I'm going to go take a look at a 1994 Ford Ranger tomorrow. Owned buy a old duff all it's life so it's had a pretty easy life. It's a super clean truck body wise and parked inside the last 13 years. It just hit 100,000 miles and he's asking 2k obo for the truck which IMO is a steal for the shape it's in. It's a four wheel drive ext cab 4.0 truck. Can you guy's give me some heads up on the common issues on these trucks that I should be looking for tomorrow. I have a pretty decent idea as to what they are. But the more info I can have going to look at this truck the better off I'll be. Thanks guy's.

 

shackles and hangers are made of aluminum foil so first check them. check the slip yoke.

 

Check the 4x4, make sure it works and unlocks.
Like Aaron said above, make sure the rear hangers are still solid and in ok condition.
Take the truck for a drive and see how the transmission shifts.
Also check the drivers side Valve cover to see if there has been any oil leaking, 4.0 OHV's are notorious for that right around 100k.
As you should do with any car, look for signs of oil in the antifreeze and vice versa. All you'll need to do is open the Rad cap and make sure its still nice and green, and open the oil fill and make sure there isn't any brown gel-like stuff in there.
Since its a MI truck, check the inside bed-sides, see how rusty they are. also look at the spare tire hanger.

That should get you enough, but I agree with you, a low miles 1994 truck for 2k is a STEAL.

 

Rust would be my main concern given where you live.

 

Good call, I've heard this being a pretty common problem on the full size trucks as well. Never gave it much thought on the rangers. Thanks for the info.

Thank you for some pointers. I know to check for the common issues like you would with any car or truck when buying used and lucky for me I use to do a lot of pdi's for gm so I have a pretty good set of eyes for the most part. I don't think I'll find to many issues gasket wise from the heads up as the owner just head head gaskets replaced, timing chain and so on. So gasket's from heads up should be ready to rock as well as the front cover gasket and timing set. I know are local ford dealership did all the wrench work as my freind is the tech that did it.

I agree with out a doubt. I looked at the truck quickly in the dark tonight and checked out the under side and thing's looked pretty clean for the year. I'll have a lot better idea come tomorrow when I get a chance to look things over in the day light. But that very well could turn into a whole different story. Trying to find a cheap beater in the midwest rust belt is a real pita if your trying to find somthing about spotless.

I'll be sure to post up some photo's if I come home with the truck. If not I'll keep looking till i find what I want.


How many of you guy's have small kids that get the joy's of the small bucket seats. Have any problems with the kids getting upset sitting in the little buckets during 30-45 min drives? That might be my biggest fear is how well the little guy is going to like sitting in back. He's 6 now so I'm sure it won't be an issue. But some feed back from people in the same boat would be nice.

 

My nephew loves sitting in the jump seats of my truck. hes 7.
He thinks its awesome to sit sideways.

 

Sweet, Sounds good.


I havent had a lot of time to do any research along the lines of lifting a 94 Ranger with the IFS front end. But can you guy's point me in the direction of some decent lifts. 4-5 inch would be ideal. Staying away from the body lifts as of right now and I'm not looking to break the bank. Looking to fit a 33-35 inch tire under the truck. If a body lift is needed so be it. But I'd like to stay away from them. I've had two ranger's in the past. Both with 3 inch body lifts one with 31's the other with 33's. Just looking to try somthing new.

 

Well I just got home and I bought the truck for 2k and it just rolled 100,000 miles as I pulled it into the drive way. I did not feel the need to try and buy the truck for any less as a older man owned it and he really took great care of it. Gave me a stack of papers that are all serivce related as well as a fiberglass lid to toss on the bed. It's Not to shabby for a 94, it's far from perfect. But its ready to be drove. I'll post some photo's up of it tonight or tomorrow.

 

Nice. 2k isn't a bad deal.

Awaiting picture.

 

+1. Sounds like a great price for a good truck. I'm also waiting on the photos. :D

 

I just got home from getting a few things done. So I was not able to grab any photo's of the truck. In fact I've only drove it about 5 miles couting the test drive. I have the day off of work tomorrow so I'll be spending a little time with the truck so I'll be sure to snap a few photo's and share them.

 

Nice find! Pics!