Looks like you've got a good one! Best of luck, and I hope you enjoy it. That's just the right size truck, good for almost anything (including commuting!)
I find this to be an idea starter and a great choice for your current stage.
It looks very clean. You should be proud of it!
Congrats.
Challengable? I happen to know someone that'll let you borrow nice wide autocross tires for it.
My best driving adventures and adventures in general were had in a 2wd 4cyl Ranger. I got my money's worth out of it for sure and it went places it never should have and back again.
Stampie wrote:
Challengable? I happen to know someone that'll let you borrow nice wide autocross tires for it.
I'm not sure how that would work, it was my grandad's truck that he gave me. Would I go by FMV?
I don't know if the South shall rise again, but I'm jealous of your rocker panels and cab corners and bed sides. Congratulations on the ride! You're in the right place for advice, no doubt about that.
einy
Reader
4/24/17 7:31 p.m.
wow ... super clean looking! Have fun with this one!
my first truck was a 94 ford ranger enjoy it.
NoPermitNeeded wrote:
Stampie wrote:
Challengable? I happen to know someone that'll let you borrow nice wide autocross tires for it.
I'm not sure how that would work, it was my grandad's truck that he gave me. Would I go by FMV?
Yes FMV it. Use the stock tires for drags. My autocross tires can be your free set and I have $100 in the wheels. So as long as FMV is under $1917 you're good.
Stampie wrote:
NoPermitNeeded wrote:
Stampie wrote:
Challengable? I happen to know someone that'll let you borrow nice wide autocross tires for it.
I'm not sure how that would work, it was my grandad's truck that he gave me. Would I go by FMV?
Yes FMV it. Use the stock tires for drags. My autocross tires can be your free set and I have $100 in the wheels. So as long as FMV is under $1917 you're good.
Just checked, it sits just around 3k so no cigar... but I fully plan on coming to the challenge either this year or next year
mndsm
MegaDork
4/24/17 9:46 p.m.
2.3l dura is very similar to 2.3 mzr. I havemt been able to confirm, but I know a disi is a relatively easy swap into a regular 3 ( was a small part of said swap years ago) and I suspect a disi would be possible into a 4 banger ranger. Find a cx7 with a lunched automagic for peanuts and proceed.
mndsm
MegaDork
4/24/17 9:48 p.m.
NoPermitNeeded wrote:
Stampie wrote:
NoPermitNeeded wrote:
Stampie wrote:
Challengable? I happen to know someone that'll let you borrow nice wide autocross tires for it.
I'm not sure how that would work, it was my grandad's truck that he gave me. Would I go by FMV?
Yes FMV it. Use the stock tires for drags. My autocross tires can be your free set and I have $100 in the wheels. So as long as FMV is under $1917 you're good.
Just checked, it sits just around 3k so no cigar... but I fully plan on coming to the challenge either this year or next year
You meant to type 1916, right? Looks like 1916 to me.
In reply to NoPermitNeeded:
If you just wanna crew this year we can always use help.
In reply to mndsm:
I think you've had to many of those unlimited nachos. This year is 2017.
mndsm
MegaDork
4/24/17 10:57 p.m.
In reply to Stampie:
I'm trying to give him a dollar to move the budget around some and open the trade cap.
Nice ride good luck with it.
mndsm wrote:
2.3l dura is very similar to 2.3 mzr. I havemt been able to confirm, but I know a disi is a relatively easy swap into a regular 3 ( was a small part of said swap years ago) and I suspect a disi would be possible into a 4 banger ranger. Find a cx7 with a lunched automagic for peanuts and proceed.
I'd avoid that- for a first car, that kind of swap would be a little over anyone's head. As for similar vs. same- the DI engines from Mazda were pretty different than the standard MZR/Duratec engines. We looked into using them, too, for other things (a Turbo Focus back in 2005).
If anything, I'd swap over a set of cams from a 2.3l car, as the truck cams had lower lift and duration.
Other than that, learn to work and drive.
Who is your local rallycross group and do they allow small trucks? Too bad you're in the south, early AM winter parking lot doughnuts are one of the great joys of Ranger ownership.
Wall-e
MegaDork
4/25/17 7:28 a.m.
My brother put almost 300,000 miles on a similar truck he bought in college. They are really good, easy to maintain, little trucks. Congrats.
In reply to mazdeuce:
You underestimate empty parking lots in the rain.
Since you are on this board...the Focus 2.3 Duratec is the one to have...tell me more!
There is some external dimension issues you would need to solve for some of the
FWD vs RWD (ie Focus vs Ranger) stuff but the internals are the same. 
The Locost boards are always very helpful as the 2.3 Duratec is a VERY popular engine (given the 2.0 Duratec is the Caterham engine)
This is meant as an FYI and not to be enabling in any way. 
That truck needs this sticker, with the Ranger badge right in the middle:
That right there looks like the PERFECT first vehicle. Simple, cheap to run, can haul your stuff, and has mod potential. Not to mention it looks brand new. Nice!
And yes, I've also read about Duratec/MZR mods. I'm a big fan of the MZR, and these trucks have crossed my mind as a potential modding platform in the future.
Nice, that thing looks brand new! Your Ranger is a lot nicer than my Ranger. Now go find a gravel parking lot and do some donuts 
mndsm
MegaDork
4/25/17 9:33 a.m.
alfadriver wrote:
mndsm wrote:
2.3l dura is very similar to 2.3 mzr. I havemt been able to confirm, but I know a disi is a relatively easy swap into a regular 3 ( was a small part of said swap years ago) and I suspect a disi would be possible into a 4 banger ranger. Find a cx7 with a lunched automagic for peanuts and proceed.
I'd avoid that- for a first car, that kind of swap would be a little over anyone's head. As for similar vs. same- the DI engines from Mazda were pretty different than the standard MZR/Duratec engines. We looked into using them, too, for other things (a Turbo Focus back in 2005).
If anything, I'd swap over a set of cams from a 2.3l car, as the truck cams had lower lift and duration.
Other than that, learn to work and drive.
Good to know . There's a lot of dirt cheap rangers here, and I like me some disi.
)
