A first-generation Ford Ranger 4×4 SuperCab with a V6 and five-speed? Yes, please. This one is a bit of a head-scratcher for me as I thought there would be a stripe package on it but maybe not. This is a 1988 Ford Ranger STX SuperCab 4×4 and it can be found listed here on eBay in Concord, California. The current bid price is an oddly low $1,400 and, of course, the reserve isn’t met yet.
I thought that there would be a nice triple-white or silver grouping of stripes running along the side just at the bottom of the door and swooping up at the end of the rear. The seller doesn’t mention this truck as having been repainted so maybe there was a graphic delete option with the STX trim-level Rangers? I don’t see that on the brochures that I’m looking at but hopefully one of you will know. It’s hard to argue with the visual condition of this 4×4, though. I’d try to source some factory wheels and get some white letter tires to bring it back to its original look a bit.
Here’s where I thought the FORD letters would have been painted a contrasting color, but I’m probably wrong there, too. Big shocker. Ford made the first-generation Ranger from 1982 for the 1983 model year until the end of the 1992 model year. It shouldn’t matter in the least, but it’s by far my favorite design of any of Ford’s Ranger pickups. The topper or cap on the back is a nice addition for hauling duties, as long as your hauling doesn’t include motorcycles, which it would for me. Inside looks well-used, but not too abused. just surface rust and scratches, sort of like me. There’s a bit of paint missing on the hood and a big starburst-like ding in the topper/cap, but the underside looks solid.
I’m surprised to not see power windows on this top-trim STX, but a power driver’s seat is shown. The STX was the top trim level in this era and it was available on both 2WD and 4WD Rangers, until 1995 when it was only found on 4x4s. Raven Black Ranger buyers had a choice of Light Chestnut or Bright Canyon Red as this truck has. It looks quite dirty and maybe a bit faded, but a good detail shop should be able to bring it back to life and your upholstery shop can reload those saggy bolsters again in no time. Maybe add seat heaters as long as you’re at it. There’s room behind the seats for adults if they have good flexibility, otherwise, kids or storage would be perfect for that space. A five-speed manual is a nice feature.
The engine is a Ford Cologne 2.9-liter OHV V6, which would have had 140 horsepower and the seller says that it has 70,000 miles and runs and drives. That’s never a glowing recommendation to say it runs and drives, but maybe they’re understated. The air-conditioning works, which you’ll need in an all-black pickup in the summer. With only two days left on the auction for a nice-looking, almost-loaded, rust-free 4×4 SuperCab, why is this one only at $1,300? I’m very surprised.
Why has it not been bid for more? from my observation as the ad states the odometer “shows” 70K but with the leather on the steering wheel worn completely through and the seat piping just as bad I would suggest 170 K and just because a repaint was not mentioned doesn’t mean it wasn’t repainted (it was). just look at the top of the tailgate in the pic. of the bed, it was painted right up to the cap door. Don’t get me wrong it has some good things going for it, solid, extended cab, manual trans, 4X4 all make it worth something but it is also worth an in person inspection.
Here we go again! Only 70 thousands miles? Really!
This truck isn’t anything that special. They were good trucks overall, but not anything collectable. Like the author said, these higher end Rangers had stripping etc.
I worked at Ford Motor company when Ford made these first generation Rangers, and I remember them very well.
If I owned this, I would just drive it. It needs a tailgate and a paint job.
The interior is shot, worn and dirty.
The body looks sound enough, but I wouldn’t spend the time and money to do redo it, although I could do all the work myself.
The second generation Rangers looks so much better. I am currently doing a 1997 Ranger now for my Grandson.
When a person is done with this one, you would still have a 1st generation Ranger that most folks have forgotten about.
It’s about a $2000.00 truck.
Just my oponion!
I had an 87 ranger, non 4X4 v6 the engine was so noisy. I bought it to use for yard work but it was so noisy it was not even enjoyable. Maybe this is the reason for low big numbers.
I agree w/ Jack… this truck looks like it was repainted.
The hood picture shows the reason for the repaint (old paint was faded and the primer was peeking through) and that same picture is probably a precursor of what is to come for more of the body, over time.
Preparation is SO important for paint jobs. They should have let Earl Scheib handle this one. :)
Did they paint the capper too? It kinda looks like the same shiny black to me.
So, I could be wrong but I think we’ve got a nice little Ford Ranger w/ 170K miles and a peeling re-paint job. What does one do from here? Blast it all off and start over?
Wonder if it’s had head work? If not it will.
Graphics delete is an improvement. On new vehicles graphics are a four figure option. I’ll skip that box.
Thinking the same thing about the heads. My Bronco II with the 2.9 v6. Been a lot of years ago now, but at about 100k, required redoing the heads. The mechanic said that was a common problem with that engine.
I am pretty sure these did not come with painted bumpers. They should be chrome on an STX model. Another indication of a cheap repaint. Still a pretty neat vehicle.
Another vehicle that used to be everywhere. When they were affordable and sensible. The power seat control is for lumbar adjustment.
Thanks for the info, Nelson C!
Wheels are correct for an STX and so are the painted bumpers. There were two options for wheels on the STX model.
I suggest taking off the whitewalls and putting on some raised or outline white letters like they did from the factory. Find an optional push bar with the two lights and have a bit of a retro 4×4.
2.9 while not a powerhouse was good for these little trucks to get them to tow a little equipment trailer or even a smaller pop-up camper.
Suggest going through it as it might have rolled over and where else can you find a solid truck for under 3 grand?
Cool little rigs, used to see these 🦌 🦆 🎣 all the time back in the day. Popular choice for the outdoorsman 🏕
This 88 STX is the last year for the original Ranger body style. I had the 89 STX, that was the first year for the Aero headlamps, redesigned grill, hood and dash. The 89 STX was Ford’s answer to compete with the S10 Baja and it did so with a slight body lift over a stock 4×4 Ranger. It also included a front grill guard with fixed fog/driving lights, as well as I believe, a bed mounted roll bar with two more fixed driving lights on it.
Scotty, I’m pretty sure the first gen STX just had that upper rear STX emblem identifying it. My 89 had the 3 gray into silver 3 long decals that went the entire length on the side of the truck, with the letters STX on the rear qtr, below the ending ducktail of that stripe. I thought it set the truck off perfectly and count me in as one who still loves the more colorful 93 STX stripe set up! Finally, those aluminum rims on this STX appears to be the correct factory aluminum rim for that truck. It looks like it was carried over into 89 for my own STX. Hope this helps clear up some details!
I had an ’88 with the same 2.9 V6, and less than 70K before head gasket problems which were never resolved. I had friends who experienced the same troubles with various results from repairs. Nice trucks, but poor V6’s.
My 89 suffered the same fate, John R. Mine developed such a lifter rattle that it sounded worse than my later VW NewBeetle TDI diesel. I was made to believe that the issue with these 2.9 engines were that the heads were cracked; which then means no head gasket will ever seal.
I bought a rebuilt 2.9 longblock from mine and transferred the remaining parts on the original engine onto that one. Got a good 6 years or so on that one until for some reason, it seized up. The 2.9 was a coarse running, hard to rev, farm tractor of a feel engine. I have no idea how they managed to take the 4.0, of which they sold millions, from that 2.9 basic platform….
What sort of gas mileage do these V-6’s get? I owned an ’86 with the Mitsubishi 2.3 liter Turbo-diesel and it consistently got 27+ mpg. Great truck.
I had an 86 with 2.9 v6 and the five speed. I consistently got about 18 even with a utility long bed on it. Got 212k out of it no problems until my wife chose not to put it in gear nor set the parking break, yep it proceeded to roll down the driveway and ended upside down.
Sheesh, brake.
Had a 2.9 V-6 in a Bronco II. The problem is not a head gasket but they developed a crack in the head between the water jacket and the exhaust port. Never resolved. The previous 2.8 and later 3.0 were fine but, those heads will not swop over to the 2.8.
The early Bronco II V6’s valves needed to be adjusted according to maintenance specs, which people didn’t do. I know several friends who thought their Ranger was running rough. Turns out when they adjusted the valves, the motor smoothed out. I am not sure when they changed that, around 88 or 89.
My son had one of these on a Bronco about that same year. Gutless Wonder and horrible gas mileage. It would be great if you dropped a little V8 in there
I had a regular cab 4×4 of this year. air was a great. little truck and would drive up and down I75 regularly. Those wheels were offered by Ford as a factory option. I didn’t care for them. I had the other 5 spoke alloy wheel option.
My friend had those same rims on his 91 XLT 4WD 4.0 five speed. Looked nice as his was painted dark blue Metallica on top and silver below the belt line.
I had a 92 XLT extended cab 2whd. 4.0 and a 5 speed. Surprised a lot of people at a stop light. Great truck but had to go when my kids outgrew the jump seats.
Those are factory wheels.
Fritz, I never could get over 20mpg with my 1989 STX Ranger with the 2.9 EFI motor. And I did try by doing some hypermiling tricks, using Mobil 1 synthetic with MotorKote oil supplement.
Had a 83 4×4 with a 2.8L, great truck, good gas mileage. The Bronco II had a 2.9L that developed the iconic cracked head issue between the water jacket and exhaust port. Started loosing coolant but, couldn’t find a leak externally and no evidence of coolant in the oil. Best way to determine this problem is if it’s at operating temperature but the exhaust looks like it was just started, one of the heads is cracked. Evidently this was a big issue with the 2.9L V-6.
WARNING: this issue was never resolved and heads from the 2.8 and 3.0 will not swap over.
Auction update: this one ended at $3,433 and no sale.
I owned a 1988 2WD with the V6 and 5 speed, extended cab and fiberglass topper. Had plenty of get up and go for what vehicles were at the time. Even beat a Camero in a race between stoplights. He was not a happy camper!
$4k, an extra set of wheels equipped with snow tires and just maintain it.