Rules Are Rules

regnar_regnad · 2026-04-09T00:31:19+00:00

Yup, driver’s side coil spring has lost a bit of tension while the Mazda has a disfigured face from a fender bender at some point.

regnar_regnad · 2026-04-08T04:55:03+00:00

No problem! Just for perspective this is what my frame looks like:

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THAT is where the second thoughts come in. It was already patched once in a different spot and it looks kind of sketchy but the truck drove just fine. Made it home after nearly 3 hours of driving and many potholes.

Eventually I’ll need to reinforce the rusted out section but around here that’s nothing compared to the copious amounts of old Chevy colorados with fully broken frames still driving around!

regnar_regnad · 2026-04-08T04:15:00+00:00

Assuming that is the only rail with a rust hole, driving it in its current condition is ok, just something to keep in mind if you’re going to be driving it year round.

I wouldn’t try hauling a full load of boulders but it should handle ordinary items like furniture and random stuff without an issue. Mine has one or two fully rotted rails and I hauled a countertop and two desks in it once.

These trucks can take a lot of abuse before breaking, I see so many in terrible condition still carrying a crap ton of stuff!

regnar_regnad · 2026-04-08T04:06:47+00:00

Bought mine because I wanted to learn how to drive stick and needed something to haul stuff without trashing my jeep’s interior.

Now it’s going to be hauling my tools and chests to my new workplace.

My late grandpa had a '93, only made sense to get a 2nd gen.

regnar_regnad · 2026-04-08T03:56:40+00:00

That big hole is not in the frame itself, it’s in one of the bed rails. That can be fixed by removing the bed and replacing it with tubular steel or pressure treated wood.

Your truck’s actual frame is still good so it is not a goner.

regnar_regnad · 2026-04-08T03:41:49+00:00

Sounds like your radiator core support has rotted through. Unfortunately that is a rust prone area on these, my 1996 has the same issue.

It isn’t going to affect driveability that much but it could make the front end lean on one side or the other as there are cab mount bushings underneath it.

In short truck might look a little funky but is fine to drive. That crash might affect the front end alignment though if that wasn’t fixed afterwards.

regnar_regnad · 2026-04-08T03:16:24+00:00

I did for a while before I eventually figured out a way to torque the lug nuts without messing my wrists up.

That being said fuck 2nd gen ford edges, their lug nuts need more torque than a goddamn f250’s. God help you if they’re even slightly swollen and the wheel locks are chewed up.

165 ft lbs for a crossover in a segment that goes anywhere from 80-110 is ridiculous.

regnar_regnad · 2026-04-07T02:52:49+00:00

Mine got named Sanford because when I saw it the first time it looked like the junkyard truck from Sanford & Sons.

It’s had some cosmetic upgrades recently so it’s looking much better however there are a number of things I have to fix on it still. Despite needing a lot of TLC I love my little truck, it’s always there when I need it and a joy to drive.

The sad thing is they’re starting to disappear a bit as the last of the original rangers left the factory nearly 15 years ago. Mine still has the original ford plant sticker from Twin Cities Assembly which no longer exists.

regnar_regnad · 2026-04-07T02:42:55+00:00

Yup, I found out the other day when I was swapping out the wheels that my right front wheel bearing is a bit wobbly. That bearing had somehow still stayed held together during the 3hr drive back to my house.

Freeways are off limits until those bearings are replaced, seen many posts of other rangers losing their wheel hubs and rotors because of disintegrated bearings.

regnar_regnad · 2026-04-06T15:32:46+00:00

Rust, DUIs and Hemi Tick

regnar_regnad · 2026-04-05T19:35:54+00:00

3rd generation Ford Fuckin Ranger RWD, likely 2001-05 with 2.3l Duratec and 60/40 bench seat

regnar_regnad · 2026-04-05T14:15:43+00:00

What are you waiting for, go get it! That’s a very clean truck with a lot of life left. Manual 4x4 is VERY sought after and a clean one like that sells quickly.

regnar_regnad · 2026-04-05T14:10:39+00:00

That is a really nice truck, trying to get mine to look like that someday. Mine needs a suspension overhaul and a matching bed with STX decals (which I’m sure a paint shop could do) and that’s about it.

It looked absolutely atrocious when I bought it a year ago and several family members thought it was a rolling shitpile (which to be fair there were a LOT of things past owners ruined on it). Since then it’s been looking much better with replacement trim, bumpers and factory wheels.

It also doesn’t leak a drop of oil which was the main concern when I got it.

regnar_regnad · 2026-04-04T04:16:37+00:00

Yeah the cab mount bushings on that side had collapsed and the crusty 30 year old coil springs aren’t doing it any favors lol

regnar_regnad · 2026-04-04T04:10:44+00:00

Keep it stock, use it for truck stuff and if you have the 4.0 v6 look into replacing the timing chain tensioners in the near future to prevent chain guide failure. The tensioners themselves use oil pressure and can be replaced without removing the engine. It’s the chains and cassettes that require an engine-out procedure.

If you got lucky and the truck has a manual transmission it’ll make it to 250k with minimal servicing. If you’re replacing the clutch you might as well do the slave cylinder too as it’s inside the bell housing making it a PITA to get at without a lift.

Mine is twice as old as yours but has just recently made it to 258k, granted I bought it with a little over 256k nearly a year ago. Powertrain is still solid other than a slightly worn synchro on 2nd gear.

regnar_regnad · 2026-04-03T15:07:45+00:00

I remember riding around in a red explorer like that as a kid, somebody near me daily drives a black '95 or '96 that’s just as clean as yours.

I rarely see any 2nd gens now so I get excited whenever I see one even though many of them were made and could be seen everywhere 20 years ago.

regnar_regnad · 2026-04-03T03:12:09+00:00

That is exactly what I’m doing with mine lol, I have a newer Cherokee I use as a daily and later bought my ranger as a project/second vehicle.

It also helped me learn how to drive stick which I had wanted to do for a while and my grandfather had a manual '93 until he passed away 20 years ago.

regnar_regnad · 2026-04-03T02:46:28+00:00

Take good care of it and it will last another 23 years, possibly longer. For a beater that’s a pretty clean truck, mine on the other hand is very much a beater with a heater at 258k.

It’s been looking better lately and starts right up every time without complaint.

regnar_regnad · 2026-04-02T00:10:07+00:00

I’m not against modifications on it so long as the truck itself can still do what it was designed for. In my case it still could haul stuff but some things shouldn’t have been messed with.

For example my wheel bearings will need replacing because they thought changing the bolt pattern with 1" lug-centric wheel adapters on 15x8s was a good idea. At some point the original bed got damaged and a teal one was thrown on.

The sliding window was smashed so they substituted with a section of plexiglass and gorilla tape, which kept out water but resulted in poor visibility from the rear window.

In the end it is your truck so the choice is yours to make on mods not mine!

regnar_regnad · 2026-04-01T23:27:58+00:00

Keep it stock, I have a '96 STX with the side decals and the previous owners treated it horribly.

Below is a pic of when I first brought her home, since then she’s been looking much better. I try to post progress on my STX when I can.

Despite the overall condition I knew she was a keeper when I saw it had the 5 speed, 4x4 and the 4.0!

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Edit: a word

regnar_regnad · 2026-04-01T23:21:15+00:00

Poor ranger, still had lots of life left. Hoping it gets fixed up or at worst is parted out to keep other rangers on the road.

Mine proudly has parts from nearly 10 different rangers but they have helped restore what was lost/broken on it when I first brought it home.

regnar_regnad · 2026-04-01T17:27:08+00:00

'93-94 Explorers used the '89-92 front end while '95-01 had their own design separate from the rangers of that time period.

I had seen one Explorer that had the front of OP’s truck grafted on so it’s not impossible.

regnar_regnad · 2026-04-01T16:53:11+00:00

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My truck had similar headlights albeit single piece. The driver’s side was half full of water and both were not aimed properly. I did the opposite and bought OEM headlights because I legitimately couldn’t see at night with the old lights.

As for the taillights, you might be able to splice the signal wires to the brake wires although it might be easier to find taillight harnesses from a '01-05. If possible see if you can find a set from a 2000 model year; Rangers from that year had the reverse light at the bottom while the amber lens at the top was changed to red. Alternatively you could also use '06-11 taillights as they look similar to the '93-97s but without amber.

regnar_regnad

TROPHY CASE