Well this sucks...

[ridgerunner]

If U can put up with all the NANNIES that the gov. mandates newer vehicles must have then U might consider one. If U are like me stick with the old truck. I HATE NANNIES hence I hate newer vehicles. Nannies ruin everything good about driving anymore. I even bought a newer 3/4 ton truck since they don't put nannies on them. My wife got a new 13' Subaru and the first snow we had she was pissed at all the nannies trying to control the car. She even had quite a time getting up our driveway when the ranger made it in 2WD!! Our old 97 Subie had ABS (which sucked) but didn't have any traction control and all the other nannies the new one has. We are already looking to ditch the 13' for something older.

 

[Dune Runner]

bmerr98 makes a real valid point. Much cheaper to repair then replace. I couldn't agree more. And yes to staying out of debt.

 

[timbits588]

I agree with the guys saying repair the one you have. Ball joints aren't that difficult to do yourself even the first time as long as you block some time out for yourself. Also a lot of the auto part stores will lend out the tools for a deposit on your credit card that they refund when you bring the tool back. It works pretty well for stuff you may not have (ie: ball joint press). Even if you pay someone to do the work I think I would still lean toward repairing the current vehicle that is paid off.

 

[momule]

Polish the turd. At least you'll know what you have. The 06 with 90K is sitting out there with it's own set of problems waiting to nickle and dime you to death.

 

[tmcalavy]

If it won't hold an alignment without new front end rebuild, then you have two options...fork out the cash and do it, ignore and live with it until the truck dies. Question is what are you gonna do with the truck long term, realistically? Drop it when it warms up enough to ride your bike and finish your car? Or keep driving it/using it? Only you can answer these questions, cause no one else knows what's in your wallet. No bad in driving an old beater for as long as you have to...why spend more than it's worth to fix it up so it'll last a little longer if you're gonna boot it anyway?

 

[sooperxtool]

I guess my intent was to have it for basically as long as possible. My goals were to make it comfortable and functional with a bit of off roading and camping duties, and I suppose I really don't need to have something new to get beat on doing it.

The shops said there is quite a bit of play in the wheel bearings, but in the opinion of the alignment shop, they don't seem to need replacement due to "not being able to feel any vibration on the alignment rack, indicating bad bearings". Just maybe repacked or something.

I was hoping not to have to put big money into this thing for at least a couple years... I've only had it since last September. I guess that's what makes me not want to keep it at the moment.

 

[sooperxtool]

So about the coolant issues, what should be the next step on that? Its not like it leaves puddles, but I can smell antifreeze once in a while outside the truck. Just ignore it until it needs immediate attention?

 

[sooperxtool]

And I also wanted to thank everyone for your input, I truely appreciate it.

 

[Andy D]

So about the coolant issues, what should be the next step on that? Its not like it leaves puddles, but I can smell antifreeze once in a while outside the truck. Just ignore it until it needs immediate attention?

Pretty much. Go buy a gallon of antifreeze . Mix up 2 gallons of 50/50 and keep them in the truck. If you can keep ahead of the leak, you can run for some time. Loose ball joints and mis-alignment is a bigger deal. It will eat up tires in no time. And you really dont want to pop a ball joint. Unless you have lotsa old tires to wear out You might get a another few thousand miles by doing nothing and scrapping it when it finally breaks. Good luck

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

http://www.therangerstation.com/tech_library/balljoints2.htm

http://www.therangerstation.com/tech_library/BallJoints.html

 

[scotts90ranger]

Working on the front end is intimidating the first time, but with some patience and research a novice should be able to do one side in a day without a problem, my truck has never seen an alignment rack and it drives just fine and tire wear is just fine, I just used a tape measure and a calibrated eyeball...

 

[sooperxtool]

Before the curb incident, the alignment was pretty good, not really any odd tire wear and there wasn't any bent parts so I'm hoping I can hold out for a while on the front end. At least until the weather is nicer. I don't exactly put a lot of miles on this thing since my commute is about 4 miles each way.

 

[frdtrknut]

Do you have someone you flat trust that can give a second opinion? I see it all the time where they rip folks off because they beleive what the mechanic told them. It happened to my wife because I was ill and she didn't want to bother me. You need to find someone you really trust or learn to check these things yourself. It's your money, at least for now.

 

[sooperxtool]

Well... I had two different places tell me the same thing without me mentioning it to the second place. Although I realize that doesn't make them both 100% trustworthy, the evidence is fairly strong I would say. Neither place said it was in dire need, or tried to sell me the work then and there. More like mentioned I might want to start thinking about it.

If I bought the parts I could probably find someone that would refer me to someone that does good work on the side or something I suppose.

If I keep rolling with it as is, will other parts be damaged by not getting the work done?

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

If the alignment it is out it could wear the tires faster than normal. Depending on how it is knocked out it could make it drive funny and make you bump into something else.

If you let it get too low on coolant you will fry the engine.