Hey guys, I am looking for a sport trac to hold me over for a year or two. My ranger is tired at 240k and I am looking for something decent that I can daily drive, use in the winter and still haul Something and be able to haul my 7x12 open trailer

I guess the biggest thing i need to look for is ROT. Where are the common spot?

Trans issues? I am a 5 speed guys so the auto will be all new to me

I am trying to look at 03 and newer to avoid the whole 4.0 SOHC tensioner issues

 

All the 1st Gen had the SOHC, 2nd Gen had SOHC or 4.6.

1st Gen had an option of a 5-spd, 2nd Gen were all auto.

My '03 had timing chain probs.

 

I thought by 03 the timing chain issues had been resolved?

 

Dunno, at about 180k my rear guide broke. Didn't bend any valves. I bought the kit then never got around to installing it. Bought a used good motor with 50k less miles for $300 and thought, since I've had the parts for 2-3 years, why not go ahead and put them on the new one.

 

The MAJOR factory-installed chain issues were reduced by '03. The basic design guarantees trouble at some point. Oh, some have gone 200k, maybe longer. Clean oil is your friend for these. But the 4.0 SOHC is always a question mark.

Ditto the 5 speed auto. Although by '03 and later I think some of the problems were fixed or delayed.

Having been sent pictures of various used cars by my son in Boston, I would say just about every square inch of the vehicle is suspect for rust, you just have to go over the vehicle and see.

Why not look at later Rangers or used F150s? Serving suggestions if you can't find a Trac.

 

I have an 04 ranger that I had to put a cam in at 150k(wore a lob off). it now has 242k on it and it is getting tired and an intermittent SUPER high idle issue. I have a 4bt to go in, just not the time to make it happen. So I am looking for something to get me by in the mean time.

I have been looking at rangers and sport trac UNDER 5k. I have been finding more sport tracs in that price range that are not rotten to death. The rangers in that price range are pretty wooped