I bought myself a 99 ranger xlt/4x4 supercab stepside truck with a 3.0 and auto trans. ABS, power windows, locks, mirrors, cruise, security, chrome package, metallic green

Its got some problems here and there, kinda going to be a project to get the stuff fixed but I got it for pretty cheap and it was pretty much exactly what I was looking for. Just for kicks and giggles I will list the couple of immediate questions I need answered pretty fast and then will list the overall problems I am going to be tackling in the next months to come.

1. needs trans fluid, what kind are they using (used to put atf in my mustang when it had an auto trans still
2. rear slide window needs replacement, currently has plexiglass taped in
3. ac is leaking freon, have dye to put in it. Works fine and holds charge for 2-3 weeks.
4. rear brakes lock up for the first few minutes of driving pretty much no matter what you do. then work fine.
5. shifting hard and leaking fluid on exhaust (see #1)



problems for down the road

windshield has a single crack across it
each wheel has 1 lug nut broken
cd/radio is dead
had some problems with 4wH and 4wL shifting. Dont know if I was doing it wrong or not.
I HATE THE SEATS, will be looking to put buckets in there out of a donor vehicle
leaking trans fluid, cannot tell exactly where from, may just be the pan gasket.
power locks kind of try to work, but dont really
cel on
abs yellow light on.
hood has a big "rub" spot on the paint from a bug guard, might just paint a black hood stripe
want to delete the jump seats and build a box for stereo and storage



this is my first truck....let the party begin!

 

sounds like **** but i bet youll fix it up nice post up pics!!

 

Congrats on the new truck!

That truck uses Mercon V transmission fluid, and Mercon V transmission fluid only. If someone put Mercon in it, that could in fact be part of its problem with shifting (more of an issue with 4R70W transmissions, but it could happen with your 5R44E too probably).

The rear brakes probably need to be adjusted, cleaned, and maybe need new hardware. I would take them apart and have a look at things as soon as you get a chance. More than one person on this site has taken their rear drums off to find everything in a complete mess.

That truck has shift on the fly 4WD, so it should shift into 4WD hi at speed just fine. Park the truck and put it in neutral for shifting into 4 lo. There may be a problem with the shift motor if you still have problems. Your truck also has a pulse vaccum hub system that is prone to failure, but I am not sure if this would affect shifting the transfer case or not. Someone else probably knows a lot more about it and can point you in the right direction. There is a fix to make the front axle live (always engaged) and there are manual hub replacements available.

As for the seats, 2001 and older Explorer seats swap right in.

 

i never would've got that truck with all of it's problems... i hope it was under $500.

 

Eek...auto tranny issues already...something I won't touch...

Tranny fluid = BIG DEAL. Use the right one mentioned above...

There is an additive for A/C that is supposed to deal cracks/small holes in your system...I would recommend to NOT do this...find the problem, and replace that way. The cheaper way will work for now, but will be a b!tch down the road...do you really wanna revamp your whole system by next summer? Replace hoes if it is not under pressure...otherwise, get a professional a/c shop to do it...

This may sound dumb, but try reversing for a a few minutes in your truck. If you don't feel like actually going down the private street like that, throw the rear axle in 2WD and and up on jack stands. Chock front wheels with a brick, i.e. Shift into reverse, and let tires run/spin. When you want the tires to fully stop, hold brake longer to make sure wheels have stopped before putting into "park." That just worked for me on a taurus and an F-150. May work for your ranger. *shrug* If not, again, take a BFH (big fvcking hammer, if seized/rusted on) etc. to take off your rear drums. Clean, replace brakes & parts if necessary. Don't be scurrrred....

Also suggest replacing tranny fluid & filter. You don't know when the last time someone did that...unbolt all the pan bolts and let drip. Replace filter with new. Add gasket. Put pan back. If still shifts hard, add "Lucas Transmission Additive" or whatever. It comes in a bottle for about $6, and looks like honey. This works wonders, and is safe for your tranny.

Go to an Autozone (or shop of choice) and get them to pull the CEL code. GO from there, or report back with findings. It can be any number of things...

Seats? Yea, 60/40 is gay. Tried to find seat covers today on eBay...not much (tasteful) luck. Search the forum for the modded ranger bucket method. You basically hack that middle part away...some like it a lot, and it looks really good when time is taken.

Oh, you said ABS light on. Whoops...yea, ur brakes are screwed. Inspect.

 

He said he got it knowing it would be a project.

Around here that would still be a $3000 truck.

 

bout beating on the rear drums... i did that and still couldnt get them off... do i run the risk of actually shattering the drums by hitting them with a hammer?

 

No I wouldn't worry about it Dave.

 

All that stuff sounds pretty easy to fix.

once you get new fluid in the trans it will probably shift better, and new gaskets can fix those leaks. Junk Yards will have Rear Sliders or Solid Glass if you wanna do that, as well as Explorer Bucket seats. Windshield replacements are covered under insurance and have no deductable. Most people replace the Head/unit and speakers in the truck anyway. If it's a project , swap in an explorer rear end to get some nice rear disc breaks. Clean the Maf and replace O2 sensors and you will probably get rid of the CEL. your ABS light and locking rear breaks go hand in hand. The rest is Cosmetic

 

Dang, some of you guys are harsh! I am not new to cars, just new to rangers/trucks. I have a 67 and 70 mustang, (restored the 67), and am currently driving a 94 mx6. My first mx6 came out of a junkyard for $200 and then purchased a $300 motor for it. Poof, working car for $500! The 4wd stuff I am not too worried about, had not really planned on getting that in a truck so it was just an added bonus. AND it may be that I was not doing it right. It did shift to 4WH, just could not get it to do the low. Will have to try the above methods. The hard shifts could be explained by the leaks which I have to admit I did not notice until I got it home. A new used vehicle needs to have the general maintenance done even if working right. Oil change, trans fluid filter/change, brakes bled and inspected. Rear slider, power locks, seats, ect. are just easy junkyard digging. Stereo, just going to pull all the stuff out of my old car and reinstall (with the addition of a custom box for the jump seat area). The front window...$200 for someone to come to me and do it and ac, at worse its the compressor leaking, $100 for the compress and $100 for a shop to pull it down and charge. My cousin is actually a ford mechanic. Figured I can get codes pulled by him.

 

Oh yeah, and the help was less a cry for yall to get my truck running and more a cry for help that I get myself into project cars. after 4 years I got my mx6 running good, all the maintenance and replacement work done. Bodywork done and sitting in primer ready for paint....and here I am again, starting over with another project

 

oh, btw. what other vehicles should I look for that have parts that interchange. Like with my MX6 I knew that mazda 626s had same motor and drivetrain and some interior parts. Also, ford probes had a lot of similar parts. Will rear slider windows out of mazda b series trucks fit? Power window switches? etc.

So what else can I rob from for my 99?

 

A lot of parts interchange between your truck and 1994 to current B-Series trucks, 1995 - 2001 Explorers, 1995 - 2003 Explorer Sports, and 2001 - 2005 Explorer Sport Tracs.

A lot of people here install overhead consoles from Explorers, full length floor consoles from Explorers, and electronic climate control systems from Explorers. Other small parts such as dome lights and such interchange too.

A slider from a B-Series should work, but try and get one from a truck that has the same body configuration and is close to the same model year as your truck to avoid any little issues from Ford changing something with the window around. I think 1997 and older regular cabs may have used a different style of rear window that may or may not fit in your Super Cab.

 

thats cool to know. Would like to add a console to go with the bucket seats I want to put in!

 

after the addition of the fluid today the truck is shifting much better. Plan on doing a fluid change and filter this week to see how that effects it. I do notice fluid from the front of the transmission. Guessing this is the front seal.