Hey all, I'm usually in the 47 and older and '04-'08 F150 side, but now looking at a Ranger for my dad. He's looking for something to do Home Depot runs, or use as a backup vehicle. Looking to keep it late '90's since not looking to spend much on it.
Are there any things to look out specifically on these Rangers? Engine, transmission, etc to be aware of possible issues or problems? He's looking for extended cab, automatic, probably 2WD.

 

If you're not going 4WD you're avoiding one of the biggest issues with Rangers of that era: The Pulse Vaccum Hub system that engages/disengages the front hubs. Rangers are quite utilitarian and are for the most part free of frills and major things that can go wrong.

If it were me I would try and find a 2001+ with the 4.0 liter SOHC V6. That engine adds a lot more power than previous generations.

Regardless of engine choice, I wouldn't buy one with out the four door option on the extended cab. My truck doesn't have these and I sure wish it did. Makes loading\unloading stuff a breeze.

 

when did they make a 4 door ranger? That was 1 complaint as to why they stopped making it even if it was the most successful midsize truck! The 4 door was an explorer not a ranger and people want way too much for them even now.

the late model rangers had issues with the OHC engine early on maybe even with the later ones. The OHV engine was pretty much bullet proof (4.0) the 3.0 had its own issues and really not much power. My 94 gets around 15mpg around town and up to 20 on highway with plenty of power. Lots of 4 cyl ones out there but again low on power so I would recommend a 4.0 as a minimum. The difference in mpg between the 4.0 and the rest is not enough IMO to give up the power of the 4.0.

Check craigslist in your area and then search others such as out here in Az.

 

I’d agree with getting a 2001+ with 4.0. With a 5 speed it would last for many many years and still have power enough to pick up a load of whatever and move it around.

 

I meant the "suicide" doors that were available mid-1998 onwards. In literature and online you see Rangers equipped with these referred to as "four-doors."

I've looked at the Explorer Sport Trac for a while, particular in V8 Limited form, but that bed is soooo short!

 

My 94 has the long bed, tailgate down to carry plywood etc. Works well with everything. Only issues were with the trans in they leak fluid out then need rebuild. had heads off mine cause I thought I had blown head gasket, turned out to be the water pump manifold to block. other than that normal replacement items, not bad for almost a 25 year old truck. Put lots of extras like elec seats mirrors windows etc all from wrecking yards so not much $$ involved. Yes the crew doors would be nice but a truck box takes care of most stuff and I am planning to add a hard cover to the bed. Did that on my F350 and works like a charm. Covers can be gotten used fairly cheap!

https://tucson.craigslist.org/search...+ranger+trucks

 

The 2wd Rangers with the twin I beam front suspension seem to hold up better than the 98 and newer 2wd front suspension that has upper and lower control arms. The ball joints seem to fail at under 100K on them. Aftermarket ball joints with grease fittings are a nice upgrade for them. I feel the 4 cylinder and the 4.0L are the best engine choices. The 2.3L cast iron engine used in 97 and older Rangers is reliable, easy to work on and good MPG. They don't have a lot of power but enough for driving around and trips to home depot. The 2.5L cast iron four cylinder has all of the same positive points as the 2.3L only with more power. The A/T 2wd Rangers with the 2.5L came with 4:11 gears. The 2.5L was used in 98/ mid 01 Rangers. The aluminum 2.3L used in mid 2001 and newer Rangers has more power and better MPG the the old 4 cylinders. I worked at a Ford dealership and didn't like this engine when it first came out because I saw them fail with low miles. It didn't take Ford long to get the bugs worked out of the engine and this engine has been used in many Ford vehicles and seems to now be holding up very well. The 4.0L SOHC engine is another engine I saw a lot of problems with when they first came out with it. Once again Ford got the bugs worked out and they have plenty of power for a Ranger. I can't say I like the design of the 4.0L SOHC engine the way they took a old push rod engine design and put a dummy shaft in place of the cam and three timing chains. I had the 4.0 SOHC engine in a 2001 Explorer and it was great. I work on a fleet of vehicles and we have Rangers and Explorers with the 4.0L SOHC engine. The problem with them seems to be age. Most of them are getting noisy because the nylon timing chain guides are falling apart with age. The engines still run okay, just noisy. It's too much work to replace the guides so we just keep running them. The 3.0L engines don't have much more power than the 4 cylinder and they don't last as long as the 4 cylinders or 4.0L.