Looking for a new used vehicle. Your thoughts...

[1990RangerinSK]

You're mostly right. the 351 Cleveland was built from 70-74 and the Modified was from 75-80, both before the 17 digit VIN. The non Romeo 4.6(and all the 5.4's) were Windsor engines and I forget the VIN code for a 4.6w- maybe a 2? The Duratech 3.0 was an S and it was a sweet engine. My 99 Taurus was ordered with a Duratech, I drove it for 46,000 miles, gave it to my daughter and she ran it to 196,000 miles, then I sold it to my youngest tech and he drove it 2 years before trading it for a Mustang. The valve covers never came off, nor did it use oil or make noises. The VIN was 1FAFP53X2SA191950 and I have no idea why I remember it.

Oops.

Your Taurus was a wagon, I'm pretty sure. Those Gen3 cars were nice.

 

[James Morse]

If you look at a shop manual it'll tell you definitively what the engine code means. VIN and door stickers are decoded there also.

 

[Josh B]

Everybody drives a used vehicle

 

[19Walt93]

Oops.

Your Taurus was a wagon, I'm pretty sure. Those Gen3 cars were nice.

Nope, P53 was an SE sedan. I'd buy that car new again for the $16,000 I originally paid in a second. The 3.0 Duratech made good noises and a 1-2 full throttle shift happened at 6000 rpms.

 

[1990RangerinSK]

Nope, P53 was an SE sedan. I'd buy that car new again for the $16,000 I originally paid in a second. The 3.0 Duratech made good noises and a 1-2 full throttle shift happened at 6000 rpms.

Interesting. You're right, though, wagons are P55 (for a Gen1, anyway). I wonder if maybe an SE was P53, and a SHO might've been P54.

 

[19Walt93]

Interesting. You're right, though, wagons are P55 (for a Gen1, anyway). I wonder if maybe an SE was P53, and a SHO might've been P54.

I don't know- the model code wasn't something I focused on. I was more interested in year and engine. One of my techs would look at the door tag and figure if it had a build date before September it was this year's car and after it was next year's car, then he'd order the wrong parts because model years started at different times.

 

[dvdswan]

Were the Adrenalins only AWD or could they come in 4WD too? If only in AWD version, how hard would it be to install a 4WD t/case?

 

[Ranger850]

Were the Adrenalins only AWD or could they come in 4WD too? If only in AWD version, how hard would it be to install a 4WD t/case?

As far as I know, they are all AWD. That's what makes it an "adrenalin" with 60/40 rear bias differential, slighlty lowered stance and 20" wheels. Why not just start with a 4wd drive model and save the hassle of turning a truck originally designed for the srteet into on Off-roader.

 

[dvdswan]

As far as I know, they are all AWD. That's what makes it an "adrenalin" with 60/40 rear bias differential, slighlty lowered stance and 20" wheels. Why not just start with a 4wd drive model and save the hassle of turning a truck originally designed for the srteet into on Off-roader.

I was just curious really if they came with a 4WD option, that would have made it easier to change to 4WD. I was just trying to broaden the scope of availability for the 4WD.

 

[dvdswan]

I came across a 2004 Ranger Super Cab 4x4 Edge that I think is a good deal. I'm going to look at it today. Anything in particular I should look for? 4.0L, AT, 152k, and loaded.

 

[James Morse]

It looks nice... are those rock bars or just steps?
Something about the 4.0L timing chain/belt? Different engine than what I have.
Would be interested to know if cruise buttons are good since that seems to be always worn out but easy to change.
Other guys will know a lot more technically what to look at. But certainly you know the basic stuff... is interior ok, does it drive/shift good, doesn't pull to the side steering/braking, does all fancy electric stuff work, a/c, heater, blower, what's engine bay look like, is there lot of rust underneath, door jambs, etc. Funny noises on startup/running, exhaust leaks, etc etc I have a feeling you know all this.
If tires are worn talk it down on that; you might want to change them anyway depending.
Then there's one test that isn't really quantifiable, I just do a "feel" test.... do I like it, does it feel good to me, do I feel like, I'd like to go places in this?
Granted that's totally unscientific but I look at it this way, if it doesn't feel right to me now, why would it later. Unless it's something you put your finger on like unbalanced wheel, etc.
Get Carfax and see how many owners and where. It's 20 years old, so did it have, like, one or two owners (they must have liked it) or did it have like five or six owners which -might- make you say, hm, nobody really kept it all that long.
Get the Oasis if you can see what was done on it. And don't feel like, darn, I drove here, I might not see another one.... you will... there's lots of them. Maybe lower mileage ones.
But it does look nice and if good shape and the options you want and price is good then it could be the one.
Cap is worth something, if you like caps. Should have bedliner(?).

 

[Chapap]

Looks like a color matched, model specific cap? Can you get those anymore?... if you're a cap guy. Are those stock wheels?

Is this it? $10k is allot for an old truck but it sure looks nice.

https://www.cars.com/vehicledetail/6f0467b6-d8b1-49b0-8293-440d0c2596d0/

 

[dvdswan]

Yes, that is it, I've dealt with this dealer several times and have always talked them down to my satisfaction. I've seen the inspection and repair needed items process they have. Quite impressive compared to a lot of dealers. There is another 04 that has less mileage and couple hundred less but not all the options.

Do these have issues with water leaks? or other issues as far as axles, suspension, body, etc.? I know about the 4.0L SOHC engines and 5sp ATs.

One owner, serviced by Ford. according to CARFAX.

 

[James Morse]

Carfax seems good, one owner, no accidents, looks like it was serviced. Those are plusses.
Seems like you should be able to talk them down 10%? Who knows. But you have to go drive it / see it in person...
Me, I'd go for the options, if you are talking about power windows/locks that kind of thing, in my opinion they are way better than manual.
Loaded is better, true more stuff to break, but still.
If you dealt with the guys before that's a plus.
In the end to me used vehicle is always a crap shoot to some extent whether it's 3 yrs old or 25 years old so you could end up with some stuff you find out about that you have to do after you get it I suppose but I think you are more experienced with these than am I so you would likely see these things if they exist.
The fact that one guy kept it its entire life says something. On the other hand at 150k there could be some things it needs soon that he didn't do because he knew he was trading it.
Make sure you get to do a cold start, not "I warmed it up for you".
Where would it leak water? There's only so many places it can leak, right? If it's leaking into the oil you should see it foamy etc. Heater core leak you should smell. Rad leaks you should see drips, same for hoses, water pump I imagine it leaks around shaft (?).
Check all fluids look topped good, that doesn't tell you if any are losing, but it's something. Drive it a while and then park it and watch under for anything dripping. Try the 4x4 that it transfers good and not undue noise.
But I'm no expert. You also will get a general impression. Have to expect it was used, but being used, or abused, two different things.
To me if engine/drivetrain are good then it seems like most other stuff is not that hard to fix... so I wouldn't reject it if, say, I noticed heater control was shot, or it needed cruise buttons, stuff like that, I'd just talk it down on anything I could find that I'd have to do.

 

[Ranger850]

this black piece should be blue, I would like to know why that was replaced, IF I was buying this truck. could be from rust or an accident.