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Looking At Buying 2000 Ranger


bronco2454

Member
Joined
May 15, 2009
Messages
11
Transmission
Automatic
I am looking at buying a 2000 ranger. It is a 3.0L 4X4 automatic. It is a flare side super cab with the two half doors that open. The truck has 190000 miles on it. It seemed to run fairly well other than an ABS light. What could cause the ABS light? It also had off road badging on the bed was this a special package? The truck has manual locks and manual windows. I am wondering what every one thinks of this truck? How many miles do the 3.0 seem to last for? What size tires can I run on it looking at a more aggressive tread type tire maybe even a m/t. How is gas mileage on these trucks. What kind of maintenance things should I do when I get it. Basically anything you can tell me would be great I have never looked at a Ranger before. I have also hear that all 3.0L in this truck are flex fuels is e85 worth running?
 
Tough questions to answer there my freind! How long any vehicle lasts is a direct result of the maintainence that the owner/owners put into it. Having said that the 3.0 engines are pretty darn durable overall. Not much power there, but enough to move it down the road.

Not all 3.0's are flex fuel. There is a certain letter in the vin ID # that can help you indentify if it is. You can find it on this site somewhere. As far as maintainence goes, are you buying this from a stealership, or person? Some stealerships actually do right much maintenance on vehicles before selling, and of course some do not do much at all. Ask about it. Fluid changes are a good place to start. That way you know what you got in them.

Welcome to the Ranger Station, there are a lot of knowlegeable folks here who will come along and offer you more (and better) advice.
 
So how about the off road badging on the bed? Was this a special option package? As I said before I am new to the ranger. I have had full size trucks in the past but I never really haul much around or really tow anything other than a uhaul trailer once and while so I want to try a smaller pickup. I live in MN so the 4x4 is helpful at times. I am buying it from a car lot.
 
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The 4x4 Off-road badge is suppose to signify that it has skid-plates underneath and some other stuff that i'm not too sure about. The 3.0 is a good engine but just like any other engine you have to keep up with the maintenance. Did you notice any squeals while driving it? How much is the truck for sale if you don't mind me asking?
 
To answer the questions in order asked

1. The ABS light can be caused by multiple things , most often though it has to do with a speed sensor , mine is on right now because the wires to the diff sensor are broken

2. It is an option package , as tom said , specifying shid plates , tow hooks ( which you could get seperately ) and of course badging

3. it sounds like a good truck , though i am kind of attached to power windows

4. It will last as long as you maintain it , mine crapped at 156k , but the previous owner never maintained it

5. The biggest tire i would suggest totally stock is a 31x10.50

6. When i had mine with stock tires , highway out to ohio i somehow pulled 24 out of it , now i get 19 highway , about 15 or 16 city with 31's on it

7. Check the plugs , wires , oil , coolant , power steering fuild , etc. , etc. , and check the Camshaft Synchronizer , or better yet just replace it , with that many miles i would replace it

8. Easiest way to see if it is flex fuel is to open the fuel filler door , if it is flex fuel the sticker will say ' Fill with Unleaded or Ethanol Fuels Only '

BTW , I own a 00 Extended Cab 4 door , Flare Side , 4x4 , 3.0 Auto , with all power options , 168k miles , on its second engine
 
He is asking 3995 for the truck. I am sure he would 3500 for it with all the tax and title. The truck drove well it did not pull or even bounce for a pickup it rode smooth. What is this Camshaft Synchronizer and how hard to replace it is. The body is in good shape it has 3/4 tread at goodyears on it.
 
The cam syncro is easy to replace, you just have to do it correctly. The bearings get worn in it and the teeth sometimes get chipped off. If you're not hearing any unusual noises from under the hood you'll be alright. I paid 3150 for mine at an auction. If I had known all the problems it had I wouldn't have given .02 for it. I've come to love it now though since i've put alotta hard work into it. Even 3500 is a little steep for 190,000 miles. I'm sure you could try and get it for less than that.
 
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I wouldn't pay more than $3000 for a Ranger with that many miles. But atleast it sounds like it's been maintained well enough.
 
What gears are the most common in these trucks. I thought I had read that it has a limited slip diff if it has the off road package?
 
Nope.

LS had to be ordered in 2000, and although the Off Road package forced the 4.10s, LS was ~$190 extra. It also got different shocks, along with all the previously mentioned skid plates, badging and 16" alloys. Off Road package tire size was 245/75/16.
 
This may be a dumb questions then. So than how would this thing cruise on the highway at like 70 -75. My f150 with od did bad about 3000 rpms at 70. Will the ranger be much the same?
 
This may be a dumb questions then. So than how would this thing cruise on the highway at like 70 -75. My f150 with od did bad about 3000 rpms at 70. Will the ranger be much the same?

What do you mean by that? Depending on the condition of your suspension components/tires and road conditions it should do fine. My 99 4x4 sits on 31s and it rides smooth at 70. I have recently replaced the ball joints and tie rod ends too, so it rides real nice.
 
I'm more concerned about RPMs. As I stated earlier the ranger did not really ride like a truck when I drove it was smooth.
 
I'm more concerned about RPMs. As I stated earlier the ranger did not really ride like a truck when I drove it was smooth.

At 70 my truck is hitting about 2700 RPMs. If I go over that it will hover just below 3 grand. Also over 70 it ends up downshifting alot, but I have 4.10's which is what I suspect the reason for that is. The 3.0 runs like a top at those RPM's tho.

And the Ranger is alot of things but I certainly dont think the ride is smooth as you said LOL
 
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