1997 Ranger - Comments?
 

http://i56.tinypic.com/6gdiz8.jpg
1997 4.0 4x4 manual 138k miles

I've been offered this truck as a trade for my Chevrolet 1500 with the 350 in it, and I'm wondering if this year was a good year for rangers. I heard they have some electrical issues. It's got a brand new 2 year safety inspection, four new tires, 4x4, 222,000 KM (137,944 Miles). It's in real good condition as far as I can tell, manual trany, 4.0L v6, 4x4. My truck isn't safetied anymore and needs 2 cvs, a couple body mounts, emergency cable, and hub assembly.

He's also offering 600 cash with it.

I'm somewhat hesitant, but I'm also excited for it. Any comments, or what I should look for when I go to see it? I know to look at frame, etc., but is there anything I should specifically look at for this particular year / gen of ranger?

Nice looking truck. I can't comment on 4.0 OHV's other than I've heard good things about reliability. But in general my 97 has been flawless except the starter motor and rear shackle brackets rusting off.

Looks like a nice truck. I loved the 96 STX I had. The OHV 4.0 is a great motor. I see it has auto locking hubs, they will probably crap out on you if they arent bad already, Id replace them with manual hubs. Other than that those gen rangers are great trucks.

Need more info on th chevy.

I wish I still had my 97. 4.0 was great, comfortable, easy to lift. That one appears very nice.

id do it. looks really nice in the pics.

Take off that pinstripe if you get it haha

my 97 took me every where i needed or wanted to go. i would say its a great trade.

I would go for it! I have a 2002 with the 4.0 SOHV and 2-wheel drive and couldn't be happier after 165,000 miles on it! Remember, if you don't like the color, you can change it!

I have a 93 4.0 SOHV V6 and I love it....Easy to work on, and it gets me where I need to go.....When you look at really study the motor...Check Oil, look for suspicious things with viscosity and smell, watch the tail pipe, take a peek in the radiator cap, look for things that are new, look at the gaskets that you can see, like the valve cover gaskets, upper intake gaskets, these things will really give you an idea of what shape the motor is in....I once found an insane deal on a 2004 Ranger and asked to see under the hood, it wasn't even the right motor, it looked like a motor from the 80's and it didn't even have oil on the stick.....LOL...If everything checks out, do it...Its a nice truck and model...

You might be a lil bummed goin from a full size to a mid size but if you like it, go for it

I didn't end up getting it, buddy showed up with it and it had a bunch of lights on on the dash, and the motor was COATED in mud at least 2" everywhere.

Ended up getting what I wanted for the truck in cash, which is awesome. Now in the market for an F150 I think.

Hi, your cars is just like mine..
Nice cars, you should get some fiberglass fenders,,,,,
thanks for sharing

probable a good decision then...sounds like he isn't taking care of it.....