I have a 1992 Ranger my Dad bought in Flemington, NJ brand new. In 2014, the engine and transmission have been re-built. I have been driving it since.

A part from rust here and there, I have had VERY LITTLE problems with it. Brake pads got replaced a few years ago...the brake line was replaced last year...got new tires...small things. It was only until recently an original part broke (fuel tank strap). The rust that's on the bottom corner of the wind shield has me worried as it burnt a hole through part of the cab and is leaking into the door hinge. My cousins, who are mechanics, gave me construction caulk to bandage that up.

Everything else is just fine. I have an attachment to it as it was my Dads and it's been in my family since I was 2. I know I will have to get rid of it someday. But I'd like to keep it for a while longer.
I was curious to hear what people think.

 

Welcome to the forum

Since you have RUST then that will probably be what "kills" it for you, it just becomes uneconomical to replace too many panels, but users choice

You don't mention the miles on the chassis?

The frame will last a long time if rust it restricted, everything else can be replaced as it wears out, some even replace the frame, lol

So life expectancy is unlimited if you have DEEP POCKETS and LONG ARMS

Biggest killer of old Rangers, or cars, are accidents, insurance companies total them because they are not worth fixing cost wise

Good place to find body parts, non-drive train parts, is LMC Truck: Truck Parts & Truck Accessories for Chevy, GMC, Ford & Dodge Trucks

Select FORD
Then RANGER(not pickup thats for full size trucks)
Then 1983-11

You can then type in a part specifically or just look thru all parts



Yes, the windshield troughs do rust out and cause leaks into the cab

The windshield sits on a ridge and around that ridge is a trough, thats what the trim molding snaps into
Water sits at the bottom of that trough and causes it to rust, eventually it will rust thru and water will leak into the cab, usually at the corners of trough

Only real fix is to pull off windshield and repair the trough, i.e. get rid of rust and treat with rust inhibitor

Pictures of when it gets really bad here: https://therangerstation.com/tech_li...or_board.shtml

 

I know rust will be the death of this truck. It's not in bad shape but, it's not great either. But, if you look at it, you'd have to say it looks great. The odometer reads 677,000 and counting but the speedometer didn't work for about a year. I don't know how accurate that reading its. One day, the speedometer started working again. And before the engine was re-built, it was just shy of 300,000. I highly doubt I put almost 400,000 miles in the last 5 years... I only drive this truck locally. A 40 minute drive is something I refuse to make.

Water has gotten into the cab but it doesn't look dire to me. Whatever trickled down from the hole by the wind shield made it's way between the drivers seat and the door. Like I said, it doesn't look bad. It's just there... I patched and caulked what I could so I hope it will at least slow any more damage. I only drive it to and from work and local driving. I've been lucky with this thing so far. My father is one of those OCD guys, so he was always on top of maintenance. And he took great care of it. Between '92 and 2014, it was garage kept. And it has never gotten into an accident. My father is a truck driver and drives a four wheeler like one, and I don't play around behind the wheel myself. Hands are on the wheel and eyes are on the road. I've seen a lot of rusty old pick-ups driving in my area and my Ranger doesn't look ANYWHERE near as bad. Even the old timers at my recycle center eye-ball it like I'm driving a classic car.

As for those photos, the rust on mine is minimal. But it needed to be dealt with. My pockets are not deep but I will do what I can to keep it going.

 

I had a water leak on the drivers side with a rust issue at the drip rails on my Ranger. Both drip rails were cut out and back into the roof until we got good metal....appx 3 inches. Then rebuilt with fiberglass, finished and repainted. This was done three weeks ago. I have not done a serious hose test since then out of fear the leak may still exist. I reckon I am in a state of denial. Thanks for this post. Now I know what to look for next if it still leaks. Here is a picture of the finished work on the rail and roof. Don't know what happened to the picture of the surgery. It was ugly. Those aren't scratches on the roof.

 

Mr. Vigilante. I admire your desire to keep your dad's Ranger looking good. I think it is a worthwhile and satisfying effort. Sadly, water in the cab is not a simple fix. First I replaced the windshield. Then I rebuilt the drip rails. I have had new carpet sitting in the shop for two years, but will not install it until I feel certain the leak is fixed. Vendors are selling fireworks in Walmart parking lots to celebrate the 4th. I am thinking of getting some bottle rockets and a crying towel. Then I will get the hose, flood the cab and see if she still leaks. Hopefully it will be a celebration and not a crying session. Good luck to you.
RonD, thanks for you info and link.