Welcome Visitor! Please take a few seconds and mperry
Member
- Joined
- May 28, 2018
- Messages
- 19
- Reaction score
- 3
- Location
- Springfield, OR
- Vehicle Year
- 1994
- Make / Model
- Ranger
- Transmission
- Automatic
I have a 1994 Ranger XLT, extended cab, heavy towing capacity model with 81K miles. It has the heavy duty radiator for the 4.0L, automatic, and A/C. It needs a new radiator because the upper cooling line fitting and the side tank seal both failed suddenly. It must have been sudden because there was never a spot on the ground but now the 100 degree days makes it leak... and it blew out 3/4 of a gallon of coolant. I discovered the leak only because I noticed the coolant overflow was empty when adding washer fluid... perfect timing. The engine temp meter, as always, never moved above T in Temp on the gauge.
Does anyone have a brand of radiator to recommend? Any brands that have caused anyone a problem? Once the radiator is replaced, I'll go back to getting the AC fixed.
I am amazed at how well this little truck has held up over the years. It's amazing to have a truck that can sit for months then happily fire up when you need to haul something, maybe a 2 tons load, or simply take the dogs to the beach or for a bath. Age wears a vehicle but Ford really overbuilt this guy... though after nearly 30 years it needs a repair every couple years. I bought it with 60K miles 9 years ago (a premium $6500). I immediately did fluid changes, brakes (pads were worn out, but did a full rebuild), "factory" tires (11 years old) and it ran/looked like a 3yo truck. But there's always the little stuff every couple years: left window regulator, thermostat locked shut, right window regulator and door lock actuator, and a 10 yo battery all failed. Now it's the radiator and the AC. (The AC started being less cold last year, doesn't work this year, so maybe has a slow leak?) Oh, and 9 years ago I replaced the factory radio with a new model. It started failing after 2 or 3 months, then fortunately some thief stole the unit since Pioneer/Crutchfield wouldn't warranty it. One less thing.
Does anyone have a brand of radiator to recommend? Any brands that have caused anyone a problem? Once the radiator is replaced, I'll go back to getting the AC fixed.
I am amazed at how well this little truck has held up over the years. It's amazing to have a truck that can sit for months then happily fire up when you need to haul something, maybe a 2 tons load, or simply take the dogs to the beach or for a bath. Age wears a vehicle but Ford really overbuilt this guy... though after nearly 30 years it needs a repair every couple years. I bought it with 60K miles 9 years ago (a premium $6500). I immediately did fluid changes, brakes (pads were worn out, but did a full rebuild), "factory" tires (11 years old) and it ran/looked like a 3yo truck. But there's always the little stuff every couple years: left window regulator, thermostat locked shut, right window regulator and door lock actuator, and a 10 yo battery all failed. Now it's the radiator and the AC. (The AC started being less cold last year, doesn't work this year, so maybe has a slow leak?) Oh, and 9 years ago I replaced the factory radio with a new model. It started failing after 2 or 3 months, then fortunately some thief stole the unit since Pioneer/Crutchfield wouldn't warranty it. One less thing.
