In the 1970s, the demand for compact pickups began to take off. Ford did its part to address the supply by selling an imported Mazda rebadged as the Courier. For the 1983 model year, Ford introduced its own U.S.-built mini-truck, the Ranger, which would be on the North American market through three generations and 2011/12. The seller bought this 1987 edition as a father-son project, but interest has waned, and it’s up to the buyer to finish things up. Located in Springfield, Missouri, this Ford is available here on Barn Finds Classifieds for $2,200.
Ford was smart by designing the light-truck Ranger to share body and mechanical bits and pieces with other company products, including the Explorer and Bronco II (SUVs) and even the Aerostar (minivan). The Ranger was often the best-selling brand in its space until the demand for compact trucks finally waned. The Ranger nameplate would return in 2019, but on a mid-sized truck this time.
The seller believes this truck has just 55,000 miles, based on the great condition of the interior. Other than a few dings, the body and paint seem to have held up well after nearly four decades. We’re told the engine has been partly disassembled (was the truck not running before?), but it could be either an inline-4 or a V6. Interest in taking this project further has dissipated, so it’s been listed for resale at what could be a good price if you’re a DIY kind of guy.
Why the lack of pictures/information?
Looks like it’s a 4WD.
Looks nice! Offer 2k, through a motor in it and go.
I might buy it right away. 4WD, Auto or manual?
The great write-up has more info than the ad! lol
Price isn’t horrible ,the truck appears clean in current pictures, depending on what you wanted to do, make it a driver or a off road rig its a nice start.
The price is right for a non-runner in this condition. The 4cyl. 4X4 trucks are very rare. And an extended cab truck like this almost guarantees a V6 engine. The automatic in these were problematic. So a different one (or rebuilt) will need to be planned for if so equipped. If in my neighborhood I would not hesitate to buy this truck. As I probably have everything in stock to bring it back to life.
I traded a boat for one of my grandson’s first vehicles. It was a good starter for him until he bought a later model. I highly recommend this for anyone, young or old,
Like Wayne said … The automatic 4X4 are weak. I have one exactly like this /except burgundy red. Don’t even think about pulling a little trailer with it . Transmission overheats and starts pukeing fluid . I ask a Pro transmission man about that and he said that’s what transmissions in this model of Ranger do. So think about what your going to do with this, if you buy . Price seems reasonable.
INFO ADDED TO LISTING. 4wd 2.9L V6 4sp Automatic
Well,too bad about the automatic transmission. Just keep a spare handy!
I had an “89 with the 2.9 V6. They were famous for blown head gaskets. The mechanic that worked on mine did such a poor job, I had to get rid of it with just 50k miles.
The only 2.9 I ever saw cook a head gasket was several that had not kept the cooling system serviced and had radiators that were half plugged up. (Ford Service manager for many years.)
The price is right and depending on what the engine needs, it could either be a simple fix or time for an engine swap, LOL! A 302/5.0L would drop into the engine bay nicely! If it were closer, I’d be all over it, but it would cost me more than the asking price to ship it home! GLWTS!
Not an easy 5.0 swap on a 4×4. Easy on a 2wd. I’m currently doing a 5.0 swap into a ’93 Ranger. I’m clipping the frame and replacing it with the front section from a ’99 Explorer. Besides the V8 I will get power rack and pinion steering, 4 wheel disc’s and 4 wheel ABS from the Explorer. V8 Explorers also have a 5 link rear suspension.
Good to know. There’s always the option of an aftermarket frame from the usual suspects, albeit at considerably more coin than a salvaged frame from an Explorer. The third (3rd) generation (MY 2001-05) of the Explorer got IRS, just before Ford went to unibody construction for the Explorer in the fourth (4th) generation design (2006-19). and the Explorer and Ranger were built on the same assembly line, at least in Louisville, KY, when I was there in 1993.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ford_Explorer
The 2001 and up Explorer is in my opinion, even though it has rear independent suspension. Is a poor replacement for the ’93-2000 Explorer. Rear wheel alignment is regularly an issue as is rear wheel bearings. I have one that I bought to be a temporary vehicle even when I knew better. And sure enough, It ended up with the same issues I had seen at our tire stores. The ’93 -2000 Explorers are a very good place to find “upgraded parts” for Rangers. I strip them often for Ranger parts.
I had one of these with the 2.9 Auto 2x and I loved that truck. Burgundy on burgundy with a nice plush interior for a cheap truck, but it had a miss that I could not fix and none of the mechanics I took it to could either. Frustrated me so much I got rid of it and found a ’96 Dodge Caravan 2.4 and that really was a good van with surprising power and handling!
Later I found out some of these engines had distributors that would develop a grounding problem, can’t remember the details, so correct me if this is wrong.