It doesn’t get much more basic than this 1997 Ford Ranger XL pickup. We often hear from Barn Finds readers that they miss the days when a small, basic pickup was available, one without an overwhelming warranty-inducing nightmare of technology and touchscreens, and one with just two doors. The seller has this good-looking basic truck posted here on craigslist in Shoreline, Washington, and they’re asking $5,499. Here is the original listing.
Even the title is almost generic, this is just a small, basic truck, in Oxford White, the least flashy color available for the ’97 Ranger. It’s so basic that it only comes with three hubcaps! You should be able to locate a replacement for the missing right front wheel cap, and I’d probably do that, just to keep it looking smooth. The XL trim was the least fancy one for this era of the Ranger.
For the second generation of the Ranger, there was no base S trim level anymore, and this looks like it could have been a fleet truck in a former life. The second-generation Rangers (late-1992 for the 1993 model year until the end of 1997) eschewed (big word for a small truck) the S trim and went with a fancier name: XL. It wasn’t much different as you can see by the lack of really any ornamentation, graphics, trim, badges, etc. One thing that’s hard to miss is the paint condition inside the bed. The 1990s weren’t kind to white paint for some reason. My mom had a 1991 Dodge Spirit in white that started peeling like this.
It doesn’t get much more basic than this. A gray vinyl bench seat, roll-up windows, and a manual transmission. I wonder if a lot of us are really just remembering the good old days, or if we could actually live without all of the conveniences that we’re used to having in our vehicles now? This truck has a few little dings here and there, and flaking paint inside the bed, but the interior sure looks nice.
The clean engine is Ford’s 2.3-liter (yes, similar to what was in the Pinto) SOHC inline-four with 112 horsepower and 135 lb-ft of torque when new. Backed by the Mazda-sourced 5-speed manual transmission sending power to the rear wheels, here’s your chance to get a nice-looking, fairly inexpensive basic pickup. Are any of you ready to go back to the basics?
Good write-up Scotty. Here we have the fleet special of its day. I can see it being assigned to the water department guy, driving it around town fixing meters and such. I wonder the same thing, how many of us would miss our modern conveniences if we were to daily drive this. Anyhow, it looks to be in overall good condition. I do like the manual transmission and its long shifter.
This is in terrific condition considering its a base model no frills pickup. I like it. Personally, I’d leave it as is and just drive it and enjoy it. The 2.3 is a good motor, and a sweet shiftin Mazda 5 speed is a great combo too. I’m glad you wrote this up Scotty, I enjoyed it. Now….. back to shoveling some.snow.
I wouldn’t have the heart to modify it. You almost never see these base work trucks in this condition. But I would definitely make good use of it in terms of hauling things. But I think it deserves to be semi retired lol!
We got the cold in the Upper-Midwest, and you and Bob got the snow, Dave! Watch your backs while shoveling out there.
These are the best beaters ever made. They have a potential to last forever .
Of note, take a good look at any older truck, van or car painted white. They are peeling like a peel off of a banana. Chevrolet [GMC], Ford, Chrysler, Hyundai, Kia and most of the rest.
It is a major issue and no manufacturer is doing anything about it. It appears to be a bonding issue between the paint and the primer, for what ever reason. I recently saw a much later Silverado, a 2020, painted a beautiful steel grey-blue metallic color and it was beginning to peel off of the hood.
The car manufacturers know there is a problem but will probably do nothing until a class action suit is filed. Most of these vehicles paints’ begin to peel after the warranty expires, of course. Waters based paints are likely to blame but PPG and other paint suppliers can and should fix this.
Properly refinishing these vehicles would require a complete paint stripping and that cost would be exorbitant.
This should not be happening and in that past, when did anyone see factory applied paint peel off? Fade, yes..peel? Never.
That Ranger needs a bed liner and then it’s set…until the rest of the paint catches up. Lol
Someone told me white paint is the cheapest.. and thinnest, requires the least amount of paint to apply. So apparently its the manufacturers favorite. Not sure if this is true or nonsense. Love these basic, humble, vehicles like this Ranger. 👍
I think its about $2000 over priced considering its condition , the car fax shows its been rear ended Twice but they are nice little trucks