Back in the truck again

shadowsbane

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Needed a "new" one for the farm. It ain't pretty is 30 years old and needs some work, but it was cheap and it runs.

1988 ford ranger 4x4 5 speed with the 2.9 liter v6 in it. Supposedly only 163k miles on it. Odometer is only a 5 digit though. So who knows.

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So...radiator is original changing that out just in case, brake rotors are also being changed, along with pads and the back brakes. Filters and oil change has happened and was definitely needed after a seafoam treatment.

Going to throw in a real temp gauge and not that crappy ford one that doesn't work anyway.

I missing anything I should do. Besides sell it for a Chevy?
 
Belts, tires and thermostat maybe if for on Rd use and don’t forget spare tire. All those would depend on age and not to bad to do yourself.
 
Put a new radiator (or coolant tank) cap, inexpensive insurance on overheating, new PCV too.
I would put fresh brake fluid, p/s, transmission and rear axle fluids.
Check brake lines both steel and rubber and fuel lines and filter. Going to look good on you!
 
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Looks like a nice truck. What are the issues with the 2.9 a few people seem to have. I’ve had a couple of them and besides replacing valve cover gaskets on one never had any major issues.
 
Looks like a nice truck. What are the issues with the 2.9 a few people seem to have. I’ve had a couple of them and besides replacing valve cover gaskets on one never had any major issues.

I had an 89 Bronco II with the same motor and had a head gasket failure at 160k (highway miles). Put another 100k on a Jasper motor without any issues. Truck consistently got 20 mpg with 5 speed manual. I think the 2.9 got a bad reputation to blown head gaskets to lack of cooling at the back of the motor. Your plan of servicing the cooling system is a great idea. I would just keep an eye on the oil in case someone through a bottle of "head gasket fix in a can" as a temp fix so they could get rid of it.
 
Looks like a nice truck. What are the issues with the 2.9 a few people seem to have. I’ve had a couple of them and besides replacing valve cover gaskets on one never had any major issues.
Places it gets cold they are notorious for cracking heads, maybe everywhere, but it seemed more common up North. The oiling system sucks and they'll tick so bad they sound like a 2 cyl diesel, but they'll do it forever.
 
Places it gets cold they are notorious for cracking heads, maybe everywhere, but it seemed more common up North. The oiling system sucks and they'll tick so bad they sound like a 2 cyl diesel, but they'll do it forever.

And that damn rear main oil seal...
 
Looks like a nice truck. What are the issues with the 2.9 a few people seem to have. I’ve had a couple of them and besides replacing valve cover gaskets on one never had any major issues.

they did a redesign for the 89s but prior to that they had a tendency to crack heads if overheated. Their oil distribution system is also not the best but mostly just makes it noisy
 
I got an 88 Bronco II with a 2.9L, has around 168K miles on the orig engine. Changed the water pump for a new one with a newer type of impeller, flows alot more coolant at idle and everywhere else. Changed to an Explorer style double row radiator, practically a bolt in and works with the factory shroud. Changed the thermostat to a 180 degree one. Cooling is no longer an issue.

What is an issue is the damn front axle decided to let go of a U-joint at Uwharrie and I had to use a comealong to get myself out of that muddy hell hole since 4WD was broken. Highly recommend a Dana 35 front axle from an explorer as well.

In fact, just buy a 2 door explorer. It already has all the upgrades that the Ranger platform can offer :D
 
I got an 88 Bronco II with a 2.9L, has around 168K miles on the orig engine. Changed the water pump for a new one with a newer type of impeller, flows alot more coolant at idle and everywhere else. Changed to an Explorer style double row radiator, practically a bolt in and works with the factory shroud. Changed the thermostat to a 180 degree one. Cooling is no longer an issue.

My first car was an 88 Bronco II that luckily didn't have any engine problems at all.

Sent from my XT1565 using Tapatalk
 
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