1st Post, Looking to buy my 1st Ranger

[MaicoDoug]

Depends how well your hands work in tight spots. I do remember that the ground is in question more often.

 

[flyin-lowe]

It seems like it is still moving. It just moves from full tank to about 3/4 even though I’ve driven it almost 300 miles.

 

[Sturm8]

I think everyone has pretty much already covered everything in this thread. My two cents would be that the ranger has terrible rear wheel traction, not just in snow or ice, but even in rain. My son slid sideways into a telephone pole with mine. He was/is fine, but truck was totaled. I'd get him a 4 cylinder with a manual trans. That said, pictures look good and price sems reasonable.

 

[MaicoDoug]

Traction with a LSD in the rain, and especially with the bed empty, I can understand. I always keep something in the back. With my '83 long bed running high speed 15" wheels & "60 series" wider tires that were a softer compound and a bed tool box, took care of the happy rear end issue. Helps to raise the front end to place more weight on the rear end also. Hope your boy was alright after his accident.

 

[Lefty]

Short story I have a son who is going to be driving in less than a year and wants a truck and not a car. I am going tomorrow to look at a 2004 Ranger Xl that the neighbor of a family member is looking to sell. I haven't seen it yet but my family member knows the owner and truck. No known issues, looks very good inside and out, and has the 3.0 V6. I have been told 6500.00 cash will take it home. It is an automatic and has 115K miles on it. Other than obvious rust on the frame/shackles etc. is there any other glairing concerns I should look for when I go look at it tomorrow? I have never owned a ranger but feel like this would make a good vehicle for a new driver. I know condition plays a lot into the price but this seems to be in line with other trucks I have seen in similar condition but would love to hear any input or price or other aspects.View attachment 115806View attachment 115807
Here are a couple picks of the truck...

looks like a fair deal. I paid $4K for mine, but this has fewer miles and is in much better shape. He's got a nice set of after market wheels too. I've got an lsd on my reg cab. It handles well in the winter, certainly better than a car. I don't add extra weight either. Wider tires certainly help.

 

[00t444e]

A 3.0 extended cab auto truck is going to be turd slow. I would pass on that and find one with a 4.0.

 

[Lefty]

This truck looks very nice. Take it out for a spin and see if this is what you want. I personally like the regular cab: lighter, faster, better handling and parking. Some don't. It's a matter of choice.

 

[flyin-lowe]

Have another question, may be a dumb one but here goes? Are the lug torque specs different for aluminum wheels V. stock wheels. I was thinking it was so I called Ion Alloy wheels to see what the torque spec for these specific wheels were. They told me to go by the spec for the specific vehicle. He said if the vehicle manufacturer calls for 130 pounds than you use that no matter what the wheels are made of. For some reason I though different wheel and lug nut material could dictate the lug torque, he told me I was wrong. So what would you guys torque these wheels to on an 04 ranger?

 

[JJMaine]

I torque mine to 100lbs

 

[JoshT]

A 3.0 extended cab auto truck is going to be turd slow. I would pass on that and find one with a 4.0.

It's a first driver, so that isn't necessarily a bad thing IMO (and from personal experience ).

 

[Lefty]

I torque mine to 100lbs

My tire store recommends that I check those lugs within a week or two after installion.

 

[JJMaine]

I always check mine a time or two as well.

 

[Garth Libre]

Thank you both for the input. Fuel mileage is one concern I had but that is the reason I am leaning this way instead of a full sized. I know the 4 cylinders are a little better. Good news is he only has about a 6 mile drive to school everyday. Obviously he'll be out doing other things but for the most part he won't be putting a ton of miles on it but who really knows.

A four cylinder with a manual transmission is quite a bit better on gas. (I average 29). However, a truck is not something we should expect great mpg's with. If a person is going to use it as transport - I'd go for the 4 cylinder (maybe with a manual). If a person is doing serious hauling with it in mountainous territory - I'd go with a 6 despite the noticeably worse mpgs.