This is killing me, I love this truck. Attached are pictures from the day I brought it home new in 2009 and the day it died earlier this week. Also a scan of the window sticker.

This truck did everything I ever asked of it and more, towing, hauling, 4 wheel drive through snow and ice, ice cold AC, reliability like I've never known from a motor vehicle; definitely my favorite of every vehicle I ever owned. I guess the most important thing is that it kept me safe when some knucklehead blew a stop sign and t-boned me at full speed. He went to the E.R. and I went to McDonald's for breakfast.

I'm trying really hard to replace it but as you can see from the window sticker it's a pretty rare configuration: Torsen rear, leather/vinyl interior, etc. Only 60,000 miles too. Not to mention Ford no longer makes Rangers any more.

On the bright side I'm really glad it retained so much value, the insurance company is providing a little over $18,000.00 for replacement.

I'm looking through the classified section of this forum and have a few people looking around for me in all the usual places. If anyone has any tips or pointers for replacing this truck please let me know, I don't have my hopes up though.

Thanks for reading,

Chris.

 

Man that stinks. I wish Ford was still making the Rangers because that's the exact truck I would have purchased minus the auto.

It looks like you took care of it. :(

 

Nice Ranger. Awesome you walked away from that!

 

Yes, that was a real loss, thank goodness you are OK and the Ranger, like a good friend, took the brunt of the damage.
Can't replace a good friend, RIP, but you can find another Ranger and make another good friend.

I have to say I have only ever owned Red Rangers, 4 of them over the years, so saddens me to see one less Red one on the road.
My advice..................get another Red one.
I know a bit about general mechanics and Ranger mechanics a bit more, and while there are no "bad Rangers", Red ones are just better, lol.

My personal theory is that on the assembly line the workers see that beautiful Red truck and just do that extra bit of work that makes them a little better.

 

Shitty deal but you did walk away so that's good,hope you find something just as good.

 

That stinks, looks like you kept it in very good shape.

 

It was a little dusty and had some dog hair in the cab, a few small dents in the bed (it's a pickup) and the front skid plate was a little bent (it's a 4x4 pickup) but everything else was in perfect condition.

I was even able to garage it for a year. That was nice.

Once the warranty expired I did all the work myself regularly, oil, filters, transmission oil & filter, radiator flush & fill, brakes, tire rotation, etc. Generally I don't mind buying used vehicles but after taking such excellent care of this Ranger for years I don't think I'll be as trusting that the used vehicle I replace it with will be as well maintained. I guess it's a confidence thing, which will take time.

I went to eight lots yesterday, the only FX4 I found was sold. Lucky person.

The only good thing that might come out of this is that I'm 6'1" and after 2 spine surgeries the Ranger was a little difficult to get in and out of. I suppose I should move to something bigger, maybe a 4.0 liter Explorer with a class III tow package. There are a few around, but not many.

Red though, definitely red.

Thank you for the comments and condolences.

PS - My ONLY complaint about this vehicle was the sh*t Goodyear Wrangler tires it came with. They were just plain DANGEROUS. That's the only thing I recommend people replace on a Ranger. I had General Grabber AT2's put on and there was no more slip n' slide.

 

Sorry to hear about the Ranger man. Mine was totaled back in December. Happens fast. And they are tough to replace.

I picked up a 2014 F150. Its a killer truck, but I genuinely miss driving the Ranger. I've thought about trying to get back into one...if I could find the right one.

Good luck, glad you're alright

 

glad to here you walked away from that. i also think red is one of the best looking colors on Rangers. sad to see one go :(