My First Truck ?

[RangerDude777]

Its coming time for me to be buying my first automobile. I always wanted a truck and especially a ranger. I want to get a used Auto 4x4 that is in good shape. I want a 4x4 because I would like to lift it up , big tires , and go off roading with my buddies.

Would a Auto 4x4 Ranger be a good first car?

How much would should i expect to pay for truck and the modifications i mentioned ?

 

[Dzrtcj7]

It depends on your budget. You can spend from $300 to $30,000. Rangers are a GREAT first vehicle. I would reccomend getting a Manual transmission over an auto, especially if you are looking for something used
My first Ranger was a '86 STX 4x4 that I picked up for $400. I drove it over 100K miles and wheeled nearly every trail in the northwest with it.

Keep in mind, it doesn't need to be lifted with big tires to have fun off road. Lift and tires costs a lot of money not only to do it, but in later maintenance.

 

[One Sick Puppy]

My 2008 2wd 2.3L Ranger is my first truck. Second vehicle. I kinda regret not getting 4x4 - just to have the potential there if and when I need it. And now that I've been driving my truck for about 6 months, I have a big itch to do some off-roading so that "potential" is starting to turn into a real need. I have yet to test my stock truck off-road, so I'm not sure what it can do nor what I need/want it to do. I might be able to satisfy my off-road craving enough with my 2wd, and so might you. If you've got enough money for a 4x4 Ranger, I would say there is no point in getting a 2x4.

For a new Ranger, you're looking at at least 50% more gas and about 30% more for the vehicle. I couldn't justify the extra cost at the time, but that was a year ago when gas was $1.50 a liter here (canada) and now it's down to $1.00.

Purely preference, but I like to think I would never get an automatic truck, let alone an off-roading truck. I find myself much more attuned to the vehicle when driving stick - automatics feel like go-carts to me.

 

[RangerDude777]

Why a Auto over Stick for used trucks? I am guessing they would be cheaper?

 

[Dar70]

Its coming time for me to be buying my first automobile. I always wanted a truck and especially a ranger. I want to get a used Auto 4x4 that is in good shape. I want a 4x4 because I would like to lift it up , big tires , and go off roading with my buddies.

Would a Auto 4x4 Ranger be a good first car?

How much would should i expect to pay for truck and the modifications i mentioned ?

You can lift a 4x2 and put big tires on it also. It wont off road as well as a 4x4 but you will save on gas.

If gas usage is no concern to you, go for it. Do keep in mind that gas will not be this cheap for long. It will eventually go up again. In fact its elevated per gallon right now above last years lows.(which is wierd because oil is cheaper per barrel compared to last years gas lows....????? Heck your young yet though. Might as well go for the gas guzzler.

I would say get a used Ranger no older than 2001. Probably pay about 9-12 for a used 2001 4x4 depending on mileage and condition.

 

[Sunk]

A 90-97 Ranger will have the best axles and engine combo if you want to lift it. I'd go with a manual as they are much stronger than the autos that came in these trucks.

 

[Chance]

^agreed... Don't get newer than 97 unless you have alot of money to burn on a lift... and the TTB performs better I believe.

 

[pacodiablo]

On a used truck, the manual transmission will be the safest bet. It can survive neglect and running on the factory fluid for a decade.

1995+ automatics are not bad at all. My '95 Explorer had 158K on the original transmission and it still shifted great. However, many people do not maintain them. Regular fluid changes are essential to making an automatic last a long time, but for some reason many people simply refuse to spend $120 on a flush every couple of years. Keep that in mind with used trucks. You may want to look at trucks being sold privately because the owner will have receipts if they took care of the truck.