The time has come in my life that I need a truck. Me and the girlfriend go camping a lot and we are always stuck taking her probe. I have 97 cobra I am selling to go towards the purchase of a truck.

I originally wanted a Lightning, but those are hard to find in my price range. I want to find a truck for about $8000-10000. I've seen some good looking Rangers on autotrader with decent mileage.

I specifically want a 98 or newer, 4x4 4.0 V6. For you owners out there, how do you like the trucks? I never leave anything stock, but I would like to buy a stock one. Is there a good after market for these trucks? How well does the Ranger tow? The plan is to get a Jet Ski to accompany us on our camping trips (we tent camp, btw). Any known issues with these trucks? How long to the engines last? Thanks in advance guys!

Nik

 

Definitly get a ranger....the supercab 4 door 4 wheel drive with the 4.0L V6 and 4.10 rearend....youll be completely satisfied!!itll tow 5600 lbs (i think thats what mine says) has plenty of power, gas mileage is OK....and it looks great.... also you will notice that MANY people up here love the Fx4 Level II...its the top of the line model....i want one too, but i love my ranger....if you go camping all the time, you most def want the 4x4....

 

theres some members on her w/ a couple hundred thousand on their rangers, as long as you take care of them all vehicles can last a while. but onto the other answers.

98-2000 w/ 4.0 had the OHV motor and 2001-present that have the 4.0 have the SOHC. the SOHC produces 205 hp and the OHV produces much less. i personally have the SOHC and i love it. try to steer clear of the 2001 bc they had timing chain issues (mine does now). if your just towing jet skis you shouldnt have ne trouble. i currently tow a 15x5 ft trailer w/ 2 utility ATVs perfectly fine. just make sure you have a reciever hitch. theres genuinely a good aftermarket for the trucks when it comes to most things but some things are hard to find. theres only a couple lift kits and you usually have to have offroad bumpers custom fabbed. but head/taillights, grilles, wheels, and most cosmetic accessories are pretty easy to come by.

 

This is one of the trucks that have really caught my eye. What do you guys think?

Cars For Sale: Car Details - AutoTrader.com

Thanks for the quick replies!

 

I wouldnt limit yourself to just 01+. My 98 has the OHV motor, and they have really good low end torque. Its true, the SOHC has higher horsepower, but in a truck that isn't really what matters. Torque is going to be the deciding factor for towing.

The truck you posted looks good, but you never really know the condition until you physically look it over.

Regardless good luck!

 

If you will be camping you might find that a step side bed is too small to put all of your stuff in.

 

If your buying an extended cab, try and get the 4-door. You'll find out its easier to put stuff and get stuff from the back.

 

what auto said, i hated my old z71 cuz of the stepside bed... and i prefer to have an "offroad" package rather than reg 4x4 but thats just me. not rele much difference.

 

bring me 10,000 and ill sell you mine!

Your on the right track for what you want. Most guys here go the other way, and end up wanting a cobra after their rangers, but you are thinking wise and economically, and you will love a ranger for camping. I would say camping, and recreational towing/hauling, are about as perfect a use you can get for rangers. They take some work to make good trail/ rockcrawlers, but even stock with a 4x4 4.0 you will be happy. You def want a fleetside, and may even look into a camper top. I have one and love it. You can get a thule rack on top to haul kayaks, bikes, canoes, luggage whatever and all you stuff is dry, and you can even camp back there if you want.

 

if you dont mind it being a little higher than normal i might have everything your looking for...4 door, power everything, 4.0, 4x4 a/c and its in your price range, let me know if you'd be interested

 

Bring me 5K and you can have mine. It wont tow though since its a manual. The aftermarket isn't that great for the 98 and up Rangers.

 

depends on what your looking for...

 

How many miles are on it? Got any more pics? Looks like a good looking truck. How much are you asking for it? I still have to sell the car first, but even in this economy, I don't think that will take to long... unless your interested in trading.

 

We fit everything in the hatch of a Ford Probe now. We do tent camping/hiking so we normally only take a pair of coolers, 1 rubbermaid box full of gear, and the rest is fold up stuff that will fit in the extended portion of the cab.

 

I'm going to put a 2000 up for sale by the end of the week. Its going for less than half that price...and it has new paint...Here's a link to a few pics. PM me if interested

https://www.ranger-forums.com/forum2...new-paint.html

 

Why did you have to paint it? Has it been in a wreck? How many miles? A little more info on it.

 

the 4L SOHC puts out 207 Stock hp. Mines a 03 Fx4 Level II so it has 4.11 axle ratio's beefed up shocks, more skid plates, Alcho 15" off road rims with stock AT's and a couple more goodies, like nice seats. I picked it up for 9G Last fall.

Try to find a Fx4 ext cab if you want 4x4 its the best bang for you buck.


A jet ski is nothing for a 4x4 4L SOHC Ranger, you'll prob forget your pulling it! ( get a hitch though!)

As long as you do regular maintence, oil changes ect its going to last forever.

I pull this around most weekends.




Rip 2000 jet ski and I sold that ranger



and this picture just simply looks good. lol

 

That truck is beautiful! I hope I can find one that looks that good!

 

I would try to get something newer than 03 maybe newer than 04. The 4.0 in the 01 to 03 trucks is known to rattle the timing chain due to faulty parts.

 

I have a 4 door 4.0 4x4 and I tow my 2 jet skis all the time. Does alright and I have 172000 miles.