Hunting for my first Ranger. Hows this look?

[ghost1986]

On the prowl for my first Ranger because my Buick Regal cant handle any sort of work load I need. Apparently a modified, supercharged Buick isnt exactly ideal for me even though it is ridiculously fast and fun. Haha

Been looking off and on for a truck for about a year now and Im thinking its time to get serious and pull a small loan to cover a nice beater truck (Somewhere up to $5k at the most I think).

My most recent find is this '01 2wd short cab: http://www.autotrader.com/dealers/i...name=klingermanbrosauto&ct=u&car_id=364415341

Test drove it yesterday and it was in pretty good shape minus the bed (obviously used for work). Only issues I had were the CEL was on, the temp gauge didnt come off C my entire drive (maybe a temp sensor for the CEL?) and the front end had some wicked brake wobble. Ran great and the shifting was smooth as butter. The $3595 price is out the door tax/title/tag/etc which seemed a bit high to me but it is pretty clean. The temp gauge and brking concern me a bti though.

May go over a few towns and check out these too: http://williamsport.craigslist.org/ctd/4303722738.html

He always has a bunch of Rangers. Ive test drove a few of his trucks before and they're all pretty solid. He doesnt put them all on C-list anymore though so i dont know details until I head up.

Whatcha think? Im liking that nice little white one minus the issues listed. Any insight?

 

[swynx]

I would get a 4wd. You have a car. That way you have a winter and bad conditions rig.

 

[6.2]

I would get a 4x as well. It is a truck after all.

That check engine light coupled with the temp gauge not moving could be something as simple as a bad thermostat.

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[ghost1986]

Eh, 4wd isnt a total necessity for me but if I find one Ill consider it. I dont care for the 4wd ones Ive driven, they seem too clumsy (dont drive anywhere near as nice) compared to a nice 2wd model. I also would just prefer if my new vehicle was as simple as can be. A 4 cylinder 2wd Ranger would be perfect. I wont be keeping the Buick either, Im done with the multiple vehicle thing I think.

My girlfriends dad has a burnt orange '98-'00 (somewhere in there) they've been trying to sell for a while I was interested in. Could probably snag it for about $2k-$3k Extended cab, flairside bed, manual with the 3.0 and 4wd. Not in awful shape but its not as clean as that white one.

You do have the issue that if I wanted a 4wd I wouldnt want the newer style suspension with it. On the flipside Id prefer the new style suspension on a 2wd model.

 

[ridgerunner]

Not sure where U live but I've owned 2wd's and have had them stuck in some ridiculous places, like a flat lawn with dew in the grass and a snowy flat driveway. Really pathetic!! If U don't get any snow and only run blacktop in the city then 2wd would be ok. Dude get a 93-97 4X4.

 

[ghost1986]

Ive daily drove this Buick now for 2 years, 260 hp supercharged V6. Daily drove a Miata before that. Never had any real issues. Haha. Test drove that 2wd in about an inch of snow and it surprisingly didnt slip at all.

FINEEEEEE. Ill expand my search. I may just go give my girlfriends dads Ranger another test drive. Drove it last year a short distance for him because he was hospitalized (thats why they got him a new truck, bike accident and he cant work the manual anymore).

Downfall with that is that its the new suspension and has those awful (so i hear) vacuum hubs. Thats honestly not a total deal killer right? I mean I read up on the axle swap and it doesnt seem TOO hard. I double checked and its a 2000 with 150k-ish miles. Has some small issues here and there but nothing too serious. They had to straighten out the door after it was hit at a very low speed and a chunk of the rear wheelweel was replaced because he slipped off the road and hit a bridge (no big damage, they straightened it out to almost new).

I could probably get a decent deal on it since its a personal sale (I assume around $3k or so). They havent had any other interest. They were gonna trade it in for the new Canyon he got but they only offered an insulting $1500 for it so they kept it. They listed it for $4995 on my recommendation but havent had any interest locally. I figured $3500 would be a pretty killer deal for someone (and much better than that joke $1500 offer).

 

[ridgerunner]

Well glad your now considering a 4X4, U can thank me later . On the flip side a 2wd rangers are real easy to find and are a lot cheaper to buy. U can also put in a rear locker to help with traction with either one U decide to go with.

 

[6.2]

Only the 98-2000.5 trucks had crappy vacuum hubs. But they can be switched for manual hubs.

Honestly you may not think you need 4wd, because you got around just fine with the car, but this isn't a car! It'd s truck! You will be going more places just for the fact you can now lol.

But only you know what you need and want, if it's a 2wd there's nothing wrong with that.

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[Hagan]

Ive daily drove this Buick now for 2 years, 260 hp supercharged V6. Daily drove a Miata before that.

I daily drive my Miata. Best car I've ever owned.

2wd or 4wd is up to you. I wouldn't let anyone decide for you.

 

[1986fordranger]

indeed, 2wd or 4wd is just whichever you prefer,

I will say though, for a 13 year old base model ranger, 4 cylinder, 5 speed, 2wd, even manual window's/locks, with more then a few miles at 141.226, $3595 is quite a lot for what your getting in my opinion,

either way, good luck with your future purchase

 

[tmcalavy]

Yup, you could buy two of what you want for that price in my neck of the woods...shop around some more. For most folks 4WD just takes you a mile or so beyond where you should have turned around to begin with before you bury it...and believe me you can also bury the tractor you borrow to haul it out, but not a Cat D9.

 

[bmerr98]

I'd make an offer on your girlfriend's dad's truck. The switch to manual hubs is very easy and fairly cheap. I think I gave about $140 for a pair of Rugged Ridge hubs, tho I had to wait for a while to get them. Backorder...

You'll find the extra room in the extended cab is pretty handy, and the 4 wheel drive is nice to have when you need it. The PVH system is good when it works, it's just that you never know when it will. There is a delay in actuation while the vacuum pulls the hub to lock/unlock position even when the system is working. The vacuum hoses are a weak link due to being exposed to the elements and dry rot.

And the 3.0 is a good motor, if a little light on power. I got almost 320K out of my old 1991 with no rebuild. And the motor didn't die a natural death. I killed it by getting in a hurry. Long, sad story.

On top of all that, if you're on good terms with your GF's parents, they may cut you a deal better than you'd find anywhere else.

Just one man's opinion.

 

[ghost1986]

She double checked with her mom and they said about $3500 is where they'd like to be at for it if I wanted to buy it. I was hoping $3000 but she's a ball breaker when it comes to negotiating. Id be happy at $3250 I think, thats about Fair-Good KBB value. I know it drives pretty well too. I was seriously considering it back in like October but at the time i was hoping to find a cheaper beater Ranger or find a trader to take my Buick. Now Im just thinking screw it, take out a small loan and buy a decent one.

I THINK it may be the Off Road package as well but we're not positive. I know it has almost my exact wants: crank windows, darker interior, bench front seat, sliding rear window, etc.

 

[tmcalavy]

Oooo...just noticed the owner is your GF's family. Unless you intend to keep that GF, I'd shy away...never a good idea to mix money and family, or even possible family, in my experience.