Well,I've got my dad's 2000 4.0L Ranger at the moment so I can take it to the shop tomorrow to have it looked at since it doesn't want to cooperate very well.For the full story on that,click here.It hasn't acted up with me yet,but only time will tell.

Anyway,to get to my point,I was looking through the local paper a few minutes ago and these 2 deals caught my eye.To start off,they're both used Ranger's and they're at Chrysler Dealerships lol.Anyway,one of them is at the dealer where I'm taking dad's truck tomorrow.I called the sales guy that dad dealed with when he bought his truck to setup the appointment and I asked him about the Ranger that I saw.It's a 2000 Extended Cab with either a 3.0L or 4.0L,automatic,A/C,etc.I forgot exactly what he said the mileage was and what size V6 it was.Anway,they want $10,995 for it.I had him run a credit report on me and he said that he could get me a $204 60-month payment @ 1% interest.That's with a 4-year bumper-to-bumper warranty and gap protection.I don't think that's too bad.I'm going to look at it tomorrow when I take dad's Ranger down there.

The second deal is up here at town.It's a 2002 Edge with what I'm guessing is a 2.5L Duratech.I don't believe that it's a V6.Anyway,it is automatic and has 21,000 miles.The price on it is $10,950.I think that I'd like the other better because I'm 6'1" tall and I like the extended cab so I can put my seat just a little farther back .

Anyway,do either of these deals sound like they're worth looking into?I've got my daily driver 1992 that I'd just about go anywhere in,but it needs a little work.This spring,I'm going to have it painted,put on a new rear bumper,new windshield,etc.,which is going to run me right around $2,000.Plus,it needs a new rear main seal and if I do that,I'm going to put in a new clutch and fix the shifter rail plugs while I'm in there.But,what would you guys do?Sell the 1992,take the money that I make from it and buy one of those 2 that I was looking at or just keep the 1992 and don't mess with the others?I'm confused.I want a newer one,but then I don't.It's not the money or anything,it's just that I don't really want to part with mine.

I could get $2,000 for my Ranger as it sits,no doubt.That could be my down payment on a newer one.Do those deals sound good to you guys?Which is better,the 3.0L or 4.0L as far as reliability and quality goes?I love dad's 4.0L,but he's having some trouble.It still has me confused on what that is .Either way,that's just how it goes.Getting that extended warranty with the one that I'm looking at tomorrow would be nice.It's the same warranty that dad's Ranger has on it.

Anyway,sorry so long.What would you guys do?

Nightrain

 

It hard parting with a car youve had for a long time, but one you do you learn to love the new one even more. I just got a 99 ranger with the 4.0. It is a good engine with plenty enough power. I think the 2000 has a SOHC but i dould be wrong. Mine has 65k on it and i paid 10k for it. It has an optional 5 speed auto 4x4, supercab, cd, and its an XLT. Plus it is still under extended warranty. If the 6 CYL is 4x4 i would get it. I just prefer a 6 over a 4 banger, and from what ive read on the 3.0 it is reliable, and i have a 4.0 that is indestructable.

 

Thanks brother.I appreciate the reply .The one that I'm looking at tomorrow is 2WD.It's suppose to be identical to dad's,but I won't know for sure until tomorrow.I'll probably test drive it and fall in love.I can see it now....

Nightrain

 

My dad has a 4.3 sonoma. I havent got him beside me yet, but i cant wait. I bet it would be close. His claims it has 207 hp and mine only has 158, but it feels stronger than his. I would definitely not consider a gmc or chevy. And besides you already know some about rangers. I mean the engine is different, but there are a lot of similarites, ad the handling should be the same. The price seems about right since they dont have as many miles as mine, but you can always bring them down some.

 

Don't even worry,I'm not touching a GMC or Chevy with a 10-foot pole .No offense to you GM owners,I just don't care for them.If I EVER went from Ford,and believe me,hell would have to freeze over for that to happen,I would CONSIDER a Dodge,but that's not going to happen either.BTW,I'm not even going to get started on imports...

I have always been a Ford fan since that's what I grew up around.It doesn't matter to me if a 4.3L will smoke the 4.0L or not.I just love Ranger's SOOOOO much more .I would put my money on it that the 4.0L would take the 4.3L,but who knows.I may just have to try it to find out .

I'm looking forward to tomorrow now.I think that if the truck is good,I'll go for it.If I can get them down to $10,000 and it does great,it's mine,if it has the 4.0L.If it has the 3.0L,I will try to get them to $9,000,but I think that's pushing it.I'm hoping that it's the 4.0L though.Like I said,I don't need a newer one,but I would like one.The only problem is that I've done so much to 'lil Red it's gonna be hard to let her go .I could always put that 393 Stroker that's sitting on the floor of my garage in it .....

Nightrain

 

yeah that would be pretty nice. You wouldnt have prob beating a sonoma then, or pretty much anything else. After i finish high school, and graduate college, and have a good job, and a house (maybe never) I want to get a supercharger for my ranger. 300 hp in a truck as light as the ranger would be awesome. PLus the normal stuff like exhaust, intake and a chip (but that might come before college. Anyways, i think you will be happy with the V-6. Either one will have more power over your 2.3.

 

I hear that.I like my little 2.3L though.She runs good and has a decent amount of power.It kinda sucks when I need to pull something though .A Supercharger?Where can you get one of those !?

Nightrain

 

In the summit racing catalog. Hey forget everything i said. 4.0's suck!!

Get a supercharger for your 2.3 and keep it. They didnt show one for a 2.3 but the one for a 4.0 was $2,700. A 2.3 will prbably be a littl less. Im going to go look right now. you can too its www.SummitTruckStyle.com

Seriously, The 4.0 is really a good engine.

 

Thanks man.That helps.I wish that I could find one for my 2.3L.I've got a Mustang 2.3L Turbo engine that's just begging me to put it in,but I don't know if I want to attempt that right now or not.Plus,it needs to be rebuilt and re-calibrated.

Here's a list of everything on my mind at the moment that my 1992 needs:

New Exhaust (Manifold back)
New Rear Main Engine Seal
New Clutch Assembly
New Steel Shifter Rail Plugs
New Windshield
New Paint Job
New Tires (w/ Front End Alignment)
New Brakes
New Dash Cap
New Fuel Gauge Sending Unit

I think that's it for now.All that adds up to about the price of that 2000 Ranger lol.

Nightrain

 

Yeah, But the if you get the new one you will want to add to it so you'll end up spending more on it ayways. On the other hand it gives you a better base truck if you want to build it up. I mean i have a 99 and i want to do most of that stuff to it. well atleast the paint, tires, and exhaust. I dont NEED any of them but i would like all of them.

 

Yeah,I hear ya.If I don't buy the new one,I'll have an old one to play around with .

Nightrain

 

Also add a 4.10 Traction Loc to that list .....

Nightrain

 

Or you could sell the mustang and the 393 and buy the new truck and still play with the old one

 

Well,I don't have a Mustang.I just have the Turbo 2.3L engine that came out of one.I bought it with plans of putting it in my Ranger,but I'm not sure what I want to do with it at this point.

Tomorrow's getting closer ...

Nightrain

 

well its tomorrow, what did you find out?