Hello to all. I look forward to learning from this community.

I used to own a 2wd 2000 Ranger supercab XLT stepside with a stick and 3.0. I sold it and bought a small Honda for fuel efficiency but I really miss that truck! I'm on the prowl now for a Ranger with the hope of garaging my little Honda over winter.

Here's a pick of her near the 1/3 acre garden I grew during my last year of grad school:


I'm hoping to grab an OHV 4.0 stick with a standard bed. 4X4 and extended cab would be a bonus but I will probably just focus on the engine and the transmission. I might settle for a 3.0 if the truck is nice enough though.

 

Welcome to RF!

Got any more pictures of the truck in the picture above?

 

Welcome to the site!

 

welcome! you looking for another 2wd? or are you gonna try 4wd this time?

 

Welcome to R-F!

 

Welcome and good to see a fellow Michigan guy

 

Where in the mitten ya from?

 

You talking to me?? And did you move morris? I thought you were a canadian

 

No, the OP. The journey song says south Detroit. Look on a map, Windsor is south of Detroit.

 

welcome. good luck with your search!

 

Thanks for the welcome all.

So far my best find is a 99, 3.0L, 2WD, manual trans, extended cab with 99k orig miles for $2,400. The tires are bald and there is a bit of rust on the body. I also saw what appeared to be rust in the antifreeze reservoir. The engine was very strong for a 3.0 and didn't overheat during the test drive. I'm on the fence with this one because I really would like a 4.0 and the bald tires/rust in reservoir isn't sitting right at that price but that's pretty low mileage. Carfax was clear as well.

Unfortunately I can't seem to locate any. It looked pretty similar to this though: 2000 Ford Ranger extended cab

I'm shooting for 4WD but they are hard to find in reasonable condition in my budget. I'm hoping to go drive one today though!

Same to you buddy! I moved to MI a couple weeks ago after spending 5 years in South Carolina. Feels good to be home!

I am originally from Grand Rapids but living just north of Muskegon now near Lake Michigan.

 

Nice, you should come out to our annual SL trip in the. Summer. We have a couple members near you and there is anywhere from 6-12 people that show up.

 

Your not far from my Summer place.

Another member is from around there. Patrick. (04_ranger_4x4) or something.

Welcome man. I'd help you look if you were closer to the D.

 

Well I drove halfway across the state to look at a 4.0 "4x4" and it was a total POS

I ended up buying the 3.0 I described above. Dealer photos are attached.

New tires were installed today. Next up (no particular order):
1) New stereo (existing one lights up when headlights are on but will not power up)
2) Fix HVAC system (only runs at high speed, check/replace resistor)
3) New wipers
4) New radiator cap (coolant seems to be leaking from existing cap)
5) Brace forward radiator (lower brackets have rusted away, radiator is not secure)
6) Change fluids (coolant and oil) power steering? brake? differential?
7) Add Yakima roof/bed rack
8) Glue shift **** (**** is loose)
9) Add quickcrete bags to rear for winter weight
10) Hang spare tire under rear (buy new retainer assembly)
11) Spark plugs/wires (on the fence here as it seems to be running very strong and idels smooth)
12) Add OBDII based gauge for RPM and other data
13) Explore swapping in a limited slip dif axle (cost?)

Any suggestions on what else to do to this truck?

Sounds like fun. Can you pull me out of the lake if needed?

Nice... I love this area of the state! I'm right on White Lake and can almost see the "big lake."

 

Sure can! So can a few other members. Too bad that isn't 4wd. Lift it anyways!

 

I bombed around SL in 2wd unintentionally last year. you should be ok.

My place is in the other direction. Its about a 45 minute drive to get to the big lake.

 

that truck looks like its in great condition! nice buy. maybe do a new fuel filter/air filter for better mpg? they're pretty cheap mods

 

Hahaha Conquer test in 2wd? Fml right Alex?