Question on a possible new truck?

[tricked splash]

Hey guys been looking for a new truck for some time and for what i can afford I found an 01 sport trac. 101700 Miles, v6 4.0L automatic 4X4. My question is what problems should I look for when looking at this truck? What are its common problems I should know about?

 

[OffTrac]

Take off $800 off of their asking price immediately if the body bushings haven't been replaced. Another $200 if the front suspension hasn't been refreshed. If it has the timing chain rattle, walk away or really low ball it. Other than those major issues, I think it'd probably be a pretty good buy at the right price. The seller shouldn't be asking more than $6,500.

Good luck. We love our Sport Tracs.

 

[tricked splash]

there asking 5995. I did some looking around and i found it says they seem to have transmission problems and slipping?

 

[01STrunner]

Transmission troubles spell big bucks in repair. Looking at $1500 for a rebuild or $2500 for a new one.

It doesn't necessarily mean that you'll have to do this but any hint of transmission problems makes me shy away from a buy.

 

[05dakotatrac]

you are probably referring to the 2-3 flair where the RPM's jump 200 RPM's or so and then shift, this is an issue on all gen 1 sport tracs as almost all have the 5R55E auto trans. also check on the month it was built in 01 they had a JOB 1 and JOB 2. job 1 is known to have intake issues and job 2 is leak free intakes but a vacuum hose elbow that tends to dry out and leak.

 

[tricked splash]

Yea if it doesnt sit right with me I'm gonna walk away but I wasn't sure how common that was. I've had rangers before but the idea of a four door truck is nice. Any problem hauling things with the smaller bed? Can u tow with them as well?

 

[tricked splash]

Yea that's what I saw. So it's common to shift funny from 2-3

 

[01STrunner]

Mine had that issue except it was worse than 200rpms. It was diagnosed as a possible solenoid which is less than $100 and seems to be a simple install but to be sure I had the entire thing replaced.

As for towing I think they do great. Make sure it has the towing package. Easiest way to tell is to see if it has a tranny cooler, small separate radiator in front of the main radiator. I've towed and hauled everything from utility trailers to building materials when we completely remodeled our house. I've also pulled a couple boats including one that maxed out the truck but it did alright considering. The small bed can be annoying at times but the 4dr cab thats bigger than the other small trucks out there definitely makes up for it.

 

[tricked splash]

This one has a bed extender so maybe it will make up for what I need or I can get a nice trailer to go with it. I have a classic car so if I needed to I would like to be able to tow that other then that I would like a small fishing boat like a Jon boat so Im not to worried about that. I wasn't sure how they really stacked up towing wise to a full size or a mid size truck

 

[05dakotatrac]

well i hauled a 6X12 tandem axle, surge brake, enclosed trailer with 3695 pounds in material add that to trailer weight i was pushing 4200-4500 pounds and she took it in stride no heat issues. only recommendation is add a second cooler and a trans temp gauge. i did that and am glad i did.

 

[01STrunner]

One of the boats I towed is about 6000-6500 lbs. At the time I had no other choice but to use my truck. I have air shocks in the rear that leveled it out but as for heat I had no problems and it was about a 2-2.5 hr trip. Now because of the small engine I was running in 4th gear a lot so gas mileage sucked even more than normal but it pulled and stopped the load fine. For a car Im guessing it'll be around 4500 lbs with the trailer and you'll be ok as long as you won't be making very long trip with it in tow. Nothing really beats a V8 as far as heavy loads but the sport traces definitely hold their own.

 

[OffTrac]

I love my Sport Trac but I would not tow my '69 Cougar behind it at all. I love my Cougar more than I would like to prove the abilities of the ST. Just my opinion. Otherwise, it's a pretty good vehicle for hauling and towing most loads.

Mine's a Job1 and recently went over 100k. No major issues to date, knock on wood.

 

[01STrunner]

Double OffTrac. I feel much more comfortable keeping it under a ton and a half. Mines Job 2 with 127000 and The transmission is my only issue to date.

 

[interscope8]

2001 Job 2, 103,000. Thermostat housing has been my only problem so far. When the truck got handed down to me the front suspension components were replaced tho... So I'm running on 60,000 mile front end parts right now. No major issues.

 

[tricked splash]

Well u guys are pretty good sales man. I'm more intrested in looking at it know then before. I probably won't have to tow my car and by the time I have to I could have a second truck by then or who knows I was just wondering if I could in a pinch.

 

[05explorer1974]

I have 73,000 on my wife's 03. No major issues. Body mounts original. The only thing that I have is brakes, ball joints upper and lower, and trans flush at 45,000.

 

[Pheonixx77]

basicly a sport trac is a explorer with about 4 extra feet of frame.

the drive trains and engines are damn near if not exact matches to explorers of the same years.

As such they all have that odd leak between the tranny and engine.


mine has a small leak i cant seem to beat on the passenger front axle, theres a bit of moisture and despite replacing the seal 2x it still seeps, no drips just moisture.

check the rear power window for function, thay have alot of gremlins and arent exactly cheap to fix, its like 2 hours just to get to the motor iirc. then the motor is about 150$

the 4x4 is pretty solid, though mine has an issue of not going into 4 low lately, not sure whats up with that.

i own a 02 poineer edition (pioneer premium sound system and some other upgrades) with just over 91k on it so your 100k is still pretty damn low. But be ready to replace plugs, wires, pcv, fuel and air filters soon as you get it home. then changing the tranny fluid wouldnt be a bad idea either.

good luck, i love my trac and wouldnt trade it for anything, except maybe a newer model with a v8

if your gonna tow, get a newer model with a v8 you wont regret it. you could tow with the v6 but that depends on how big of a car. ive never towed anything but my dads 14' aluminum fishing boat which cant weigh nearly half as much as a car.

 

[01STrunner]

Only thing about the V8 is it's only offered in the 2nd gen sport tracs not the first gen.

 

[Pheonixx77]

Only thing about the V8 is it's only offered in the 2nd gen sport tracs not the first gen.

not if you swap one in ! its done alot here, im sure there are a few threads.

but yeah, out the door only on second gen

 

[01STrunner]

Haha oh how I wish i could do a V8 swap! I forget who but someone recently put a diesel in theirs. That would be even better!