Bought a ranger, lots of issues

[sngehl01]

First of all, new to the forum. Hello all!

I'm an OBS full size guy. Picked up a ranger recently. I have owned 3, but this is the first 4x4 one I have bought. It also needs a lot of love...

First of all, 260k miles on the truck. 4.0 motor but runs good. Rear end has issues, dropped down to check it out and half the differential cover bolts are off. I think I'm just gonna head down to the local pick and pull and pick up another rear end. No huge deal.

The bigger issue (other than the awful mildew smell in the cab) is the automatic transmission being so hard to shift. It's very stiff/firm when trying to select a gear. It seems to do OK once in gear (so far). I haven't had a chance to try it at road speeds, only in the parking lot.

I have read a lot about the valve body gasket on these transmissions not being worth a hoot. Has anyone had an issue similar to mine, and if so, were you able to fix it?

Luckily, I only paid $800 for the truck. Extended cab 4x4. Body relatively clean and straight, big dent in driver side of bed. I think I may build a flatbed for it, but that's a project for when I get it running good.

Thanks all!

 

[Hagan]

Welcome!

Sounds like you have quite the handful of issues on your hand. What year Ranger did you get? It might be worth it to you to swap to an Explorer 8.8 with disc brakes.

I'm also a fullsize OBS guy. I prefer pre '91 though.

 

[sngehl01]

Thanks Hagan.

It's a 2000. Thought about the explorer 8.8 swap, just not sure how interested I am in relocating spring perches. I have several years of experience welding, I just question how hard it is to get them in the right spot.

As far as in the interior, I'm gonna rip it all out and rhino line the floor. I'll find some seats at the local junkyard. Maybe even explorer seats. Just see what I can find.