BUY ADVICE:2011 Ranger XLT

[ChubbyRainn]

Hey Everyone!

New to the forum and working on acquiring my first ranger! I am looking at the following listing https://www.burlingtonmotors.com/ve...er-xlt-truck-4cda7196418645128e60d1469bc46eca

Is this high mileage for a ranger? I can pick it up for $10,200 out the door and according to KBB and cargurus data that is reasonable. What do you guys think? It seems in pretty good condition, some rust underneath the bed near a heat shield but the rocker panels and frame are in great shape. Looking forward to hearing your thoughts!

 

[Dirtman]

That's not at all high miles for a ranger. And price is seems fair in my opinion. My suggestions would be to check the transmission fluid. Make sure it's not brown, or smells burnt. It should be nice clear bright red. The biggest issue with the automatics is the lack of maintenance they receive. See if you can get service records, that would be a big bonus to verify it's been maintained well.

Same for all the other fluids. Low oil, black oil, oil that smells like fuel, crud in the coolant tank, black brake fluid etc are all warning signs.

Looks rust free but the first areas to go on those trucks are the spring shackles and hangers, check them good. And inspect underneath the bed on the cross rails.

Check it for codes (see if codes were deleted) even a cheap scanner will tell you how many miles it's been since any codes have been cleared. If it says only a couple miles, ask why the codes were cleared and what the problem was and if it was actually fixed. And run an I/M readiness test to see that all the emissions systems are good to go and not recently deleted or tampered with.

For a north eastern truck it looks to be in excellent shape though. That truck in somewhere like Texas or arizona would probably sell for half that price but us northeastern folks pay a premium for rust free vehicles... just how it is, nothing you can do about it.

 

[ChubbyRainn]

Excellent! Thank you so much for the feedback, I will be test driving today and it will be great to have a couple of things to look for.

 

[Josh B]

Stick your finger up the tailpipe and rub the sides of it good. If it comes out covered in soot it might be an oil burner.
That's always my first, and many times, last, test

 

[Dirtman]

Didn't your mother ever teach you not to stick your finger in your tailpipe...

 

[ChubbyRainn]

The test drive went well, it pulled to the right but I am sure that is just an alignment adjustment. I noticed a clicking noise in 4WD when turning right, is that somewhat normal? Also, the dealer is playing games and stated hes now firm on $12,200 out the door. I might have to pass on this one!

However, I saw this guy on craigslist https://vermont.craigslist.org/cto/d/middlebury-2004-ford-ranger-xlt-4500-obo/6971649797.html

crazy low original miles, anyone have any ideas on how bad the fender repair is?

 

[Josh B]

The clicking could be a slow to engage automatic hub maybe needing attention, or if it's louder maybe positrack slippage on pavement. Mine's a positrack but much older and i seldom use it in 4x4 on pavement unless it's solid ice , and even then I only use it in a jam to get the added traction from a stop

Mine also has a slight right pull but it's a camber issue which I plan to address when i get into rebuilding the front end

 

[sgtsandman]

Seems reasonable. I would go over it with a fine toothed comb or have a mechanic you trust do it. As long as it has been treated decently, it should be a good truck.

 

[pjtoledo]

on the 2004, it's listed as 4cyl. there were no 4cyl 4x4s then.
rust is always worse than it appears on the surface.