I know the answer is probably "it depends" but I thought I'd ask anyway

I have an '02 Ranger Edge with the 3.0 v6 and auto.

I have 140,000 miles -- about 15k a year.

I occasionally tow a 3000 lb popup camper -- roughly 40 SF of frontal surface. Maybe three times a year, with trips of 100 to 200 miles, including one up into the North Carolina mountains.

So the question: how many more years do you guess I have before things start to go. Haven't had any real problems as of yet.

 

if you replaced your cam synchro, many more. if you havent, not long.

 

The first question is, how much routine maintenance are you willing to do? If you keep up on regular maintenance it should run for a long time. I have a friend who has a 99 4banger and he has almost 400k on it. of course he's kept up with regular tune ups and stuff, he just drives freeway and its only 2wd, but the point is.... these trucks will last a long time if you take care of them.

 

It could break in 20 more miles or last forever. Who knows

 

Also depends on how big of a pile of junk you want to keep driving. My brother bought a beater 2500 Dodge with over 240k miles on it. It starts and drives down the road, but that's about it. Steering is complete garbage, suspension is completely shot, u joints going out, auto hubs are hit and miss, gets 10 MPG, reverse is weak....

But it's still 'going'.

I would say first thing you'll notice is your front suspension getting loose. Maybe a couple of axle bearings will go out, some u joints. Overall, though, you have tons of life left in it barring any rust.

 

I have a truck with 255k on it, maintenance was kept up and it drives fine, I'd take it anyway. Had a 6hr trip with trailer, I was ready...I was kind of disappointed that we had to take a different vehicle to haul more people.

My old 3.0 ranger had 240k on it. Infact it's in my yard, sat for 2 years, still fires right up. Frame is cracked and the salt has eaten away the rest of it. It was one great machine though.

 

Thanks guys!

Here in inland S.C. we don't worry about rust. I do general maintenance, like oil, filters, and plugs. I've only heard about the cam synchro since joining this forum a couple days ago. I'll need to get on that. Since it's never been done, is it like:

a) a timing belt -- living on borrowed time -- as long as it works it works, or
b) coolant -- cumulative damage if it's not changed on schedule?

 

In Mexico you can see everyday rangers from the early 80´s. Most of the owners confirm that the odometer has turn the full count at least 2 times ! (Before the odometer break it down) !!!

this things last forever !

 

^^

X2
And the next 2 questions would be ... Do you live in an area where salt gets spead on the roads like in Northern Ohio or Do you live in the Southern states where there's hardly any salt spread on the roads. Salt will destroy a Ranger or any other truck faster than not changing the oil ... ask me how I know.

 

Your right I just found a rust bubble on my left cab corner yesterday. Wasnt there last weeks wash job. Paint is busted clear open. Sick in my gut over it.

 

When it snows I stay home.

Usually just a day or two each year.

You can find daily drivers here from the 50's without any rust.

 

Bought my 1989 2wd 2.3 5sp in 1991 and i still have it..running very well at 150k and i DO take very good care of if..oil changes, tire rotation and that sorta crap....i'm very lucky and you should be too
James

 

Yeah, lets not even talk about salt. It was snowing here today!!!
During the winter if you look under my truck it is completely white with SALT crystals. At least weekly trips to the car wash for the underbody spray cleaning.
Nothing eats a car faster than road salt

 

I live in northern Ohio and yes salt can be a problem, this is why I keep my Ranger washed as much as necessary. I also put on wax a couple of times a year, and my body is holding up really well. I do have a small rust spot about the size of a nickel, by my right rear mud flap that I need to fix. But for a 2003, 8 year old truck it's doing really well. I only have about 48,xxx miles on it, but it's running like new and very dependable.I'm planning on keeping it a long time, so I'm taking good care of it. I do a Mobil 1 oil change every 6 months.

 

In Wi they are salt happy. I let mine go 3 weeks between washings. No rust on my 02 yet.

 

My friend's 1999 Ranger is dying on him....he says he is hearing a clunking sound that sounds like his transmission is going out on him. He was standing on the back bumper and it fell down 60%, he now has it held up with bungy cords. He says his leaf springs mounting brackets are about give out too....so he's looking for another vehicle now. 157,xxx miles...He says the truck doesn't owe him a dime, and he will be selling it for parts. He's been driving it for 8 years so he's gotten his money out of it already.

 

My '98 4.0 4x4 had 158,000 miles on it before it was totalled by someone on a freeway. It still ran VERY strong. Regular PM's: oil, tune ups, filters, etc. changed the tranny fluid around and belt belt between 70-90k . The person who bought the wreck is rebuilding it to replace his '94 that has 360k so I will be able to keep tabs on it and maybe drive it again.