'84/85 Ranger questions

[collegeoffroad]

the uncle wants to get rid of either an '84 or '85 Ranger (will give to me for free). It has ~70K on it and a 5spd., 4cyl. engine (not the diesel, though I haven't been able to find out from him yet whether it's the 2.0L or 2.3L) I've got a Jeep Cherokee that I've had for a few years now (lifted/DD, etc.) but don't know much about Fords. Any of y'all have some suggestions on where I could find info. about axles/specs on the Truck? I'm trying to figure out whether it'd be worth having as a second rig (money is limited, but the 28mpg the ranger gets vs. 10 in the XJ is tempting...)

any help would be greatly appreciated, and TIA!!

 

[jimbo74]

what info are you looking for? this si the place to look.... there are other ranger specific sites too.... www.therangerstation.com www.rrorc.com www.rangerpowersports.com www.therangerstation.com

the rangers are great vehicles.... even if you jsut keep it as a dd for the mileage and jsut mod the jeep

 

[collegeoffroad]

looking for info. on axles (i read they are probably the 7.5?) and whether there are any general problems with them that most ranger owners are aware of (e.g. the rear main seal on jeeps leaks and quite a few have problems with blowby)

thanks for the resources though and I'll keep searchin' around here as well

 

[jimbo74]

the automatics suck... (all ford light duty autos suck in everything) probably is the 7.5" rear as the 8.8" rear didnt come until later and that was only in the rangers with a 4.0l engine

 

[Brian_B]

That should be pretty basic for transportaion. With a 4 banger it probably has not seen serious abuse expecially with around 70k on it. Its a 7.5, but I don't have a clue about gearing. I am not familiar with the 4 cylinders of the standard transmissions. I had an 89, 2.9V6 for 16 years though. Good little trucks.

 

[collegeoffroad]

the automatics suck... (all ford light duty autos suck in everything) probably is the 7.5" rear as the 8.8" rear didnt come until later and that was only in the rangers with a 4.0l engine

that's one thing i'm definitely happy about...my XJ is an auto, but this baby is a 5spd. haven't had one before and never learned to drive one (a shame i know, but give me a break...no one in my family had one to practice on ) so it should be a fun truck to have around if i can affford the insurance on it + the XJ

 

[Stic-o]

Alright, Here it goes... Easy to tell if it's a 84 or 85. Just look under the hood and see if it's Fuel injected or not. 84 was Carb, and 85 was EFI. It' is most likly a 2.3 which is the most common. It's for sure the 5-speed, because they didn't put auto's with a 4 banger till much later I think. (not enough power) 7.5 rear for sure, 8.8 did not come until 89-90, and only in 4.0. It is for sure gonna be Gutless! But there fun none the less. Watch for cracked intakes. With a 2.3 and 5-speed, it should get some good milage. Not 28, but probbaly closer to 18-23. I have had a few Rangers, '85, '96, and now a project '85 4x4. (see signature) Jim has sent you in the right dorection for info though. Everything you need to know...and them some is at the Ranger Station.

 

[96limitedX]

my dad still has his 84 2.9 4x4 auto. it has 105k on it. the trannys been replaced 2 times. the front hubs about 2 times. new t-case at 80k an a few other little things. but its been a great truck!!

 

[Stic-o]

my dad still has his 84 2.9 4x4 auto. it has 105k on it. the trannys been replaced 2 times. the front hubs about 2 times. new t-case at 80k an a few other little things. but its been a great truck!!

84 would be a 2.8 2.9 did not come out till '86

 

[Brian_B]

.... because they didn't put auto's with a 4 banger till much later I think....

Not that it matters, since his is a standard, but a lot of the fleet trucks (completly stripped ones) had a 4 banger with an automatic in 83. They were a C3. I know...weird.