- Joined
- Sep 6, 2013
- Messages
- 2,007
- Reaction score
- 1,329
- Points
- 113
- Location
- Calgary, AB
- Vehicle Year
- 1999
- Make / Model
- Ford
- Engine Type
- V8
- Engine Size
- 5.3
- Transmission
- Automatic
To @RonD 's points:
Rangers up to '97, have TTB (twin traction beam) front axle. It has its fans and its detractors; IMNSHO, better off road than on. But to allow turning (and flexing), it has u-joints which do not result in the wheels turning constant velocity - which results in wear and/or the aforementioned funky steering. So, the older trucks have dis-connectable hubs. (Changing axle u-joints is PIA). Now, the TTB has regular tapered bearings that those mechanically inclined can maintain, and so can be made last almost forever.
Ranger from '98 on have SLA (short long arm) front axle. It is better on road, not so good off. It has constant velocity joints to allow turning and flexing (like a front wheel drive car). The result is low wear and constant steering. So, after having issues with hubs failing in '98-00, Ford went to better idea of locked hubs. SLA has unit bearing - very good for assembly line - install and tighten 3 bolts and axle and on to next. But when they wear, you replace them...
Up to '00 Rangers have the OHV 4.0. It doesn't rev as high, so makes less power. The '01-04 4.0 SOHC have more issues with cam guides, but all of the SOHC engines need regular replacement (part of your 100k mile tuneup).
'09+ Rangers have rear disc brakes - required for sway control which was gov't mandated in '08, some people consider that an advantage.
Regular cab was stretched 3" in '98. Important to those of us over 6'.
Ranger with auto and manual transfer case, probably 100k of them. But then Ford sold almost 400k Rangers in '98 alone. The question is more how many still running 10-20 years later in condition/price you want.
Rangers up to '97, have TTB (twin traction beam) front axle. It has its fans and its detractors; IMNSHO, better off road than on. But to allow turning (and flexing), it has u-joints which do not result in the wheels turning constant velocity - which results in wear and/or the aforementioned funky steering. So, the older trucks have dis-connectable hubs. (Changing axle u-joints is PIA). Now, the TTB has regular tapered bearings that those mechanically inclined can maintain, and so can be made last almost forever.
Ranger from '98 on have SLA (short long arm) front axle. It is better on road, not so good off. It has constant velocity joints to allow turning and flexing (like a front wheel drive car). The result is low wear and constant steering. So, after having issues with hubs failing in '98-00, Ford went to better idea of locked hubs. SLA has unit bearing - very good for assembly line - install and tighten 3 bolts and axle and on to next. But when they wear, you replace them...
Up to '00 Rangers have the OHV 4.0. It doesn't rev as high, so makes less power. The '01-04 4.0 SOHC have more issues with cam guides, but all of the SOHC engines need regular replacement (part of your 100k mile tuneup).
'09+ Rangers have rear disc brakes - required for sway control which was gov't mandated in '08, some people consider that an advantage.
Regular cab was stretched 3" in '98. Important to those of us over 6'.
Ranger with auto and manual transfer case, probably 100k of them. But then Ford sold almost 400k Rangers in '98 alone. The question is more how many still running 10-20 years later in condition/price you want.
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