AMCJeepMJ Posted March 20, 2011 Share Posted March 20, 2011 Just a big dent in the side where the bed where it meets the cab. Drives straight with no abnormal tire wear (accident damage years old). It an 89 regular cab, long bed, matching canopy, fugly running boards, has a 2.9, and is a 2wd slushomatic. Anyone know anything about these rigs? Anything they are notorious for (other than being a 20 year old Ford)? I'll get a pic up of this atrocity when I pick it up in the next day or two. I understand they share parts with a Bronco II? I suppose if nothing else I can get 150 from a salvage yard for it or make a trailer out of the back half... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sir_Brando Posted March 20, 2011 Share Posted March 20, 2011 i had a same year ranger a bit ago, lost interest in it and sold it to work on my camaro. aerostar engine options are practically the same as the rangers. a lot of bronco ii parts will swap over as will many explorer parts. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kro10000 Posted March 20, 2011 Share Posted March 20, 2011 IIRC those 2.9s are known for randomly blowing head gaskets... Just keep an eye on your temp and you should be good. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AMCJeepMJ Posted March 21, 2011 Author Share Posted March 21, 2011 IIRC those 2.9s are known for randomly blowing head gaskets... Just keep an eye on your temp and you should be good. Interesting you say head gasket. I had to add about a half gallon of coolant to it upon checking it out last Friday. Battery was dead so didn't get it started, but the existing coolant looked good- just low. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
freakjeep93 Posted March 21, 2011 Share Posted March 21, 2011 the smily isnt there anymore but we need pics lol Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Automan2164 Posted March 21, 2011 Share Posted March 21, 2011 :needpics: Just need to know the code, and you can have it whenever you want. Rob L. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
freakjeep93 Posted March 21, 2011 Share Posted March 21, 2011 thats the problem i used to know it but i forgot lol Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sir_Brando Posted March 21, 2011 Share Posted March 21, 2011 I was thinking about it today. Maybe it's because no one takes care of their vehicles where I come from, but most rangers and f-150s i've seen that old are pretty cancerous too. How's the rust? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AMCJeepMJ Posted March 21, 2011 Author Share Posted March 21, 2011 I was thinking about it today. Maybe it's because no one takes care of their vehicles where I come from, but most rangers and f-150s i've seen that old are pretty cancerous too. How's the rust? Only rust where it was hit, and at that has a big stripe decal down the side to 'protect' it. It does have dull paint, however. Pics are coming when I get out to it this week with a battery- tis about a 35 minute drive away. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WBKrazy Posted March 21, 2011 Share Posted March 21, 2011 i had an '87 ranger with a 2.9 and an automatic for a while, it was pretty good to me.. the early 2.9's were known for overheating and cracking the heads, but in 89 they redesigned the heads and beefed them up in the problem areas.. IIRC, the casting number for the better heads is "89TM". there's a bunch of stuff you can do to the motor, common things are swapping in an 86-87 throttle body (the older ones are much larger), or with a bit or creativeness one from a 5.0 can be bolted on.. you can also put the mustang injectors in it, and they can also be converted from speed density to mass airflow.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kro10000 Posted March 21, 2011 Share Posted March 21, 2011 i had an '87 ranger with a 2.9 and an automatic for a while, it was pretty good to me.. the early 2.9's were known for overheating and cracking the heads, but in 89 they redesigned the heads and beefed them up in the problem areas.. IIRC, the casting number for the better heads is "89TM". there's a bunch of stuff you can do to the motor, common things are swapping in an 86-87 throttle body (the older ones are much larger), or with a bit or creativeness one from a 5.0 can be bolted on.. you can also put the mustang injectors in it, and they can also be converted from speed density to mass airflow.. Oh that's right, cracked heads not head gaskets. I guess its pretty much the same albeit a more expensive repair. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
offroader461 Posted March 22, 2011 Share Posted March 22, 2011 hey i just got the same thing.....my brother smoked the heads in his 90 ranger 2.9 2wd reg cab long bed...no rust with a perfect body and interior for free!! The 2.9 is a dog and overheating/head cracking up to 1989 is a major problem b/c they didnt put enough casting material on the head....the 90-93 2.9 seem to be a little less prone to cracking heads but still do....I'm swapping a 4.0L engine and trans into mine since its a direct drop in....any question hit me up Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jbhill Posted March 22, 2011 Share Posted March 22, 2011 the transmissions are junk if not taken care of. check out www.rangerpowersports.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AMCJeepMJ Posted May 11, 2011 Author Share Posted May 11, 2011 FINALLY a pic of the rig now that I have resurrected it and brought it to the house. Has a towing package for what it's worth. Image Not Found Tranny shifts hard from first; will have to do a drain/fill to see if that improves its performance any. Power steering pump leaks and leaves tennis ball sized spot overnight. Paint is badly oxidized, but a little Goof-Off takes care of it fairly quickly. In the image above the driver's side of the hood has been restored but the passenger side and pretty much the rest of it hasn't. Canopy has a 6" crack in it along the top, most likely from the hit on the drivers side; leaks rain and snowmelt into the bed. Canopy has glass intact and locks with key. Running boards were removed and thrown into bed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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