Preventative Maintenance? New-to-me '99 Ranger

[AR-Trvlr]

I recently upgraded from a '93 Ranger to a '99 Ranger - one of the basic ones with a standard cab, 2wd, 2.5 4-cylinder, and 5-speed. About 110K miles.

With an unknown maintenance history, what should I look at doing? An oil change is in the cards, but what else? New fluids in the transmission & rear differential? The serpentine belt is ok - some minor cracking & glazing, but seems fine.

Also, the power steering is whining a bit. The fluid level is fine - how soon should I plan on changing it?

 

[Jay FX4]

Doesn't every Rangers power steering whine? Don't quote me, but I believe newer Rangers (98 and up?) use ATF fluid in the power steering pump. I aslo believe there's an additive you can use to stop the noise. I'd like to hear other members opinions on this....

 

[exbass94]

Change all fluids including trans, diff, and radiator, change timing belt, water pump, spark plugs, air and fuel filter. Trans and power steering both use Mercon ATF.

 

[JD22]

I'll tell you my little story here. I was at a restaurant and my steering locked up. I took it to a shop that the warranty covered (6 month unlimited miles) for my '98 Ranger. They rebuilt the tranny and gave me a "new" power steering pump, It whined like NO OTHER. You could hear that thing a half mile away. Anywho, they told me to drive it for 500 miles and it would go away, if it didn't they told me to take it back. So i took it back and they gave me an actual new one. You can't hear it inside the cab anymore, but it still whines a bit outside, but I can't hear it so I don't care.

Sorry for the rant kinda deal. but i felt like i was one who was suffering from the whining power steering.

 

[JamesC]

A lot of whining in power steering systems is because the system wasn't bleed or was not bleed enough. bleeding should be done with the engine off and front wheels off the ground, turn the steering wheel lock to lock about 20 times to remove the air, its best if this is done after the engine hasn't run for a couple hours because the fluid becomes air rated and is much hard to bleed if the pump has been running.