Need a new truck, opinions?

[snomaker321]

So long story short, my engine is toast so i need a new truck. I want an extended cab 4x4 auto and probably a 4.0. Im looking to pay less than $5000. What years would you guys recommend? Truck will be my daily driver and won't be wheeled. thanks

 

[adsm08]

91-99 would be best. Personally I'd look for something around 96 or 97.

 

[snomaker321]

91-99 would be best. Personally I'd look for something around 96 or 97.

why? what would be the difference between say a 99 and a 2000?

 

[MountainMike]

Most likely price.

 

[Toms01PSD]

Only difference would be mid-00 trucks got live axles instead of the pulse vacuum hubs. That and the difference between 91-97 98-00 would be the front end and TTB vs. IFS.

 

[02RangerXLT]

V8 swap

 

[snomaker321]

Only difference would be mid-00 trucks got live axles instead of the pulse vacuum hubs. That and the difference between 91-97 98-00 would be the front end and TTB vs. IFS.

i think mid-2000s would be a bit out of my price range, but ive been looking in the 99-00ish area. What would be better for a dd, TTB or IFS?

 

[snomaker321]

V8 swap

I would fix it if the truck itself was in good shape but its 14 years old and it shows. It kinda sucks though since I can still drive the truck it just runs like crap. Plus i want a 4x4 so im probably parting mine out to try to make back most of the $800 i payed for it.

 

[MountainMike]

i think mid-2000s would be a bit out of my price range, but ive been looking in the 99-00ish area. What would be better for a dd, TTB or IFS?

For a DD. IFS rides a little softer but for wheeling the TTB's are much easier to modify.

 

[snomaker321]

For a DD. IFS rides a little softer but for wheeling the TTB's are much easier to modify.

thanks thats what i thought. I have no need to wheel my truck, i have a go kart and an atv for that so im not concerned with modifying. trucks are too expensive.

 

[snomaker321]

im reading that between 2000 and 2001 they switched the 4.0 from the OHV to the SOHC engine, adding 47hp. How do these engines compare in other aspects? Should I be trying to look for a 2001+? I want more power than my 3.0 had.

 

[MountainMike]

The early SOHC's had timing belt issues IIRC, the OHV ahave plent of power to move around a Ranger and are tough as nails. At the apocalypse the one sound left will be the rattle of a OHV 4 litre.

 

[Toms01PSD]

The 4.0 OHV has lots of low end torque. The SOHC doesn't build it til mid range. If I were to buy another Ranger, it would be an 06-07.

 

[eric17mx]

Going from a ohv to sohc myself i can feel comfortable saying a sohc will rape a ohv hands down.

 

[Tractorman]

I think you could find an 01 for around 5000 with higher miles.