Possible new addition... thoughts, opinions, etc.

[JoshT]

Possibly (and hopefully temporarily) about to add another Ranger to the stable.

Back towards the beginning of the year my '99 decided that it wanted another motor, and my cousin's Ranger decided it wanted a new transmission. I was keeping my eyes open for a donor that would have both, but I gave up and rebuilt my motor instead. Got a call from my cousin text telling me that I can have the Ranger if I want it. Seems her husband decided he wanted a newer larger truck (can't blame him there) and wants the Ranger out of the yard. I briefly considered moving my V8 street truck build over to it, but I really prefer the looks of a first gen regular cab so I dropped that idea. Since I really don't need another project truck for myself or another Ranger I was about to say no when another idea popped into mind. My sister has a ~2000 Taurus that is rough. Her husband (Honda dealer mechanic) is doing what he can to keep it going, but they can't afford the down time for larger repairs or the cost of a replacement vehicle. While I don't need another vehicle, it might be worth it as second mode of transportation for her.

So what I know about the truck:
2001 Ranger
Extended Cab 2-door
3.0L auto (door code D which should = 5R44E)
3.73 open gears
A/C
No power options
No cruise control
200,000+ miles
Usual wear and tear found on a 200K mile and 13 year old truck.

Not positive, but I think the truck may have been a former fleet truck. Definitely a low optioned base model. Last time I actually saw it, it ran good and I think they keep up on the regular maintenance items pretty well. Says it was running good when the transmission went out. Not like she has reason to lie about it since she's giving me the truck.

Only other things she could tell me about the truck are that in the time she's had it (I'm not sure and didn't ask) the alternator has been replaced twice, but she couldn't give me a time frame. It also needs a key. Says it disappeared on her, but that she'll get a replacement before they bring it down.

What I'm thinking is fix/replace the transmission. Do the regular maintenance and tune-up items you'd do on a new high mile vehicle, and pass it on to my sister.

Sorry for the long winded post, but any thoughts or ideas? Not overly familiar with the 3.0L so anything I should look for/worry about on it. Am I crazy, insane, or stupid? Anything that I haven't though of?

 

[SenorNoob]

Sounds like a plan to me. Just be sure your sister understands that it's a truck and will be ndsᴉpǝ poʍu if driven the way my sisters would.

Might want to make it known that if they decide to do anything with it you have first option later. Never know what you'll be looking for in the future.

 

[txgocartB3000]

You have an excellent plan.

Not many people think of others besides themselves.

Scoring some major pearly gate points there.

3.0 is Cam Position Sensor w/body replacement for insurance.

Ray

 

[JoshT]

Senor, my sister was driving my dad's 4x4 Ranger as a daily while in college until mom got her new car, so I think she'll be able to handle this one fine. So far when it comes to her driving I've only seen one thing I could complain about, she can't drive a stick. Hopefully her husband will fix that in the years to come.

Might want to make it known that if they decide to do anything with it you have first option later.

Thought has already crossed my mind for another reason. When I was probably about 8 or 9 my dad had a '84 Ranger. After he got an F-150 he didn't use it much any more so when sister (IIRC) needed a truck they bought it from him. Later it got sold to my Grandmother, and was eventually given back to my aunt. Well fast forward to my 16th birthday guess what I received. Yep, it's the same totaled '84 in my sig. The aunt that I got it from also happens to be this cousin's mother. It'd be kinda cool if I could give this truck back to them when their son turns 16, be it in a little better shape than mine was.

Ray, don't know about pearly gate points, but I tend to look out for my family when I can. It's not often because they won't let me know when or what they need help with. I just happened to know that the car she has now has issues, and they aren't in a position to replace it. Will definitely keep that cam position sensor in mind.

Thanks for the input guys. Makes me think I'm not quite as crazy as feared I was when the idea popped into my head.

 

[enjr44]

So what I know about the truck:
2001 Ranger
Extended Cab 2-door
3.0L auto (door code D which should = 5R44E)
3.73 open gears
A/C
No power options
No cruise control
200,000+ miles
Usual wear and tear found on a 200K mile and 13 year old truck.

It also needs a key. Says it disappeared on her, but that she'll get a replacement before they bring it down.

The key thing!!!! That is a big deal. She needs to find the old key(s).

2001 has a PATS system (passive anti-theft system). The key has a chip in it that talks to the computer. No talk, no start. When you turn the key to run, the computer send a wireless signal to the key. The key returns a code, if the code matches the one in the computer, the computer will allow the start. If not, no start. The keys are one thing; but, programing the truck's computer for the new keys is another. If you do not have a key that works in the truck it is a major and expensive problem. IF you do not have two keys that work you cannot add a new key without going to a big-time locksmith or dealer.

Just a heads-up!!

 

[JoshT]

The key thing is a minor deal compared to replacing the trans, and yes I know all about the PATS system. If I'm willing spend the money on a trans do you really think that the $150 (dealership) key and programming will stop me? Been through the key thing before on my 99, not really a big deal.

She'd looking for the key as we speak. If she doesn't find it she has insructions call a locksmith, and I'll send her the money for a new key. Then when she finds the original a wek or two later I'll have two keys for it.