would be finding one that's not all rusted out. Also, ranger don't come with turbos.


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Old 08-17-2017, 03:59 AM
dvrich dvrich is offline
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Default Re: Just turned 16, which Rangers should I look at?

You can buy a parts truck or a rolling money pit for $1000.
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Old 08-17-2017, 04:18 AM
Chevy_Country Chevy_Country is offline
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Default Re: Just turned 16, which Rangers should I look at?

If you can find another grand, AND you're slightly mechanically inclined, I found my ranger listed for $2600, bought it for $1800 and have slowly put another $1300 across the last year into parts for repairs and I did all the work myself, you might find a similar deal

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Old 08-17-2017, 09:14 AM
modelageek modelageek is offline
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Default Re: Just turned 16, which Rangers should I look at?

Rangers do not come stock with a Turbo.

With your budget I would look for a 1998 and up 2wd, 4 cylinder, 5 speed. The powertrains are pretty bullet proof. Try to find one with a good body and limited rust. I would not worry too much about any Mechanical issue. The trucks are pretty easy to fix.

Download an app that alerts you on Craigslist. Then you get an alert right when the truck is listed. Try to buy one from an owner. I bought mine 3 years ago off of CL using Mokriya and keywords "ranger, needs"

I bought mine from an owner, the timing chain guides had failed. I paid $1,300 for it. I then bought a used 2009 4.0 for $800. I paid $800 to have the engine installed. I've probably spent another $1,500 since then on parts, tires, maintenance. I do all work myself (other than the engine install) I keep my truck in top condition and fix anything the second it fails. It needs nothing at the moment.



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2004 Ext Cab, 4WD, 4.0, Auto, 154k. (4.0 engine is out of a 2009 Ranger w/96k) ( as of 7/1/2017)

2004 Ranger, Ext Cab, 2WD, 3.0, 5 speed , 4WABS, crank windows, no cruise, Edge 116k.(6/5,2014) (SOLD).
1999 Ford Ranger, Reg Cab, 2.5, 5 speed, 2WD, no AC, 150k (SOLD).

Last edited by modelageek; 08-17-2017 at 09:31 AM.
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  #6  
Old 08-17-2017, 09:44 PM
fordlover201 fordlover201 is offline
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Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by modelageek View Post
Rangers do not come stock with a Turbo.

With your budget I would look for a 1998 and up 2wd, 4 cylinder, 5 speed. The powertrains are pretty bullet proof. Try to find one with a good body and limited rust. I would not worry too much about any Mechanical issue. The trucks are pretty easy to fix.

Download an app that alerts you on Craigslist. Then you get an alert right when the truck is listed. Try to buy one from an owner. I bought mine 3 years ago off of CL using Mokriya and keywords "ranger, needs"

I bought mine from an owner, the timing chain guides had failed. I paid $1,300 for it. I then bought a used 2009 4.0 for $800. I paid $800 to have the engine installed. I've probably spent another $1,500 since then on parts, tires, maintenance. I do all work myself (other than the engine install) I keep my truck in top condition and fix anything the second it fails. It needs nothing at the moment.

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Thanks for the response! I'll go and download that app and do what you said. guess I may have to earn up some extra cash for parts and stuff. If I decide to later, is a 4WD conversion hard/expensive to do?

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Quote:
Originally Posted by ISaylor View Post
I'm not sure how the market is where you are but $1,000 will be tough. I got my 2001 in ok condition for $4,300 with 141,000 miles, the guy was asking $4,995 which was a few hundred over kbb. If you haven't I would go on kbb and put in more specifically what your looking at to get an idea on price. The main issue would be finding one that's not all rusted out. Also, ranger don't come with turbos.

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Figured with that budget you can't really get anything decent. But like mentioned above I'm willing to spend more if I have to, and looks like I'm gonna have to then.

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Quote:
Originally Posted by Chevy_Country View Post
If you can find another grand, AND you're slightly mechanically inclined, I found my ranger listed for $2600, bought it for $1800 and have slowly put another $1300 across the last year into parts for repairs and I did all the work myself, you might find a similar deal

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I know this is a Rangers Fourm, but do you have any experience with Blazers too?
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Old 08-18-2017, 04:38 AM
ISaylor ISaylor is offline
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Default Re: Just turned 16, which Rangers should I look at?

Quote:
Originally Posted by fordlover201 View Post
Thanks for the response! I'll go and download that app and do what you said. guess I may have to earn up some extra cash for parts and stuff. If I decide to later, is a 4WD conversion hard/expensive to do?

----------


Figured with that budget you can't really get anything decent. But like mentioned above I'm willing to spend more if I have to, and looks like I'm gonna have to then.

----------



I know this is a Rangers Fourm, but do you have any experience with Blazers too?


Hope you find one you like.


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Old 08-18-2017, 01:11 PM
WVJefo WVJefo is offline
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Default Re: Just turned 16, which Rangers should I look at?

This is my second Ranger. First was 94 with 4 cylinder 5 speed, picked up for 1400. It got totaled, Number 2 in a 4 car pile up. Second is my 95 6cyl (3.0) 5 speed for 2 grand.

I like the 6 cyl better. No matter what you will have maintance & repairs to do. IT is the body that is the important thing when looking at cheap ride.

On Ranger crawl under and check for rust. The frame should be solid. Check the underside of cab & bed for rust holes. Also check rear leaf springs. The shackles that attached leaf springs to frames rust out. If the shackles are bolted in they have been replaced. (that is a good thing)

Remember the 5 rules for buying cheap car

Never buy a dirty car, cleaner the better, engine, interior everything
Check the tires . Any tread left??
NO check engine light. Go to auto zone / advanced and get free check to confirm
RUST is death. Rather have 200k & no rust than 100k and rust holes on corner panels.
Check fluids and wet spots under truck.

Good Luck
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  #9  
Old 08-21-2017, 05:14 PM
Scottydog Scottydog is offline
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Default Re: Just turned 16, which Rangers should I look at?

You want to know how it will compare, well the old shape (83 to 92) Ranger is going to be absolutely gutless compared to the 7.3L turbo diesel you're learning to drive in right now. I own a 2009 Ranger with the 207hp 4.0L SOHC v6 (the most powerful Ranger that Ford made) and drive a 2009 F350 with the 6.4L turbo diesel for work. When it's not towing a trailer the F350 has a lot more "go" than my Ranger. We also have a 2004 7.3L F350 dually and a 1995 7.3L F350 reg cab, and they're both beasts in comparison. Hard to say if they're actually any faster in the real world, but you certainly feel more power in the seat of your pants.

Having said that, I wouldn't consider my Ranger to be "slow" either. I like how it just blasts up hills with no effort, and with the O/D off it pulls well enough to be a satisfying drive. Obviously your mileage may vary, and your experience in an old Ranger will be pretty different to my experience in a relatively newer one. But at any rate, my advice would be shoot for the biggest engine you can get.

The biggest engine the early Ranger came with as standard was the 4.0L pushrod V6 that unfortunately makes a mere 144hp in absolute peak running condition.

Now that said, the 4.0L v6 also produces a respectable 225 ft-lbs of torque, so it will still accelerate and pull up hills well enough. It's just not going to set any land speed records.

Alternatively, there are a lot of old Rangers out there that have been converted to the 302 v8. I'd say if you can bag a v8 swapped Ranger, that would get you the best truck for your money. Otherwise if you buy one stock and like the truck enough, either stay on the lookout for a 302 v8 Ranger for sale, or do the swap yourself. This is almost certainly going to be way above budget though.

As for the Blazer, it depends on what year you're interested in. The early full size Blazer was available with some pretty powerful v8 engines, but they're classics and come with a price tag to match. The newer S10 based 80s-90's Blazer/Jimmy came with a maximum 4.3L v6 from 1988 onwards, starting at 150hp moving up to producing 160hp by 1989. By the later models it was kicking out I think around 195hp. Very similar curb weight to the old Ranger, but a slightly more peppy motor.

Just like the Ranger, the old Blazer is a perfect candidate for a small block v8 swap if you want it to be a "keeper". There are actually two great "bible" books written on the subject by author Mike Knell. Again there are a lot of v8 swapped Blazers out there, or you could DIY.

As others have said, no matter what you aren't going to find anything for $1000. Those days have long gone, and it won't be long before 80's and 90's trucks/suvs become desirable "vintage' vehicles. You have the fact that you live in Texas working in your favour, so you won't be dealing with major rust issues like we do up here in Ontario. You'll likely be able to pick up a fairly priced fixer-upper truck that needs some cosmetic work and some worn components replaced. I'd aim for $2000-4000.
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Last edited by Scottydog; 08-21-2017 at 05:20 PM.
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