Hi everyone wanting to add another ranger to the family need help

[Moe0813]

We'll right now I have a 1999 2.5l 4'cyl , and My brother wants a 96 3.0l it has 85k automatic.. I have a 3.0 1992 Taurus with 54k automatic with no problems
So it boils down to this
How reliable is the 3.0l Vulcan
How reliable is the tranny
How much life will this truck give him if it's as well maintained as previous owner says it is.
Thank you guys

 

[97RangerXLT]

The 3.0 is not a powerhouse by anymeans, in fact it is nicknamed 3.slow for a reason. And attached to an automatic will not make it any better.

However, that said, the 3.0 is pretty much indestructible. someone on here (AllanD I think) had a quote that said something to this effect: "if you can kill a 3.0 that has the proper amount of oil and coolant in it, you don't deserve anything more sophisticated than a bicycle".

The auto in the 96 isn't the greatest thing in the world, but it isn't the worst either, and certainly better than the A4LD that it replaced. I have an auto in my 97 and it is going pretty strong after 152,000 miles.

So check it out, look at it real close, and if it checks out mechanically and the guy did do all of the service and whatnot, I would say it will be a good truck.

Be sure to look at the spring hangers and shackles.. they tend to rust out.

AJ

 

[Moe0813]

The 3.0 is not a powerhouse by anymeans, in fact it is nicknamed 3.slow for a reason. And attached to an automatic will not make it any better.

However, that said, the 3.0 is pretty much indestructible. someone on here (AllanD I think) had a quote that said something to this effect: "if you can kill a 3.0 that has the proper amount of oil and coolant in it, you don't deserve anything more sophisticated than a bicycle".

The auto in the 96 isn't the greatest thing in the world, but it isn't the worst either, and certainly better than the A4LD that it replaced. I have an auto in my 97 and it is going pretty strong after 152,000 miles.

So check it out, look at it real close, and if it checks out mechanically and the guy did do all of the service and whatnot, I would say it will be a good truck.

Be sure to look at the spring hangers and shackles.. they tend to rust out.

AJ

Thank you very much,
Power is now big deal I'd rather him avoid tickets and for me I'm used to the underpowered 2.5l, I will check it out thank you very much for your quick response