I got a 96 ranger xlt about 4 months ago with the 4.0 and manual transmission as my first car. Even though it's old, it had only 100k miles and is in pretty good condition. It's been really good to me so far and I haven't had any mechanical problems. However, I've noticed a strip of rust on the bottom inside of the passenger door, under the weather strip. Is this something I should be especially worried about? Also, the previous owners kept careful logs and did the maintenance themselves so it should be up to date. Any big repairs for me to expect?

 

Do you have pics of the rust?

 

I wish, cause that would really help, but I'm at college right now and don't have a camera. From my memory, it's about half the length of the door, a half inch tall, and it has a little texture but hasn't eaten away too much. Does that give you any kind of picture? It's definitely more than just a spot, but it isn't anywhere near a hole yet.

 

cell phone doesn't take pics?

 

Nah, not ones that can get on the net. It's pretty similar to this one though: https://i.imgur.com/MQACs.jpg

 

Try taking apart the door panel and see if you can see rust at the bottom of the door on the inside

 

That's a good idea. I'll do it as soon as it's light outside. Thanks for your help man.

 

Hit the rust with a wire brush, coat it with a por15 starter kit. 30 bucksish off ebay or their site.

Google it and look at peoples opinion/video.

 

all ford trucks rust there...mine started to do it too

 

mines an 05 and i got rust there already

 

That is the rangers faulty area. Personally, I wouldnt worry too much about it. I had a 97 explorer and there was rot like that on the bottom of the doors, it lasted until I traded it in in 2005 and it did not rust through. The rust popped up like around 2002-2003.

I would say clean it with a wire brush, acetone, and get some primer + like colorprice matching paint tape it off and hit it with a few coats. The acetone cleans metal especially rust off metal. It allows the primer to attach well.

Some metal primers say apply over rust, but to me it never works out well.

That will hold the rest up for a while, and worst comes to worst, thats a very common truck and common doors, you can always get on at a junk yard or used auto parts place. Just a thought...