Hey guys, looking at a 2000 ranger 4 cly for my son and want to know if there is anything I should look out for. It's got 160k miles, guy wants 3200 for it, basic model with a/c & cd radio only. No tach, power anything & no cruise.

body is pretty clean, tires are needing replacement & looks like the t-stat is stuck open or missing. the motor is super clean (not steam cleaned or anything like that, normal dirt deposits).

what do you guys think?

TIA!!

 

hey Steve, Welcome to RF!

$3200 seems alittle stiff in my book. When you say basic model I'm also assuming this a manual 5spd transmission also? I'm also assuming you drove it or the owner told you the thermostat is stuck open or missing? -Mike-

 

Hey Mike, thanks for the welcome!

No, I assume the t-stat is either stuck open or missing because the temp gauge never really got past 1/4, when it did and only at a stop light. as soon as I took off, it dropped again.

We just booked it out and trade-in value on it is $2900 or so and private party was 3100 or so. It is a 5 spd and the clutch & tranny seem to work fine. the tranny seems a little notchy but it didnt show any signs of syncro wear. (no grinding).

We were just looking at your sig and noticed you have some mods... my son wants to know what kind of mileage you get with your mods & how does it sound.

anyways, thanks for the reply! I'm thinking we're going to go offer $2800 for it since it needs tires & I have to deal with the t-stat...

oh yeah, 1 last thing, how do these motors respond to a 180 deg t-stat?

 

Yea sounds like the thermostat could use a replacing because the gauge should read in the middle and stay there regardless.

Right now I get about 18mpg only because my rear 02 sensor is going out and needs replacing. When everything is mechanically sound, I get about 21mpg tops.

The truck sounds ok, I've experimented with different kinds of mufflers and I found my Flowmaster is as good as it's going to get. It will get your attention for sure but it's not obnoxious. 4bangers are difficult to get a good sound from them. I would reccommend leaving the cat converter alone. Run a Flowmaster 40 or 50 series(depending how loud you want, 40 is louder) single in pipe and duals out the back.

AS far as 180* t-stats, that's the lowest you want to go with a computer controlled engine. Me personally, I've never tried a 180 t-stat so i can't say for sure. I just run a regular 192* OEM stat.

Let me point out though, I don't know if that particular Ranger is setup like mine but on the t-stat housing. Inside, you'll find a t-stat with 2 clips on the side of it and it just slides into place in the housing. I've replaced my t-stat 2 times in the 4 years I've owned my truck and only a factory thermostat will fit due to those clips. Aftermarket ones won't fit. Stupid but that's the way it is unfortunately. Good luck and hope this helps! -Mike-

 

Mike just hit the nail on the head. Everything he said was spot on! Great job!

 

I've got a 2000 with a 4cyl too. It came with A/c and factory CD radio. When I bought it, it had 138k miles on it, and now has almost 145k, and runs great. I regularly can easily get 22mpg with it, and that is with a lead foot. I have a flowmaster 40 on mine with the cat still on, and I like how it sounds....it sounds somewhat similar to my brothers straight piped 3.0 ranger he used to have....the 2.5 isn't the best sounding, but it is far from sounding like a honda.

 

There is lots of aftermarket stuff that your son can do to his truck, but it will probably get very good gas mileage with the small engine on stock tires. And gas prices are very high right now. With your 5.9 I bet you know that.

 

true

[QUOTE]Mike just hit the nail on the head. Everything he said was spot on! Great job![\QUOTE]

thanks man! I appreciate it -Mike-