I can’t quite nail down the trim level of this 1985 Ford Ranger; hopefully, one of you can decipher whether it’s an XL, XLT, or XLS, or something between. It has features that don’t match what page 10 of this brochure says it should have. The seller has it posted here on craigslist in Brewster, Massachusetts, and they’re asking $9,200. Here is the original listing, and thanks to T.J. for the tip!
Another unusual thing about this one is that it appears to be a rare Explorer trim package model. There is more information on the internet about politicians shaking hands and agreeing with each other than there is on a 1985 Ford Ranger Explorer. Apparently, there were four levels of the Explorer package for the Ranger: A, B, C, and D, and it combined with the XL or XLT trim level, from what I can find.
I don’t know if I’ve ever been as stumped on a trim level as I am on this Ranger. It has features of a couple of different trim levels, and then when you add in the Explorer package, it throws everything off balance. Whatever trim it is, it looks like a super nice truck. The Bright Regatta Blue paint appears in almost perfect condition, even inside the bed. The underside shows some heavy surface rust, so keep that in mind.
The first-generation Ranger was made from 1982 for the 1983 model year, until the end of 1992, and you can see the vinyl door panels and color-keyed vinyl-coated rubber flooring of the XL trim level, but this one doesn’t have a woodtone gauge cluster surround; it’s “brushed pewter,” as in only the standard trim or the top trim XLS. The XLS got fabric door panels and color-keyed carpet, and the standard and XLS trim levels got black seat belts. This one has color-keyed seat belts as found on the mid-trim XL and XLT models. Unless parts and pieces have been swapped out over the decades, or the original owner checked a few boxes to add things, this one is a major head-scratcher for me. This is why I have gray hair.
Ok, after all that, it appears that this exact truck was just listed recently on another auction site, where it didn’t meet the seller’s reserve, and the seller gave a ton more information on it! Grrrrr… The engine is Ford’s 2.8-liter OHV V6, which would have been rated at 115 horsepower and 150 lb-ft of torque. It’s sent through a four-speed automatic to the rear wheels, and I don’t have to wonder what it is anymore, now that all of the mysteries are solved. See how these things evolve? Is it too early for some spiked eggnog? I could use it. Any thoughts on this Ranger?
Good write-up and research Scotty. I’d forgotten about the Ranger having “Explorer” trim packages. (Aside: Ford has certainly gotten its money’s worth out of the name— trim packages on F-Series and Ranger pickups, then of course the decades-in-production SUV’s).
As for the trim level confusion, you could be right: parts swapped out over the years, the original owners added items; or the manufacturer made running changes to the package and trim contents to be in line with supplier inventory.
These were revered for being straightforward, tough little beasts. This one looks great.
Thanks, Bob! I could have made it much more “professional” to redo the whole thing after discovering the link to the recent auction, but I thought it might be interesting to see the way things evolve here, or at least for me. The other writers are much more professional and solid, but I’m more of a shirtsleeve person, just letting things flow and evolve the way they do naturally as I do research for an article, without hiding the process behind the madness as much as possible. Like when the “Wizard of Oz” behind the curtain is really just a guy pulling levers and making noise in hiding, but once the curtain is pulled back, he’s just a regular person.
Explorers were spring specials, too. They mostly had whatever upgrade parts the factory had a glut of, especially those slated for a change the following model year.
Good writeup Scotty and a nice clean little pickup. The wizard did much more than that, he awarded folks with, courage, heart, academic medals & certificates!
It is getting more rare to see these little trucks from this era in good shape. Once owned a red 88 S-10 “Tahoe” back in the mid 90’s that I drove to work daily, which created a lotta conversations back in the days I owned it. It had extra trim on the inside and out and with a potent little 4.3 litre V6 under the hood. The previous owner added a performance chip and a shift kit to the transmission—nearly unheard of back then. The thing would really move and bark 2nd gear pretty impressively! I added a set of 8″ Corvette Rally rims and white letter BF’s and it was quite the looker. It surprised a few of people at the stoplights, including several of these and Dakotas!
I enjoyed your write up Scotty. Every single time I see a Ranger like this, an S10 or a Mitsubishi pickup, Etc. Etc. It just takes me back. As a teenager I wanted a simple single cab short bed 4 cylinder stickshift pickup. I’m with both Scotty and Bob. I think there was a doner Ranger with a blue interior that wound up in here. The door panels say to me XL. But that seat is really nice like an XLT. Either way, I’d take mine with a 4 and a stick but a V6 and an automatic will get you there very comfortably.
Love the sliding rear window 🪟 option on a regular cab truck 👍
The debate continues, why buy an Asian truck when this was available? I read, this truck cost about $6500 new, about the same as a Toyota. Toyota sold almost 300,000 trucks in the US in 1985. Ford wasn’t too far behind, with about 230,000 of these. The winner there was GM with almost 340,000 S-10s( and Sonomas). There were no shortage of buyers, that’s for sure. In a much maligned view( by me) Asian vehicles did not ruin our auto industry, our attitudes, like mine did. All these trucks, US or foreign all did about the same thing, and came down to personal preference. I have a neighbor with a truck like this, has an astonishing 420K on the truck, V6, never repaired. History has shown, we have a varied amount of driving needs, and pretty tough to engineer a vehicle good on the desert, or -10, highway miles or stop and go. That’s where all the conflicting stories come into play. These were great little trucks.
Great looking truck they don’t make them like this anymore. The mixup of options might be due to the Explorer package. My ‘81 F-100 is a lowly Custom but its Explorer package added Ranger door panels & headliner, plus an upgraded seat.
Had an ’88 looked as good as this with a little over 100k, sold it for $1500 with a water leak between the timing cover and the block. Fun little beater, but I didn’t have time to work on it and was overrun with rolling stock.
I thought this rig looked familiar – thanks for confirming that it was on BaT. It’ll be interesting to see if he can get the +2K asking over what it was bid to there.
Great trucks. As most of you know I rejuvenate and hot rod these little buggers. I’m currently driving an ’89 (4 cylinder. 5 speed) and have 3 more waiting my attention. One will be converted to a V8 with 4 wheel disc’s, and one will be turbo charged and lowered.) The one I’m driving now has 303,000 miles and gets 22 .mpg regularly with me driving. ( average 75 .mph) The only thing to renember about the truck listed here is that the 2.8 has solid lifters and the mileage listed is way past when the clearance should be checked. Also, the automatic transmissions on these are weak. So a service would be advisable also. Don’t see too many of these with wheel opening mouldings. I’m very lucky in the fact that these don’t have rust issues here in Nevada.
Wayne is exactly correct. Auto trans missions are very weak. Do not plan on pulling any kind of small trailer with this. Transmission will overheat and puke transmission fluid every were. I know I have one with auto trans.
It did pull Marty McFly and his skateboard in Back to the Future👍🏽