I am going to college this fall and would like to get some thoughts on my ranger driving the 5 hours it takes to get to college. I wanted your opinions on it. My 1993 4.0 v6 ranger has 260k miles on it and runs great. I'm wondering how it will deal with the 221 mile commute that I will drive 1-2 times a month I'm guessing. I could also take some suggestions on any preventative maintenance I could do to make it last longer. I have already changed the spark plugs a month ago, but other than that the only thing we have changed on it since we bought it a couple years ago was the starter.

 

oil/filter change? Transmission filter/fluid? Drain & flush cooling system? Double check tire pressure? Service your brakes? Lube door hinges? New v belts? check your ball joints & upper/lower control arms New wiper blades, check/replace shocks Check wheel bearings? Rear diff fluid? Tie rod ends? fresh grease in any grease fittings? Service your A/C system? Back flush your hearer core? Replace your fuel filter?


Just a few thoughts off the top of my head, hope they help.

 

Okay those are some good ones. I just replaced the fuel filter and do regular oil changes. The fuel filter was probably never changed on it up until a month ago it wouldn't crank like it should and I took that off and it was terrible. Almost no fuel pressure sure on the engine side of the filter. Thank you for the tips I will be looking into these.

 

Yes, +1 on changing coolant, every 2 years, also common to change thermostat and rad cap at that time
Ranger 4.0l use 192 or 195degF thermostat, not 180deg

4.0l OHV is a very reliable engine, but has one flaw, weak spot in the head casting, if engine starts to over heat PULL OVER!!!!!!!!

DO NOT try to "make it" to any where, PULL OVER!!!!!

Heads run about $200 each, and one WILL crack if it gets too hot, maybe BOTH.

But they don't just crack while driving, ONLY when overheated, above 3/4 on the gauge, going above 1/2 is fine climbing a hill or pulling a load, just make sure it stays below 3/4

Longer drives is when hoses leak or break, carry some simple tools and a jug of water.

If you get a break pull over, wait for engine to cool down add some water and drive farther until it gets hot again, then let it cool down, repeat as needed.
Replacing ONE cracked head, if you do all the work, will still cost you North of $500, so even if it takes you 10 HOURS to limp to a place were you can fix the overheating problem that $50 an HOUR you are MAKING for just sitting around waiting for the engine to cool down.

 

This is great advice, I appreciate it and I will be installing a new thermostat and flushing my radiator before I leave. And fix up a tool box to carry with me.

 

Also check fan belt, look for cracks, not hard to change and not too expensive, but can be a real PITA if it breaks "on the road"