4.0 Reliability, Common Problems?

[kota04sxt]

Hi. First post here. I am looking at a 95 ranger 4x4, with the 4.0 I was wondering how reliable they are? Any common problems? What kind of MPG? Basically, I need something that is a reliable daily driver. I would be parting way's with my Grand Cherokee if I get this, which has been nothing but reliable and a beast in any condition's. This particular ranger has 133k miles, auto trans, 4x4 with manual hubs and stx package I believe. I know I have replaced a lot of spring hangars for the leaf's, but I can't remember what all common drivetrain problem's they have!? Any help would be appreciated.

 

[98Ranger_4x4]

I have the 98, with the electric transfer case, but its got the 4.0 V6 and it is a beast. (Wish I could say the same for the less than unreliable AVHubs, but oh well. Probably gonna switch those out to manuals anyway.) But I get about 12mpg in town, keeping in mind I've never actually driven a full tank of gas without hot roddin.

 

[kota04sxt]

Yeah, what tcase do the 93-97 use, forgot to ask? I get pretty good MPG in my jeep, so I was hoping a ranger would get a little better, being a V6. But, if the motor/trans/tcase and diffs are reliable, I wouldnt mind having another truck.

 

[Original_Ranger84]

I would estimate between 15-17 city and 19-21 highway for mileage if driven normally. Do you have a manual trans? Manual t case? It should have an M5OD if it has a manula trans and a Borg Warner 1350 or 1354 Tcase. The manual hubs are very reliable as well as the engine with regular maintanance. I know jeeps are really good in 4x4 usually because they have front and rear L/S or something.... If your ranger has an L/S rear you should be good to go My 84 goes pretty much everywhere. No real major problems with drivetrains though...

 

[Nhaz]

Common Problem on a 4.0?


Old Age!

 

[Fast Doc]

The EPA ratings are 16/20 and that's about what I get in mine, same configuration as yours. They commonly go over 250,000 miles driven regularly and well maintained.

 

[Fast Doc]

Problem area seems to be valvetrain noise from pushrod/rockerarm galling, but apparantly that does not need to be treated as it's harmless. People get some headaches from the electric transfer case motor but that's an easy fix. People have issues with automatic hubs sometimes, but that's cheap and easy. Power steering pumps make a harmless noise.

Pretty good truck overall, I'd say.

 

[dangerranger911]

i have 94 with a 4.0/manual/supercab/4x4 with over 265,xxx starts every time. The only issue i have had is the cats plugged up. It has slight oil leak somewhere it losses a quart about 1500 miles or so oil pressure still good, and its primary function far has been mud mud mud and more mud. the truck also has a 6 in skyjacker and averages about 18 mpg driving it around. so reliable yes just maintain your vehicle and your good to go.

 

[Madracingalley]

It has slight oil leak somewhere it losses a quart about 1500 miles or so oil pressure still good,QUOTE]

I figuered 1 quart per month. Check your pcv valve. mine is dead so the vaccum from the engine suck oil through the PCV system and burns it...

 

[Ozwynn]

somebody once tried to tell me that the early 4.0Ls were as prone to head cracking as the 2.9L.......... I have only one 4.0L with a cracked head, it was in a 95 and it had obviously been beaten like a rented mule that was beaten like a red headed stepchild that had been beaten like a rented mule......... which should say something about the mighty 4.0L....... this engine had been run hot enough to crack the heads and was still running.....

I may have bought it because the price was cheap except the guy also tried telling me (thats right, tried telling me) that the transmission was actually a 4spd with a ghost 5th and that it appeared in several rangers behind the 4.0L ........ I told him he had been lied too and pointed him to TRS.

 

[TheBeast]

LOL @ ghost 5spd. I wish I was that imaginative.

Good trucks over all. 228k on mine when I bought it, still at a whopping 228k. Still goes and pulls fast. Has a few minor leaks but doesn't smoke a lick. Well built motors IMO

 

[kota04sxt]

Yeah the one I am looking at seems like a decent truck. Are the auto trans any good in these?

 

[TheBeast]

Mine shifts a little funny, but Its positive and shifts fine.

 

[-Nathan-]

mine has 340 000 km on it, and still VERY strong.

 

[TeamExploder]

Definitely a descent setup, I've had a couple 4.0 OHV's and they're all dependable and will go high mileage, I get around 20 mpg highway with 31" tires. Depending on if you have the standard M5OD or the auto 4R55E the manual is a good tranny but the auto you need to make sure to keep up with fluid and filter replacement I think its every 30k and not overheat it and it will be a good transmission, I've overheated mine a couple times but has kept going but have heard different stories from folks that's over heated theirs.