B10Dave Posted February 3, 2017 Share Posted February 3, 2017 I bought a 2003 Ranger about 4 years ago to replace my '02 Dakota with very high mileage and trans shifting problems. It is a 3L 5spd. and has been a very good truck. It too is now high mileage and the metal mice have had their way with it. Still runs good at 350,000 kilometers (210,000 miles) but the body is so bad there is hardly any floor left in the bed and the driver door has to be slammed shut after a little mishap with a backwards rolling truck with an open door and a barn door post!!!. However the succession plan has been in the works for 2 1/2 years. I bought another '03 Ranger with a 4L and automatic for $750. It was driven 110,000 miles in it's first 7 years and then parked. First owner sold his motorhome and this truck wasn't big enough to pull the trailer he bought. The truck was oiled every year that it was on the road and then sat under a carport for 3 1/2 years. I used to work with the owner and went to see him 2 years ago last July and made a deal to buy it. It has sat in my shop for all that time. Two weeks ago I decided the time had come to put it back on the road. Well; a new windshield, wiper blades, brakes all around and a new fuel pump and it is now back on the road. In the pics you can see oil around body seams and under doors etc. I had it rust proofed as soon as I started driving it. It feels totally different to drive from the black truck as it is an early '03 that still came with coil springs and "A" arms with ball joints. The black one is a later "03 and has torsion bar suspension and a different hood and grill. Also red truck came with a paint matching topper which had never been off the truck from new until last week. I took it off to remove the bed to replace the fuel pump. So; here are some pics of my old ride and the "older" ride I replaced it with. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fishnwiz Posted February 3, 2017 Share Posted February 3, 2017 Nice job. I hear Ford is bringing back the Ranger line. 217 k miles is impressive for sure 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yukon Posted February 3, 2017 Share Posted February 3, 2017 when you get a good one you stick with it, nice truck dave 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
720nut Posted February 3, 2017 Share Posted February 3, 2017 Glad to see this one doesn't have that big hole in bed. Day you were here it sure did sound like it ran good, so hard to get rid of an old friend Happy trails my friend 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brettw Posted February 4, 2017 Share Posted February 4, 2017 I had a 2002 with the bigger 6 and an automatic. My company truck, but I, (unlike many) took care of it like it was mine. Regular oil changes, kept it washed, etc. Looked great when we traded it with 165k on it, and it never really cost us a dime other than routine maintenance. That was a good little truckand still running A-1 when it was traded. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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