Thinking about buying 2002 Ranger, need input

[ejholmgren]

I've come to the decision that I'd like to replace my '93 2.3L Manual 2WD Ranger daily driver with something more substantial for this winter. I took a 2002 4.0L Auto 4x4 Ext Cab 4D out for a spin yesterday and thought it was great. What a night and day difference! The only problem is, miles are ~70K and the price is closer to $10K than I'd like. Their price is slightly under KBB with all the options, and it's at a damned Saturn dealer so they aren't likely to haggle.

Anything I should watch out for if I'm prepared to pay a mint for this at that mileage? There are several other similarly spec'ed trucks at lower prices/same miles or same price/ lower miles, but they're all private party (no 3,000 mile warranty, inspection, etc). I've done the spring hangers/shackles, fuel pump, rear drums, and timing belt on the old 2.3L, so I'm not afraid to dig in to a medium extent. Just wondering if there are any particular things like ball-joints or other gotchas that would be coming up?

Thanks,

Eric

 

[aaron_ariens]

I got my 2001 Ranger, at the time, had 205K on it, for 1500 bucks.

It's such an amazing truck. Never stops. It's now at 212K (I got it in Aug)

It's 2WD tho.

 

[97ranger4x4]

Well did you get a chance to look under the hood? I would check all the fluids to make sure they look clean. Ask the dealer if they have done any service on the truck and know the history of it. I would prefer to go through a private party because then you can ask them directly about their maintence schedule and how closly they followed it. You can see why they are getting rid of it. 70k isnt that many miles, my gf car has twice that and is a year older.

Just my $.02

 

[ejholmgren]

All the fluids checked out and it was clean as a whistle under the hood. If I hadn't car faxed it, I'd have thought it'd been wrecked and had a new engine put in it. I asked the dealer about service before I went to look at it. Tires and front brakes were under 40% wear, so as per the magic Saturn guidelines ... new 245's all around and new calipers/pads up front.

Does anyone know the schedule for the tranny flush on an auto? How long are these things lasting with proper maintenance?

 

[ejholmgren]

I got my 2001 Ranger, at the time, had 205K on it, for 1500 bucks.

Already did my time with the $1,500 175K '93. Learned alot fixing it, but it's getting old and I need something more reliable for my DD in Minnesota winters.

 

[exbass94]

I would flush the tranny every 30k miles. They can go a really long time IF they're maintained. Also keep an eye on the temperatures and add another cooler if necessary.

 

[Southern3.0]

My '02 Edge was a great truck, No major problems while I had it and it had 120,000 when I wrecked her. I did Flush the trans and change filter at about 115,000 Mi, the fluid was a little dark but it shifted just fine before I changed it and felt the same afterward.

 

[aaron_ariens]

My '02 Edge was a great truck, No major problems while I had it and it had 120,000 when I wrecked her. I did Flush the trans and change filter at about 115,000 Mi, the fluid was a little dark but it shifted just fine before I changed it and felt the same afterward.

How did you wreck her?

Do you have any pics?

 

[Dann757]

I had a girlfriend once who always said if you want a vehicle get it. Of course this always caused me to lose money, but I had a nice Seville and a mint El Camino for a while. I looked for a long time for the 93 Ranger I just got, it was on the side of the road with a cardboard for sale sign on it less than a mile from my place when I got it. The people had put it out 1/2 hour before I drove by. Cheap price, but I'm dealing with a lot of issues with this old truck. You never know what a used vehicle has been through...

 

[Jason]

The only problems I have seen with regularity on that generation are axle seals and wheel bearings. Both are pretty easy to do. The front diff is a bit of a pain to get to but it's livable.

 

[ejholmgren]

Any concerns I should have about the 4.0L SOHC's durability? Are these engines easy to work on? Sounds like 2002 should have the new upgraded chain tensioners that were failing in the earlier models.

 

[Daniel_187]

I got the same truck you are looking at but 2 door, its been good except for minnor shit like the air bag light and had a sensor go, power is really good and I get 20 mpg's if i drive good

 

[Southern3.0]

How did you wreck her?

Do you have any pics?

http://therangerstation.com/forums/showthread.php?t=14854&highlight=Drunk+driving