Set on getting Ford Ranger, possibly 98...

[RumpRanger98]

Hi all, I am currently looking at 98 v6 4.0L automatic 4x4 off road ranger. 200k miles. Im just curious as to how reliable these trucks are and if they are expensive to maintain. I know some cars/trucks certain years/makes have known major defects. Should I be worried about anything like that for any rangers in the 90's?

Thanks

Im sorry I posted in wrong forum, just noticed that

 

[ItsA5Spd]

200k is a lot of miles, but the 4.0 is a proven motor. I don't know about price of maintnence since I have a 3.0. I don't know of anything specific to look for on the 4.0. I think the autos in these trucks are much better than they used to be. With 200k, I'd look for oil consumption and steam from the tail pipe that has a sweet smell which would indicate coolant, which would probably be head gaskets. Just take a good look at it before you buy and keep us posted. Oh, welcome to TRS!

 

[koda6966]

4.0's IIRC have issues with cracked heads, check for that.

Personally I would buy 1999+ if I was going with 4th gen, 1993-94 if I was going with 3rd gen.

Reason is, they fixed some issues for the 1999 year that the 1998 had, and 1993-1994 have a simpler design, which means less stuff can go wrong.

 

[betomonroy]

Besides that... The newer Rangers have a lot of better things than a '98.

 

[RumpRanger98]

So now im trying to find a 93, 94, or 99+ 4cyl or v6 4x4, with the super cab, or extended cab not sure which its called. I see so many of these things on craigslist, some a bit far away, but I figure I can be picky. I would rather have the 5spd, but I don't care either way. Im mainly lookin for 4x4 with a cab. Do these trucks come stock with the plastic bed liner?

what is the generation year range?

 

[koda6966]

I think the bed liner was an option.

And it goes (I think) 1986-1988. 1989-1992. 1993-1997. 1998-2001. 2002+

Pretty sure that's how it goes, but not too sure.