Buying a Ranger for my son

SamsDad · Aug 30, 2014

So the boy's saved his money and wants a Ranger in the worst way. I can't say as I blame him, I had a 2005 and loved it.

Anyways, we're looking at a 1999 XLT with 108K miles, it looks pretty good but the dash lights don't work and the column gear indicator doesn't work. Are there any deeper implications to these problems, and about how much does it cost to have them repaired?

More generally, what problems should we look for in a late '90's early 2000 Ranger?

Thanks in advance for any assistance.

bmerr98 · Aug 30, 2014

SamsDad said:
So the boy's saved his money and wants a Ranger in the worst way. I can't say as I blame him, I had a 2005 and loved it.

Anyways, we're looking at a 1999 XLT with 108K miles, it looks pretty good but the dash lights don't work and the column gear indicator doesn't work. Are there any deeper implications to these problems, and about how much does it cost to have them repaired?

More generally, what problems should we look for in a late '90's early 2000 Ranger?

Thanks in advance for any assistance.

http://www.therangerstation.com/forums/showthread.php?t=19690

I hear the dash bulbs can be a pain, but they're doable. Not sure on the gear indicator, but probably something simple, and you'll be in the neighborhood when you get after the bulbs.

Giving a young man a truck is good...giving him a truck that needs a little work here and there is better. The more he works on it, the more he will learn in general, and the more he will appreciate his vehicle in particular. Aside from the occasional frustration, I think everyone here at TRS loves their Rangers. I'm on my second one myself, a 1998 4.0 XLT with over 240K, running strong.

Good luck with your Ranger!

SOAD4.0 · Aug 31, 2014

^ I couldn't agree more. When I was 16, I got a 94 XLT with a couple minor issues. over the past 7 years owning that truck, I've learned SO much about how to repair/ maintain/ modify my truck and I love it more and more through the years! I'm gonna be installing a body lift on it soon and look forward to it! All this to say, I think it's a great idea to get a truck that needs some work. I would have never learned anything had I gotten a new truck.

tmcalavy · Aug 31, 2014

Passaroo in my opinion, unless your son is quite a wrench already. Getting into the dash and doing shift/column work is not something for a beginner to tackle. But if it's in good shape otherwise and you intend to help him pay to get those basic problems sorted out then it all comes down to price. Boys want what boys want, but also try to teach him the value of shopping around in these situations to get the best deal.

Andy D · Aug 31, 2014

I know nothing about Ranger electrics. But could this be as easy as a blown fuse for the dash lights?

Ranger302Boss · Sep 3, 2014

I agreed whit Bmerr98, your son will apreciate more his truck after work a little on it.

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SamsDad · Sep 3, 2014

Thanks for your input guys. We passed on this Ranger. It wasn't a question of the gear indicator not working, the gearshift barely worked. It was very difficult to shift into drive, reverse, neutral; basically the whole shift mechanism was hosed. I sensed trainwreck even though the seller said it was "only $200 to fix".

Also, a front end collision with a wrinkled hood and a replacement fender with a poor attempt at matching paint.

A good lesson for my son, both in patience and recognizing what to walk away from.

The hunt continues...

JoshT · Sep 3, 2014

Up there you will also want to take a good look at the frame. Rust has a habit of eating away the shackles and/or hangar on the rear leaf springs.

adsm08 · Sep 3, 2014

The indicator is probably fairly easy. The needle is in a spring to return, and a little nylon string to pull it along. If it just stays in park the string is probably broken. Either way, it's about a $50 part for a new PRNDL piece, and about 10 minutes to put it in. Really easy. Release two clips from the bottom of the cluster (you are gonna be there checking bulbs anyway) and unhook the string. Super easy.

Honestly, anyone who spent a childhood playing with Legos and who has a pair of stones in their sack can do parts replacement on a Ranger.

Dash lights probably aren't anything really scary either. Maybe harder to figure out if you aren't good with electrical, but not scary.

Bronco638 · Sep 4, 2014

adsm08 said:
Honestly, anyone who spent a childhood playing with Legos and who has a pair of stones in their sack can do parts replacement on a Ranger.

SenorNoob · Sep 4, 2014

If anybody cares, I have successfully replaced that string with fishing line.

adsm08 · Sep 5, 2014

SenorNoob said:
If anybody cares, I have successfully replaced that string with fishing line.

I don't doubt it. That string is brown fishing line.

Buying a Ranger for my son

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