2001 Ford Ranger
Just under 200,000 mi-needs shocks & shackles, should I invest or give up and save the expense for another vehicle? How worthwhile to change out the radiator? hit a crow and the beak punctured it through the grill. Loosing Freon, also need to tighten up the gear shift column, got taken for a ride 3 years ago-they said they replaced it but they just tightened it-loose again. any tips on keeping her going would be appreciated.
What engine and drivetrain? 4×4, 2x4? Automatic or manual? Shocks and leaf springs aren't bad on the old Rangers.
The entire rear end needs lifted off the ground to change the leaf springs. Jack it up and put stands under the frame, NOT the axle.
The radiator and condenser are only held in by a few bolts. The taking the radiator completely out will make the condenser easy peasy. I did a condenser job on my '99 Ranger 2 years ago without removing the radiator. It was easy.
A vehicle with almost 200,000 miles needing a new radiator or condenser isn't unusual even if it wasn't damaged from an impact.
Shocks are a "wear part" on any vehicle. Eventually they need to be replaced.
I also have a 2001 Ranger. (just below 200,000 miles).
You should keep yours. The parts for these things are dirt cheap. You can buy a new radiator or condenser for under $150. Maybe $350 for shocks.
You're talking less money for these repairs than for a set of new tires.
I don't know how your Ranger is treating you, but mine is very, very, dependable. It seldom needs repairs. (It's gone 10 years since my last major repair which wasn't really major. It needed a fuel pump). Aside from that it just needs normal maintenance.
Granted, it's up there in miles now. Like yours, it may need some front end parts eventually. But again, parts for these Rangers are dirt cheap.
If you do 3,000 mile oil changes, keep an eye on the coolant level, and don't beat it, you can get another 50,000 miles out of yours. That's what I'm aiming for with mine.
Edit:
I forgot to talk about your loose shift lever. That happens on many ford trucks of that era. There's just 2 bolts that loosen and all you have to do is tighten them up.
The guy who did yours should have put loctite on the bolt threads so it didn't happen to you again.
Next time put some loctite on them.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g4-h5wStWMc
Old Rangers are great. Mine's got 280k. Had to put transmission work in it. That was botched, but it still drives fine.
Yep. My 2001 is a 3.0L, automatic. I've had it since 2009. I paid $3900 for it. Best money I ever spent.
Mine is as well. It's a 4x4. I've thought about putting a remanufactured transmission in it. It runs so well, nature may reclaim the frame before it dies, lol. I paid $3,000 just before COVID. It had 250k at the time. It was a beater with a heater. I learned how to repair air conditioners on it. I found out I'm actually pretty good at it. Haha.
Thank you so much gentlemen!! You're very thorough and the video is great! My Ranger is an itty bitty, 4 cyl- fake back seats? But she does wht I need her to do. {black}:cool: {pear}:happy: