Reliable Truck?
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From: Iowa
Reliable Truck?
Hi I am currently looking into purchasing a 1993 Ford Ranger 4.0 V6 4x4 with manual lock hubs and an automatic transmission. It has 161,000 miles on it but it seems to be in great shape aside from some rust on the rear of the bed and a broken leaf spring shackle. I haven't gone to drive it yet so I was wondering what are some things that I should look for. I have heard that they can have issues with the rockers and lifters being noisy. Is there any other issues they can have? Any comments on the reliability of this truck and what to look for would be great. I currently have a 2000 Ranger but is a 3.0 and it is kind of a mess from the previous owner. Thanks!
1990-2000 4.0l OHV was very reliable, expect 400k from bottom end
No the lifters and rockers were not an issue, 2.9l was known for that.
Ford fuel injectors are loud, tick noise
If oil is not changed then any engine will get noisy valve train
4.0l does have a weak spot between the valve seats in the heads, and WILL crack if overheated, no maybe.
But if you don't over heat it then not an issue.
Make sure engine is cold when you get there
pull off radiator cap, make sure coolant is at the top and not to dirty
Start engine
Make sure radiator is not overflowing, that's a sign of a cracked head
It might burp a little coolant at start up then stay level, if you start seeing bubbles then cracked head.
Let it idle for 3 or 4 minutes then put the cap back on and go for a drive.
It will have an A4LD automatic, good transmission, but like all autos it needs a 2nd trans cooler.
People complained about the A4LD but that was because it was the FIRST Over Drive automatic transmission.
And if there was a problem the shops didn't know how to work on them, so after they couldn't fix them they would say "bad design", lol.
But the A4LD was used until 2012 in Rangers, name changed but same trans inside
Automatics do wear out, they have clutches(3 of them) just like manual trans does and clutches wear out same as brakes.
When driving make sure Reverse engages quick and firm, slow engagement means low pressure in trans so leaking internal seals and gasket which will get worse over time
Reverse requires the highest pressure to engage.
Yes rear leaf hangers on most pickups can rust out, not to unexpected.
Electric transfer case has an electric shift motor that needs to be rebuilt or changed when it gets older, not hard to do
No the lifters and rockers were not an issue, 2.9l was known for that.
Ford fuel injectors are loud, tick noise
If oil is not changed then any engine will get noisy valve train
4.0l does have a weak spot between the valve seats in the heads, and WILL crack if overheated, no maybe.
But if you don't over heat it then not an issue.
Make sure engine is cold when you get there
pull off radiator cap, make sure coolant is at the top and not to dirty
Start engine
Make sure radiator is not overflowing, that's a sign of a cracked head
It might burp a little coolant at start up then stay level, if you start seeing bubbles then cracked head.
Let it idle for 3 or 4 minutes then put the cap back on and go for a drive.
It will have an A4LD automatic, good transmission, but like all autos it needs a 2nd trans cooler.
People complained about the A4LD but that was because it was the FIRST Over Drive automatic transmission.
And if there was a problem the shops didn't know how to work on them, so after they couldn't fix them they would say "bad design", lol.
But the A4LD was used until 2012 in Rangers, name changed but same trans inside
Automatics do wear out, they have clutches(3 of them) just like manual trans does and clutches wear out same as brakes.
When driving make sure Reverse engages quick and firm, slow engagement means low pressure in trans so leaking internal seals and gasket which will get worse over time
Reverse requires the highest pressure to engage.
Yes rear leaf hangers on most pickups can rust out, not to unexpected.
Electric transfer case has an electric shift motor that needs to be rebuilt or changed when it gets older, not hard to do
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