Buying a high mile 97 sugestions?

[dsharpKC]

I needed a truck and i found this 97 cali truck that has 230K on it and I can get it cheep but it has high miles. Its a 4 cyl with a 5 speed. any suggestions on specific things to look at on them, like known issues? Also has anyone had a motor rebuilt if so how much did it run? body and clutch seem to be solid and the motor seems to run ok... little light in the hp area but i know they dont have a lot. does have an annoying dinging in the interior even after its turned off, lights seemed to be off but it just kept dinging???

 

[lordkyleofearth]

I bought a cheap 97 and it threw a rod 44 miles later :/

That said, many people have higher mileage 2.3s that seem to run forever. The dinging indicates you may have an electrical gremlin (or two) which can be hell to fix correctly, but (sometimes) easily bypassed by pulling a few fuses.

So ask yourself how much of a 'project' are you willing to take on, and if that is worth the money you are saving by buying this truck over another.

 

[tcranger]

the 2.3 do last forever. i rebuild a 2.3 ministock motor and a 2.3 turbo for less than $700-$800 each. that depends on how much you do yourself and how much machine work gets done. a re-ring kit cost less than $350 which comes with oil pump, rings, bearings, all the gaskets.

 

[97ranger xlt]

just make sure you carefully check the leaf spring hangers and shackles...

 

[Notch]

Ball joints seem to be a common wear part that needs replacing on these trucks from what I've seen. I'd also see if you could find out if it has a good clutch if its a five speed, and when the timing belt was done last.