First off, I haven't posted on here in a long time. I had a '98 4.0 Ranger with 87k on the odo when I sold it (a year ago) because it gave me too many problems; rear end didn't want to move after sitting when it was cold, transmission shifted like ****, power steering pump went bad (@85k miles), and it had an engine noise (valve or piston skirt, didn't narrow it down).

Right now I drive a chevy blazer, which I hate, but it gets me from A to B. I was on CL a few days ago and saw an ad for a '98 4.0 Ranger ext. Cab, 4x4, 5 Speed, NO RUST, 31" Kumho A/T's, everything on it works well. Downside...212k miles. The truck is in GREAT shape (everything works, no noises, drives/starts smoothly) and KBB in good condition is around $4300 (seems ridiculous), guy is asking $2300. Don't have pics ATM, but what does anyone think? I really want a ranger again and the 5 speed is a must (hate auto's). I'm not expecting it to be problem free, but It would be paid off almost right away and it's something I would keep and fix if the engine did go bad any time soon.

Opinions please.

 

I would ask when it had the head gaskets replaced, an auto would most likely be on its last legs at that point. I too have a 98 and have had plenty of problems.

 

I always felt if an engine is still running good at 212k then it must have been taken care of well maintenance wise. My truck has 196k on it with the 4.0 OHV and it runs as good as when I bought it with 145k on it. I have seen a few that have 250k+ on it. OHVs I'm sure you know are great motors. If it is in as good of shape as it is it could be a good buy.

 

Not a bad price at all. I had a 95 Explorer Limited 4.0 that we put 200,000 on, only let go of it because the tranny was starting to go bad, and despite a lot of money spent on that complex climate control in that thing it only worked marginally well. Gave it to a neighbor boy who was down on his luck.......disappointingly, he soon totaled it.
I'm confident enough about the 4.0 I recently bought my 99 Ranger with 134,000 mi. , I don't think you will regret your purchase.

 

My 4.0 5spd (2wd) had over 200k on it, running like a champ when the drunk hit it.... Hell, it will still start right up and drive the the mangled bed on it, if I really needed it to. 2 months before the wreck, it went to houston and back which is 8hrs each way. So I say, if you want another ranger, go for it! Would be great to keep the blazer and the ranger, that way you have a backup if something breaks on either one.

 

my 94 has 298k on it and i dd it i take care of it and keep it maintained. check it over good seems like a decent price for the truck

 

If the owner can prove that he did good maintenance on the truck, then it would be alrite.
otherwise i'd stay away from it.

 

I'd buy it, it probably has until 250k before you will need to put anything major into it. Expect to have to do little stuff, but overall I bet it will treat you well, since I bet it has been treated well.

 

If you could get it under $2000, that would be a good deal, if it runs smooth.

 

i can attest for this, starts up every time and runs down the road nice. imo i wouldnt be afraid to get that truck you're looking at if the price was right

 

^^^ thank you

 

My father has run through a few Rangers, consistently putting over 300k on the odo. If it runs like you say it does, it's a safe bet it's been taken care of. Follow suit and you shouldn't have many problems in the near future.

 

I just turned 366K on my 2002 4x4. It was a company vehicle I used to drive on my 5 state sales route. When they gave it to me it had 80 miles on it so I put every one on and kept the maintenance up. Recently, the company gave me a new vehicle. Knowing the maintenance history on the truck and how well it runs I had no hesitation buying it for myself. They sold it to me for $800. No regrests

 

id buy it ,but id also go completly over it, change all fluids, look over all u-joints, suspention parts and such. look closly at the rear spring hangers/shackles. didnt notice where your from, but they seem to rust away with 10-15 years in areas that see winter salt. not a hard thing to repair, but will take a little time to do. give the motor a good tune-up and you should be good to go.
ironically i also have a '97 S-blazer, good little vehicle when its running right, but a real pain when it aint. it has nearly 200K on it. its primarially the wife's ride/family truckster.

 

when i bought my truck it had 242k on it but the previous owner had a notebook from the day he picked it up. it had the date and mileage of the day he got it had 8 miles on it when he bought it new. then every time he filled it with gas or changed a light bulb or changed the oil. no matter what it was or what he bought for the truck he documented it. i know exactly when my cap was bought and how much he paid because i got the original recite for it too.

i would of never bought the truck if it wouldnt of been for that but it just goes to show that if you take care of something and keep it maintained it will last a long time.

my truck hasnt seen an easy life since i bought it and it still runs strong and does everything i ask it too

 

I just bought a 00' ford ranger 4.0 with 157000 on the odo. Runs great. Had every fluid changed even brake fluid . Truck is wonderful and the gentleman also wrote down every single repair along with reciepts for the parts.

 

i have a 98 4.0 ohc has about 195k on it truck runs excellent except for a few codes i belive to be related to intake gaskets lol but other than that like i said runs excellent.

 

238000 miles (380000+ Km) on my '96.I've replaced rocker gaskets, intake gaskets, oil filter adapter O rings, and water pump as well as the cam position sensor (replaces distributor) and alternator. Still runs strong and uses less than 1/4 quart of 0W20 synthetic between 8000Km oil changes (I change once a year whether it needs it or not)