The Ranger has had two runs as a smaller pickup truck in the Ford world. First as a compact from 1983 to 2012, then later as a mid-size beginning in 2019 (and still in production). The earlier trucks replaced the Ford Courier, a captive import provided by Mazda. The seller has a more-than-adequate example from 1991 with a V6 and 5-speed transmission. From Portland, Oregon, it’s priced in cheap wheels territory at $2,900 here on craigslist. Once again, “Curvette” delivers a great tip.
During its initial three-decade run, the Ranger was produced across three generations that also saw several facelifts. This example was built during the facelift period that ran from 1989 to 1992. For many years, the compact Ranger was a hot commodity, selling more than six million units in nearly 30 years, competing with the Chevy S-10, which later became the Colorado. Interest in smaller trucks waned in the early 21st Century, with the Ranger bowing out in 2012 along with the Colorado. Both would return with larger dimensions after a few seasons.
An inline 4-cylinder engine with a 4-speed were standard, but the first owner of this Ranger opted for the 177 cubic inch “Cologne” V6 and a 5-speed manual. It was one of 233,500 assembled in 1991, while the compact trucks were big sellers. At 75,000 miles, this Ford is said to run and drive well with nothing mechanical needing attention.
According to the seller, the body is in “solid shape for the year,” and we see no rust. Even the paint could be original, as is the comfortable interior. This is a “club cab” model with what should be a jump seat in back, though no photos are provided of that area or where the V6 lives. This should be a daily driver type of workhorse that seems underpriced.
Oh wow, that’s a beauty! Nice find, Curvette, and great write-up, Russ! I’d much rather have this truck than my 1980 Dodge D-50 Sport; that’s a toy compared to this real, usable small truck. If this weren’t a $1,500 shipping ride away, it would be gone, tucked into the garage in place of my weird little truck.
This is unbelievably clean. Great options with the 6 and a stick too. Look at that interior!!! This was not used as a work truck, and thats actually a good thing. I think I’d start a bidding war with Scotty on this one!!! ( Just kidding Scotty I’m broke!!!) Great write up Russ and Curvette, please keep finding these!!!
Looks nice to me. Haven’t Rangers in good condition increased in value in recent years? (A friend recently sold his, which had moderate mileage and was in good condition, for not much less than he paid for it new 25+ years ago). The asking price seems…. too low?
And it’s gone, gone, gone,,someone got a smokin’ deal ( now being resold for $19,995,,,maybe) I have a neighbor with a very similar truck, only 4×4, has an outstanding 425,000 miles, and NEVER OPENED UP!!! That’s believable testimony, and in your face Toyota,,,relax, Toyotas are great trucks, but even still, these were every bit as good and my neighbor sure got his moneys worth. Truckers loved these, as they would never be seen at the truck yard in a ferrin’ pickup truck, 2 of my best friends while trucking, both gone now, had Rangers. I don’t ever recall them out of service.
So, the $64,000 question( when $64K was a lot of money) why not make something like this today? No way. Americans are fixated on their electronic gee-gaws, it just wouldn’t sell to the 15 remaining old timers that would want one. This is a wonderful find, someone loved their Ranger, and they don’t come up often. Quick sale indeed.
Thats why I bought a 2019 Nissan Frontier. Last year of a 2005 design. Simple basic plastic interior. Dependable 4.0v6 and 5 speed. Not much in fancy stuff.
54 on dealer lot in January 2020. $33k list, sold then for $25k. Had a Xterra before hand and liked the motor, really like the drain plug on the trans. More dependable and better made than the Rangers I owned. Although for some reason they climbed better in 4wd
Dependable and cheap, about how my wife describes me.
I couldn’t believe the price on this one when I found it either. If I really needed a truck I would have been on the road for the three hour drive to Portland ASAP. Not surprised it’s gone.
Smoking deal is right! Sorry I missed it because it’s easily worth the $2k more to ship it to Ohio. It would bring $9 k all day here.
Had a black ‘91 just like this but automatic in the late 90’s. Great truck and so practical for weekend projects but not taking up the whole garage or driveway. Big miss by manufacturers allowing these small pickups to go away for so many years.
I had one of these with the larger V6, thinking it was a 4.0L. It was a quick little truck!
I had a 92 with the 4.0 and a 5 spd. Fun and quick.
My opinion is both Ford and Chevrolet need to start building these little trucks again, not everyone wants all that technology in today’s cars I think most people here actually know how to drive without it and can manage just fine
Since I dabble in the Ranger market. (Many of Ranger has past through my hands to finance my race car habit.) Yes, these have increased in value over the last few years. Partly because of the price of new “cheap” trucks. And partly because the availability as these have dwindled due to attrition. Virtually impossible to find anything more reliable than a 2000 or older Ranger with a manual transmission. (2000 on up not near as reliable) Sold the race car so I’m down to 3 to be modified for sale next year.
All West Coast craigslist listings are Gone Gone Gone in one hour.
Suspicious
Howard asked the $64,000 question so I will ask the question everyone already knows the answer to. Where WAS this truck located? Why the west coast of course. Pacific Northwest to be exact. I guessed that would be the case as soon as the picture popped up on my BF feed. Im not sniveling but it is a rare day when you would find something like this on the East coast, specifically the Mid Atlantic. C’est la vie.
Vehicle manufacturers make what they perceive to be what people want to buy. They will never make trucks like this again because nowadays pickup truck buyers want big trucks. The bigger the better. In my neck of the woods I see probably twenty F-150s for every Ranger on the road. Heck, I see a lot more Super Dutys than Rangers. Same thing with Colorados vs Silverados. I do see a fair amount of Tacos as compared to Tundras but Toyota doesn’t really sell nearly as many full size trucks as the domestic manufacturers do. Ram doesn’t even offer a “compact” truck. People want what they want and when you’re willing to pay $50,000 and up to pilot a new four door pickup, more power to ya. It doesn’t matter if all you ever haul is some bags of mulch in your nearly useless little bed; you are the king of the road.
The current Ford Ranger truck is too big and too expensive. However, the new Ford Maverick truck is close in size to the old and beloved Ranger. The Maverick is by no means a cheap vehicle; but it is close to the proverbial sweet-spot size of the old Ranger. My nephew has one and they are good vehicles.