few questions about have a 4x4 ranger...kinda a newbe question

[linkandcuff]

i'm looking to buy a ranger and wanted to know the weak points to watch out for.
here is some info....i want the 93 or newer body style with a 4.0liter engine.
the trails i off road u can do with a good 2wd rig with locker and 33's and speed but i want to do some slow easy wheeling with this rig and dont plan on using as a daily driver.

here are the questions.

what year should i get 93+ (dont want to spend more then $3500)
i want something that will be cheap to lift so take that into consideration when telling me what years to get.
how big of a tire can i run before putting to much stress on the drive train. ( i would like to run 33's or 35's if possible.
is the automatic known to have issues? it doesnt make a difference to me to get either stick or auto.
what are some things to look at when i'm looking at rangers??...i've seen a lot of rangers with well over 150k should i stay away?
any other info would be great....oh yea one more question i dont want the push botton 4wd so is it easy to convert a push botton truck to a manual lever 4wd setup??

 

[98ranger4x4]

if you want to do wheeling you will want a pre 98, they used the ttb until then in 98 they went to ifs which sucks offroad, and is a whole lot more expensive to lift and find one with the 8.8 rear axle, i believe most 4.0s if not all have those.

 

[97ranger4x4]

the 93-97 or 3rd Generation will be your best bet. I am pretty sure they all came with Push button 4wd. However a replacement BW 1354 manuel transfer case is a perfect bolt in. You will just need to find one, pretty difficult and expensive. Also if it comes with the Automatic locking hubs, replace those for a set of Warn Manuel ones as well. Look in the Library for info on that.

As for drivetrain, the Automatic isnt that great. The manuel is a much stronger tranny. On the rear you will have a 8.8 with 28 spline axles. You swap for an explorer rear end and beef the axles up to 31 spline and also get disc breaks. There are a few options for lockers so you can research those along with gears to push those big tires. I am sure quite a few people will give you their opinion. As for the Dana 35 in the front. I have heard it is a realativly strong front end and with a good lift kit will flex moderetly well for being a TTB. Quite a few have just converted to a D44 Solid axle.

As for the engine. Many have gotten well over 200k miles on the 4.0 Its a great motor with a good range of power. As long as you change the oil and dont beat on it to hard it will last. I would check the engine out and do a compression check and the like before I got one with high mileage.

Good Luck and have fun
Keith

 

[Ranger44]

I agree, a 93' to 97' will be best. The autos suck. Get a manual. For 33's you'll need to get a 6in lift and I wouldn't go with anything other than skyjacker or james duff. If you want plenty of flex the skyjacker kit with 8in jeep xj spring with provide awesome flex. I'd also regear to 4.56's. The electronic 4x4 system is not bad if you know it and how to keep it working. These Rangers did come with manual cases, the electronic were more common. But a manual case is easy to bolt in.

 

[linkandcuff]

well thats good news about the 93-97 models and my 3500 price range will like it too....what do most rangers come with for axle raitos?...is it possible to find one with 373 or 410?

 

[du510]

well thats good news about the 93-97 models and my 3500 price range will like it too....what do most rangers come with for axle raitos?...is it possible to find one with 373 or 410?

I know mine is 3.73...

 

[4x4junkie]

3.73 is very common on '93-'97 4.0L trucks, although look out, some had 3.27s too ( :barf: ). 4.10 was never used though until on the later IFS trucks.
Nothing stock works all that great with 33 or 35" tires, you'll want to regear to 4.56 or 4.88 respectively (5.13 if you won't be on the freeways much). 4.10 can be tolerable with 33s however.

Yeah, the 4.0s are good motors when taken care of (some even make it to 300K). The only real weak point that comes to mind is the (already mentioned) auto trans, although with proper axle gearing for your tires, they can still last a good while (a cooler helps a lot here as well). Auto locking hubs are another problem spot, but it's a dirt-simple swap to manuals.


Hope that helps


You might poke around the forums some (and in the Tech Library), the info here about setting up your rig for wheeling is pretty much endless

 

[kunar]

4.10 was never used though until on the later IFS trucks.

they were used on the early rangers.... i dont know about the 3rd gen though.

 

[4x4junkie]

I was speaking of the 4.0L trucks linkandcuff was inquiring about, none had 4.10s until '98 at the earliest.

 

[Wiredranger]

I agree, a 93' to 97' will be best. The autos suck. Get a manual. For 33's you'll need to get a 6in lift and I wouldn't go with anything other than skyjacker or james duff. If you want plenty of flex the skyjacker kit with 8in jeep xj spring with provide awesome flex. I'd also regear to 4.56's. The electronic 4x4 system is not bad if you know it and how to keep it working. These Rangers did come with manual cases, the electronic were more common. But a manual case is easy to bolt in.

????

you can fit 33's with a 4inch lift

 

[97BlackBetty]

????

you can fit 33's with a 4inch lift

Yes you can fit 33's with a 4 inch lift, however you cant flex with 33's and a 4 inch lift without a lot of trimming. He had also suggested some Jeep coils, which are softer and allow greater flex. Therefore, 6 inches of lift is the accepted amount for 33's.

 

[linkandcuff]

i know this is a ranger site but my other option was going to be a jeep cherokee 4.0l...which one would u think is better for me??..(i'm kinda a ranger fan when it comes to looks compared to the cherokee)

 

[reno]

I have a 93 4WD, 3" Body Lift, 8.8 rear, Dana 35 front running 33's. Manual T-Case\Hubs and 5 speed. Locker in rear, could not ask for more power than you need.

 

[du510]

i know this is a ranger site but my other option was going to be a jeep cherokee 4.0l...which one would u think is better for me??..(i'm kinda a ranger fan when it comes to looks compared to the cherokee)

That would be 100% a personal decision, dont let anyone tell you differently.

 

[metalmacguyver]

It all comes down to personal preference. I trailer like crazy and I have 3.73s and 32" tires with a 4.0 and 5spd. It works great for what I do.

33s are completely reasonable for the stock drive train.

I paid 3500 for my 97 with pretty much every option, PW PDL PM AC Cruise, Pioneer deck, Alloys, all that good stuff.

93-97 is what you want and will fit perfectly into your price range (as long as your not buying from a dealer.)