Mrs. Mad Scientist and I were looking over what we would like to accomplish this year, and a number of those looked like they'd be easier to accomplish if we had a pickup truck. However, we didn't have much space to put one or money to buy one with.
So, I bought a beater '94 Ford Ranger for $1300 yesterday. This one has the 2.3 dual plug motor and a 5 speed manual transmission. Having a 5 speed kind of makes it a bit entertaining to drive: You can flog this like a total maniac and find you're only doing 45 mph. And the kids seem to think that the ladder rack is as much fun as a jungle gym.
It needs a lot of cleaning up, and I need to fix the fuel gauge and possibly some deferred maintenance. Beyond that, I haven't made any decisive plans with it.
you southern guys with your rocker panels and cab corners and bed sides...
In reply to AngryCorvair :
And trucks that aren't in a v shape
How about this beauty...in a junkyard near me now...had to snap a picture because its so oddball:
2.3 Turbo-diesel...this was something like a late 80s, early 90s model
In reply to Wicked93gs :
We got one with a 5 speed behind it stashed in the barn.
In reply to Wicked93gs :
Perkins diesel. Iirc, only 84-86. They are perfect for an emissions state swap candidate....
amg_rx7 said:
Hmmmm
v8 swap? ;)
Pitmfa. I speak from experience. And it's always in the details that kill them.
Currently I have no plans for a V8 swap. I just plan to fix any issues that have a chance of leaving me stranded or rendering the truck unsafe (and the fuel gauge falls into this category), using it as a parts chaser to support my Dart project, and the occasional commuter slog when other vehicles are off the road. If I had wanted to do a V8 swap, I probably would have held out for something in better shape, or possibly cheaped out further by going for one without a functioning motor.
Or am I secretly gathering parts for a Coyote swap, and that's what I want everyone to think? 
Seriously, though, only one lunatic project at a time. Learned that lesson with my last beater truck.
The Ranger managed to carry a load of slant six parts across the Newfound Gap pass this weekend without needing a tow truck or ending up in a ditch. Fortunately the pass had been plowed, and most of the ice and snow weren't on the road itself.
In retrospect, the views - and shaving about an hour off the trip time - were worth it.
It hit a major milestone this weekend.
In reply to MadScientistMatt :
Easy next 100k
I just dragged my son's off the highway with a roasted steady bearing. So maybe crawl underneath and give that a shake.
Do you mean the center driveshaft support bearing? It looked in OK-for-now condition, but if I hang onto this truck for more than a year, that bearing and a few of the bushings on the Twin I Beam suspension are getting changed out.
