What's wrong with the 2001 Rangers?

[bwright1818]

I'm looking to upgrade from my 225K '93 to a 2001 with 58K. Guy says he did a fuel pump. V6, auto, 4 by4 XLT. What I'm I going to be in for? Thanks...

 

[straycat]

Nothing wrong with them. They are machines that need to be serviced and taken cares of!!! Just like all cars and trucks and bikes. Google the revews on it and see. Edmunds is a nice website. Carfax it as well (vin number) to check up on the Ranger you are looking at. You can get a carfax account (got to pay for it). Or, see if one of us has one they can check the Ranger out for you. Sometimes we have members that might have a carfax account that still can be used before it expires.

 

[EMB1230]

Yeah, I've never heard of Rangers having issues with fuel pumps either. Usually when they die, it's from the owner driving it on E all the time, pumps need the gas to keep them from overheating. 58K on an '01? Wow, that's low and with that combo, hopefully it's the 4 Liter! Yeah, a 3 Liter will get you around ok for quite a few years if maintained properly, but 4x4 AND auto trans?? Trust us, you'll want the 4 Liter!!

 

[adsm08]

The early ones still had the awful PVH system. Later ones had the live axle.

Other than that the worst thing I can think of is that they are kind of ugly.

 

[Rose2300]

IIRC up until the 03 model year the 4.0's had issues with the timing chain casettes or something. If those break the engine has to be replaced since the SOHC's are interference engines.

 

[adsm08]

IIRC up until the 03 model year the 4.0's had issues with the timing chain casettes or something. If those break the engine has to be replaced since the SOHC's are interference engines.

Up to 06. But an 01 is more likely to have the OHV version.

 

[bwright1818]

Thanks to all. Yeah, not really sure if it's a 3 0r 4 liter. I'm a boat mechanic so I ought to be able to visually tell whether it's OHV or SOHC when I get there, if it's not to buried. MY OHV 4 liter has been indestructable. I hope it's the same engine.

Do '01s have a 999,999 odometer? If not, I am going to take a microscope to that frame...

I have heard that, about running on E all the time, and the bad fuel pump. As long as it's not a widespread ranger problem.....He said something about "The guy broke the strap," when changing the pump, so "it was a $1500 job." Dunno what THAT means....

With the exception of getting in trouble a few times in 19 years, I have never hammered on my '93. (I'm still picking mud out of the frame, 10 years later....but she got me out, on her own....never seen anything like what that truck did, that day....) I have a feeling I'd be okay with the 3.0's performance. But are ALL 3.0s SOHC? I really don't want to crash any valves, especially knowing that somewhere, my old truck would still be running.

I'm going to look at it tomorrow. It's going to be a tough sell because having to sell my '93 would be like having a death in the family.

 

[Earl43P]

Yes, they have a six digit odo.

There is only the OHV 3.0 in Rangers. Vulcan.
Prone to Cam synchro failure, leading to oil starvation, then locked up engine failure.

The PVH hubs disappeared in 2000.
Early builds had PVH, most got the live axle version.
Mine came from Edison, NJ, live axle.

Not a bad performer with 3.0 4wd and 4.10s.
I like mine with 235-75-15s. Less likeable with the 245-75-16s.

I've beaten mine like a red-headed stepchild from the day I bought it, new, special ordered. I wouldn't want one with an automatic though.

The 4.0's seem durable and have good torque. That's really what you want, but I can't say I've ever "needed" more than my 3.0 can give.

It's always nice to get a newer truck.....good on you.

 

[gw33gp]

Up to 06. But an 01 is more likely to have the OHV version.

I have never come across an 01 with a OHV 4.0. I know the 2000 4.0 models still had the OHV but in 01 they came out with the 4.0 SOHC in the Ranger and I thought all of them had it. If I am wrong on that it wouldn't be the first time I was wrong.

A lot of 01 Rangers with the 4.0 SOHC engine had timing chain problems and became less of a problem in 02. Each year after that were better yet.

 

[Destroyer000]

the timing chain issue isnt all that big of a deal if you catch it now.. i just put a 01 explorer sohc in my ole mans 04 ranger and the timing chains were TRASHED in the 04 motor.. cassettes were garbage. my 95 has a SOHC from a 98 explorer.. had to do timing cassettes and its be a MONSTER of a truck. love the power its got compared to the OHV motor.

 

[EMB1230]

Since the Explorers got the SOHC 4.0 starting in 1997, Does that mean 97-01 Explorers have the timing chain issue as well?

 

[gw33gp]

The early Explorers did have timing chain problems.

 

[bwright1818]

Well, I went and looked at the truck. It was a beauty, my favorite color, green. It had the 4.0 SOHC and it actually only had 53,000 miles!!!! The trouble was, 52,000 of them must have been on the beach. While not yet actually broken anywhere, the frame was a mess, with deeply imbedded rust everywhere. It was so bad, that it didn't look like it belonged on this otherwise beautiful vehicle. I had parked my '93, 225K Ranger next to it, and my frame was actually better! Yeah, I'm on my second round of spring mounts; but this guy's whole frame was almost trashed. What a bummer.

Did Ford change steel quality or something? Is this a widespread problem on later trucks? I drive my Ranger in the northeast US, and have for 19 years. Mine was definitly better.

I got into my truck, patted it on the dash and drove home. My truck was so happy, that its door stopped squeaking, all by itself.

 

[EMB1230]

Well that sucks, but yeah, sometimes it's better to stick with what you already have.

 

[pcollins]

Thats what happens when a vehicle sits. I'm always weary of low mileage vehicles for that reason. Worked on an '08 F150 a while ago that was barely every driven, only to tow a camper occasionally, and was always parked on grass under a tree. The underside of that truck looked 20 years old. Parking on grass isn't the best. I've heard cement can speed the rotting process as well.