- Joined
- May 28, 2026
- Messages
- 1
- Points
- 1
- City
- Los Angeles
- State - Country
- CA - USA
- Other
- Volvo V60
- Vehicle Year
- 2001
- Vehicle
- Ford Ranger
- Drive
- 2WD
- Total Lift
- 3.0 V6
- Total Drop
- 0
- Tire Size
- Stock
Hello fellow Ford Ranger enthusiasts. I’m new to TRS, but not to Ford Rangers. I have a 2001 2 wheel drive 4 door with a 3.0 V6 and auto transmission w OD that I purchased slightly used in 2003. I love it, my wife loves it and now my son loves it. When I first bought it, it was my only vehicle and I drove it everywhere. I live in southern CA and have taken it twice to Texas for work, to Utah, to Oregon etc. After a while, I bought other cars and the Ranger became the extra car, we used only occasionally for hauling stuff, lending to friends who were moving… as such it has very low milage around 125K Miles. The truck has been absurdly reliable. Over its 25 year life, other than oil changes, tires and brakes it has barely asked for anything. Recently it had its biggest repair to date when the air conditioning compressor burned out spectacularly (it literally caught on fire). OK to my questions
1) throughout its life it has always stuttered around 3200 RPM. When it happens it feels like its starving for fuel, it doesn’t misfire it just sort of bucks. it always happens when it hits around 3200 on the tach. Warm or cold, uphill or down, 3200 and it happens. Lots of code reading diagnostics, fresh wires, plugs, points none have made any change or revealed what is causing it. I’m thinking its some electronic component in the ignition system, but which? It has baffled several mechanics. It always happens around 3200 RPM and will disappear below 3200 RPM or above 3200 RPM. I’ve learned to accept it and essentially drive around it. If anyone has had and cured the same issue, please let me know the solution, and or suggest what component you think I should try replacing to attempt a fix. 2) I am considering taking the Ranger to Montana and back in a few weeks and I’d like any suggestions that you might have for preventative maintainence to get it ready for what will be a 2000 mile trip. It has a fresh Serpentine belt, fresh oil and filter 3) I’ve never changed the tranny fluid, should I? 4) Also I’ve never drained and changed the oil in the differential, should I? 5) What else should I do that I’m not thinking of. Thank you very much in advance for all your feedback.
1) throughout its life it has always stuttered around 3200 RPM. When it happens it feels like its starving for fuel, it doesn’t misfire it just sort of bucks. it always happens when it hits around 3200 on the tach. Warm or cold, uphill or down, 3200 and it happens. Lots of code reading diagnostics, fresh wires, plugs, points none have made any change or revealed what is causing it. I’m thinking its some electronic component in the ignition system, but which? It has baffled several mechanics. It always happens around 3200 RPM and will disappear below 3200 RPM or above 3200 RPM. I’ve learned to accept it and essentially drive around it. If anyone has had and cured the same issue, please let me know the solution, and or suggest what component you think I should try replacing to attempt a fix. 2) I am considering taking the Ranger to Montana and back in a few weeks and I’d like any suggestions that you might have for preventative maintainence to get it ready for what will be a 2000 mile trip. It has a fresh Serpentine belt, fresh oil and filter 3) I’ve never changed the tranny fluid, should I? 4) Also I’ve never drained and changed the oil in the differential, should I? 5) What else should I do that I’m not thinking of. Thank you very much in advance for all your feedback.
