'cause I tend towards verbosity I'll ask the question first, then if you're interested go ahead and read the whole story. As the title says, I just bought this 04, xtended cab xlt, 4.0L, OD auto, power everything, Linex bed, no serious dings even, receiver hitch, jack has never been out of the holder, 32K. Question, what should I be keeping an eye or ear out for?
I've just come back to the Ranger after 22 yrs. Bought a new 85, loved, for about 52K, hated takeing a vehicle that new in for a xmsn transplant, few months later took it in for head gaskets. Several people have told me the new ones are great and a friend recommended this 04 that another friend of his had just traded, I had tried several other small, used, alleged trucks, crew cab frontier 70K, crew cab S10 75K and colorado extended cab 36K, all over priced. Frontier was beat, colorado cheap quality, S10 almost got my vote, but the 4 ft bed just didn't feel right, more like a rumble seat(yeah, I'm that old. I can even hide my own Easter eggs). Then I looked at, road tested, introduced wife to and asked around about the Ranger. Felt like a small truck, not a glorified compact car. The dealer had put on 4 brand new 16" tires and replaced the front brakes and rotors. It drives like a dream at 32K, a little stiff maybe,but it is a small truck. How does it sound to you fellas?

 

Reads like you made a good purchase.

Enjoy!

 

After allmost 25 years they have the bugs pretty well worked out. even the ranger you bought hasn't been changed much since 1993. You should be in good shape, "enjoy" !!!!!!

 

Welcome to FTE.

You didn't sy if it's 4X2, or 4x4, if the latter, exercise all the 4X4 parts regularly, say at least monthly, or more often, to keep things loosened up in there.

Seeing as how you have the auto tranny & don't know how it was driven, over those past 32K, I'd consider doing a tranny filter change & complete tranny fluid pump out.

I do this every 25-30K on my 5R55E tranny & it rewards me with nice smooth positive shifts.

These tranys have a reputation for popping a valve body gasket & acting out on shifts.

The SHOC 4.0L had chain casset tensioner noise problems in 01 & 02, but I believe it was all squared away by 04. It would make a up front rattle sound sorta diesel like.

You'll want to make sure the lug nuts are torqued to spec in a star pattern, to avoid warping the rotors. I use the minimum torque value on mine.

Otherwise as has been said, most of the problems have been worked out over the years & it's a nice solid compact truck, that'll likely work real good & last a long time, if we'll just give it timely scheduled maintenance as specified, with lube & filters that meet or exceed Fords specification call outs.

BTW, be sure to check out the "Tech Info" thread, located atop this forums thread listing page. It's chocked full of all kinds of useful info.

Enjoy your 04.

 

Hey Fella's, Thanks for the comments, sorry about neglecting to mention the 4X4 part. It is infact 4X4 and I will keep in mind the regular exercise of that unit. The dealer already changed the tranny fluid and filter and It is my understanding that the tensioner cassette problem is a thing of the past as long as oil changes are religously kept up. She's a beautiful little thing and I intend to take good care of her. Thanks again, it's great to be a Ranger owner again.