Looking at a 1994 Ranger 4x4 for wheeling

[Ronin007]

Hi everyone!!:wavey:

Well I am currently looking at a 1994 Ranger XLT 4x4 with the 3.0 liter and auto as a possible wheeling vehicle. I use to wheel a 1993 Range Rover LWB, but parts are expensive and I had an opportunity to sell it for a decent price so I did. This Ranger came up so I am doing some research and this site was recommended. Great information here. Thanks for all the insight everyone!!

 

[Glen4X4]

Welcome To The Forum!

 

[Tbars4]

welcome here...it all sounds good to me with the exception of the 3.0 and auto tranny...maybe someone else will chime in on that..

 

[BrooklynBay]

Welcome to this forum! The 94 was the last year they made the A4LD transmission, so it's the most upgraded. What kind of differentials do you have, and how many miles are on the truck?

 

[Dopler174]

Welcome to Explorer Forum! 3.0 is a good motor as far as I've seen. Rock the snott out of it!

 

[Ronin007]

Welcome to this forum! The 94 was the last year they made the A4LD transmission, so it's the most upgraded. What kind of differentials do you have, and how many miles are on the truck?

Thanks for the warm welcome everyone!

Not certain on the diffs and the truck has 149,000 miles on it. It is basically all stock and came from SC so it doesn't have hardly any rust to speak of on it. Just some surface rust which is nothing for a truck in NY state. All the panels are straight, paint is in good condition just faded, all the glass and plastic are good, interior is good and it appears everything works.

The only issues that I know of is some times the passenger side head gasket will leak coolant, the 4-wheel drive does not work (appears to be the bushing in the shift motor has gone bad), the fan clutch will need to be replaced, the AC needs to be charged (unless I convert that to OBA), the front end has the Ford nose down stance (was going to do a lift anyway), and the tires will need to be replaced (would have been replaced for off road tires anyway).

I am going to meet up with the owner this weekend to look over the truck again and discuss price. I am figuring I can get it for under $1500. The cheaper the better as this is going to be a budget wheeling rig.

What do all of you think?

 

[Tbars4]

...i would really check your local price of getting that tranny rebuilt first...
...other than that, sounds like you are going to be a happy wheeler...

 

[Fordmandan87]

The 94 was the last year they made the A4LD transmission,

ford did run the a4ld all the way till 2001 but on a different note the 3.0 is a good engine that may feel a little underpowered but will no doubt do the job for diff security just replace the fluid if u have auto hubs GET RID OF THEM they are unreliable when they get old it is just worth the money to get the manual hubs

 

[Fordmandan87]

try getting it for 800 because a head gasket set will be a wise investment and a tedius one to completely install

 

[Ronin007]

...i would really check your local price of getting that tranny rebuilt first...
...other than that, sounds like you are going to be a happy wheeler...

So are the autos that bad in these trucks?

 

[Fordmandan87]

not bad just weak with the wrong gearing if u can look on the door for the axle code

 

[Ronin007]

not bad just weak with the wrong gearing if u can look on the door for the axle code

I will check that out this weekend when I go to look at the truck again.

The truck runs strong and I have not noticed any issues with the trans. I will take it out again to check the shifting just to make sure.

Thanks for all the help. Anything else I should look for let me know.:biggthump

 

[Tbars4]

...and i'm sorry. didn't mean to scare you on the tranny...i was talking to someone else buying a vehicle with the a4ld and it had problems...just a heads up on it though...find out what his gas milage is city/hwy and tank size, also miles per tank...
...as for the a4ld, a rebuilt one is about 1500 bucks and sometimes more...