Vehicle Description
1988 Ford Ranger XLT 4x4 Long Bed Pickup
"No longer content to sell a rebadged, lightly restyled Mazda as
the Courier, Ford applied the Ranger name to its new compact
pickup. And 11 years later, it began building the Mazda B-series
based on the Ranger. Although the Ranger grew slightly over its
nearly 30 year run, which included 17 straight atop the compact
sales charts, it remained a compact, with a variety of four and six
cylinder engines covering 72 to 207 horses plus one electric
model." Thxmotortrend.com
For consignment, a 1988 Ford Ranger XLT 4x4 pickup truck showing
153,108 miles which are not actual. This 2 owner truck has been
owned by our consignor since 2000, rarely driven in winter, and
always garaged. Ford Rangers were used until the wheels fell off,
but this one has been well maintained and according to our
consignor, wears its original coat of paint.
Exterior
This compact truck is dressed in Bright Regatta Blue Metallic, a
long name for a nice shade of light blue that is enhanced by the
line defining accent color on the rocker panel and wheel openings,
this is Deep Shadow Blue Metallic, a darker blue. In 80's style,
the two colors are delineated with more stripes for good measure
and the front of the truck is razor straight vertical, with an egg
crate grille flanked by square headlights over a straight bumper.
Wide trailer mirrors are the only thing that give the slab sides
some depth and the tailgate sits flush with the tail lights for
more boxy 80's goodness! 15-inch wheels carry 235/75R15 tires and
the truck sits high above them allowing for true 4x4 adventures. A
sliding rear window looks over a bed that is not pristine and
therefore, usable. Imperfections include some rust bubbles down low
and on the tailgate, some fading and oxidation on the darker blue,
and some flaking rust on a lower body panels.
Interior
Tidy and basic vinyl door cards maintain the blue motif and show
very little wear and the cleverly configured bucket seats include
an armrest under a high back extension of the driver's seat. This
blue cloth is in good shape with just a hint of compression but
otherwise shaped by robust foam. The blue steering wheel used
across the Ford line leads to a bright burlwood plastic dashboard
housing a four gauge cluster in one circle and the speedometer in
the other flanking the idiot light panel. The Ford AM/FM/Cassette
radio is situated over the vent control panel in the center of the
dash while the passenger gets a storage bin and this side of the
dash, in blue textured plastic, shows some patina with cracking and
discoloration and that extends to the dash pad which is cracked. A
T-handle shifter is on the hump, along with a range selector,
surrounded by low pile blue carpet protected by some vintage Ford
rubber mats featuring a blue stripe. The soft headliner above is in
great shape and the visors have held up well.
Drivetrain
In the bay we have a driver quality 2.9 liter V6, rated at 140
horsepower and electronically fuel injected, proclaimed on the
large engraved plenum that Ford was using in the late 80's and
early 90's. A rebuilt 4-speed automatic transmission is onboard and
sends power to the Ford 7.5 inch rear with 4.10 gears, split with
the front 4.10 gears when necessary. Power brakes are formatted as
front discs and rear drums.
Undercarriage
If this truck was regularly used in snow and salt, it would not
look as good as it does underneath. It has its share of surface
rust and patina, but there is no invasive rust to be found. Now,
there is some oil noted on both differentials, on a crossmember,
coating a knuckle, and on the pan itself. The single exhaust is in
good shape as it flows through a stock style muffler then kicks out
to the right behind the right rear wheel. Suspension on this 4x4
consists of radius arm and coil springs up front and leaf springs
in the rear.
Drive-AbilitComfortable seats and a tall point of view greet us as
we engage the fuel injection and start up the little V6. The truck
provides a lofty ride on the 75 series tires and tracks straight
and smooth in stock configuration. No frills means less to go wrong
and in fact, everything onboard worked as it should and it's back
to the paddock for this high rise Ranger. While Classic Auto Mall
represents that these functions were working at the time of our
test drive, we cannot guarantee these functions will be working at
the time of your purchase.
These once common trucks are now virtually gone from the landscape
as they were much loved and well used. This survivor surely brings
back some great memories and is one of the more stout compact
trucks from the day when nearly every manufacturer came out with a
compact rendition of their trucks. If you had one just like it, or
always wanted one, this is an example worth checking out! Wait
until your kids see how we rolled in the 80's!
1FTCR11T0JUB11711
1-USA
F-Ford Motor Company
T-Truck
C-4001 To 5000 GVWR
R11-Ranger 4x4
T-2.9 Liter V6
0-Check Digit
J-1988
U-Louisville, KY Assy Plant
B11711-Sequential Unit Number
Classic Auto Mall is home to more than 1,000 classic and
collectible vehicles for sale via consignment in a climate
controlled 336,000-square foot showroom (that's more than 8
acres!). The largest single location consignment dealer of classic
and collectible vehicles in the country is located in Morgantown,
Pennsylvania, just 1-hour west of Philadelphia off Exit 298 of the
I-76 Pennsylvania Turnpike. For more information visit
www.classicautomall.com or call us at (888) 227-0914. Contact us
anytime for more information or to come see the vehicle in person.
There is no guarantee of mileage. A $299 Dealer Administrative fee
is not included in the advertised price.
With so many great cars, you know we have a lot to talk about, and
we do that each week on the Classic Auto Mall Podcast with host
Stewart Howden. Stewart discusses new inventory as well as trends
in consignments and car prices, while interviewing celebrities and
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