For Sale Rare 1997 4.0L Ranger

[Tremendous11]

1 owner. 5 speed Automatic, RWD. Hoping to find someone that will love owning it like I have. Always well cared for, regular oil changes etc. As far as I know, you had to order one to get a 4.0L in a regular cab in 1997, there can't be too many in existence. 211K miles. Asking $1200.

It has spent it's life in CA and now southern OR, so basically rust free, a couple of tiny bits of surface rust from rain water in the bed. Up till now have barely had any issues with it. The rear brakes are new. What does it need to restore it to its glory? It drives but needs a new or rebuilt transmission, it will need tires soon, the under the hood insulation needs to be replaced, it has a crack in the dashboard, the sliding rear window could use new weatherstripping, the driver's bucket seat is not like new, the passenger bucket seat is, the cassette player in the original radio eats tapes, has a ding on the tailgate, and lastly it could use new paint, peeling in spots. Cell # 541-821-2681.

 

[racsan]

very nice , Id be game if I wasnt clear across the country .

 

[91stranger]

What's with the aggressive rake on that truck? I bet with a 4.0 reg cab and looks like no weight in the bed it will probably do a burnout for as long as you want it to.

 

[racsan]

unless they put 3.08’s in it.
EDIT: blew up window sticker, has 3.55’s but also has cailf emissions, Im not sure if that would put a “choke” on the power output. Still nice, but I’d roll a 3.73 under the butt. The one it came with (3.55) is a limited slip but after 211K miles it may not be functional now.

 

[19Walt93]

California emissions worked fine on those. NH doesn't require Cal emissions but we ordered every stock unit with them because we were surrounded by"green" states and we often swapped with other dealers, plus we were 2 1/2 miles from Vt which is a "green" state. My concern might be the engine, the VIN isn't visible and the sticker doesn't specify whether it's an OHV or SOHC and I don't remember whether Rangers got the SOHC in 97 like Explorers did.

 

[racsan]

I believe 97 ranger would be a ohv, thinkit was 98 or 99 before the ranger chassis went to the ohc version

 

[sgtsandman]

The rake is excessive on that.

 

[racsan]

the rake on my 2wd longbed is excessive too, seems worse since I put the new tires on it, Would be worse if cap was off. must be a weak front spring issue.

 

[Tremendous11]

I believe 97 ranger would be a ohv, thinkit was 98 or 99 before the ranger chassis went to the ohc version

Yes, OHV. SOHC in 98. https://www.therangerstation.com/tech/ford-ranger-4-0l-v6/

 

[gw33gp]

The Ranger did not get the SOHC 4.0 until 2001.

 

[OneGoofyGuy]

Do you still have this truck?

 

[Mightyfordranger]

very nice , Id be game if I wasnt clear across the country .

Roadtrip roadkill style

 

[Dirtman]

Yes

 

[wildbill23c]

the rake on my 2wd longbed is excessive too, seems worse since I put the new tires on it, Would be worse if cap was off. must be a weak front spring issue.

Most likely its due to having the higher capacity payload package and/or towing package.

That rake is there for a reason, when you load the bed down or hookup a trailer the truck will ride level instead of its ass dragging the ground like every truck that people try to level does. Leveling is only going to be ok if you never use a truck as a truck, but keep the stock OEM parts you remove as the next owner may actually want to use the truck for its intended purpose of hauling and towing and would like those original parts to put back on it.

 

[wildbill23c]

Yep 4680 GVWR would be the higher capacity springs in the rear so that definitely explains the more pronounced rake, and probably not overloaded excessively if at all so the springs aren't worn out like most trucks of this vintage or older.