I have a 1993 Ranger sitting in my driveway I am debating on purchasing. The guy let me have it overnight to think about it. I am concerned with a few issues, and debating if this is a wise choice:

First: this will NOT be a DD, I have a DD, I intend on buying this to beat on, go deep in the bush to fish, offroading, etc.......but I need to get it reliable enough to drive distances should the need arise.

Eventual plans are to throw a SAS under is. My 03 isn't easy to do this on....but these 3rd gen Rangers are much easier....



1993 Ranger Splash, 4x4, stepside, regular cab, standard tranny, lifted either 4" or 6", not sure (how can I tell?), maybe a skyjacker kit cause it has skyjacker shocks front and back. Has the regular OEM radius arms....nothing aftermarket.

Details:
Rear is an 8.8", open carrier 3.27:1,
Front is an open carrier true d35, not hybrid
4.0L
153k miles

The good: not much rust, frame is solid, brand new 31x10.5x15 Goodyear duratrac's, second set of rims with 32" BFG M/T's, but only 2 are OK, other 2 are shot.

The bad:
Coolant jug is empty, upper rad hose is empty, but I can feel a bit of coolant slosh in there, but not much....this really concerns me..he said he never checked on it...never topped it up. I drove it, and it doesn't overheat (while I drove it) But its bone friggin dry.

Front bearings need to be done.
Steering shaft has alot of play,
Shifter bushings need to be done (its really fun trying to find 3rd gear)
No parking brake, cables are even gone
4x4 doesn't work....pretty sure its the shift motor, Nothing happens when I push the button, no lights on the dash, nothing.
Tailgate linkage is rusted and gone...need a new assembly

Leaks:
Front main is leaking bad (dripping)
Power steering gearbox same as above
valve covers
front pinion seal
transfercase rear output
rear diffy cover
steeriing stablizer is leaking (so its probably not doing much)

It pulls on the highway pretty bad, but that I believe is cause of the very sloppy steering shaft and wheel bearings.

If purchased I would do all the work myself..most of the above is cheap parts (seals, etc)...but lots of labour. What really concerns me is the coolant situation.

Originally he wanted $1400, but I got him down to the $900 he paid for the tires, but after driving it, I think 900 is even too high.

(PS-> would it be easier to get it cheap, and just junk the motor/tranny and swap a known good Engine/tranny in it for what its worth? Maybe V8, or another OHV?..this would solve most of the issues above.)

What does RF have to say about this?

 

I wouldn't pay for it that much personally...I'd figure I'd put double the 900 in there easy.

 

I'd go for it if you think you can handle those repairs and don't mind putting a little more cash into it. The brand new tires are a plus... you can always sell a those 31's pretty easily if you change your mind and make a lot of the money back!