[Update: nope] Ford at the stealership: 2002 Ranger Thunderbolt

"daender" (daender) 11/23/2018 at 14:49 • Filed to: Ranger, Thunderbolt, Ford Ranger, SLP

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[Update: I went back, looked under the passenger-front corner where it had taken a hit, and the frame is slightly bent. NOPE . And tha t ends that!]

Interesting spot today: 2002 Ford Ranger Thunderbolt. What’s a Thunderbolt? It was a mostly a dress-up package done by SLP Engineering (yes the GM-oriented business) but there was an option for thicker sway bars, dual exhaust with a high-flow catalytic converter, and more performance-oriented tires. This one has a 3.0L (could get a 4.0L) that makes 160hp instead of 148hp which is appreciated but not as fun as as the 4.0L’s 222hp. However, this Ranger has problems...it’s missing several key Thunderbolt parts such as the polarizing (imo, ugly) front bumper, hard bed cover with duck tail (kinda cool), and the Thunderbolt fender badges. Turns out it was involved in an accident. Stealership wants $7,000 for it and it has 97k miles on it. Oh, and the darn center console is broken as expected with these Rangers.

Here’s what a standard Thunderbolt should look like. Note the bumper and Fender badges.

I’m going back to take a closer look at the passenger-front corner to see if there’s any visible frame damage. I could see myself paying no more than $6k but I’d love to knock them down to $5k for it. I’d fix up the body, sell the wheels for a set of Torque Thrusts in grey, throw the gaudy tail lights away, find the correct fender badges, and plan a V8 swap (thinking either Explorer 5.0L or 4.6L 2-valve (4 valve is considered)).

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Jake - Has Bad Luck So You Don't Have To > daender 11/23/2018 at 14:51

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I’d give like $4000 for that. Maybe.

daender > Jake - Has Bad Luck So You Don't Have To 11/23/2018 at 14:55

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Hard to say, Ranger prices are high here, even for shitty ones. I’m going to haggle the FUCK out the dealer by asking them if it’s been involved in an accident and them slapping them with the paperwork showing it’s been in an accident twice (pass front and center-rear). If they try to counter “Well it’s a Thunderbolt-” then I’ll cut them off saying “It’s not a complete Thunderbolt if it’s missing x,y,z.” I got nothing to lose being an asshole to these fuckers. I’d like to pay $5000 if the frame is straight and i t’s got low miles for its age.

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > daender 11/23/2018 at 15:07

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Rangers are stupid expensive. Which I think is what makes the superior Tacoma even more stupidly expensive. I’d be happy with either, I just can’t stomach the entry fee. The interior of the Ranger has aged p oorly and doesn’t hold up well.

My buddy’s ‘ 96 also had the center console completely fall apart after only few years. Seat belt scroll... spool?... failed on both sides. Rear vent window latches also failed. Was frustrating finding parts because the B-series Mazdas had juuuust enough differences that you couldn’t pull a lot of interior bits straight into a Ranger. And the actual Ranger were always picked clean.

interstate366, now In The Industry > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo 11/23/2018 at 15:14

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My dad has owned a ‘95 since the late 90s. It’s slow, falling apart, and boring, but by now he could probably sell it for what he paid for it. (Fun fact: I learned to drive stick on it.)

Tripper > daender 11/23/2018 at 15:15

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Yep. I went $7500 on my 01 two years ago.  It only had 60k miles, but still. Nice ones are hard to find, I didn’t know the thunderbolt was even a thing. Would be cool to pick up for a reasonable price.

Spamfeller Loves Nazi Clicks > daender 11/23/2018 at 15:16

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Rumor has it that Ford contracted out the Thunderbolt to SLP to be a cheaper option for people chasing the F150 SVT Lightnings. No idea if that’s true.

SLP washed their hands of it and dumped everything in ‘03 though. No parts available, especially not the Thunderbolt-specific stuff . But t he Thunderbolt is a total joke, even for an SLP.

If Ford had any brains back then, they would have just told SLP to fuck off and built the SVT Ranger which itself was a blatant redux of the Shelby Dakota. Take I4/V6 powered light truck, drop in a V8, done.

daender > Spamfeller Loves Nazi Clicks 11/23/2018 at 15:28

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Ah, so THAT’s why SLP doesn’t mention the blip in their history! To be honest, the idea of a better-handling street-themed Ranger isn’t a bad one, especially for its time, but the attempt was half-baked at best. Not gonna lie, I actually prefer that the repair shop used an body-matched Edge front bumper.

Funny you mention the SVT Ranger as that’s my end-goal for this truck! While I wish it had the 4.0L, having 3.0L gives me more motivation to drop a 4.6L or 5.(sl)0(w) into it! There’s a tutorial on how to do a modular 4.6L swap and while there’s work involved, fucking hell yes I want a V8 DANGER RANGER .

daender > Tripper 11/23/2018 at 15:44

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Pops paid about $7,200 for his ‘01 4.0L with 72k miles on it two years ago. It was in nice condition minus some minor flaws (and a bad RF wheel bearing).

Spamfeller Loves Nazi Clicks > daender 11/23/2018 at 16:25

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I’d find a cheaper base if you were going that route. But the SVT Ranger actually required serious frame changes to handle the torque. Plenty of dumbasses think you can just drop a big motor in and go. That’s not how it works. Frame needs reinforced, boxed, and welded.

That said, it ain’t a particularly hard job for anyone that knows what they’re doing. It’s a vanilla body on frame setup, torsion points are clearly visible, shouldn’t require major suspension mount rework either. Bed might be an issue, but, solvable with boxing. 

they-will-know-my-velocity > daender 11/23/2018 at 18:38

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I know you noped out but if you’re gonna V8 swap you might as well go all the way and LS swap it. At least then you have an engine to salvage later.

daender > they-will-know-my-velocity 11/23/2018 at 19:55

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Tempting but 5.S L0W swap or die. The idea was a factory-like V8 Ranger, the one that Ford was too afraid to sell.

Longtime Lurker > daender 11/23/2018 at 20:44

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If you found another Ranger and still wanted to V8 swap some people have done a 5.0L Coyote swap.

they-will-know-my-velocity > daender 11/24/2018 at 08:34

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Or go full dumbass and find a wrecked SHO...

daender > they-will-know-my-velocity 11/24/2018 at 10:00

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No that belongs in a Miata, a Lotus, or a DeLorean.