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1998 & Newer specific Ranger problems.....


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Location
Huntington Beach
Vehicle Year
1999
Make / Model
XLT 4 x 4
Engine Type
4.0 V6
Transmission
Automatic
2WD / 4WD
4WD
Tire Size
235/75 R15
My credo
Life is just a long string of stories.
Cab light sticks on oil your door latches and pivots.....get a oil squirter from ACE and get full synthetic 10w 20 or 5w 20 and use that.......but yes wiring on these damn +1998 trucks sucks.....and trans is meh......I has the 3.0l with the 4 speed auto.....I think its the fully electronic 4 speed auto cuz I forgot the technical name....my heater that I rarely use in Florida never seems to cause any problems.....
1999 Ranger XLT Supercab, 4 X 4, LSD 3.73 diff, tow package, automatic. 264, 077 miles. Showroom stock.
I shouldn't say this ... kiss of death ... Everything works A/C, Stereo (tape and CD and radio). Only had to replace the front lockers with manual locks.
Sprayed WD-40 in the door catch and cured the dome light issue (switch was sticking),
 


Craig0320

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Location
Mississppi
Vehicle Year
1998
Make / Model
Ford
Engine Type
V8
Engine Size
5.0
Transmission
Automatic
2WD / 4WD
4WD
My credo
Break it right the first time. Fix it better the next time.
1999 Ranger XLT Supercab, 4 X 4, LSD 3.73 diff, tow package, automatic. 264, 077 miles. Showroom stock.
I shouldn't say this ... kiss of death ... Everything works A/C, Stereo (tape and CD and radio). Only had to replace the front lockers with manual locks.
Sprayed WD-40 in the door catch and cured the dome light issue (switch was sticking),
Everything normal here. I experience all the same items.
 

07nhbpsi

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Monroe mi
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2010
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ford
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Transmission
Manual
Really? I cleaned it several times since the last oiling. I noticed an increase in performance when I first installed the K&N, but after the oiling, I started having problems. Maybe I'll chance the MAFS and see what happens. Do I need to disconnect the battery and re-boot after replacing the MAFS, or should the new one start sending correct info to the computer?
Well, any problems u inquire from a K&n filter, happen from over oiling the filter
 

unclekenny

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Location
Branchville, NJ
Vehicle Year
2011
Make / Model
ford
Engine Size
4.0
Transmission
Automatic
2011 4.0 4x4 bought new. 140,000 miles Half of that towing 2000 lb. trailer. No off road.

1 set brakes.
Replaced left front hub
Replaced corroded and leaking transmission line
Replaced leaking rear diff cover.
Replaced 4x4 shift motorDSCN0143.JPG

If you raise or lower both windows at the same time it blows the fuse.
My only gripe is that it is hard to read the instrument panel in the daytime.
Has been a great vehicle.
 

Blue_Bunny72

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Location
West Bend Wisconsin
Vehicle Year
1998
Make / Model
Ford Ranger XLT
Transmission
Automatic
On my "98 3.0, I've had plenty of issues.
-4x4 won't engage (some sort of motor blown in the TC)
-3.0 has some MINTY rod knock
-Burns lots of coolant
-Gone through multiple alternators
-Water pump cracked and was pissing coolant
-Dash lights always burn out
-Positive camber on the front wheels
-Rear shackles rust through and send leaf springs through the bed

I've had my fair share of issues that seem pretty common on 98+ rangers above 120K. Hope this helped out!
 

ret_Marine2003

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Location
The crotch of the mitten
Vehicle Year
1998
Make / Model
Ford Ranger XLT
Engine Type
2.5 (4 Cylinder)
Transmission
Manual
2WD / 4WD
2WD
Total Lift
Stock
Total Drop
Stock
Tire Size
235/75/15
My credo
No greater friend, no worse enemy...
I have a 1998 Regular Cab XLT Stepside
2WD 2.5L 5spd standard trans.

It has a leaky and noisy Power Steering problem.
Cab floor rust out from water leaking inside.
 

james 53

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24333
Vehicle Year
2001
Make / Model
ford ranger
Transmission
Automatic
I'm curious, and it would be easier to ask then to read every post in this forum.....

What are some of the problems encountered in the 1998 and newer Rangers that are specific to those models? As the tech library expands, I'm trying to figure out what direction we need to go now that the 1998 and up Rangers are becoming more common and being modified more.

Whether it be hubs, axles, transmissions, engines, electronics, etc.....please post any problems you see popping up with these trucks that we may need to address in some tech pages.

It would seem to me that there would be more and more electrical related issues.

You may post some that I already know about or have addressed elsewhere, but throw anything you can think of out there. Who knows, we may find that a specific problem is more common that you think.

Thanks.:headbang:
rough idle,changed iac egr egr solinoid maf vac lines intake fuel pump checked vent system and gas cap,comp 155 155 155 145 155 155,new o2 sensors no catalyst problem -no codes?can u help it and me or should i shoot it?
 

Blmpkn

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2023
Make / Model
Ford Bronco
Engine Type
2.3 EcoBoost
Engine Size
2.3
Transmission
Automatic
2WD / 4WD
4WD
Total Lift
2.5"
Tire Size
285/75/18
My credo
Its probably better to be self deprecating than self defecating.
rough idle,changed iac egr egr solinoid maf vac lines intake fuel pump checked vent system and gas cap,comp 155 155 155 145 155 155,new o2 sensors no catalyst problem -no codes?can u help it and me or should i shoot it?
Theres a sub-forum for whatever motor you have in your truck, you should make a new post there asking for help, I'm sure you'll get advice. Lots of folks here are extremely knowledgeable.
 

james 53

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2001
Make / Model
ford ranger
Transmission
Automatic
2001 4.0l 4wd
 

sgtsandman

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Location
Aliquippa, PA
Vehicle Year
2011/2019
Make / Model
Ranger XLT/FX4
Engine Size
4.0 SOHC/2.3 Ecoboost
2WD / 4WD
4WD
Total Lift
Pre-2008 lift/Stock
Tire Size
31X10.5R15/265/65R17
@james 53 I think you missed the point in blmkn’s reply. This is a general what’s is recurringly going bad in Rangers of this year span thread. Not a “I have such and such problem with my truck, can you please help” thread. Since you have a 2001 4.0, please make a thread asking your questions in the engines section under 4.0 engines.

It helps isolate your issues into one thread to go back to and isolates it to a particular engine for other members in the future that might need help. Posting here is liable to get your responses lost in amongst other thread comments not related to your issue.

And welcome to the forum. We want to help and make it easy for us and you as you work through your issue. Help us help you.
 

RHouse

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Location
Raeford , NC
Vehicle Year
2002
Make / Model
Ranger Edge
Transmission
Automatic
Have 2002 Ranger Edge 2WD with 118k:
-Replaced upper control arms
-Replaced Cam Sensor and Synchro
-Center console loose at hinge (see where previous owner tried to fix)
-PCV rubber elbow at rear of motor looks cracked but I don't want to mess with it until ready to replace the PCV assembly

Overall very happy with vehicle
 

Eddo Rogue

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Location
Burbank,CA
Vehicle Year
1993
Make / Model
Ranger 4x4
Engine Type
4.0 V6
Engine Size
OHV
Transmission
Manual
2WD / 4WD
4WD
Total Lift
skyjacker front leveling kit
Tire Size
31-10.50R15
My credo
Crossed threads are tight threads.
If you ask me there is 4 generations of Rangers. '83-'92, 93-97, 98-11, 2019-up
 

Fredness

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Sasquatch Country!
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Ford Sport Trac
Engine Type
4.0 V6
Engine Size
4.0L SOHC
Transmission
Automatic
2WD / 4WD
4WD
Break open the connector underneath the Driver's Seat - clean it with Electrical Contact Cleaner and then use a bunch of Di-Electric Grease when putting it back together.
If you do this every couple years, it will last forever.
Or buy a used 2001 from Minnesota that was never cared for and have to splice all the wires together because the corrosion was so bad...
 

1999Mazda Central Florida

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Tire Size
Michelin LTX M/S P235-75R15
Cab light sticks on oil your door latches and pivots.....get a oil squirter from ACE and get full synthetic 10w 20 or 5w 20 and use that.......but yes wiring on these damn +1998 trucks sucks.....and trans is meh......I has the 3.0l with the 4 speed auto.....I think its the fully electronic 4 speed auto cuz I forgot the technical name....my heater that I rarely use in Florida never seems to cause any problems.....
Here's the wiring bundle diagram for the electronic trans.
 

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akdsrtrat

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Location
Phoenix
Vehicle Year
98
Make / Model
Ranger XLT 4X
Engine Type
4.0 V6
Transmission
Automatic
2WD / 4WD
4WD
The only thing I can think to add to wvcat's post is the typical driveshaft thud/clunk when starting to accelerate and when coming to a stop.
Just lubed the slip joint on my 98 and what a wonderful change!
 

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