Ranger Update!

"Mercedes Streeter" (smart) 06/14/2019 at 12:04 • Filed to: Ranger

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I gave my Ranger a fuller inspection before deciding to make it legal and start driving it. I’m happy with what I see.

Rust

This is a 90s vehicle with 200k on the clock and cost me well under a stack, rust is to be expected. However, I’m most concerned with frame rust and whether the body has gaping holes in it. Here are my findings of the worst rust spots on the truck:

Frame

The frame seems good. Lots of surface rust and it’s a tad rougher in some areas, however the metal is thicc everywhere. I could not find a single place where the frame was thin or it was rusted through.

Here is the worst spot on the whole frame. I was initially freaked out by this, but relieved that the metal is thick here, too. The other side appears pretty clean-ish.

So overall, it seems the frame can use a good cleaning up and application of POR-15.

Bed

This thing is both in horrible shape and good shape.

This is why the bed wobbles on pothole impacts. One of my Ranger-loving friends thinks we can fix this.

However, the metal under these flares is in remarkably good shape. It’s legit bizarre to me as the metal outside the flares is rusting while the metal under the flares is not. I thought body cladding invites rusting? Good news is that the rust is just of the surface variety. The wheel wells are also amusingly clean. Something tells me someone went and protected the wheel wells at some point in this truck’s life.

Cab

For a well used Ranger, the cab is in great shape. There are literally just two big spots of rust on it and there are already plans in the works to fix these. Everything else is so much in the early stages that a wire brush and touch up paint will fix them.

Tires

Are shot. Thankfully, another Ranger loving friend (this one with a wrecked B2000) has basically brand new M/Ts in 29s mounted on some sweet wheels and they’re mine for $50. Yay, mud terrains! :D

Parts

In my inspections I did confirm that the PO is not a liar and he did in fact replace a ton of parts right before selling it. Lots of new suspension components and a few engine bits.

And in other news I’m confirmed to be in Chicago’s Pride Parade! :D

Tucker also got some additional Gambler 500 branding.

HondoyotaE38: A Japanese and German Collab...wait a minute > Mercedes Streeter 06/14/2019 at 12:09

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I’m disappointed that the pizza on the Gambler 500 sticker isn’t cut in a square

For Sweden > Mercedes Streeter 06/14/2019 at 12:17

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Making your truck legal sounds like something a conformist would do tbh.

lone_liberal > Mercedes Streeter 06/14/2019 at 12:19

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To me that’s a solid work truck. Not fancy or pretty but able to get the job done. A little rust amelioration and you’re set.

ITA97, now with more Jag @ opposite-lock.com > Mercedes Streeter 06/14/2019 at 12:22

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If you took a road trip to the Southwest, you could probably drive home with a new bed that has absolutely no rust anywhere on it easily enough.  

bob and john > Mercedes Streeter 06/14/2019 at 12:28

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cap corners and cubbies and what not invite snow and slush to be packed in there...and when that is combined with salt on the road....you quickly realise why they rust quick.


so is this thing getting a 6 inch lift or slammed on its frame? :D 

Mercedes Streeter > bob and john 06/14/2019 at 12:31

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Thus far just the mud terrains and other offroady mods. But if it turns out as good of a truck as it seems thus far I’ll probably go a bit further.

My hope is to have it replace the smart as my offroad vehicle so I could actually go through mud and tough terrain without worrying about killing a little city car. lol

Mercedes Streeter > ITA97, now with more Jag @ opposite-lock.com 06/14/2019 at 12:32

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Oh that’s genius!

Mercedes Streeter > For Sweden 06/14/2019 at 12:32

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True, but I hate being a cop magnet. lol

bob and john > Mercedes Streeter 06/14/2019 at 12:34

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do you plan on using it to tow bikes?

Id be warey about liftting it TOO high for that. one of the great things about older trucks is that you dont need a friggen step ladder to get into the bed and it makes it SOOOOO much easier to load bikes 

Mercedes Streeter > bob and john 06/14/2019 at 12:38

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I do! And if I were to lift it I wouldn’t go very high. The guys that inspired me to get a Ranger do not have theirs lifted and those things were absolutely awesome. Worst case I still have my trailer for my bikes and it does have a proper tow package. That should make the smart’s transmission happy.

vicali > Mercedes Streeter 06/14/2019 at 12:47

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Purchase price - $700

First mod - M/T

This is good Oppo..

ITA97, now with more Jag @ opposite-lock.com > Mercedes Streeter 06/14/2019 at 12:47

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If you take it to it’s logical conclusion, you could come home with an entire ranger with no rust anywhere, it just won’t have any paint left and may or may not have anything left of the interior after a life in the high altitude desert.  

Mercedes Streeter > vicali 06/14/2019 at 13:11

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Muahahaha! Well it already needs new tires and the wheels look like crap, might as well knock that out now!

jimz > Mercedes Streeter 06/14/2019 at 13:15

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the rear leaf spring hanger (s) will eventually rust enough to break.  replacements are like $35, the rivets need to be drilled or chiseled out and the replacement hanger bolts in. 

Mercedes Streeter > jimz 06/14/2019 at 13:21

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So I’ve been warned! :) Mine are okay for now.

bob and john > Mercedes Streeter 06/14/2019 at 13:34

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if you plan on a lift, try and get an air ride set up. air it out to load up, and air back up for driving.

I want to do that to an older el camino or something 

boredalways > Mercedes Streeter 06/14/2019 at 14:15

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You’re gonna be in the parade?! NOICE!!! Walking with a group or riding on a float or bike?

Btw, I dig the Gambler 500 sticker on Tucker, especially the last line. Did y’all really burn a car? For some reason, it made me think of this famous scene:

Mercedes Streeter > boredalways 06/14/2019 at 15:06

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Yes! I’ll be riding my Suzuki in a group! :)

And also yes, we burned this former cop car to the ground:

vicali > Mercedes Streeter 06/14/2019 at 15:08

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WooohOOOooo..

boredalways > Mercedes Streeter 06/14/2019 at 17:19

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Ha!

Kiltedpadre > Mercedes Streeter 06/14/2019 at 17:44

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When it’s time to por-15 the frame give local tool rental places a call. Some near me rent engine hoists and adapters that make bed removal a one person job. It’ll make getting good coverage much easier if the bed is off.