- Seller: Andrew L (Contact)
- Location: Columbus, Ohio
- Mileage: 99,484 Shown
- Chassis #: 1FTBR10A6JUA27839
- Title Status: Clean
- Engine: 363 Cubic Inches 597HP/500 Pounds Of Torque On Dino when Engine was Built(Dart Block) 302 Block (Scott Shafiroff) Hand Build Racing Motor Professionally Built
- Transmission: AODE
If you’ve been dreaming of a sleeper pickup that blends classic good looks with heart-pounding performance, this 1988 Ford Ranger XLT Long Bed might be your ticket to pure driving bliss. Located in Columbus, Ohio, and showing just 99,484 miles, this clean-titled Ranger hides a serious secret under its hood: a professionally built Scott Shafiroff racing engine delivering 597 horsepower and 500 lb-ft of torque on the dyno. The Dart-based 302 block was hand-assembled for performance, making this far more than a showpiece, it’s a small truck with big intentions. Currently listed at auction with a reserve, this Ranger comes ready to turn heads and plant smiles.
From the outside, the truck keeps its composure with a fresh white finish, clean chrome bumpers, and a set of polished wheels wrapped in BFGoodrich rubber. The long bed is neatly covered with a fitted tonneau, while the XLT badging remains as a subtle nod to its origins. Step inside and you’re greeted by a sea of red—plush cloth seats, matching carpets, and a tidy dashboard that still holds its original charm. The cab is clean and well-kept, with no excessive wear, showing the care it has received over the years.
This Ranger’s mechanicals are where it really earns its stripes. The 363-cubic-inch V8 breathes through a dual exhaust with Bullet long-tube mufflers, offering a soundtrack that’s both aggressive and refined. Backing the motor is a stout AODE automatic transmission, while the chassis benefits from an all-new suspension setup: QA1 rear coilovers, fresh front springs, and a 4-link rear-end for optimal traction. The combination ensures this Ranger isn’t just quick in a straight line—it’s planted, predictable, and downright fun to drive.
The interior shots show a well-preserved and purpose-built space, from the aftermarket shifter to the extra gauges keeping tabs on that high-performance heart. Even the door panels look fresh, suggesting this truck was both built and maintained with pride. Underneath, the upgrades continue, and with the seller noting a clean title and a professional engine build, there’s confidence in its quality.
Whether you’re looking for a weekend street bruiser, a show-stopping local cruise-in hero, or simply one of the most unique Rangers around, this 1988 Ford Ranger XLT checks every box. With its classic lines, massive power, and sorted suspension, it’s a rare chance to own a truck that blends old-school style with modern performance. Would you keep it looking stock or go all-in on a drag strip build?
Bid On This Auction
KRL bid $2,150.00 2025-08-17 00:07:32
J Hall bid $1,900.00 2025-08-15 11:34:22
Holy smokes 🏁
Had an 88 Ranger V6, auto, long bed. Fun little truck, at 2500# it would get stuck on a banana peel. Unless this trucks got an inch steel plate in the bed for weight all that power will literally go up in smoke.
Well all jokes aside I love this truck. Now back in 1996 I bought a 1994 Ranger. It was just a 2.0 L inline 4 with a 5 speed manual and equipped with a/c. I loved that little truck. It had the short step side bed which had a hard lift up cover over the bed. Now I can imagine driving this one with that massive V8 and automatic would be pure blissful fun. I can see in my minds eye driving this slowly to the drag strip on a Saturday morning and burning down the quarter mile at break neck speed. Afterward with time slip in hand slowly making my way back home with full bragging rights and proof of it. Now I’m a bit long in the tooth for such Tom foolery but I can still dream.
God Bless America
Move the engine into the bed and it might hook up when you floor it.
I’m betting that the truck no longer weighs 2,500 pounds. I’ll start building my 1999 Ranger short bed with an SVO engine and transmission in about 6 months with assorted suspension changes. It should due well without going overboard on the weight!
It weights 3,086. I put a 4 Link Rear-end. And put a new gas tank in back of the rear wheels for traction. Works great for Hooking Up with a full tank of gas;)