Hey guys, I'm looking at getting a rancher to work on and I want to know if y'all think its worth it. It belongs to a Friend of mine in SC. He bought it for his son new in 2000 or so. He was very hard on it an the second time he stripped the rear axle he parked it. This was around 2005. I haven't seen it since but I'm assuming its still sitting in their shed. Anyway it's a 2000 rancher ES 2wd. I know that it will at least need wheel bearings, seals, the rear axle repaired, and the carb and tanks cleaned. If I remember correctly the plastic was ok, and the the racks could be straitened. The seat was new an the starter had been recently rebuilt. Oh yea it will probably need breaks too, we were all about the mud when we were riding together, and I just had to do all of this to my big bear. Mileage was close to 4k I think. I'm thinkin of asking him about it this wknd, but I'm not willing to pay more than a couple hundred for it considering its condition. All opinions are welcome. Thanks in advance.

 

Wow. From your description, he beat that thing. I'd say it's worth a couple hundred but I'd be concerned about the things you DIDN'T mention. Like, did he ever change the motor oil or the differential oil?

 

The price should be free to 200. Sounds like it may be a part out machine. Even if you got it for nothing I would add up the cost of parts that need to be replaced then add a extra 400 for a total. Might not be worth fixing.

 

Yea he did beat on it. I'm almost positive that its still got the factory oil in it, he isn't the kind of guy to really take care of anything. I got to looking and a rear axleshaft will be close to $150, and that's if the differential gear isn't stripped which it probably is. Figure up a complete brake job and wheel bearings all around. Plus a new battery, possibly a new switch and key, plus my time. Maybe I should pass on it. That's why I posted here before I even asked him about it. I'm still thinkin on it, so any more input is welcome.

 

Ok I priced out some parts and pieces, and for wheel bearings, brakes, a battery, and a rear axle shaft and pinion gear, it totals to about $630. Thats IF he can find the key and theres no problems with the ES or the motor from sitting. If I need a switch or some electrical components it'll be more of course. So if I add the $400 mentioned above that comes to $1000. I guess I'll see what he says. If its free I'll rob the battery out of my big bear and at least see if it runs, and then go from there. I'll report back when I found out what he says.

 

Well, I asked him about it Sunday and no go, he says its been gone for a while now. I guess he scrapped it. And he didn't want to sell his mid 90's fourtrax 300 so I guess I'm back to lookin for a project. Oh well.