I am thinking about buying a 1998 Ford Ranger XLT extended cab short bed. It has the 3.0L with a 5 speed stick. It has 120,000 miles on it which the only rust on the body is a very small spot on tailgate. Rest of body is super clean (which is amazing for a Pennsylvania vehicle).

Is there anything that i should be concerned about with it? Any known problems with this year? The guy that had it before me took really good care of it and it runs good. It needs little things like front shocks and very minor things but nothing major, has new ball joints.

Any opinions on it would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance!

 

Welcome to the forum

1998 Ranger is first year of the generation 3 body style
Gen 1 was 1983 to 1992
Gen 2 was 1993 to 1997
Gen 3, 1998 to 2012, last Ranger

3.0l Vulcan engine was used in a few Ford vehicles, very reliable, but not very powerful
The Cam Position Synchronizer at the top rear of the engine should be replaced every 80k miles or so, the bushings would wear out, make a squealing noise.

M5OD-R1 manual transmission was used in Rangers since 1990 and until 2012, very reliable as well, it has 3 rubber plugs at the top back of transmission, they could leak a bit as they got older, often changed to metal plugs when clutch was replaced
M5OD uses ATF, yes Automatic transmission fluid in a manual transmission, lol, Ford specs Mercon V

Nothing in 1998 that would raise any red flags

All pickups tend to get rusted out rear leaf spring hangers, so have a look at them
Brake pedal and clutch pedal wear show true miles, so have a look, new pedal rubber is a warning sign of Not True miles

 

Thanks for the info. It was very helpful!