Howdy,

I just joined the ranks of Ford Ranger owner, any recommendations as what to look at/fix/replace/renew first thing? Over all the truck drives out like new, there is a pulsation when pressing the brakes hard, rotors need turning I suppose. There is occasionally an hard shift from the tranny and an ever so slight vibration around 55-60mph.

The truck is a locally owned, 1 owner, 1998 Ranger 4door supercab, 4.0 engine with 5spd auto, 4x4 with 59,300 miles. I paid more than I wanted to just because of it was local and low mileage, kbb.com has trade in value at $6500 or so and I paid $7800. I was really looking for a under $5000 truck, but everything in that price range was well over 100k miles and most in questionable shape.

Any, I just wanted to touch base with you all on what to look out for and what you would suggest replacing (fluids, etc) first thing. I've not owned a Ranger in years, this is the first 4x4 ranger I've had. I've mainly owned V10 F250/F350/Excursions with the occasional F150 in the mix. I don't have anything to tow now, so I figured I'd go with a small truck and see how it works out.

Thanks

Tony in TN

 

Follow the scheduled maintenance call outs in the owners manual, to bring the vehicle up to date for All due, or past due scheduled maintenance replacement call outs, with Motorcraft parts & fluids, or ones that say in writing that they are licensed to meet or exceed Fords specs.

Our waste spark ignition system needs the specified finewire iridium enhanced spark plugs & wires that'll take the double work load it puts on these items. So, if your going to replace them, the specified Motorcraft products are recommended.

The 4.0L is to use Only 5W-30 & make sure what you use says it meets or exceeds Fords motor oil specification.

With the mileage you have on the vehicle & its vintage, several things are past due for scheduled maintenance, like air & fuel filters & if it still has the OEM spark plugs in it I'd suggest removing at least one from each cyl bank & checking plug gap, as mine were Way out of spec at 60K, even though I had removed & set All of them to the Min side of spec when new. The OEM passenger side plugs need to be returned to that cyl bank, as they are a special platinum pad ground/sidewire design configuration, available only for the factory for installation in our passenger side waste spark ignition system, that gets the reverse polarity spark.

The Specified Replacement finewire iridium enhanced center electrode, with platinum pad ground/side wire design plugs, can be installed in both cyl banks, their spark gap will remain in spec longer & they'll likely offer up faster year round starts, as their design yields an easier to make & hotter spark kernel to get us going, especially on those cold winter starts.

With the years on this ride, coolant, brake fluid, tranny & transfer case fluids likely need changing & I'd also consider replacing the coolant & radiator hoses, along with the thermostat & radiator cap.

Drop the spare tire & air it up, as its one of those out of sight & forgotten items that needs at least a yearly service check!!!!!

Some thoughts for consideration to get you started. Be sure to visit the "Tech Info" thread atop this forum for all kinds of helpful wrench turning info on your Ranger & let us know how it goes.

 

Thanks for the input, most of those I thought of, some I didn't.

Thanks again.

Tony in TN

 

I did have a question, the original sticker said nothing about a aux transmission cooler, but there is a what appears a aux tranny cooler in front of the radiator, is that standard on the 4.0 4x4? Does it need to be changed out or just flushed?

Tony

 

The auxiliary tranny cooler itself does not have to be changed; you can either have the tranny fluid flushed at a shop, or you can get a little dirty and drop the tranny pan yourself and replace most of the fluid that way. There are pros and cons to either approach.

I'm not sure that the aux cooler is just for the '98 vintage 4.0L 4x4 Ranger; I believe I've seen it on a 3.0L 4x4, as well.

 

Some have an aux tranny cooler, some don't. My 4X2 with the tow package has both a tranny & power steering cooler. As Rockledge has said, the coolers aren't replaced, just flushed when we do a tranny or power steering pump out service & there are instructions for doing it ourselves in the Tech Info thread atop this forum.

 

all good recommendations, even for a truck like mine I just got, a 2000 Ranger XL V6 FLEX fuel 5 speed. it is going to the shop for a lube job & will have all fluids checked, and a bumper to bumper inspection, including the brakes!