I am looking at purchasing a 1996 Ford ranger XLT extended cab 4 x 4. THis truck has a 5 speed and 3.0 v6. It has 85,000 miles on it. Can some of you please give me some advice on the following questions:
1. is the 3.0 a good motor?
2. what kind of problems should i look for.....what are these trucks prone to.
3. when i let the clutch out to take off (i test drove it), it made a clunk like the wheels were frozen to the road....like the vehicle wouldn't move but then it did. It never made that sound again. maybe i just ran over something but it worried me.
4. any other advice on this truck.
5. is 6500 a fair price? it has new tires and is in good shape

i appreciate the advice very much!!!! Kent

 

I have a '96 4x4, but mine's a 4.0 so I can't help with that...

Two things I can think of to look out for. If you have the Automatic Locking Hubs, they're probably going to stop working if they haven't already. Get manuals...

The center console/armrest has a tendency to come loose. It's quite annoying, but hardly a reason to keep from buying the truck.

For a '96 with less than 100k, I'd probably pay $6,500. Mine's got almost 150K.

 

The best thing to do is to go to kellybluebook.com and check out the value of the truck, because I think that it is a little steep of a price. The 3.0 is a good motor, but if it was me I would look for a 4.0 4x4, but that's just me

 

Yeah, I forgot to mention that I would pay that price <i>for a 4.0L</i>.

 

I too have a 96 Ranger 4X4 Ext Cab. Mine has auto hubs and so far so good. BassGuy, what specific manual hubs do you recommend once the need arises?

 

I've got the same truck you are looking at but it is a 97. I bought mine used a year ago from my sister. She had the auto hubs replaced with manual ones under warranty by Ford because they started to fail. Other than that the only problem I have ever had personally is a vaccume hose that popped off.

The 3.0 motor in my truck isn't a power house, but I have used it off road and it handels well. I haven't ever encountered a hill that I couldn't climb in 4x4 low. It is a reliable motor and if you take care of it the engine should last well past the 200,000 mile mark without any problems. I just passed the 90,000 mile mark on mine.

You may want to test the 4wd to make sure that the electronic motor on the transfer case is working correctly. Sometimes they can stick if they haven't been used for a long time.

I have seen several posts on other boards describing the clunk that you experienced. The problem is usually caused because the slip yoke on the drive shaft needs to be greased. It isn't a major problem, but it sounds like that one may need attention.

As far as price is concerned I agree with BassGuy, check kelly blue book - kbb.com and see what it lists for your area. I paid $6500 for my 97 last summer. Personally I don't think I would pay more than $6000 for the one you are looking at right now, but check the price guide.

 

ksvtwin- i have a 96 3.0L 5speed 2wd and only paid $5800 for her with 54900miles
my uncle bought same year and motor except 4x4 fro $5000 with around 100000miles. i think that the price is a little high but its still got lots more life in her.

 

I have a 1996 4.0L extended cab 5speed A/C with manual hubs good Michelin tires and the body is very nice, I paid $2000. I have had to do both upper and lower ball joints since and have also replaced the hoses, belt and thermostat (cause there was a leak from the housing).

What a great little truck, and yes, the armrest is sagging and the latch broke.

here is the truck (I added the tounno cover)
http://www.pbase.com/image/27630362

Go for it...
Royce

 

Royce, that is a beautiful truck and it is identical to the one i was looking at. thanks everyone for the advice and the search goes on....i passed on this one. he wanted a little too much money for it (he was asking $7000 and i would have been more comfortable with 6000 or less), and i really wanted an automatic. mainly because there's a little more room in the front without the shifter. So i'm holding out for the next one and maybe if it's a different year, i might have some more questions. Thanks again, Kent

 

I haven't replaced mine yet, but I've read about all sorts of people having the same problems I am (hubs not engaging) on this board. The most recommended ones I've heard of so far are the Warn hubs. I've heard reference to Mile Marker hubs as well, but not nearly as often.

 

Ha! That's exactly the same as mine except my tires are a bit bigger (same rims though) and I have a cap.