99 Ranger new owner

[Mossyoak]

NUBEE----Got a 99 Ranger auto 3.0 EFI v6 .. Ive been told this is the good engine to have is this true? Also, Are there ANY seats and seat frames from different vehicles that just pop into place of the originals? The seats are trashed and looks like the previouse owner tried to modify the slider and back release adjuster.. This is for my kid and would rather not have jerry rigged driver seat in it.. Any suggestions?

 

[Rearanger]

Junk yard and aftermarket seat covers.

 

[Mossyoak]

Is the 3.0 better to have then the 4.0? I might be able to get a 2nd one and have a choice between the 2. Im assumning they both suck in the mpg category.. lol

Yea gonna hit a couple local junk yards and hope for the best.. Best I can tell they are hard to find...The adjustments on the seat frames are broken and one is locked more forward.. They tried to modify the driver frame for some stupid reason so i gotta find a replacement.. I read ( for what its worth ) that explorer99-03 seats ranger 99-03 and mazda b200 99-201 seats will work.. But dont know till I see them I guess.

 

[Ranger Kip]

Id go for the 3.0, better gas mileage, and more power than a 2.3, so it has both the power and gas mileage you'd need to get around. If your not concerned with gas mileage, go with a 4.0 and have fun!

 

[Mossyoak]

Well the one I got for my son ( soon to be 16 ) is the 3.0 Auto.. Its about 14-15 mpg but it does have slightly larger tires on it. ( its a truck so not expectin 20s ) This weekend gonna do a tune up and change fuel filter, maybe coil pack, plugs and wires. Is there any engine cleaner anyone can suggest thats ok to use that does a good job? I wanna clean the engine area up good so I can see any leaks better ( its dirty as heck now ) .. Also can ya think of anything else besides coil pack, wires, plugs , fuel filter, maybe drain the radiator and add fresh coolant? With 126k on it is 5w30 still good? Figure a Quaker or Mobil oil in synthetic maybe? Ive read about the Progammers but not sure the savings vs expense is really worth it to spend 350-400 for one.. It is a 16yr olds vehicle... More horsepower isnt really what im going for.. lol

 

[Ranger Kip]

I have a 2.3, and I am expecting at least 20mpg, and I know people who run the 3.0 and get between 15-18mpg, usually only less if they hotdog around, to be expected with a 16 year old, I know I would have haha.

Putting stock wheels on it would give you a better mileage, or you can go for 14's, but really, the only way to get better mileage (other than the maintenance you are planning) would be dropping a 2.3 in it. Or putting a standard tranny in it.

As for engine cleaner, I use the stuff you can buy at advanced auto, its cheap and works great! And that oil should work, I use 10w30 in my truck, and that works fine for me. Synthetic is not a bad way to go, and I usually use castrol or Pennsoil.

 

[Mossyoak]

Well the wheels and tires on it look really good and are brand new. Guy I bought it from put them on it. I cant remember the size but when comes time to replace them which him being 16 Im sure will be before I know it Ill go sown to closer to stock probly. If I ever do have to replace motor Ill probly go with the 3.0 manual if I can find it and itl work.. Id be happy to get 18mpg now though.. I gotta put it in shop to have rear main fixed and will probly just have them double check everything and hopefully all is as good as I think it is. Im expecting to have to put close to 1kishy into it with the tune up and the ball joint and rear main since Im not that mechanicly inclined nor do I have all the tools or the place to do it and have to have someone do the work for me. The minor stuff like the tune up, oil change and fuel filter I can do and will have him help so he can learn a lil as I am sure I will also.. Years ago I have a 5sp 88 Ranger v6 but that was a while back.. Loved that damn truck.. He saw pics of it and really wanted a Ranger so I got him one..

 

[McCormack]

I'd go for the 4.0. 3.0's are lacking in the torque department (although you can pep them up a bit with little tricks like installing a 180* t-stat, and doing the manifold hot water bypass mod, and the MAF mod, and swapping in an electric fan), and they're known for pinging, and they're prone to blowing head gaskets and cracking heads, not to mention the cam synchro problem.

 

[stmitch]

For a 16 year old, I'd say the 3.0 is about perfect. They have adequate power/torque, but not really enough to get into trouble. Most are basically bulletproof, and take a lot of abuse. When maintenance issues do come up, they're usually cheap to repair compared to more complex engines too.

The 4.0 in all 2000 and older Rangers is the OHV motor. It basically has all of the same characteristics of the 3.0 with a bit more torque, and a bit worse mileage. It's a sturdy, reliable motor, but won't "wow" anybody.

01 and newer Rangers have the 4.0 SOHC which provides a fairly large power bump over the 3.0. The 4.0 SOHC is a more complex engine than the 3.0 or 4.0 OHV and because of the complexity, they can cost more to service, and you don't see as many with high miles.

As for your seat question, Regular cab Rangers and Extended cab Rangers have different seat tracks, so you'll have to consider that when looking for replacement seats. It seems like Extended cab trucks have a few more options as far as interchangability goes.

 

[Mossyoak]

Took it to mechaninc and dropped it off. 1st looks he say it apears to be in really good condition.. Gonna check the rear brakes, replace some hoses, check the plugs pop in a new thermostat and flush the radiator. Said looks like thats all it needs.. He is going to look a lil closer at it cuz he thinks the idle is idleing to high. I was wondering though if any you guys/gals have put in a better then basic wire/plug/d-cap and got any better performance or anything. When I get it back ill probly change the fuel filter once i find it.. But im just happy as heck he approved of it...

 

[Ranger Kip]

Ive never seen much change with wires, but you can try NGK, I have always had good luck with them. NGK plugs as well..