Hi guys I'm new here and I'm thinking about buying this ranger..
#1
Hi guys I'm new here and I'm thinking about buying this ranger..
So I've had a Chevy S10 for about 5 or 6 years now and I noticed what seems to be a very reasonably priced Ranger for sale.
Being Ford-ignorant, I'd like to get some opinions from you proud (or pissed) Ranger owners!
Here's what I need: Another small dependable vehicle with rear wheel drive, a standard transmission, and preferably a 4-cylinder motor. My girlfriend needs a reliable vehicle to get to work and back SAFELY so I'm buying me a second truck and letting her use it until she A)buys her own damn car, or B) just buys this truck from me.
Here's what it is: A 1998 Ford Ranger regular cab, short bed, 2 wheel drive, 2.5 L four cylinder. 5-speed manual. 243,150 miles!!! Damn! But here's the thing, it runs GREAT. No check engine light, no noises but the power steering pump, and shifts perfectly. It has mostly highway miles and it was a part of a fleet for a cable company that apparently took care of their maintenance. The a/c doesn't work and that's about it.
What do you guys think? He's asking $1,400. I want to offer 1,000.
And thankyou for reading or just skipping over all that nonsense I typed!
Being Ford-ignorant, I'd like to get some opinions from you proud (or pissed) Ranger owners!
Here's what I need: Another small dependable vehicle with rear wheel drive, a standard transmission, and preferably a 4-cylinder motor. My girlfriend needs a reliable vehicle to get to work and back SAFELY so I'm buying me a second truck and letting her use it until she A)buys her own damn car, or B) just buys this truck from me.
Here's what it is: A 1998 Ford Ranger regular cab, short bed, 2 wheel drive, 2.5 L four cylinder. 5-speed manual. 243,150 miles!!! Damn! But here's the thing, it runs GREAT. No check engine light, no noises but the power steering pump, and shifts perfectly. It has mostly highway miles and it was a part of a fleet for a cable company that apparently took care of their maintenance. The a/c doesn't work and that's about it.
What do you guys think? He's asking $1,400. I want to offer 1,000.
And thankyou for reading or just skipping over all that nonsense I typed!
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I have a '93 with the 4.3 V6. It's only got 160,000 miles and it runs like a scalded dog. I haven't heard that about the 4 cylinder S10s but if you got the 2.5 liter 4 cylinder, that thing is CAKE to replace a head gasket on. But I have a few friends with the 2.5 that haven't had any head gasket issues. However the 2.8 V6 is a terd, stay away unless you put some money into it to make it get out of it's own way!
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Followed up with new fluid and a bottle of: Lucas Power Steering Stop Leak : Lucas Oil
#13
Good luck with the offer. As for the noisy pump, I've had good luck in the past by first flushing with this: Sea Foam | Trans Tune
Followed up with new fluid and a bottle of: Lucas Power Steering Stop Leak : Lucas Oil
Followed up with new fluid and a bottle of: Lucas Power Steering Stop Leak : Lucas Oil
I was nervous buying a truck with 143,xxx miles but it ran like a champ on the way home and the oil pressure was consistent and not too low so I'm thinking the internal bearings haven't worn out too too bad. Overdue for an oil change so I'm doing that and checking the timing belt asap.
#16
yeah, two things. first, can they give you a complete maintenance record on the truck? has the tranny oil been changed any time (nasty surprises aren't pleasant), and how are the rear spring hangers? even if the rest of the truck has little or no rust, these hangers are known to rust out on the rangers. they are made of cheap metal. once they rust through, they are expensive to get replaced! the bolt through the end of the leaf spring is often impossible to remove at this point (frozen in), so the main leaf springs may need to be replaced too, even if they're not worn.
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yeah, two things. first, can they give you a complete maintenance record on the truck? has the tranny oil been changed any time (nasty surprises aren't pleasant), and how are the rear spring hangers? even if the rest of the truck has little or no rust, these hangers are known to rust out on the rangers. they are made of cheap metal. once they rust through, they are expensive to get replaced! the bolt through the end of the leaf spring is often impossible to remove at this point (frozen in), so the main leaf springs may need to be replaced too, even if they're not worn.
And I'll take some pictures tomorrow as well, it's in decent shape, just some scratches and a few dents!
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hey notpunk, no they cannot give me a complete maintenance record. It was a part of a fleet for some sort of cable company in georgia. The timing belt looks fairly new and the engine runs incredibly well so i'm wondering if someone has rebuilt the engine? I mean it runs unbelievably well for having 243,xxx something miles. I haven't noticed the leaf hangers but if they're rusted out I'll grab them from a junk yard or weld up something stouter. The truck also rides great but that doesn't mean there isn't a rust issue down there. And I also haven't checked the tranny oil, I'm driving it to the shop tomorrow since I got tags today and I plan on changing the motor oil and adding some marvel mystery oil and also inspecting the tranny oil and changing it. I'm guessing it takes ATF? Haven't encountered many rangers that ask for motor oil or gear oil for their manual gearboxes.
And I'll take some pictures tomorrow as well, it's in decent shape, just some scratches and a few dents!
And I'll take some pictures tomorrow as well, it's in decent shape, just some scratches and a few dents!
#21
Welding spring hangars? What are you talking about? They are bolted on. You will need to cut off the old ones though. When go get some new ones at autozone from Dorman for 15 a piece. Bolt them on. Good to go. The worst part is get the leaf spring bolt out.
How to change the spring shackle and hanger on your Ford Ranger
How to change the spring shackle and hanger on your Ford Ranger
#22
i use castrol high mileage atf thats formulated for ford mercon -v (and prior) and its been fine so far
#23
So I changed the man. tranny fluid and I don't think it's ever been changed. Maybe once. But it was solid black funk. I filled it up with fresh mercon V and I've been driving it around so hopefully it'll clean some funk out. Is there any kind of detergents I could add to atf like Marvel Mystery Oil or seafoam? I'm sure when I drain it again next week it'll be dirty as hell again. Put some Marvel in my motor oil and it stopped that damn ticking. But I believe a syncronizer in the transmission is failing because it's a little tough getting it into second. I got good at it but you have to quickly jerk it. No complaints though, I'll rebuild it when I have a lot of time!!