Going to look at a Ford Ranger. What should I look for?

[hockeyadc]

There's a kid in my town selling a 1998 Ranger, 4x4, 198K miles, and he said it runs fine(we will see). I'm going Sunday to check it out. I have a 2002 Explorer, but its 2WD and I'm looking for something 4x4 with a bed.

He's asking $1000. From what I hear, he just wants to get rid of it, and I have a friend who has worked with him before, who said the kid is an idiot and doesn't know what he's doing lol. I'm going to offer him $700. Sounds like a steal to me.

Anything in particular I should be looking for?:rangergreen:

 

[RangerX]

First thing to look for is the Ranger section here, just moved this into it.
With the Rangers, the weak spot is the auto transmissions, same as the explorers.
With this Ranger, look for signs of being beat on, if the owner is a kid.

 

[hockeyadc]

Thanks for putting this in the correct forum. I figured it may be the transmission, but it looks like I can get a rebuilt tranny for ~$750 if needed.

Any specific spots that will rust through the frame I should look for?

 

[1996xlt]

Frame rust will depend on your area, but like the 95-01 explorers look out for rotted out rear spring hangers, cross-member that houses the spare tire winch and also the bottom edge of the bed where it meets the cab.

 

[Scott B.]

You might want to look underneath the truck, too, and see if its been dragged over rocks. See how much mud is under there, too.

 

[hockeyadc]

Thanks guys, all good stuff.

Being that the truck has ~200k on it and I'm assuming its the original engine and tranny, how many more miles can I expect to get out of the tranny and engine?

 

[Tbars4]

..:scratch:..4.0L, 2.3L, 3.0L ?

..Your question depends on how well the vehicle has been maintained...Could only be ten miles left if it was abused but getting 300,000 miles out of a Ranger is often common..

..Adding your location under your name would also let us take in regional factors to help you out with your questions in the future..

 

[hockeyadc]

..:scratch:..4.0L, 2.3L, 3.0L ?

..Your question depends on how well the vehicle has been maintained...Could only be ten miles left if it was abused but getting 300,000 miles out of a Ranger is often common..

..Adding your location under your name would also let us take in regional factors to help you out with your questions in the future..

I THINK its a 4.0L, but like I said, he doesn't really know what he is talking about, so I'm not going to get too much info out of him. I will find out for sure Sunday. I added my location(NJ).

 

[Runnin'OnEmpty]

If it's a 3.0, listen under the wheelwells for a squeak while the engine is idleing. The 3.0 is known for the cam syncronizer shaft binding in it's housing and causing a squeak.

It's not a hard fix, just something to be aware of...