First and foremost Scotty I'm very grateful for your Channel, your knowledge is unbelievable.
I recently purchased a 2003 Black Ford Ranger Edge extended cab, automatic with 182,000 and little to no rust for $5200.00 from a retired USMC Master Sgt. My neighbor was itching to look underneath the truck just because he likes the Ranger and said it looked in great condition. He inspected it from the Rooter to the Tooter and found absolutely no signs of any leakage at all. The previous owner used Mobil 1 full synthetic and Mobil 1 filter at 3k intervals for the oil change. In the last 6-10 months prior to his selling it he had replaced all four shocks, brake lines on the front and back, new starter, new battery, new radiator cap, plugs & wires, and about 1 years out he added tires and custom black rims on it... I feel like I'm waiting for the shoe to drop! Is there anything in your professional opinion that I should have checked or looked at before anything arises.? I'm a retired 59yo and I don't like surprise's.!!! After the first of the year it will have about 1K miles on the most recent oil changed and I'll change the oil and I send an oil sample to a company called Blackstone Laboratories for an oil report. (I use them for other vehicles and my Duramax. ) I felt like I got a fair to good one the truck. However I'd like your personal thoughts and suggestions on things I might do to keep it running effectively or some preventive maintenance thoughts. Thank you so much for your time and we miss you and the great state of Texas!
The weakest point of the old Rangers are their automatic transmissions. I have a 1999 Ranger 4×4 I paid $3,000 for in 2019 with 251k. It seemed to run and drive fine on initial inspection, but I figured out later it needed a tranny overhaul- it would get stuck in overdrive and not want to accelerate uphill on the highway. I had the tranny rebuilt by a supposedly reputable local business, and I think they messed something up doing the job. It drives a lot better but has a funky thud on the 2-1 downshift every once in a while. I've put 23k on the rebuild so far, and put 50 mi a day on it. If you have the 3.0 V6, they run forever if you take care of the motor. Mine goes through a quart of oil every 5k at that high mileage. It starts every time. I think Ohio's rust will reclaim it before that engine gives in. Haha. I'm exploring the intermittent odd shifting as a possible U-joint issue. I've considered putting a remanufactured tranny in. Overall, they're pretty solid for domestics. Not Toyota Tacoma solid, but it'll probably outlast the new EcoBoost Rangers.
Justin first off thank you so much for your Insight. Luckily... at the moment I have no problems with the transmission shifting. Goes through the gears pretty darn well. I will ask if you're using a quart every 5000 miles how often are you changing your oil? Luckily my diesel is every 8000 Miles and my wife's little truck is every 4000 miles, but I figured with so many miles on this I would do it every 3000 miles. As funny as it may sound I don't believe I'll be putting more than 3000 miles a year on it. Kind of bought it as just a Getaround / Fishing truck if i go on them beach. It could be my imagination but as far as the Tacoma goes I think its a smaller truck. I'm 6 ft 8 and 300 lb and fit pretty well and the Ford Ranger!
I do have a little front end Shake at speeds above 45. Possibly after Christmas I'll have the funny and checked ball joints and such. Once again sir I'm grateful for your thoughts on the Ford Ranger. I hope you have a safe and blessed holiday season.
I think my truck still had the original transmission fluid in it when I bought it. The transmission shop said the pan gasket still had a Motorcraft logo on it. I change my oil every 5,000 miles pretty religiously and use Pennzoil Platinum High Mileage full synthetic. It hasn't caused any leakage or extra oil use in 23,000 miles. My engine calls for 4.5 quarts of oil, I put the whole 5 in and generally get around 4 quarts back out, including the stuff in the filter. I use oil change time like a pre-flight inspection and check the major stuff for any developing issues. She's a trooper, I recently moved 13 miles and made enough trips in a month to put 1500 miles on it between driving back and forth while moving and driving 12 miles to work. Haha. Had no problems. I wouldn't think twice about driving from Ohio to California and back. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
I would be mindful of transfer case and differential oil changes and lubrication of all grease fittings as well. Not to mention brake fluid, power steering fluid and coolant.
Howdy Doc, thank you for your input. Brake fluid, power steering fluid and coolant is always on the checklist. I don't have 4-wheel drive but that doesn't change the fact that I will be watching other fluid levels. Grease fittings are important to me from everything from my trailers, my boat and all of our vehicles and thank you for reminding me. I kind of like this little truck how to get around. I've had my 2012 Duramax and have no problems with that but yet I do a lot of City driving lately. So I'm sure I'll save some on gas mileage and fuel cost. LOL
With much respect thank you and have a safe holiday season. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year