Restoring 96' Ranger Suggestions & Tips

FL96Ranger · #1 04-22-2015, 08:08 PM

So I have decided that I am going to attempt to restore my 96' Ranger XLT. I purchased it in 2001 as my first car just before I turned 16. Now being almost 30 and still having my first vehicle without wrecking it or selling it. I figure why not? Ill never sell since it has sentimental value to me now. Here are some stats on the truck and its condition:

2.3L engine in good shape, runs and starts perfectly
Automatic transmission skips from 2nd to 3rd a bit (my fault when I was 16) otherwise it shifts fine.
A/C compressor just went bad
New alternator 2 years ago
Odometer no longer works

Interior:

Headliner is sagging, carpet is rough, seats are in decent shape. Plastic radio bezel is cracked & dome light is broken.

Exterior:

Black faded paint with scratches & a decent amount of various size dents mostly on the drivers side with some warping on the hood. Underneath has pretty normal amounts of rust, exhaust may have a small leak in it but I'm not sure where yet.

So here is what I am asking: What do you think the total cost of a halfway decent restoration is? Im not talking showroom quality but I would like it to look similar to what it looked like when I bought it. I'll do some of the easy stuff myself but overall ill have someone do most of it for me since I work 65 hours a week. Money is defiantly tight for me so I'm figuring this being at least a year long project. Any suggestions will be very helpful to me.

Thanks!

Tyler46 · #2 04-22-2015, 10:23 PM

Sounds like a fun project. Is it your DD?

Lucas29992999 · #3 04-23-2015, 05:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FL96Ranger

So I have decided that I am going to attempt to restore my 96' Ranger XLT. I purchased it in 2001 as my first car just before I turned 16. Now being almost 30 and still having my first vehicle without wrecking it or selling it. I figure why not? Ill never sell since it has sentimental value to me now. Here are some stats on the truck and its condition: 2.3L engine in good shape, runs and starts perfectly Automatic transmission skips from 2nd to 3rd a bit (my fault when I was 16) otherwise it shifts fine. A/C compressor just went bad New alternator 2 years ago Odometer no longer works Interior: Headliner is sagging, carpet is rough, seats are in decent shape. Plastic radio bezel is cracked & dome light is broken. Exterior: Black faded paint with scratches & a decent amount of various size dents mostly on the drivers side with some warping on the hood. Underneath has pretty normal amounts of rust, exhaust may have a small leak in it but I'm not sure where yet. So here is what I am asking: What do you think the total cost of a halfway decent restoration is? Im not talking showroom quality but I would like it to look similar to what it looked like when I bought it. I'll do some of the easy stuff myself but overall ill have someone do most of it for me since I work 65 hours a week. Money is defiantly tight for me so I'm figuring this being at least a year long project. Any suggestions will be very helpful to me. Thanks!

I'm restoring my 94 outside and inside. It has some money in it, gutted it all out and all. I've spent just about 200$ alone on paint for the frame. Interior is pricy!

93FX4Ranger · #4 04-23-2015, 08:16 AM

Redo your interior! It's fun and you can get real creative...here's mine

MotorStuff · #5 04-23-2015, 08:23 AM

The good news is that most parts are pretty cheap for rangers, and that you live in Florida so rust won't be a huge issue. I would start by making a list of every fault you can find. Then sort them by importance, with mechanical issues being at the top, and cosmetic issues being at the bottom. Also, do some research about mods that you might be interested in doing. There are many threads that can give you good suggestions on this forum.

Is it your daily driver/ only car? If so, the process is going to be a bit slower because you will only have short amounts of time to get stuff done.

Hunter96Teal · #6 04-23-2015, 09:15 AM

Welcome to the site!!! What part of Florida?

Lucas29992999 · #7 04-23-2015, 02:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 93FX4Ranger

Redo your interior! It's fun and you can get real creative...here's mine

@terdly?

p93suafilo · #8 04-23-2015, 05:23 PM

Fun build I would go with mechanical first then start of the fun stuff.

FL96Ranger · #9 07-21-2015, 11:25 AM

Ive finished most of the cosmetic and mechanical work. Still have a transmission issue that I'll eventually get to. Its not perfect, still a few dents show, paint job was a stage 1 by MAACO without clear coat $900 (I didnt feel like putting any more into the truck since its 19 years old. Total cost I would estimate to be around $3200 so far with some minor work left to be done like replacing carpet, lights and misc dings to be repaired. Posting pics soon.

FL96Ranger · #10 07-21-2015, 11:43 AM

Here are some before and after pics of my truck the day after paint was done.

matthewavogt · #11 07-21-2015, 12:46 PM

my only suggestion to you as I also own a 96 is this. Find yourself a good U-pull it style junkyard. the one near me is amazing. I wanted a new bumper cost me 45 dollars looks like brand new. healight switch and dimmer switch were 9 each. new would have been 100 plus. new trim pieces were 8-10 each. new mirrors were 18 each. took me 2 hours ro pull everything I wanted.

FL96Ranger · #12 07-21-2015, 01:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by matthewavogt

my only suggestion to you as I also own a 96 is this. Find yourself a good U-pull it style junkyard. the one near me is amazing. I wanted a new bumper cost me 45 dollars looks like brand new. healight switch and dimmer switch were 9 each. new would have been 100 plus. new trim pieces were 8-10 each. new mirrors were 18 each. took me 2 hours ro pull everything I wanted.

Yeah all he lights and stuff I have actually bought aftermarket new. Most of the U-Pull it places around here were charging crazy prices for stuff ($65 for a pair of headlights that were only slightly better than the previous ones). I bought most of the stuff through Amazon or ebay. Only work left on the truck is the bedliner, carpet, new tires, and a few misc things that bug me. Only thing that I don't think I will be able to replace is the purple vinyl pinstripe that ran down both sides.

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Quote:

Originally Posted by Tyler46

Sounds like a fun project. Is it your DD?

yes it was my daily driver. my first vehicle I ever owned, Had it 15 years now!

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Quote:

Originally Posted by Hunter96Teal

Welcome to the site!!! What part of Florida?

Daytona Beach