Howdy, I've been on here for a few weeks now in anticipation of a Ranger that I was going to get. It was a 1998 Ranger Ext. Cab XLT 4x4 with 88,450 original miles, had a 4.0 liter V6 and it was only $3,800 I was all pumped to get it and on my way to get it when I called the owner to make sure that he would be there....and he told me that he had sold it. Wooo that made me really happy. Anyway, here I am a week or two later and now I find a 1997 Ranger Ext. Cab 4x4 with 83,015 original miles for $3,500. So this morning I called the seller every hour on the hour until he answered (he picked up at 9:13) While talking to him I ask him the basic questions, which engine does it have?, is there anything wrong with it?, and when can I come look at it?.
The guy (Tony) says that he thinks its a 4.0 liter, no there is nothing wrong with it, and that I can come look at it on Friday...No earlier.

Anyway, this isn't just me venting (or I would have put it in that sub-forum) I wanted to ask you fine folks what it is that I should look for when I go see this "good deal" like some common problems and how can I make sure that it is the 4.0 liter, I imagine that it just says what it is on the engine cover (or somewhere else equally visible) but I want to make sure that I go into this being as knowledgeable as possible.

Oh and just for fun here is a picture of my current Ride:


EDIT: just noticed what time it was now I have to go to work, so I won't be back to see your responses until tommorow morning.

 

Nice truck. You were not on fordification were you?

 

itll say on the catalyst sticker under the hood. the 4.0 says it on the engine cover, the 3.0 doesnt, and if its a 4 cyl, well you know what that looks like lol.

 

welcome... first thing is to check on engine size simply pop the hood and read... haha.. it can be found on the lip right by your stomach or usually somwhere on the engine itself... other than that I had a '99 and really had nothing abnormal (replaced alternator, tires, and fuel pump) just as always with a new to you vehicle just go over every inch. I alway recommend making a list of what features are important to you and start at the top of that list and work your way down. If a feature you want is missing/broken then you'll spot it faster.

Love the current truck... I've been looking for a 1977 250 Ranger for a project truck....

 

I love that Ford Pickup ya got!! welcome aboard

 

a 4.0 will have a flat water pump pulley, the 3.0 will be ribbed.

good luck.

 

No I am, and I remember you we played a little bit of 360 after I found out you had one.

Thanks for the advice everybody...now to go do some last minuite Christmas shopping on Christmas eve

 

Well that is awesome. Ya, I sold my old truck and used it towards college. It was a sad day.

 

personally i would look into 98+ trucks

4x4 97 down trucks have TTB its a good 4x4 system but when it needs rebuilding it is a pain. I did one and will never have one again personally....

most likely he has never rebuilt anything on the front it will need U-joint, bearings (about 4-5 perside) tons of seals. then putting manual hubs those auto's suck it will be over $500+ to rebuild it...


i am ranting but i honestly dont like the system... there is advantages to it offroading over SLA of the 98+ thats for dang sure... its all up to the buyer...

 

Well I don't have to worry about that having to rebuild the 4x4 on that one. I called the guy to make sure that he still had it and that I could go look at it on Friday....and wouldn't you guess it. He sold it, I just have the best luck in the world So the hunt is back on, although I just found a 1995 4runner for $3200 but it had 208,000 miles