Scored a free pickup today!

"Pearson Hurst" (phurst)
04/02/2014 at 12:45 • Filed to: None

It's no secret that many of us troll Craigslist constantly, looking for something unique, something cool, looking for parts, or just looking at cars we can never afford. I'm just as bad as the worst of you, and because my job requires that I be in front of a computer all day, my CL addiction is a strong one indeed. In addition to browsing the automotive sections, I tend to keep a close eye on the "Free" section as well. I have scored any number of semi-useful pieces of junk from that section. Today, while obsessively hitting refresh (you gotta be quick in the "free" section), there appeared a (now deleted, probably due to an overwhelming number of emails) listing with the mysterious title of "87". I clicked on the link, and the ad was from someone giving away an 87 Ford Ranger Extended Cab pickup! The ad was semi intelligible at best, but definitely contained the words free and truck. I instantly shot off an email, and to my surprise, got one right back saying it was mine, if I could get it today! After a little back and forth, I found out that the guy lives a couple of hours away, but owns property all over the state, and the truck was about 10 minutes from my office. I headed right over to talk to the guy and check out the truck. Upon arrival, sure enough, there was a white 87 Ranger sitting out front. He told me it has over 200k miles, but runs and drives just fine, except for the fact that it stalls when in neutral (5 speed, two wheel drive). Not only that, it had a rebuilt transmission and clutch put in last year. He started it up, and I drove it around the property for a few minutes. It ran just fine. No smoke, no noise, but it does indeed stall in neutral unless you give it a little gas. After a brief conversation, where the gentleman explained that he has plenty of other farm trucks, but no mechanical ability, and didn't feel like limping this one several hours home to his mechanic. Too nice to scrap, he said, but not valuable enough for him to bother with getting it fixed. We shook hands, and the guy handed over the signed title, just like that! The truck still had a bed and cab full of stuff, so he said to come back around 6 tonight and it'll be empty and ready to go! Please accept some potato pics until I drag it home and start tearing into it.

Ok, so it's the 2.3L fuel injected 4 (a dog), and only 2 wheel drive, but still, for free, I'll take it all day long!

Finally, a payoff for trolling Craigslist!

DISCUSSION (31)

Yowen - not necessarily not spaghetti and meatballs > Pearson Hurst
04/02/2014 at 12:47

*goes to CL free section*

That's an awesome score! I respect the fact the guy didn't want to scrap it.

offroadkarter > Pearson Hurst
04/02/2014 at 12:50

Free is the best price

RazoE > Pearson Hurst
04/02/2014 at 12:54

Throttle body screw could be out (if it has one), as well as the TPS. Still, great score!

Mercedes Streeter > Pearson Hurst
04/02/2014 at 12:56

I work as a call centre representative, so I spend most of my day in front of the computer screen as well. I usually spend my day making eBay sellers happy and browsing for sale ads on CraigsList.

I wasn't aware of a "Free" section. BRB

Sweet Baby Jeebus!!!!!

bob and john > Pearson Hurst
04/02/2014 at 12:57

VERY NICE!

CalzoneGolem > Pearson Hurst
04/02/2014 at 12:59

Body looks great for a free truck. A 5.0 swap should be pretty easy. Just saying.

Frosted > Pearson Hurst
04/02/2014 at 13:01

So jealous. All I ever see is free dirt and sand. Great find. I'll give you 5 bucks for it tho.... >.>

cazzyodo > Pearson Hurst
04/02/2014 at 13:01

You, good sir, just won the internet today.

And my undying jealousy.

Pearson Hurst > CalzoneGolem
04/02/2014 at 13:07

Yes, this ^! Now if I could just find a free 302 :)

BJ > CalzoneGolem
04/02/2014 at 13:07

Yep, I was thinking about the same thing. 5.0 swap, dropped, 16" billet wheels, and you've got a classic early-90's hot rod pickup! (OK, it's an 87, but you get the picture...)

Pearson Hurst > RazoE
04/02/2014 at 13:08

Evidently this is a fairly common issue, caused by either a dirty/faulty MAP and or dirty/faulty IAC valve. Both will be getting a thorough cleaning tonight.

Pearson Hurst > Yowen - not necessarily not spaghetti and meatballs
04/02/2014 at 13:09

Me too. If only everyone were so conscientious/generous.

CalzoneGolem > Pearson Hurst
04/02/2014 at 13:09

It is nice to have goals.

CalzoneGolem > BJ
04/02/2014 at 13:10

Needs a roll bar with a bunch of Hellas on it.

Nonster > Pearson Hurst
04/02/2014 at 13:18

5.0 swap and then do this

not my video btw

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > Pearson Hurst
04/02/2014 at 13:19

DAAAAAAAAMN!

you win life today.

definitely needs a 5.0 just find a fox body that some kid crashed lol

Jayhawk Jake > Pearson Hurst
04/02/2014 at 13:25

I can't imagine the flood of emails/calls this guy got.

I gave away some mulch on CL once, holy hell. 6 bags of mulch. Listed it expecting nothing, within minutes I had 4 or 5 calls, 3 or 4 texts, like 6 emails....fucking crazy. It was gone in less than an hour, someone lived down the street and came and picked it up.

And that was MULCH. You could have bought the same stuff for $8

CPT Speedbump > Pearson Hurst
04/02/2014 at 13:38

I couldnt afford another car, but would of taken this if I'd scene it, either to just have fun with the truck as a non insured beat em up, or to piece out, sell alone, or sell for scrap

BJ > CalzoneGolem
04/02/2014 at 14:47

Kinja'd!!!

Triple chrome or go home. This would be so ridiculous on a bagged rwd pickup that it must just work - ironic like a hipster mustache!

On an early 90s Dakota pickup, it would be one of my teenage dreams come true! Like this:

Kinja'd!!!

CalzoneGolem > BJ
04/02/2014 at 14:49

Dat Dak!

BJ > CalzoneGolem
04/02/2014 at 14:51

I KNOW! It was the first thing that came up in GIS when I searched for "Dodge Dakota roll bar". Make it a regular cab and I'd be probably trying to track the guy down to buy it from him as we speak. My wife would probably divorce me over it, too.

CalzoneGolem > BJ
04/02/2014 at 14:58

I don't know your wife but it'd be worth it.

BJ > CalzoneGolem
04/02/2014 at 15:36

LOL

She's pregnant. I should probably not surprise her with this kind of thing right now.

CalzoneGolem > BJ
04/02/2014 at 15:50

How pregnant is she?

BJ > CalzoneGolem
04/02/2014 at 16:36

Not pregnant enough that I want to shock her into labour!

About 4 months, I think...