So I picked up a Rust Free 2001 Ford Ranger 2wd 3.0 V6/Auto Short Bed for $400 today. Finding a rust free truck in PA is pretty hard. With the exception of surface rust on the top of the front bumper this truck is rock solid. The engine is shot and not running. I was planning a V8 conversion or maybe just putting another 3.0 in it but I've wanted to do a Ranger V8 conversion for a long time now.....Problem is after I bought it I found out the truck is an R title and was in an accident back in 2005. Seller was not honest with me at all. I looked the frame over and it's straight with no signs of damage at all. I hate to scrap the truck but a local scrap company will give me what I paid for it. I hate to do it but it will be a real pain if I ever have to sell it. I'm sure the scrap company will just part it out. Should I just go ahead and build it the way I want to or sell it to the scrap guy? Here's a picture of the truck in the field it was sitting in where I bought it.

 

Well if you plan on heavily modding the truck and doing a v8, I don't see too much of an issue with the title. I would build it personally.

Welcome to RF.

 

Build it. For as little as you've already invested just go for it. The salvage title will only effect resale.

 

For 400 id make it a play toy. Salvage title only effects resale like mentioned. Now if you plan on just flipping it I would junk it. But it sounds like you have some plans so build it up.

 

Thanks for your post's guys! I appreciate it. I know you never get out of them what you put into them and I didn't buy it to sell it but we all know life happens. The scrap guy is coming in the morning for a rotted out Explorer I have along with some scrap metal so I have to make up my mind here soon. I think it would be a fun build although from what I'm reading it looks like the 98 and new Rangers are harder to do a V8 swap.

 

98-00 are the easiest to do a explorer 5.0 swap. 01-03 has been done and I believe is documented too.

 

Well I ended up keeping the truck. The guy who came for my scrap and the explorer took a look at it and said the truck was way to nice to junk. I also had a guy from a body shop come over who's a friend of mine and he couldn't find any signs of damage to the frame at all and he said the accident couldn't have been that bad because the body is still straight. So on with the build!!!! Looking forward to starting a build thread and I have lots of questions regarding V8 swaps in 01 Rangers!!