Hello enthusiasts

I just bought a 1997 ford Ranger XLT
4L v6
Automatic transmission
rear wheel drive
28k miles
minimal rust, surface rust and minor flaking here and there
brakes/rotors are good
new fuel tank and lines
new battery
tires good

I paid $11k at the dealership out the door. Did I get a deal? What do you think its worth?

I cant tell if it is an XL splash or an xlt splash. m.driving-tests.org using the vin number says XL and nothing about splash. But it is blue with a sticker, and the xc+9+9+9+9+9+9+9+9

Anyway the main purpose for this thread is to get some advice. Im looking to take care of this truck and hope it will last me for many years. I dont do a ton of daily driving. Camping trip 1.5 hours away twice a month. 20 mins every monday. A few runs to the store. Other than that I work from home. On occasion I need a pickup. I may take it off road from time to time for camping, but not with the intention of going down some wild paths, just getting where I need to go safely. I live in a snowy area of Ohio.

So I want to take care of it. Im ready to but about 1k into it this week (if need be) but im willing to spend less of course. So here is my ideas so far.

Fluid film under spray ~$150
Bed liner spray (line x?) ~$200
Headlights* $95
LED Bulbs ??
Bluetooth Radio ??
Winter tires, wheels (used) ~$250
fender flares** $50
Paint the grill (looks a bit off)

I saw something about a performance chip? But if thats just for speed I wouldnt need it
New Carpet or just truck bed liner spray over some deadening?


* ** https://www.huskyliners.com/Long-Joh...97/ford/ranger

Anything you see or advise Id much appreciate it. Id like to get my to get list done, get it, and get back to work

 

I'm also wondering about the windows. They are automatic but they struggle to roll up. The driver side doesnt seal right unless it lands just right, the result is I can often hear the air whirring by.

It would be cool to fix it, or even better to convert them to manual. But idk what kind of project that is.

 

You can buy new window regulators and motors off rockauto for good prices. That helped mine. Also good cleaning of the channels and lubing where needed. I also sprayed some liquid roller (used for boat trailers on the bunks to aid boats in sliding off) in the felt lined channels to help. I can t speak about the other stuff.

 

Welcome to the forum

What you pay for any vehicle is a "good deal" if you think it is, and you must think that or you wouldn't have bought it
Looks like a clean Ranger

Miles are "scary" low, so expect lots of leaks and squeaks
The rubber seals, and gaskets in general, and bushings tend to dry out when a vehicle sits for long periods

Change the oil and the coolant
Have transmission serviced, new filter and fluid

Check the DATE on the tires, Google: tire date code

Tire "rubber" has an expire date, usually 10years after it was made, some sooner some later, after that the tire belts can separate without warning
Check that date on the Winter tires as well, they can have good tread but be 15 years old, so............a real roll of the dice using them

Also inspect all the "rubber" hoses in engine bay, same "time" thing as "rubber" in tires, compounds just break down over time, not miles

Change the O2 sensors, they last 12 years or 100k miles which ever comes first

1990-2000 Rangers used the 4.0l OHV engine, in 2001 they used the 4.0l SOHC engine, so different engines
The 4.0l OHV can NEVER be overheated or it WILL crack a head, so if you see that temp gauge climbing PULL OVER, do not try to make it home, let it cool off then limp home in short trips
Other than that it was a very reliable engine, good for 400k+ miles

1997 4.0l can have either a 4R55E or 5R55E automatic transmission, but they are exactly the same inside, lol, the 1997/8 computers decided if it was a 4R or 5R
Reliable transmission as far as automatics are reliable, lol, Ford Rangers used the same automatic from 1986 thru 2011 with only some updates, so Ford liked it

1995 and up Rangers have the newer model computers(EEC-V) so are OBD2 compliant, you can get a Bluetooth OBD reader for under $25(ELM327) and use that with your smart phone(apps are free) to read and clear codes, also to look at any live data if there are any running issues

1997 was last year of 2nd generation, 1993-1997
1998 have different fuel system

No on "the chip", get a glittered radiator cap instead, if you need to waste money, lol
No car maker "detunes" an engine computer(chip) they sell performance, so why would they?
If you were to add a turbo charger or supercharger then yes you would need to reprogram computer, other than that, no benefit

Ranger has a Cold Air Intake(CAI) from factory, so don't need that either