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What do I need to look for if buying a 3       #: 733
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 Posted: Sun Apr 1st, 2018 12:33 am
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wh23g3g
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 I'm currently looking for an extra cab 6 cylinder Ranger since my 98 is only a regular cab. I'm looking for anywhere from 1993-2000 models. I'm mostly looking for a 4x4 Ranger just because I've never had one and sometimes like to take it to the mountains on some of the backroads. I'm trying to get one in my area of North Georgia. I mostly need the extra cab more than the 4x4 because there's just not enough space in a regular cab no matter what year it is. Obviously the one's I'm seeing are over 200,000 miles and sometimes well over. I would be happy if I had one with under 200,000 miles. When you get to 200,000 it's pretty much hit or miss on a motor or transmission going out. Eventhough I know the engines are capable of 300,000-400,000 miles without teardowns. Most of the ones for sale in my area are 3.0. They seem to have always been replaced with used engines, head gaskets are blown, or they have new heads. I don't see it at all on the 4.0's that come up but I'm sure there have been some. Is there a contributing factor to nearly all 3.0 high mileage engine in the Ranger's blowing head gaskets. I think in the couple of years I've been looking for extra cab Rangers in my area which I cover pretty much all of Georgia in my searches I've only come across one 4.0 engine that had a blown head gasket because the owner kept driving it with it overheating. If I were to go for an extra cab 3.0 Ranger let's say around 150,000-180,000 miles is there anything I can check or listen for while I'm inspecting the truck before making a decision. I doubt that I'll have time or be able to convince the seller to let me pull plugs and do a compression test while I'm there. I know head gasket issues don't always show up in the oil until they're totally shot. Since it seems I'll likely be seeing more 3.0 Ranger for sale I'd like some hints on what to look out for in both 4x4 or 4x2.



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1998 Ford Ranger XLT 2.5 4R44E Automatic 4.10 non-limited slip, 1993 Ford Ranger XLT 2.3 M5 Manual, 3.45 non-limited slip
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 Posted: Sun Apr 1st, 2018 10:16 am
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Tsquare
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 I would look for something out of Arizona or New Mexico due to the rust issues that affect the Ranger.

Ball joint squeak when bouncing the fender, oil leaks anywhere on the engine or raining down the transmission, rust on and around the spare tire carrier would be the obvious items. As far as a 3.0 or 4.0 with a head gasket problem that seems to be hit or miss. Anything with more than 100k is going to have more repair issues and 4x4 tends to add to the equation.

Here in Atlanta it seems every high school boy wants a Ranger. When one comes up for sale it does not stay on the market very long.



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Tony
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Semi retirement
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 Posted: Mon Apr 2nd, 2018 11:19 am
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Scrambler82
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 To me, I would look for the best body and bed !
The engine can always be changed... do I hear 5.0L !   
The 4.0L Std Cam Version, seem to stand up well enough, and my '03, 3.0L, 5sp, 4x, short bed, is running good, gets me around still and although I would love a 5.0L that project is still in the works.

Lastly, I like the '95-'97 versions, but not the cabs, a little too short.



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Ltr,
2003 EDGE, Std Cab, Steppie, E4 Red, 5sp, 4x
5" SuperLift, 33" x 12.50 x 15"
Hurst Shifter
Mod'd Backrack to fit Steppie
Front and Rear Bumpers by Custom 4x4 Fabrication, OK; now Mike's Welding and Fabrication.
Working on more Mods, just need more time, longer days would work !
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 Posted: Mon Apr 2nd, 2018 09:23 pm
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Undrstm8ed
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 Im on the fence with what cab for what purposes.. But 3.0L...? Nahhhhhh thanks.



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"Be never first, never last and never noticed." - Unknown

"The slave is held most securely when he is held by the chains of his own will and of his own fears, and when he is locked down by his own slavish desires for a comfortable life." - Michael Bunker

"Mundus vult decipi, ergo decipiatur" - ~ attributed to Petronius (Gaius Petronius Arbiter (ca. 27–66 AD))
Roman courtier during the reign of Nero.

"Those who expect to reap the blessings of freedom, must, like men, undergo the fatigue of supporting it." - Thomas Paine


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 Posted: Tue Apr 3rd, 2018 11:44 am
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Tsquare
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 Undrstm8ed wrote:
Im on the fence with what cab for what purposes.. But 3.0L...? Nahhhhhh thanks.
What?!? You wouldn't like to experience the blistering performance of the 3.0? My Ranger can do the quarter mile in about 20 seconds at 70ish mph.



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Tony
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 Posted: Tue Apr 3rd, 2018 11:54 am
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ShovelheadKevin
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 My 98 XLT 4.0 4x4 ext cab has been great so far.
My only real knock against the 98 is that it doesn't have the 3rd door.
The 4.0 has decent enough power....I couldn't imagine anything less especially for a 4x4.
IMO, 3.0 or less in a 4x4 is like putting a go-cart motor in a VW....might work but not well or for long. ;)

BTW...where in NE Ga are you?  I'm in Chestnut Mtn/Braselton.....about 2 miles from Road Atlanta.

Last edited on Tue Apr 3rd, 2018 12:06 pm by ShovelheadKevin



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The good we do is never remembered, the bad...never forgotten.
1998 4.0 XLT ExtCab 4x4 {lil Red/Mine}
2005 Honda Civic {Hers/Ours/Spare}
2015 Hyundai Accent {Hers}
1980 80" Harley FXLR Custom {ALL mine!}
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 Posted: Tue Apr 3rd, 2018 12:25 pm
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Undrstm8ed
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 Tsquare wrote:
Undrstm8ed wrote:

Im on the fence with what cab for what purposes.. But 3.0L...? Nahhhhhh thanks.
What?!? You wouldn't like to experience the blistering performance of the 3.0? My Ranger can do the quarter mile in about 20 seconds at 70ish mph.
Uhhhh... no lol



____________________
"Be never first, never last and never noticed." - Unknown

"The slave is held most securely when he is held by the chains of his own will and of his own fears, and when he is locked down by his own slavish desires for a comfortable life." - Michael Bunker

"Mundus vult decipi, ergo decipiatur" - ~ attributed to Petronius (Gaius Petronius Arbiter (ca. 27–66 AD))
Roman courtier during the reign of Nero.

"Those who expect to reap the blessings of freedom, must, like men, undergo the fatigue of supporting it." - Thomas Paine


~ Undrstm8ed Truckumentry Write Up Pg.

~ Undrstm8ed Trailermentry Write Up Pg.
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 Posted: Tue Apr 3rd, 2018 11:04 pm
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Tsquare
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 Undrstm8ed wrote:
Tsquare wrote:

Undrstm8ed wrote:


Im on the fence with what cab for what purposes.. But 3.0L...? Nahhhhhh thanks.
What?!? You wouldn't like to experience the blistering performance of the 3.0? My Ranger can do the quarter mile in about 20 seconds at 70ish mph.
Uhhhh... no lol
BTW: I had to gas up today. All city driving and it was 19.1 mpg. My neighbor across the street has an 05 extended cab with a 4.0 and 373 gears and gets 15 in town and 19 on the road. 

Given the choice I would have preferred the 4.0 for the extra power or the 4 banger for the fuel mileage over the 3.slo engine. If the 3.0 dies on me I see a different power plant getting shoehorned into the engine compartment.



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Tony
NE ATL
'04 XLT regular cab 3.slo stepside
Semi retirement
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 Posted: Wed Apr 4th, 2018 01:07 am
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ShovelheadKevin
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 If you want fuel economy, buy a Honda not a Ranger. lol
I've had a couple of dual-tank F150s and if I decide to drive to my kid's in Las Vegas {...from NE Ga....} I'll do away with the spare tire mount and add another gas tank a la F150 pump/tank selector.
Other than that...a couple of 5G cans in reserve in the bed works for me!



____________________
The good we do is never remembered, the bad...never forgotten.
1998 4.0 XLT ExtCab 4x4 {lil Red/Mine}
2005 Honda Civic {Hers/Ours/Spare}
2015 Hyundai Accent {Hers}
1980 80" Harley FXLR Custom {ALL mine!}
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 Posted: Thu Apr 5th, 2018 04:19 am
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Undrstm8ed
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 Tsquare wrote:
Undrstm8ed wrote:

Tsquare wrote:


Undrstm8ed wrote:



Im on the fence with what cab for what purposes.. But 3.0L...? Nahhhhhh thanks.
What?!? You wouldn't like to experience the blistering performance of the 3.0? My Ranger can do the quarter mile in about 20 seconds at 70ish mph.
Uhhhh... no lol
BTW: I had to gas up today. All city driving and it was 19.1 mpg. My neighbor across the street has an 05 extended cab with a 4.0 and 373 gears and gets 15 in town and 19 on the road. 

Given the choice I would have preferred the 4.0 for the extra power or the 4 banger for the fuel mileage over the 3.slo engine. If the 3.0 dies on me I see a different power plant getting shoehorned into the engine compartment.
I've not driven enough the last year so much to have to fill up the tank every week now. But I can recall the best MPG I got out of my truck in a single tank was 21.6 or so MPG on a 93' OHV 4.0L, 3.73 gears. Combined of course. And I've got into the 20's many a time but that 21+ must have been at a time when all things were perfect. Tune, gas, temp, speed, weight, Moon and stars aligned, X wife wasnt bitching at me.. all of that. lmao



____________________
"Be never first, never last and never noticed." - Unknown

"The slave is held most securely when he is held by the chains of his own will and of his own fears, and when he is locked down by his own slavish desires for a comfortable life." - Michael Bunker

"Mundus vult decipi, ergo decipiatur" - ~ attributed to Petronius (Gaius Petronius Arbiter (ca. 27–66 AD))
Roman courtier during the reign of Nero.

"Those who expect to reap the blessings of freedom, must, like men, undergo the fatigue of supporting it." - Thomas Paine


~ Undrstm8ed Truckumentry Write Up Pg.

~ Undrstm8ed Trailermentry Write Up Pg.
.
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