looking at a 1986 Ranger 4x4,2.3 gas rig with over 200,000 miles,40,000 on a rebuilt engine.Passed Ca. smog,5 speed,....a/c and fuel sending unit being fixed,body and interior fair shape.I don't haul loads,so the lack of serious power is no big deal,unless it's a total drag ass.Fellow's asking $1600,what's your opinion without you driving or seeing this rig?.....thanks,Dave

The mid-80's Rangers did have problems with a distributor module that liked to fail. My brother had one as a company truck and was stranded a couple of times due to that.

Otherwise, they are a fairly solid.

I was involved in a broad-side collision in an 87 Ranger. The other driver, at about 80 mph, hit the passenger side of my truck. The Ranger was air born, broke into 3 pieces, and the cab came down 175 feet later. The other car, a Saab 900, was still running despite a gaping hole in the block...to see the crank turning over inside was quite neat while I was in shock after the wreck. The other driver was an emergency room nurse late to pick up her daughter. She was scalped, I was 3 inches taller due to the racking of the wreck. The hospital found where the morphine was going to. My poor parts truck had 1537.5 miles on it, still dealer plates. I've looked at several Rangers and may get one if the right truck appears.

I'd like an extended cab 4x4 with twin tanks. For me, this might be a better V8 project than a Montero SWB. I could put a service body on one, 302, auto, carry my junk and extra fuel for work. We'll see.

The mid-80's 2.9L V6s had less problems with head gaskets compared with the 2.8L. The 2.3L can be turbo'd using the T-bird parts, but can be quite zippy already compared to a 2.6L Mitsu.

Not sure where about you live but here is a good deal on a 90 4x4 extra cab with 4.0 for $1700 in Wilmington.

http://losangeles.craigslist.org/lac/cto/1411657365.html