Possible new Ranger owner here with some questions....
 

Well, I've decided it's time to get a nice little work truck for around the house and was wondering what to look out for? Any certain years cause more problems than others, what to look for when checking the truck out, 4wd or no 4wd, etc... I've always had F-150's but really don't need anything that large. I want to stay pretty cheap because I will probably only be driving it 50 miles or less a month (I have a company vehicle). I've narrowed it down to 93 and up years. I know it's a broad range. Currently my local dealership has an 05, ext cab, 4wd, 100k miles for roughly 6k out the door. It was previously a fleet vehicle so it has it's share or cosmetic issues but nothing too bad. Seems to drive fine (shifts smoothly, enigne purrs like a kitten, etc). Major cost will be new tires. I really didn't want to spend this much but it's also hard to pass up a potential killer deal. I prefer to be in the 2k range just because the truck will only be for house choirs and taking the dirtbike out a few times a month. Any advice is greatly appreciated!

Look on craigslist and stuff.

Yeah, I've been doing that. I was more curious about what to watch out for or years to avoid.

I honestly don't think you can go wrong with any of the years all the gens are pretty good and reliable. What year did you have in mind? What motor do you want etc, 2.3L, 3.0, 4.0.... ?? etc etc

Umm I dont know of any years that you should advoid.

Do your need 4x4?
Do you need a ext cab?
4.0 or 3.0?

Under 2 grand will not be that easy. More specs on the dealer truck.
http://dayton.craigslist.org/cto/1125298772.html

well there are really no years to watch out for unless youre searching for a certain motor. if you could narrow it down to what you may use it for it would help us help you. for example, do you want to tow or haul anything with it? do you want a 4x4, standard cab or extended. if its just a get around town truck or to run to the home improvement store, a 4cylinder 5speed may suit you just fine. if you want to haul heavier stuff, check out the 3.0 0r 4.0 v6. all of wich are good motors, the 4.0 with the most power of coarse. the 3.0's have a cam syncro issue that can lead to engine failure, but if caught early it is easiy fixed. the newer (2001-up) 4.0,s are SOHC and have timing chain rattle issues up to a certain year, but rarely cause anything more than an anoyance.

93 and up. Motor size doesn't matter, auto or standard doesn't matter (I prefer auto though). Sounds like I can't go wrong with any of them....

ok if motors dont matter and you want to stay on the cheaper side, id go with a duratech 4 cylnder, not sure what year they started with the duratech maybe 2000 or 2001. as far as i know you can only get it in standard cab but you can get an auto. ive heard good things about the duratech 4 cylinders, almost as much power as the 3.0 v6 and gets good mileage.

I've found plenty of them really, just didn't know if there was anything to avoid. I prefer ext cab but those seem to be a bit harder to find. The heaviest thing I may haul would be a yard of mulch or a deer. LOL. Motor size is no issue as long as it can do the job, even if it does the job slowly. Pretty much just a truck to run to the hardware store. I'd love to have 4wd but I don't really need it. In Ohio, I may need it twice a year max so that doesn't matter either.

solid front end
 

If i was to buy a truck today. I'd look for a more solid front end, my advice is to stay away from independent front suspension. 4x4 is weaker with all the joints etc. Get manual hubs/ 4x4. no problems ever. so what you have to get out and turn the hubs to lock them in, its better than having your 4wheel drive break/ not work. Also its a truck, go with the 4 wheel drive. You might as well get a van if you want 2wd cause thats what a 2wd ranger pretty much is. Sorry if i PO'ed any 2wd guys. Just my 2cents LOL?!:biggthump

IFS rides alot better than a soild axle.

IFS vs SOLID FRONT
 

yeah i def agree there...sorry i realized some of the stuff i just said there was opinionated...

I just feel as though a truck is a truck and it should be 4x4, solid front end,it should hall a$# and suck down Gas.

I have a IFS too though, im riding 99'

Alls im saying if it was me go with an older model...once again thats just me???

considering the rangers never came with a solid axle, i think this is not a good option and i doubt he would need 4 wheel drive to go to home depot or ace hardware unless he had to go over a mountain range and through a river or two to get to it. ive not once used my 4wd to go get a 2x4 from the home improvement store. as far as IFS being unreliable, i disagree for everyday usage ive had far more issues with my TTB rangers than i have with the IFS.