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Here is the deal. I want a pickup truck to use as my everyday in town truck to drive to work (commute 4.5 miles one way) and to haul stuff when needed. One of the frustrations I've found is when I run across something at a garage sale, antique store, buy a new mattress, etc, and I can't fit it into my Corolla and must hit up someone who has a truck.
So here is my plan: use my Corolla as my long road trip, out of town car, use the pickup as my everyday vehicle. I don't feel I need a huge truck. I don't want anything new or w/all the electronics and bells and whistles etc. In fact, I don't even like power windows and locks. I just want something bare bones, reliable, and that can do the job. I won't be hauling boats or towing or that sort of thing.
There is a very nice 1967 Ford F100, newly rebuilt V8engine, new transmission, carb, etc., just a beautiful truck. It is about a 3 hour drive from where I live and I would rather find something more local than worry about how to get the thing back etc. And as much as all my male coworkers think this 67 (The year I was born) is soooo cool, and I do too, and it would be nice to drive around in that big, heavy tank, I don't think it is too practical. I know trucks don't get the greatest mileage, but I think this may be too much truck for me. The guys say better to have too much truck than not enough when I need it.
I personally think a Ford Ranger would be just fine. No extended cab. Just a straight up Ranger. Now, the guys give me all as what they see as logical reasons why I should stick with the 67 Ford: it's well maintained, you can always work on it, it is built like a tank and will last forever, it has character, more is better than less, and I get that. I just don't know if it will serve my needs.
So, with all that background, if I were looking for a Ranger, what years should I look at and what should I stay away from? I know for a while there the Rangers were prone to some problems. I don't mind driving an older vehicle. It doesn't have to be pretty. It just has to be dependable.
We had a 98 ranger ... base 4x4 single cab. It was an "extra" vehicle fro doing exactly what you're looking for ... hauling stuff from Home Depot, camping, etc.
We offloaded the car a few years ago, but it had very few issues while we owned it.
If you buy the 67 and don't pay too much for it, and its really in good condition, you just about can't get hurt, financially.
I'm not certain why you would daily-drive the truck instead of your Toy, though. Offhand I would say drive the Toy "most" of the time, drive the truck when you need a truck, or say once a week to "exercise" it.
I don't know since you didn't say what year Ranger you are looking at, and since you don't say in detail what "work" the truck will be expected to do, so I don't know enough to offer an opinion as to which one would work better for you.
The MPG on the F-100 will depend on what transmission it has (stick is better) and what rear-end gearset it has. If you don't drive the truck daily the gas bill for it won't be much.
Again I think the Toy is the better (more economical) daily driver.
If you do buy the F-100, if it's 3 hours from you, first, get AAA with free towing of at least 100 miles, second, take it for a good long test drive of at least 30 minutes with at least some freeway driving so you can be reasonably sure it's not going to give you problems on the trip home. Even if it does have issues on the test drive it's not necessarily a bad deal, depending on price. Assuming you can find a good old-school mechanic, and/or DIY, these trucks are easy to work on, extensive aftermarket parts support. Part of your pre-purchase inspection should include checking transmission lube level if its a manual (check the A/T fluid if an auto of course, but you don't have to get under the truck to do that)
Nothing wrong with having a older PU that has a V8 in it. If the investment is small and covered with the minimum ins...why not? I had a 65 Chev 3/4 ton for over 17-1/2 yrs and wish I had that baby back today. I do have an occasional need to haul stuff that I wish to buy but cannot because of no way to bring it home...so I'm up the tree.
Remember that if it is not driven too much there will be less wear and a need for any major repairs. Today I only drive about 5000 miles and most of that is fwy for my major needs.
First, the Ranger is a pig. Small and bad gas mileage. The 67 would be ok, but all the wiring and rubber will be a crapshoot. And, if you are not towing you do not need a V8, you need a straight 6. Ford made a great dependable 6 cylinder truck all through the 80's to the mid nineties and I had several. Great trucks. Run forever. Just get an F150 or F250 with the 6 and call it a day. If you can spend $1000 on a 6 cylinder truck from the late 80's you will have a museum piece.
If you buy the 67 and don't pay too much for it, and its really in good condition, you just about can't get hurt, financially.
I'm not certain why you would daily-drive the truck instead of your Toy, though. Offhand I would say drive the Toy "most" of the time, drive the truck when you need a truck, or say once a week to "exercise" it.
I don't know since you didn't say what year Ranger you are looking at, and since you don't say in detail what "work" the truck will be expected to do, so I don't know enough to offer an opinion as to which one would work better for you.
The MPG on the F-100 will depend on what transmission it has (stick is better) and what rear-end gearset it has. If you don't drive the truck daily the gas bill for it won't be much.
Again I think the Toy is the better (more economical) daily driver.
If you do buy the F-100, if it's 3 hours from you, first, get AAA with free towing of at least 100 miles, second, take it for a good long test drive of at least 30 minutes with at least some freeway driving so you can be reasonably sure it's not going to give you problems on the trip home. Even if it does have issues on the test drive it's not necessarily a bad deal, depending on price. Assuming you can find a good old-school mechanic, and/or DIY, these trucks are easy to work on, extensive aftermarket parts support. Part of your pre-purchase inspection should include checking transmission lube level if its a manual (check the A/T fluid if an auto of course, but you don't have to get under the truck to do that)
Thanks Mitch,
I didn't say what year Ranger b/c I'm not interested in any one year in particular or am not looking at any one in particular. But wasn't there a timeframe when the Ranger's were having some probs? I read somewhere that you should look at models before 1998 and after 2003 or something to that effect. I can't recall.
My Toyota is a five speed, so I do alot of shifting in town, alot of wear and tear on the clutch. I've not had to replace it nor have I had any problems at all, but I think I am a bit tired of driving a manual in the city and I take alot of road trips.
The 67 Ford had a C6 automatic transmission put in it recently and the 352 engine has been newly rebuilt, although a friend of mine says the 352 is a smaller V8. He also put in a new carb and electronic ignition. The guy is asking $2500 for the 67 Ford.
First, the Ranger is a pig. Small and bad gas mileage. The 67 would be ok, but all the wiring and rubber will be a crapshoot. And, if you are not towing you do not need a V8, you need a straight 6. Ford made a great dependable 6 cylinder truck all through the 80's to the mid nineties and I had several. Great trucks. Run forever. Just get an F150 or F250 with the 6 and call it a day. If you can spend $1000 on a 6 cylinder truck from the late 80's you will have a museum piece.
I actually have been thinking about the F150 or at least considering it. And I would rather have a 6 than an 8. I"ll have to think about that. Thanks. Weren't there alot of wiring/electronic issues in the 80s w/Ford? I don't know about the pickups, but I had an 89 Escort that went whacko on the electronics and since then, I've wanted nothing to do w/Ford cars.
First, the Ranger is a pig. Small and bad gas mileage.
Hmmm. To each his own I guess, but I love my 02' Ranger. It is a little small in terms of interior, but then I'm a pretty big guy.
As far as choosing between the two trucks, if you are mechanically inclined I would definately go with the 67'. It will be cheaper to register, insure, and maintain over the long term. Realistically, a guy could spend 3K-4K on rebuilding the engine and tranny (if he does the work himself) and then have essentially a "new" truck without the new truck payment. If you're not mechanically inclined and willing to mess with it, you can't really go wrong with the Ranger IMHO.
Too many people over do it a bit with these big trucks they will never push to their max. I'd say for what your doing a Ranger would be more than enough. They are very reliable good trucks. If your not opposed to an import the Frontier and the Tacoma are good trucks as well.
If your not on a ranch hauling cattle wagons, or working some manly, dirty, gritty heavy duty job you don't need a gas guzzling tank. Just my opinion in it. But it all comes down to each's personal preference.
If you buy the 67 and don't pay too much for it, and its really in good condition, you just about can't get hurt, financially.
I'm not certain why you would daily-drive the truck instead of your Toy, though. Offhand I would say drive the Toy "most" of the time, drive the truck when you need a truck, or say once a week to "exercise" it.
I don't know since you didn't say what year Ranger you are looking at, and since you don't say in detail what "work" the truck will be expected to do, so I don't know enough to offer an opinion as to which one would work better for you.
The MPG on the F-100 will depend on what transmission it has (stick is better) and what rear-end gearset it has. If you don't drive the truck daily the gas bill for it won't be much.
Again I think the Toy is the better (more economical) daily driver.
If you do buy the F-100, if it's 3 hours from you, first, get AAA with free towing of at least 100 miles, second, take it for a good long test drive of at least 30 minutes with at least some freeway driving so you can be reasonably sure it's not going to give you problems on the trip home. Even if it does have issues on the test drive it's not necessarily a bad deal, depending on price. Assuming you can find a good old-school mechanic, and/or DIY, these trucks are easy to work on, extensive aftermarket parts support. Part of your pre-purchase inspection should include checking transmission lube level if its a manual (check the A/T fluid if an auto of course, but you don't have to get under the truck to do that)
I forgot to add, the rear end is a 9 inch 10 bolt Ford w/ 3.25 gearing and has also been recently rebuilt. Carb was replaced w/ a factory 2 barrel, electronic ignition is newly installed = ignitor 3 system, dual exhaust w/ separate glass packs and chome tips.
I am not a mechanic nor do I work on trucks or have much knowledge, so I'd have to seek out shade tree mechanics etc for repairs/replacements.
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