Well I was looking to get rid of my Prelude for a newer style Ranger (01-05), however, the price range is still higher than what I want. I like the 98-2000 body style Ranger's as well, but don't know much about them. Can anyone help me out with some info as to if they have common problems, what to look for, can you lift them the same as a 01-05? I would be looking to do a 3" body lift, just like my old 05 Ranger, and run 33's. Is the suspension setup the same? What is the best package you can get, 4x4 Offroad package? How long do these Rangers last and was this the last year model with the OHV? I know the OHV is almost bullet proof! How are the transmissions, manual or automatic should I choose? Thanks in advance!

 

My experience.
I LOVE and MISS my old 2000. My 2001 with the 4.0 SOHC is nice, it's mint, vs my 2000 which was a total work truck before I got it. It had plenty of scars, both scratches and dents, but it was awesome.
4.0 OHV Auto, 175k Miles. I replaced the plugs, wires, and battery a few weeks after I got it. The thing would haul ***. I REALLY miss the low end power that the OHV has, versus the SOHC. THough the chicks dig my 01, and it's prettier to look at, at times I honestly wish I had the 2000 back. That truck was badass, powerful and reliable, even after the previous owner neglected it for a ton of miles.

The suspension is the same. I don't know of any real problems with the 4.0 OHV other than the oil pressure switch going out sometimes (but it's a 7 dollar part). Other than that, I don't know of any real common problems. I agree though, they are bulletproof.

I'd buy mine back if I didnt already have enough vehicles. I talked to the guy who bought it. That 2000 was no jewel, and it had plenty of battle scars, but he said him and his wife still fight about who gets to drive it to work. With an exhaust and a lift, I could get in trouble with that truck REAL quick (see TRESPASSING and wheelin).

 

if your looking at 4wd and extended cab 4.0L

OHV ended in 2000

pulse vacuum hubs are from 98-00.5 (these are what seem to fail on 4wd and most people install AVM manual hubs)

Frame, body mounts, etc are the same from 98+

The transmission is the 5r55e same as all 4.0s 01+

the body lift kits are nearly identical.

The best package was the XLT 4x4 ORP (Off Road package) which is the same as an Fx4, has skids, heavier shocks, and stiffer springs.

the brakes are also smaller, so dont expect it to stop as well.

 

Cool deal, I would prefer to find a 99-2000 model XLT 4 door 4x4 ORP that has around 75k miles lol! I will keep my eyes out. I will definitely be lifting it 3" and running the same wheel/tire combo that I had on my 05. I just didn't know much about those year models. I guess my first mod would be the manual hubs then. Other than that, I can live with the exterior styling, especially after it's lifted, but the interior is not that great : ( I will be looking for some cloth buckets from the new models.

 

a 98-2000 is nearly the same truck as 01-03, just and engine change and a few exterior changes.

04-06 there were a bunch of electrical changes.

so if you want a 99-2000 that is the same as a 98-2000

 

The interiors really aren't all that different except for the SLIGHT changes in the cloth design on the seats, and the gauges. Oh and the steering wheel is different. Otherwise.. they aren't really much different.

 

I'm weird about buying the first year model of a new generation, that's the main reason I left out 1998. But if there were no kinks, I guess it doesn't really matter. I assume the ORP 4x4 Ranger's only came with the 8.8 28 spline clutch LS correct? Does the PA body lift have new mounts to raise the bumpers on these models?

 

yes the pa kit has a bit different brackets for the bumpers.

as far as i know there were no suspension or design changes to the ranger. i think it was 97? that the suspension was designed on the explorer then in 98 they put it on the ranger so really the first year was 97 for that design.

the 31 spline axle never showed up in the ranger until 02, so the orp was 28 spline and it could or could not have a limited slip.

 

the steering wheel is different from a 98-00 from the 01-03??? i thought it was the same design just maybe a leather wrapped outter.

 

No I meant from his 05, my bad. I think maybe 04 they changed the steering wheel, my mistake on not clarifying :)

 

I used a 98-00 body lift kit on my 04, the kit is identical. Also for 250 bucks you can swap to the 01-03 front end at Certifit, super easy to do. Then just have to get it painted.

 

yeah 04 they changed.

 

Yeah they did

 

http://raleigh.craigslist.org/cto/828169248.html
http://raleigh.craigslist.org/ctd/827524294.html (not sure if 2 or 4wd, but its sexy)
http://raleigh.craigslist.org/cto/825473537.html
http://raleigh.craigslist.org/cto/823607528.html

 

mine is leather wrapped.. really the only difference is in 2001 the air bag design changed a little but is still the same base steering wheel...



yes on the "first year" thing still look for 1998. because only 1998-mid 2000 are PVH. mine is a later 2000 with Live axle and WILL be converted at some point to PVH for the manual hub conversion..

thats really the only thing i hate about my truck...

btw i have a 5r55e behind my 4.0L OHV, also i am getting high 17-18 in city with my OHV. and IMO i would only want a OHV for the higher millage being is the old style of a push rod motor and as we all know they love high miles alot better then OHC motors..

as far as 5-speed or auto.. i went with what i could find at the time i am not really fond of auto's being i like to be in control but i really have liked having a vehicle that the GF can actually drive if needed which has come in handy very often

on the brakes issue that zach said. its the SAME rear brakes.. now with the front isnt it only a .5" rotor size difference? or 1" at the most? and if i remebered Gumby pointed out once that they take the same size caliper and pad size so nothing really changed besides the size of the rotor?

 

I like my truck, 99...I onyl wish i had either a manual or ext cab..I cant wait to regear to have my torque back.
Go on the ranger station, in the tech library, they have the history and problems of the 4.0 OHV engines..

 

oh few more things...

Unlike your old 04 ranger wish was basically brand new. plan on doing repairs to the truck RIGHT when you buy it. most used rangers will need repairs to a point specially close to 100k...

leave room in your $ allowance on what you can spend for repairs right off the bat

i bought my 2000 and the first week i owned it i never drove it, the thing came up my driveway and on jack stands it went.. now my truck hardly never had anything done to it but oil changes...

I spend $1600 the first week i owned it.. everything from brakes all around to tie rods to ball joints to spark plugs to fuel filter, the list goes on...

BUT NOW my truck drives rides and feels like its show room new and i will not be having to do any of those things for a decent while now...

 

I can't add much to the other comments, all are normal problems. I converted my PVH's to a live axle like the newer trucks. I'm going to be selling my 99 sometime soon. Soon as I get its replacement road worthy, its been a good truck. its loaded and has the 01 front end on it already. 4.0 ohv 5r55e 79000 miles.

 

For clarity:


1991-1994 Explorers, 1997 & older Rangers = the TIB or TTB front suspension, Y-link steering
1995 up Explorers, 1998 up Rangers = FIS A-arm suspension, rack & pinion steering

1990-1997 Explorers (some optional with either in '97) = 4.0 OHV
1997 up Explorer (optional in '97) = 4.0 SOHC
(some also with 5.0L, but that's irrelevant here)

1990-1997 Rangers = 4.0 OHV
1998 up Rangers = 4.0 SOHC


Search at the 4.0 Forums. There are a few trouble spots, but nothing major. I've 185K miles on mine, and she's still strong + reliable. Good power, decent acceleration & towing/hauling. Some of the 4.0 OHV suffer from lifter taps caused by lack of oil, intake manifold gasket leak, and gummed up vacuum lines (I got the gasket leak @ ~ 160K miles). The '98 is not the first year to use that Cologne block, it was 1996 (so all the kinks have been worked out by then). There were a couple block mods done in 98, but they are so minor it makes no large difference. The 1998 is safe. Oh, and you also get an average of 20 mpg, as opposed to the SOHC which get mid to high teens. With my 2" suspension, 3" body, 33's, & 4.10 gears, I average 22 highway and about 18-19 in pure city when I get on the skinny pedal. 225 tq @ 2400 rpm.

Yes, the bumper lift brackets ARE included w/ the PA bod lifts. Like Zach said, they are damn near identical.


The 5R55E is good, IMO. Wouldn't say bulletproof, but it has taken a beating. However,I DO wish I had a manual for the same reasons you described: control and fun.

What kind of prelude did you have? Year? I bought my brother a Gen 3 at the beginning of the summer, and it is fun to drive. It's the H22 SOHC motor non Vtec, but it still peels. The manual shifts are tight, and it's stiff Honda handling. Comfy seats, too.



Hope this helps...


Pete


.

 

no

the SOHC didnt come around until 2001

 

100% correct...

 

Not all 97 and newer explorers had the SOHC either... Some still had the OHV up until 01 when they were standard I do beieve

 

[QUOTE=zabeard;1050978]



pulse vacuum hubs are from 98-00.5 (these are what seem to fail on 4wd and most people install AVM manual hubs)


some models in 99 and 00 have a live axel mine is that way haven had a bit of problems out of it