hey guys i am thinking of buying a 2000 ranger 4x4 off road with the 4.0 in it it has 145k on it but they just replaced one of the heads and had the other checked so i know that all the stuff up top is in good shape what im getting at is i have a 02 edge with the 3.0 in it now but i drive alot of miles (around 300 a day) and i want something else to drive so as to not rack up so many miles on the edge. is the 2000 4.0 a good reliable motor and do you think it still has more life left in it? and by the way the truck runs smooth makes no noises oil looks good no sign of any engine trouble.

thanks chad

 

Chad,

Any time you open up one side of the motor and not the other, you have a unbalanced thresh hold. That's not to say it'll let go. But more than likely the untouched side would let go first.

And more importantly.. *why* did the fixed side let go to begin with? If it was overheated.. run away!

I'd also say to look at how you drive. If you tend to push a motor hard.. you might want to go for something better.

Rich

 

FYI I ride my 93 4.0 hard. Ii just rolled over 200,000. It has the same motor. I trust that motor, but I dont know your 2000's history, and like Rich said, if its been overheated, cease and desist! :)

 

appreciate the responses both heads was took off if thats what you mean by both sides the truck never overheated it was a friend of mines and he told me that he never got it hot. he traded it in at the car lot and they found out it was cracked by after it idled for a min or two it would start steaming from the exhaust. ive known the car dealer all my life hes a family friend so i dont think he would pawn some pos on me and i know my way around motors really well so if it broke i wouldnt have a problem doing it myself but if i can avoid having to work on it thats even better. i was wondering how reliable the 4.0 is never had but from what i gather it seems that it is a pretty good motor thanks for all the input guys its nice to get someone else perspective on things.

 

I have a 2000 4.0 and I have already replaced the first one for reasons that are still unknown. I have a new used in it now but I am still scared to death that this one will give out. I seems like it all depends on what day of the week the truck was made. Some people get a couple or more thousand miles out of them of some like my first one only last 80K. I don't mean to worry by saying this I am just tryin to convey that it may look like a good engine but have underlying troubles, or it may be great. With my truck I would not drive 300 miles a day. Thats mine though, hopefully it will be good for you, Best of Luck, Blades

 

IMHO, i would get an econo **** box car.

Ford fesitiva, aspire or similar

Great gas mileage and cheap price are hard to say no to.

 

Have you considered a 4 cyl? Driving 300 miles a day on a 4 cyl vs a 4.0L V6 is quite a difference in gas mileage. Also, a 4 cyl will be quite cheaper than a 4.0L (IE: You can probably get a 4 CYL w/ under 100K miles for whatever you would spend on that 4.0L ranger).

Obviously I don't know your financial situation, but just trying to give you another option that may save some $$$.

 

hi guys thanks for the responses i have decided not to go with the 2000 because of the high miles gonna continue the search. i would love to drive an econo box but i need a truck for my work, i work for an engineering company so i need something to get in the dirt with. the gas mileage im not to concerned about because i get paid for every mile i drive on top of my regualr wage, by the way if anybody that lives in the middle tennessee area has something for sale hit me up thanks chad