Hey ya'll I'm needing some sound mechanical, electrical, and overall input as to what ya'll think. I own a 99 Step side ext. cab 4x4 3.0L Flex fuel, this truck is in good shape, no major problems, no rust, or signs of it's age other than the dreaded brass glitter in my oil filter, meaning my brass babbit is being eat up.

Basically the only problem is my engine is wearing out and will need replacing. So here's the question, Should I keep it and:

1. Replace the engine, but get rid of it later
2. Get rid of it period
3. It's sound, replace engine and keep it

 

Does it still run fine? IF so keep driving it. Id run it till its dead. But as you are running it just remember its gonna need money to fix it. So save some money up.

Then either buy a new engine, find a junkyard ranger, or sell it and buy another ranger.

 

agree or keep it and put a v8 in it

 

sell it to me im looking for one with a bad 3.0

 

i'm with beard on this one. IF IT AINT BROKE...

 

It runs fine to me. I need to replace an O2 sensor (the biggest culprit) and it's needs some usual maintenance done. I also want to replace the torsion bars as I learned I have F bars. As to why a 4x4 would have F bars I have no idea.

It runs well no problems, the usual replacement of parts, alternator (once), battery, spark plugs, belt, tire rods, brake pads, IAC valve. Nothing major done, except the replacement of my oil pan and tranny pan gaskets. Brakes work wonderfully, steering is still firm like when it's new. It does have a rear main oil seal leak but that would be fixed if I replaced the engine.

Again as I said, no rust, or signs of it's age. Just the usual paint swirls and little scratches. Interior looks good other than usual wear. The owner before me didn't even use the ash tray but I have two spots that are burn marks in the carpet.

I'm just wondering as I've heard older vehicles in mileage have the transfer case go out or the tranny go out on them and the frame starts cracking. Most of the miles I've put on, around 60K of the miles, are hwy miles (original mileage 129,300). I don't drive the truck hard and rarely put it through abusive sitiuations.

 

Keep it amanda. It's one thing I learned the hard way. It's cheaper to maintain an older vehicle then it is to take on a monthly payment and pay on a vehicle for x amount of time. With you being in school especially I would replace the motor once its dead. Worry about payments when you are out of school.

 

Just keep it and fix the motor

 

v8 swap?! ?!

 

I'm thinking she's not gonna want to do a V8...

I say keep it and fix/replace the engine.

 

its not alot to replace or have an engine replaced ive done both. so keep it

 

X2, and if you have access to an engine hoist (rental places will rent them out to you), you can replace an engine by yourself.

 

Or rebuild as long as the crank/block is still ok.

 

personally the body is kinda hosed.. IF i was in your shoe's i would off it and get a better one but thats just me talking thats had to many rangers..

 

remember she is still in school. I'd keep it and throw a motor in it if needed. Once she's out she can keep it as the trail **** and get something else for a DD.

 

thats how i used to do it when i had hondas .... bunch of **** needed fixed id sell it and spend the money i woulda spent on the fixed on one with lower miles

will do the same when its the mazdas time, but this is the best condition vehicle ive ever owned so we will see

 

ya so am i? lol..

 

I would sell if and get a newer one with less miles if possible. Remember we did see some rust in the engine bay at the meet. How much longer do you have in school?

 

ya its not like i am talking about a 2008 crap you can still get like 98-00 with under 100k they exist

 

I have a 99 step side, ext cab, with the 3.0 it just turned 190k the other day and runs strong with the original trans ect...I say run it till she dies.

 

if u run it till it dies then ur out a truck unless u pay the money for either the new engine and parts or u pay to have it done. or if u sell it now u could probably get like 4-5k and then u throw the 2k u would have spent or more on the engine swap and u have like 6-7 grand. that could easily buy a nicer truck with lower miles. i say get rid of it wile u can.

 

x2

 

Yeah I forgot about that. That's thinner metal though. I wouldn't really call that "rust damage". Now if the rear diff had some rust through or what not that's rust damage. Or if the lower body panels have holes.

I think I'll stick with it. I'll keep it, throw another engine in it, and get a newer one when I'm out of school. I don't have the money to fork over on a another truck. I've got one semester left in school after I finish this spring semester and I'll graduate in December.

 

It should make it till the end f the year, just take care of it and treat her well and she should keep on puttin along.

 

I take care of my truck. It needs it's 3K maintenance here this next weekend. Along with alignment, rotation, balance, and that O2 sensor.