A company is auctioning off a handful of Ford Rangers. A few 1999's, a few 2004's and 2005's.

They all have about the same mileage (85,000-115,000). They are all 4x4's.

They were well maintained and are in good physical condition but have high mileage.

If anyone has ever purchased a Ranger this way or if anyone has any advice (including fair market value/ what I can expect to pay) I would greatly appreciate it.

 

I don't know about prices but if you could get on of the 04-05s with a 4.0 SOHC I'd go for it!

 

Is any of the three model years better than another?

I like the lines on the 04's and 05's, but the 1999 is nice and probably a lot cheaper

 

Well I have a 2000 which is basically the same as the 99'. I love my truck without a doubt and the 4.0 OHV has nice low end grunt which I personally enjoy. I think the only thing I really prefer about the newer styles is the front end. It really looks better with the smaller headlight/corner light combo and the bumpers are a bit nicer I think. Otherwise they are both great!

 

Thanks vans. I'm a little concerned with the mileage (85,000-115,000). My dad had an in-line six that lasted over 225,000. Can you expect the same performance in general from the 4.0?

 

Well I have about 125,000 on mine and I have a friend w/ a 99 with 100,000 more than mine so that says something I think! The transmission seems to be the only weak link if I had to pick one.

 

Wow that is what I was hoping to hear. I've always wanted a 4x4 Ranger and don't really care for the brand new look. The trannie sounds expensive.

The last 4x4 I had was a Jeep Commanche and it could take a beating off road. Have you had some fun with yours vans?

 

Well Rangers are great man! I really love my truck and I have put a heck ton of time into it. I play with mine some but usually I try to keep it clean lol. I have an 85 Bronco that I keep around to do most of my off roading!

 

haha nice! I love the old Bronco's.

Did you do any kind of lift?
I was reading about torsion bar adjustments and suspension lifts. Torsion adjustments sound pretty economical.

 

Yes I sure do. I have both a suspension lift and a body lift for around 7" of total lift. When I was stock height I cranked my torsion bars and it helped the look but boy did it ride like crap! Don't waste your money on torsion keys. You can just crank them to the desired height.

 

Good advice. These things are fleet so they will need some love to get up to snuff. Can you get 17's under a torsion lift or are 16's max? They have steel 16's (I think) now.

 

Well its not so much the wheel size as it is the tire size. There are charts on the wheel/tire topic area that tell what size can be fit depending on the setup you have. When my tbars were cranked I easily fot 32"x10.50"s no problem. That's for a tbar cranked 4x4.

 

Thanks for all the advice vans. Cheers

 

No problem! Hope it helped out some. Good luck with the truck purchase.

 

I would get the 04 or 05. In my opinion they look better and they are newer vehicles. If you can afford it...

 

Thanks. I'm a lot more reassured about the 4.0 now

 

They are regular cab, 6 ft beds. I'm hoping to see them go around 6k or 7k. I agree too about the looks. Of the last gen, this gen and next, they look the best.

What does a lift set you back?