Hello- backstory: I have a 2007 ford ranger, 6 cylinder 4.0, 4x4 XLT. I love it. Very rusty suspension. 142,000 miles. I just put 6,000 miles on it in 6 weeks driving cross country. I am about to put another 7,000 miles on it in the next 3 months. After that, the truck will sadly be sold or junked. So not looking to put any unnecessary cash or repairs into it. I do not have good mechanical knowledge besides common sense. So looking for some honest advice from people more knowledgeable then myself.

Issue: truck runs great but its a bumpy ride. It always has been bumpy ride but I've noticed some new squeaking going over bumps. Other then that truck turns great, no leaks, doesn't pull, and no tilt in the suspension. Maybe a slight rear squat but there is some weight in the bed which had a camper on it. To be sure, I crawled under my suspension and noticed the outer layer of both the rear and front struts have corroded/rusted away for part of the strut length. Is this normal shedding of a layer and expected or would it be considered a failure and a sign of needed strut replacement? Thanks for your advice, photos below:



Best,
Chris

 

Those are not struts. Rangers don't have struts. They are shocks. It looks like the paint is peeling off. Not a sign of failure. Leaking oil or non dampening is a sign of failure. Paint peeking off is a sign of age, or exposure to salt but the internals of the shocks could still be good.

 

Time for some new shocks

 

Those shockers look ancient.
However, only you can make the decision.
Given the affordability of 4 shocks in a Ranger vs the cost of 2 struts + 2 shocks (or even 4 struts in some vehicles) you might want to treat yourself to 3 months + 7,000 miles of happier driving.
The truck will be slightly easier to sell as it'll feel better and anyone looking to buy such a truck will appreciate the new shocks.
However, a fairly high mileage 2007 won't bring that much either way...IF (big if) you make the effort to sell it privately.
You mentioned possibly junking it so again, only you can know what you want.
Also, if the thing is being "sadly sold or junked" and you don't want to spend any money on maintenance, then just suffer out the truck's last months.
It'll still sell in today's climate. There are examples on Cars.com suggesting it'd sell.
If you're entirely detached from the truck and will junk it several months from now then give it to ME.
Or you could choose a FRIEND or RELATIVE and let him use it or sell it.
It will yield ~ NO trade in value.