98-00

[BleedxBlue21]

Im still looking for my first ranger and i heard 98-00 had the most problems but would it be worth purchasing one and lifting it and what not? My friend had a 99 and his 4x4 went out and he had problems with it like no other but then again he was a little on the shittier side of driving lol. I would like to see what you guys think about it. Thanks

 

[triumphrider-1]

How much lift? Anything over 2"-2.5" of suspension lift can get costly.

 

[Earl43P]

http://www.therangerstation.com/Magazine/Apr04/offroad.htm

http://www.therangerstation.com/tech_library/99hubswap.htm

http://www.therangerstation.com/tech_library/AVM_hub_swap.htm

 

[BleedxBlue21]

Yea i couldnt tell you hopefully like 4 with a body lift but it all depends on money but im just looking for ideas and just having fun dreamin about what i could do

 

[Doofy]

Have yet to have a single problem with my '98. I maintain it and don't abuse it. I expect it to last for a long time.

 

[straycat]

Im still looking for my first ranger and i heard 98-00 had the most problems but would it be worth purchasing one and lifting it and what not? My friend had a 99 and his 4x4 went out and he had problems with it like no other but then again he was a little on the shittier side of driving lol. I would like to see what you guys think about it. Thanks

What problems are you talking about?? I have a 99 and I have friends who have 97-2000 Rangers and nobody has had any problems...where do you get you information from...a homeless junkie???

 

[FlyinRyan]

I love my '98, although I wish I had 4x4 so I could have torsion bars...

 

[BleedxBlue21]

What problems are you talking about?? I have a 99 and I have friends who have 97-2000 Rangers and nobody has had any problems...where do you get you information from...a homeless junkie???

No i just said my friend had a 99 and his went to shit, read a little. And there's a forum on here from Jim Oaks saying 98- newer ranger problems and there's pages of people saying stuff about there rangers. I couldnt tell you cause the only personal experience was my friends ranger, but thats one ranger, thats why i started this thread so i would get a little more information.

 

[Sunk]

Rangers up to and including 97 are far easier and cheaper to lift.

 

[straycat]

No i just said my friend had a 99 and his went to shit, read a little. And there's a forum on here from Jim Oaks saying 98- newer ranger problems and there's pages of people saying stuff about there rangers. I couldnt tell you cause the only personal experience was my friends ranger, but thats one ranger, thats why i started this thread so i would get a little more information.

Wrong wrong wrong. I looked into Consumer reports some years back and all my old truck mags and my websites about vehicle reliability. There were never any issues for 97-2000 Rangers. The long term test got good reviews. I guess some people got lemons and they also run the crap out of their rides and don't take care of them as well. If you take care of something it is going to last. I still have a few my 70's bikes and they still look new and run great. I had an 86 Subaru that I gave to one of my nieces 5 years ago and she moved to Idaho with it and it is still running at this time. It is a bit faded now from not being garaged like it used to but it still runs as new. Don't be afraid of the 97-2000 Rangers, Bro.

Here is my 99 Ranger and it is a dd and it gets off on the trial at lest twice a month. I nave had a problem with it. No leaks, no eletrical issues and no a/c issues. All the lights are the original lights and I never had to replace a single bulb in it.

 

[koda6966]

Two words, vacuum hubs. Everyone I know with a 1998-2000 Ranger has vacuum hub problems. They're crap in my opinion, and I will never own one.

If you want to lift buy a 1993-1997 Ranger. The TTB is alot cheaper to lift and if you align it right you wont have camber or tire wear problems. If you like the look of newer trucks, you can put the front clip onto it as well, and the body lines almost match.

The best match would be a 1993/94 4x4 with the 4.0 and a stick. There's a good chance you will get the manual transfer case and hubs from the factory. Plus, you get the OBDI system. If your state uses the 1996+ rule for emissions testing then you'll be fine with a 1995 as well and you can get the updated dash. The only thing is 1995 comes with OBDII if I'm correct.

Another thing, I'm about 90% sure that ALL 4.0 trucks came with the 8.8 rear end, something to consider when your looking for a truck. The 4.0 is the better V6, with more power and about the same fuel economy. The good thing about the 3.0 is that it will last forever if you take care of it, even if you don't it should last at least to 200k. I'm at nearly 170k now on mine (I think) and I abused the hell out of it.