I have the opportunity to get into an '87 ranger 2.9 auto. I haven't seen it in person yet but the guy only wants $350 for it so I don't see where I could go wrong with the buy. He says it runs but isn't drivable. He says the timing needs adjusted and the fuel pump needs replaced.

Now I'm about as automotivly inclined as a blind badger. This is going to be my first project truck.

What are y'all's thoughts. Is it a good investment? What would resale value be if I restored it to 100%. And how hard would it be to fix the mentioned items?

Thanks in advance!!

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'89 Ford Ranger - 2.9L 4x4 - 5 Speed

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thats the kinda truck you fix up cheap and drive cheap. you cant ever really worry about "resale" value on the older rangers. the 2.9 had head gasket issues so those could go next on you. buuuut if you want to learn to wrench on something, there isnt anything better than that cheap truck, and there is enough info out there.

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How difficult will it be to adjust the timing, and replace the fule pump?

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'89 Ford Ranger - 2.9L 4x4 - 5 Speed

Welcome to FRF.

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2000 Ranger Extd Cab XLT, 4X4 Off Road, 4.0L, Auto, 8.8 - 4.10's, 01 grille & lights swap.
69 Mustang, modified 5.0, & 5spd.(project)
99 Explorer Sport, 4.0 SOHC, Auto, 8.8 - 4.10's, PW, PL, PM, Cruise, Tilt. (Wife's DD)
05 F-150 2WD Regular Cab. ( My DD)

Just so you know: lefty loosey, righty tighty.

If you get it, get the shop manual before you try to do anything.

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98 XLT 3.0 manual 4x4 standard cab 6ft bed
RTFM!!!

What is the. nut size on a Egr tube 98 ranger 4.0. One hooks to exhaust and the other to Get valve

Welcome to frf.

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1988 4 cyl 5 speed

Perfect truck to learn on you want something cheap simple and not your daily. Sounds like you found the perfect truck! Plus if you totally wreck it no big deal you would most likely get your money back just in scrap value. Fuel pumps aren't hard neither is timing (unless something internal is majorly broken/ out of whack. grab a haynes or chilton manual and go for it! These have been around so long that info is plentiful. Also going into any vehicle /resto thats not rare/collectible resale value is not what you want to look for you will never get that much especially in a ranger lets face it they are fleet trucks which means theres millions of them. Makes parts easier to come by but really hurts resale value. My vote would be fix the minor stuff and drive it and maybe if your inclined it would be a perfect 5.0 swap candidate. I always liked that body style with a mean engine under the hood.

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New DD-2009 Mustang GT/CS candy apple red

(For Sale)2003 XLT 5speed swap, Hurst Shifter, STX valance SLP drop coils, thunderbolt hood scoop,Screamin demon coil, Flo-pro super v, 1.8:1 Morana rockers, Roush sway bars, SCT tuned by Fred at Rogue, Taurus E-fan, 15x8 Torque thrust wheels gunmetal on chrome, Led 06 tails and smoked HID projectors, mud flap delete, painted drums/calipers, Rear flip kit.

Great investment. For 350 dollars you have a lot of wiggle room until you spend more than it's worth. Plus it'll help you learn more about mechanics, I want a project truck

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1996 ranger 3.0 extended cab 2wd straight shift SOLD 6/13/15

2003 f150 4.2 regular cab 2wd straight shift still in the driveway

1998 f150 4.2 regular cab 2wd automatic daily driver

^agreed wish i had the space for a tinker toy! lol

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New DD-2009 Mustang GT/CS candy apple red

(For Sale)2003 XLT 5speed swap, Hurst Shifter, STX valance SLP drop coils, thunderbolt hood scoop,Screamin demon coil, Flo-pro super v, 1.8:1 Morana rockers, Roush sway bars, SCT tuned by Fred at Rogue, Taurus E-fan, 15x8 Torque thrust wheels gunmetal on chrome, Led 06 tails and smoked HID projectors, mud flap delete, painted drums/calipers, Rear flip kit.

Thanks guys I pick it up next weekend.. Gotta get the trailer and tow here here. I'll ipload pics and any questions I have once I get her home...

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'89 Ford Ranger - 2.9L 4x4 - 5 Speed

Also, it has a long bed, is it possible to convert it to a short bed? What all goes into that?

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'89 Ford Ranger - 2.9L 4x4 - 5 Speed

I don't think so.

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1996 ranger 3.0 extended cab 2wd straight shift SOLD 6/13/15

2003 f150 4.2 regular cab 2wd straight shift still in the driveway

1998 f150 4.2 regular cab 2wd automatic daily driver

It is possible but you have to cut a section from the frame and make it the shorter wheelbase it's not that hard you just need a bed and a good cutting device of choice and just measure and verify.

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New DD-2009 Mustang GT/CS candy apple red

(For Sale)2003 XLT 5speed swap, Hurst Shifter, STX valance SLP drop coils, thunderbolt hood scoop,Screamin demon coil, Flo-pro super v, 1.8:1 Morana rockers, Roush sway bars, SCT tuned by Fred at Rogue, Taurus E-fan, 15x8 Torque thrust wheels gunmetal on chrome, Led 06 tails and smoked HID projectors, mud flap delete, painted drums/calipers, Rear flip kit.