Got a 2000 Ranger, what should I know?

[LonesomeSTX]

We just picked up this 2000 Ranger from a friend of ours and it is in relatively good shape. It has a 3 liter and a five speed, but I have not checked the gearing yet. It runs great even with 130,000 plus on the ticker. I think I have read somewhere the cam sensors go bad. He said he has replaced it twice. What else should I be aware of? What kind of issues do these trucks have and what are their fixes? I am planning some very minor mods but nothing big. This is just a daily driver that I hope will have a better life now.

 

[Primer88]

I don't know a whole lot about the 3.0 but you should keep an eye on the front ball joints if it's 2wd. Other than that there really aren't many problems specific to that year of Ranger.

 

[LonesomeSTX]

That is good to know. I plan to help it breath in and out a little better and install an electric fan. Other than that I want it stock. Then again that 351W I have needs a home.

 

[Primer88]

If it's a 2wd (looks like it from the pictures) I suggest just replacing the ball joints now if you have the money. You can get Moog ball joints from rockauto.com pretty cheap. New lowers will need to be pressed in but you can buy complete Moog upper control arms with the ball joints already pressed in and they come with grease fittings. The uppers are very easy to change yourself, it's just 3 bolts and you don't need to remove the springs or shocks.

 

[Froggmann]

At 130k it's just getting broken in. E-fan and underdrive pulley would be a great start for mods.

 

[Sunk]

You can read through here;

http://www.therangerstation.com/forums/showthread.php?t=19690

 

[Earl43P]

You could send me a Private Message with your e-mail address.
In return, I will send you a pretty good assortment of schematics from the 2000 EVTM.
I's a 9 Meg file, so clear your Inbox if it has limits.

I'm on my second 2000, but I have hope that my son will return the 1st one someday (when it needs a bunch of work again).

I agree with the balljoints, but I wouldn't do the uppers if they have grease fittings on them (meaning they have already been replaced from original). The lowers will creak at parking lot speeds and give you a decent jolt over bumps when they are bad.

I hope you find 4.10 gears, but the odds are they are 3.73s. Either ratio is fine, the 3.73s may be better for highway mileage but will hurt you if you wanted taller tires. My present 2000 is a 2.5 5 speed with 4.10s and I put a set of 235/65/16 tires on that. Hurt the mpg slightly but really improved the ride and handling.

Those tires look like they will last you quite a while, nearly new, eh?

 

[getrdone52]

I was gunna say that the 4x4 vacuum thing from 98-00 isn't very good and beware of the blinking 4x4 hi and lo on the dash but since its a 2wd you don't have to worry about it. That's a nice looking truck.

 

[Original_Ranger84]

Does that have the torsen bars for the front suspension?

 

[Ranger Sport Honduras]

if its a non trailhead 2wd it has coils.
my brother had a 00 3.0 and he never had issues with it. thats a reliable engine
it should have 3.73 gears.

 

[03ranger30]

I think only Edge models came with torsion bar front suspension with 2wd. I have some newer model (2003) tails if you are interested.

 

[Ranger Sport Honduras]

they had a model named trail head back in 00, it had torsion bars. it was like the prev of the Edge.

 

[LonesomeSTX]

I did not receive any E-mail notifications that there were responses. I am hearing a lot about the ball joints. Maybe that is why the alignment is a bit off.

Can you tell me more about the pulley?

The tirs on this truck are less than a year old.

Earl, I'll shoot you a PM in shortly.

 

[Earl43P]

Pulley info:

http://www.stuffforyourranger.com/id100.html

You'll have to find one somewhere else though, I think that guy is out of business.
Try E-Bay.

 

[LonesomeSTX]

Thanks for the link. Photographs would be nice though.