It's sort of counter productive to paying things off, but I have been thinking about picking up another higher mileage ranger. It soaked in recently that I have put 15k miles on the F150 since I bought it in December!
Sure it would probably make more sense to find an old econo-box but I'd like something that I actually wouldn't mind driving. The purpose is not to say on gas so much, but to make the F150 last longer. I like the idea of a ranger, explorer, and sport trac. I am fairly familiar with the engine, drivetrain and suspension, and think I could do a decent job of repairing things on it myself as long as nothing major breaks.
The ideal truck would be a 93-97 regular cab, 4x4, 5 speed with the 4.0L. I wouldn't intend to put much money into, probably wouldn't take it with me when I moved (hopefully within a year or two). The main problem I expect if I do this is finding one that hasn't been smoked in a bunch. I'm somewhat allergic to smoke. I can tolerate a little bit in open air but in enclosed spaces I can't deal with it, it stuffs me up and makes me sneeze a lot.

This particular truck caught my eye, although I doubt the 20mpg part! lol
1994 Ford Ranger 4x4! Gas Saver!
Price is a little high though...

What do you guys think? Should I be looking newer and 2wd instead? I mean I can always drive the F150 with 4x4 if I need.

 

Yea I doubt the MPG as well. If your looking for something just to put miles on I would buy a 2wd. I have read your posts about not much public land by you so why buy another 4x4 if you cant use it especially since you already have one and you plan to get rid of the ranger when you move. My suggestion would be find a good 2wd with l/s and a 4.0 ( I like ex-cabs because Im 6') and play with that.
Oh yea I think his price is high as well.

 

I'm also 6' tall. Been a while since I've been in a regular cab I guess though.
You are right about the 4x4 thing, but it would be nice to use an older beater during the winter when they salt the roads so much too.
I wouldn't mind a 2wd though if it was a manual transmission and halfway clean. Scanning through a bunch of craigslist junk right now.

Does anyone have good suggestions for decent cars/trucks to own in the $1500-3000 range that aren't totally lame? I found a couple of late 90's VW Jettas but they were automatics.

 

anything front wheel drive is decent in the snow obviously, 2 of my buddies have zx2 escorts, bought them for cheap, like around 2grand. they have had really good luck, no mustang but a nice beater car.

yea regular cab sucks IMO, no room for anything.

 

A buddy of mine bought a cheap high mileage contour last year and the car was great to him. Super cheap too. I might consider it if I find a halfway clean manual. I just feel like I won't hardly drive a car like that, maybe if it keeps miles off of the F150...

I should buy a beater and make my wife drive it, and I'll drive the Jetta. lol
I really enjoy driving the Jetta too

 

The other advantage of another 4x4 is that the wife could drive it on the few days when we get a decent amount of snow/ice (she works 30+ miles from home and has to drive to clients homes). The jetta works well in the snow, but only has a couple inches of air underneath since it's lowered, and probably wouldn't fair well in a collision. (sounds like I'm trying to convince myself)

 

Escort GT.

Enough said.

 

i say go for the older ranger and get what you want because you'll regret it later lol!! An older ranger the parts will be cheaper and in most cases more redily available. I've been considering the same thing over the last few mths myself. If you find one that you like and the price is right too, but has been smoked in, there's several options you can do to get the smoke smell out. I used to detail car's on a professional level for many yrs and i've had to get the smell out of several cars. The biggest prob with that is that it gets into the A/C system and everytime you turn it on it has that musty smokey smell. With me being a smoker myself and i do smoke in my truck i always turn the air completely off and roll down the windows. You can't even tell i've smoked in it!! There's companies that have a bomb that you can release in the car/truck that you can do while its running and turn the A/C on while its fumigating...lol. They do a really good job and as long as you clean the hell outta the inside you can get the smell out pretty quickly and effectively!!

BTW: IF you are interested in the escort scene there is a guy just about 5 miles down the road from me that has the largest collection of S/R escorts in the country!!! As well as any escort or Ford car that you could ever want!! Their all super cheap beacuse there all wrecked but alot are not that bad just light front end damage. Im thinkin in the ballapark of $1500.00 to $3500.00 range depending on what you want.

 

I think you are putting way to many miles on your F-150.

Get a Ranger.

 

I didnt take into account the snow thing, in that case you should look into another 4x4.

 

You'd definitely be better off with an older Ranger 4x4.

 

Yes, keep telling me I need another 4x4 ranger please!! lol

 

You can buy my truck, with everything it has now, except for my headunit, for $3000.

 

YOU NEED ANOTHER RANGER 4X4 BUT WAIT THERES MORE..... YOU ALSO NEED AN EX-CAB.

 

I'd take a supercab too, again, if all the other things were right about it. I just kind of like the looks of a reg cab 4x4 but it makes no difference to be honest, for how I'll be using the truck.
I know I can fit in a regular cab, not as comfortable but it would work okay.

 

This ranger is much more reasonable, however it is an automatic...
1997 Ranger XLT 4X4 ******

I also found a manual transfer case from a 94 ranger for $140, in case I find something that is a push-button.

 

Brian.... You could always manual swap it... Like me. :-)

Get another older ranger... 97 is a good year...

Get that reg cab and SAS it with a d30 and some 33's for the wife!

 

I'll be looking for another 98/99 in a while if i do get rid of my ranger.. i want to build another one.

 

Hell yeah!
I actually really want the regular cab (just like a regular cab all manual 4x4), but the guy seems to be an idiot. It blue books at 2400 in GOOD condition with the equipment he said it has. He is convinced that it's worth every bit of 2800, even though the tires "need replaced soon". I might go look at it tonight for ****s but I'm not going to give that much for it.
I definitely want 97 or earlier if it is 4x4. Much more potential if I decide to do something with it later on.

 

Yup! That reg cab ranger is a good starting point... possibly manual t-case, manual trans and windows and locks... 4.0L OHV... Great starting point for any rig with a future!

He won't get $2800 for it.... Offher him 2200-2400 since the tires need replaced... And if you're gonna do that might as well throw either a BL on it, or some spacers and some 32's or 33's.... that way you're only ugrading tires once! lol

 

That's my thought. If it is relatively clean and decent I might give $2200 for it. Probably spacers (or longer coils) and 32s at best. Disconnect the sway bars, swap in a manual transfer case (if it isn't already), tint the windows and just drive it for now.

 

Sounds like you've made up your mind my man! DO IT!

 

The owner of the 97 automatic responded a minute ago. He said it has a "Bad EGR valve (rough idle and surging when stopped)." Otherwise runs great. Hmm.
I have never known of EGR problems to cause idling issues...?

 

^My truck runs like a beauty, even at 157,000. No problems. Haha

 

I'd stay away from that 97 auto.... Look into that other 97 reg cab!