Should I ditch my old 97 for a 01 Ranger?

[lone-wolf]

I'm at a life decision.

Fix my 4.0L 97 ranger(300,000KM) that needs a couple thousand dollars worth of work/parts. Radiator, fuel pump, some kind of engine sensor, brake lines, all the shocks & leaf springs(going with skyjacker leaf springs & ditching the rear lift blocks) need replacing.
It already has a 4" suspension lift, but some of the wiring for the heater blower I had to mickey mouse to get to work.
Sometimes, the engine would start, run a min, then die last time I was using it as a daily driver.

Or

There's a 01 Ranger FX4 for $3000, with the 4.0L & 253000KM
Inspected, ready to go. Looks like they por15'd(or similar) the frame already. Rear shocks, shackles & hangers are new. noteable improvement vs my old ranger: the 01 has a posi rear end, my 97 doesn't.

 

[MastuhWaffles]

I'm at a life decision.

Fix my 4.0L 97 ranger(300,000KM) that needs a couple thousand dollars worth of work/parts. Radiator, fuel pump, some kind of engine sensor, brake lines, all the shocks & leaf springs(going with skyjacker leaf springs & ditching the rear lift blocks) need replacing.
It already has a 4" suspension lift, but some of the wiring for the heater blower I had to mickey mouse to get to work.
Sometimes, the engine would start, run a min, then die last time I was using it as a daily driver.

Or

There's a 01 Ranger FX4 for $3000, with the 4.0L & 253000KM
Inspected, ready to go. Looks like they por15'd(or similar) the frame already. Rear shocks, shackles & hangers are new. noteable improvement vs my old ranger: the 01 has a posi rear end, my 97 doesn't.

I think getting rid of your's would be a good idea, your spending money on a dying horse, really
Yours has 300,000km on it, and this 01 has 253,000km, 50,000km more and it gets right back up there. Honestly, I would spend the extra money on something with a little less mileage, so you get more bang for your buck. The last thing you want to do is get something that is going to cause more problems.

 

[Deastoer]

the 4.0 ohv is easier to work on then the sohc, more performance in sohc but timing on those are a bitch and a half...If youre not hurtin for a car to drive i'd stick to the 97 and fix the suspension, plus the 4.0ohv at 300k should run just as strong if not stronger than the 4.0sohc at 250k.

 

[Surrey]

Lets not forget about the suspension.

Your 97 is the last your of the TTB front end, which is easy and cheap to lift.

The 01 is not.

 

[swynx]

Weren't they still having problems with the sohc in 01? And like previously said last year of the ttb. I'd buy a rebuild kit for the ohv, if it even needs it. My 4.0 has almost 260k no leaks or smoke. And some people could put on 50k in a year. And who's to say that other truck wouldn't need the same parts in 50k.

 

[lone-wolf]

Wish I could buy a brand new 97 Ranger, not to fond of any of the newer rangers(01 isn't bad). They don't feel right.

 

[Andy D]

I bought the Rat on a whim without knowing anything about Rangers. I wanted a '94 because it is ODB1 and not subject to emissions. I wanted a manual trans 4x4. I wanted a 4 banger, but I didnt see any. The Rat has a 4.0 and I'm glad it does, because it came with 8.8 rear and 10" brakes. I think it has a 2" lift to accomodate the 4wd. It is a gen 3 long cab and has the 2 piece front axle Manual doors , no AC, manual hubs. I guess I got a good yr and option pkg.

 

[swynx]

I say rebuild it. After the rebuild you'll have as much into it as the other truck and have a mechanicly brand new truck... That you like.

 

[Surrey]

I say rebuild it. After the rebuild you'll have as much into it as the other truck and have a mechanicly brand new truck... That you like.

Im leaning in the same direction.

To spend that money on a truck with 250k, you are just asking for something to break on that truck after spending all your money on buying it.

 

[swynx]

As far as the limited slip goes, you could probably get one from somebody upgrading to a locker off trs for practically free.