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New to Rangers


gcfishguy

Well-Known Member
Joined
Apr 2, 2010
Messages
79
City
Moncton, New Brunswick (Canada, ehh?)
Vehicle Year
2008
Transmission
Manual
Hey folks. I've been a jeep guy for the last bunch of years, but needs have changed and I'm getting tired of the Just Empty Every Pocket thing... I've run all the trails around here and would like to get back to a vehicle that's friendlier to drive, more reliable, etc...

Always wanted a pickup, and still needed something to use for fishing, camping, and general getting-out, plus pulling the boat a few times per summer. (14' speedboat, not heavy, used to pull it with a Saturn ION, 4cyl)..
I've been shopping around and I'm pretty sure I found the truck for me at a Dodge dealer here in town.

It's a 2008 sport, extended cab (called a super cab, in Ranger-speak I guess), 2wd, 5spd, with the 3.0L V6. Has 51,000kms on it, and hasn't seen a hard life so far...very clean truck. Rubber floors, no AC, aluminum wheels, has bed rail protectors, a tailgate liner but no box liner...oh, and a nice Delta tool box. Pretty much just what I want....the less options, the less things to go wrong, is the way I think. No AC is not a big deal for this climate, and I prefer a standard trans over an automatic...less to go wrong and maintenance is easier. Anyway...

I lived on the popular jeep forum when I was wheeling my Grand and TJ and it was a wealth of information, and I would guess that this site will be the same.

Anyway, for that particular truck, is there anything in particular that I should be looking for, or make sure to check before I lay down the $$ and make it my new baby?

And in Canada, can anyone confirm the warranties? I'd assume 3/60 factory, 5/100 powertrain, and then I don't know on the emmissions warranty.... I'm hoping it's still under the factory warranty for a little bit yet, but will have to verify the in-service date.

Thanks in advance guys!!

<><

*Edited because I don't know inches from feet.... :p
 
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Welcome, to the dark side we have cookies! So your boat is 14" inches long? HAHAHA

Just messin with you, get used to it here! Lets see some pics.
 
Does it have a trailer hitch is my only question not the one on the bumper type maybe they can put one on for you to close the deal.
 
not much man the ranger is a reliable truck, and the 3.0 with a 5 spd is almost a bulletproof combo
 
Sweet...everybody I talked to that had a ranger would buy another one, and reading through the popular sites where readers can post reviews, the main complaint was that they haven't been redesigned in 20 (or however many) years. Whatever..if it ain't broke....
 
not much man the ranger is a reliable truck, and the 3.0 with a 5 spd is almost a bulletproof combo

well usually:dunno:
Still don't know what went down in mine(alot of neglect in its lifetime i presume) but that engine is known to be very dependable. It may not be the most powerful engine but if properly maintained they will last forever

However, the 4.0sohc engine puts out alot more ponies and gets right around the same mpg(maybe rated at 1 less?) One that new won't have any timing chain problems. It doesn't like you need the power so the more reliable 3.0 might be the better choice for you. Just something to think about
 
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They are good lil trucks. My first Truck was a 84 with the 2.0L and I beat that poor thing and it kept going. I have had quite a few vehicles since then but just got a good deal on a 94 4x4 with a 4.0 mated to a 5 speed and oo man lol, ALOT more power than my old ranger could have even imagined and is a heck of alot peppier than my wifes 94 Explorer with the 4.0 (guessing cause its an auto my trucks a manual) but so far I love this lil truck....glad to be back driving a ranger to be honost. Good lil trucks, takes a licken and they keep on ticken.
 
However, the 4.0sohc engine puts out alot more ponies and gets right around the same mpg(maybe rated at 1 less?) One that new won't have any timing chain problems. It doesn't like you need the power so the more reliable 3.0 might be the better choice for you. Just something to think about

It does not get the same MPG... My mom just got a 4.0L SOHC she drove nicer then my 3.0L and only managed I think 18 highway... I got around 24 -25. I get 17- 20 in town and shes been gettin 14 or 15... I seriously don't get why the 3.0L is soooooooooo not peppy? I drove her truck and then mine and noticed only a slight difference in power. Maybe if towing something on the brink of being over kill would I notice but IDK...:dunno:
 
A class III trailer hitch:icon_thumby:

Just make sure you get a quality one from somebody like Vally or Draw-tite. Plus, if you get a 2" reciever, there's a host of other goodies you can plug into it. Like a prop hitch cover.

Welcome to the Ranger family bro! May she serve you and all you serve with it well. Use it for to help friends and she'll be your friend for life!
 
Just make sure you get a quality one from somebody like Vally or Draw-tite. Plus, if you get a 2" reciever, there's a host of other goodies you can plug into it. Like a prop hitch cover.

Welcome to the Ranger family bro! May she serve you and all you serve with it well. Use it for to help friends and she'll be your friend for life!

Or a big set of balls:icon_rofl:
 
Thanks folks.....well, went over and took it for a spin this morning. They did a little better on the price. All the service records were in the glovebox, and can tell it was someone picky who owned it before. (I like those).
Also, had a complete clutch assy replaced at 36,500kms under warranty (TSB # was on the invoice...)...so, the clutch has under 20,000kms on it... woot!
I was happy with the ride and the noise level on the highway, even for sitting on studded snow tires at the moment.

Found the in-service date, so it still has factory warranty until Aug (or 60,000km). Bonus.

So yeah, going to change all the fluids and switch to synthetic in the engine and diff, and look into the trans as well.

Haven't had time to do all that much reading on the site yet, but it's looking like the trans probably takes plain old 80w90. I'll do some more homework and see if synthetic 80w90 is cool for the transmission....I know some vehicles don't like it....makes the syncros too slippery so they can't work properly..

This is the newest vehicle that I've actually bought, as opposed to leasing, so I'm going to start doing what I can to make it last.

A good rustproofing and undercoating will be one of the first things on the last.

Thanks again, and I'm sure the site will be a big help.

<><
 

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