Hey! Ok I dont own this guy yet, however I am looking to buy this: http://preview.tinyurl.com/4joa2h8 (here's hoping it links correctly)

Anyway it's an 2003 Ext-cab ranger XLT, 3l v6 auto with 54k miles. I've always been a Chevy/GM guy, so I'm in new waters here (no flames pls ;p) from the bit of research I've done so far, the engine should be all metric, the auto tranny should be a 5-speed and it should have a full sized spare.

What I'm wondering is, Are there any Ford-specific.. err even 3.0 v6 Ford specific things I should be looking at when I drive this tomorrow afternoon aside from the obvious leaks, smoke, sags, etc?

Also I see where this years 3.0 had around 154 horses but a decent amount of torque. I know it's not going to win any races nor lay me back in the seat but how's it do carrying light to medium loads? Passing on the interstate? Real-world fuel mileage?

And I've been skimming through a few of the forums here.. Does the little leaf on teh tailgate symbolize FFV? Are there any caveats that go along with a FFV engine? I found a thread about how Ford discontinued the original spark plugs.. anything else a potential owner should be aware of?

Thanks a million fellas!

 

I just bought an 02 with a 3.0 and I like it but that one is fairly bare bones and doesn't even have the Quad cab for the price of one that should have some options. I paid 6500.00 for my Ford Ranger Edge with 50,000 miles on it and it's not loaded but it does have the Edge package, stepside box and an automatic with the 3.0., A/C and such.

You may want to look around at others you might find some with more goodies to it than that one.

 

I can't find the many threads on it, but i know some year 3.0 had some kind of chain issue, i think it was timing/crank related. i'm sure when someone else sees it they'll know. there isn't much big huzzah about FFV. i'd just change the plugs if you were to buy it.

 

Thanks for the replies guys. I've been looking this morning and I've noticed on a few websites where they rate the fuel economy for the FFV lower than a regular 3.0. I can't figure out why unless their basing the number on the average between regular unleaded and E85? I haven't found a gas station yet in this area that even sells E85 so that's not an option.

But yeah for some reason Bart, in my area there are very few compact/mid-sized trucks for sale with less than 75k miles, and even fewer are priced as well as your find ;p

 

I drove 200 miles to get my Ranger, I drive for a living and I think it's worth a risk if you see something you like then go for it. In my town prices are to high at the dealers and even private they want to much. My daughter wanted a newer Corolla so I looked around here and anything decent was $10,000 and that was for a 2003 Corolla CE with 200,000 Km's (125,000 miles). So we went to Kelowna and got her a 2003 Corolla LE with 140,000 km's (87,500 miles) for $6,000 so don't be scared to travel to get the right car.

 

Ben I don't know if you need 4wd or not, but I would suggest getting a 2002 or newer 4.0. The fuel economy is the same as the 3.0, but the performance is far better. 2002 and newer 4.0 engines don't have a timing chain rattle.