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Ford Ranger Maintenance and Repair

2986 messages,  Last post on May 15, 2013 at 6:47 AM

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What is this discussion about? Ford Ranger, Truck

Messages Page 29 of 299

#279 of 2986 Been here before by bobhoh

Dec 05, 2001 (7:55 am)

In February of this year I purchased a 1999 Ranger XLT extended cab with a manual transmission. I loved the look of the truck and bought it even though the shifting seemed a bit "notchy" in the lower gears when I went for a test drive. I thought that it would just take awhile to get used to the new shifting mechanism and the RPMs required to synchronize, but it is now December and I'm still having troubles getting the truck into the lower gears. I have always driven Ford manual transmission vehicles (1965 Mustang and 1988 Bronco II) and it has never taken me this long to get the shifting down. The Mazda dealer suggested that I put in a high-performance transmission fluid, but the Ford dealer refused and said it would not help anything and that there was absoutely nothing wrong with the truck, even though they only drove the thing around. I don't know who to trust on this and thought that maybe you guys could give me some advice. This is my first almost new car and it is still under warranty. The Ford folks will not do more than drive it - is that normal since taking out the transmission is such an undertaking?

#280 of 2986 Ranger Heater Problem - Good News by sunfish

Dec 08, 2001 (1:24 pm)

I found a lot of info on the Internet with regard to Ford Blend Door problems. Long-standing problem with an improved part designed in 97-98.
  I called Ford Customer Service and pleaded my case and asked for help in paying for the repair. (truck is out of warranty).
  The next day they agreed to pay half of the repair. Not bad and I thought it was pretty fair.
  Mileage on my 6cyl 3.0 is 20 in Summer and 18 in Winter.

#281 of 2986 There should be no getting used to required by eharri3

Dec 12, 2001 (11:50 am)

Since its a modern transmission and it's synchronized. I had a problem like that with my 95, though I dont know how similar it is to yours. I was sometimes locked out of 1st and reverse, and when they did work it was quite difficult to get it into gear without grinding or stripping a bit. Solution: was low on clutch fluid. Have you checked that?

#282 of 2986 shopping a '99 3.0 XLT super cab by mommamia1

Dec 13, 2001 (2:36 pm)

Can anyone suggest what key items to check out on a used 99 Ranger XLT 3.0? A check of the history on line came back spotless, makes me wonder. It has nearly 64,000 miles, a lot but it looks well kept. Tires seem evenly worn, but well worn. Can I trust a dealer not to swap out tires? It had a little shake in the steering accelerating between 60 to 70. Dealership salesman says it's sat for a while(45 days)and perhaps the tires have a flat spot that will work itself out. Is a shimmy in the front end a typical Ranger feel. Note, I've never owned a truck, is it just a rougher ride then my 94 Escort GT? I'm listening to you Ranger owners out there, speak up.

#283 of 2986 well by mjbwrtr

Dec 13, 2001 (8:02 pm)

i have a 2000 ranger, and i have no shimmy. i feel the air conditioner compressor come on, through vibrations in the steering wheel, now and then but i never have a shimmy where the vehicle is actually vibrating.

#284 of 2986 My 94 Ranger.. by bolivar

Dec 16, 2001 (6:17 pm)

...with Firestone F480 tires has been about impossible to align and/or balance to eliminate all the shimmy, shake, bounce.
 
So, it could be tire problems, especially if they are orginial with 60,000+ miles. New tires, balance, alignment might solve this problem.
 
I don't know of any other problem with this year, except the long standing 3L pinging problems.
 
There have been lots of problems with chimes and various warnings not stopping when the doors are closed because the 'door open' switches are bad. And these switches are inside the doors, not in the jam. I think these might have been fixed by 1999.
 
With extended cabs, there sometimes are problems with the split driveshaft and the center bearing. I've haven't had this problem. This can also feel like tire balance problems sometimes.
 
The 3L pinging problem - goes back 10 years or so. Many, many 3L ping, and nothing can be done about it. There is a TSB and dealers can change out the 'coil pack', not sure what years might be effected by this. One trick I've heard dealers will do on a used truck is fill it up with premium so it will not ping on your test drives. Running mid or premium grade is about the only solution to the ping. So, you might think about either living with ping, or buying higher grade gasoline in a motor that should run on regular grade.
 
Other than these issues, I think the 3L, and Ranger is a great truck. And, it of course is a truck and will not run like a car. And gas milage will suck.
 
At 60,000+ miles, I would replace the plugs, wires, fuel filter, air filter, transmission fluid, antifreeze (unless you have receipts this has been done already). You should then be ready for another 40,000 miles...
 
For my 94, a 4L, 'I Love My Truck'!

#285 of 2986 long running one...... by tbunder

Dec 16, 2001 (6:44 pm)

my dad has an '88 2.3 with 4x4. it has 195,000 miles on it. runs great. no engine work at all. just oil changes. it hauls wood all the time. 4x4 still works perfect. a little rusty, but blame that on iowa winters.

#286 of 2986 Jackka...buy a Toyota Tacoma by frey44

Dec 17, 2001 (10:41 pm)

..if you want a reliable, low-maintenance ride for a HIGH MILE holding period. A Ranger is no real comparison to a Taco for reliability..sepecially if you're talking 4 bangers. The Toyo 4 cyl. is the most bulletproof small truck motor around. I have a Ranger with the pushrod 4.0. It is a decent truck, but a Toyota it isn't by a LONG shot (and, it was 4000 bucks cheaper which was why I bought it. So I didn't EXPECT it to be the same quality as a Taco, and it isn't. A BIG mistake NOT paying up for the Taco, IMHO). These trucks are aimed at different types of buyers, I think. Whatever you do AVOID the 3.0 liter "pinger" snap, crackle pop motor in the Ranger. Either get the 2.3 or the OHC 4.0. If you get the 4.0 just be prepared for 16 to 17 mpg. Good luck. Both the Ranger and Taco are good trucks. The Taco simply has the edge in engine reliability, smoothness and refinement. And, the Taco will also have a higher resale value (as I am finding out trying to sell my 2000 Ranger...I am gettting KILLED on depreciation).

#287 of 2986 those..... by tbunder

Dec 17, 2001 (11:30 pm)

are your claims frey. where are the facts that back up what you say? 200K on a stock 2.3 with still stock clutch is pretty "reliable" if you ask me, especially if those are on a 4x4 2.3, like my pop's. and if you look in the manual, or go to any ford service tech., the knocking is NORMAL on the 3 and 4 liter engines, and causes no damage. also, who does ford aim to sell a 4x4 to that toyota doesn't? people who want a more powerful engine? more standard features? if you check the 2001 kbb prices for retail value, the ranger is more than tacoma. loaded up im talking. and what do you expect trying to sell a 2000 ranger so soon. you're gonna lose your ass unless you aren't very motivated and don't really have to sell. ALWAYS try and get your payoff. there are a lot of deciding factors on resale value- miles, condition, features and options. you just can't say the things you did without some facts to back them up.

#288 of 2986 um by mjbwrtr

Dec 18, 2001 (1:59 am)

my truck was making some "hot" smells and so i checked my fluids and realized that my tranny fluid was low. i filled it to where its supposed to be...but could i have done damage to it by driving it with it low?
the dealership, i thought, would have maintained it, and so i checked the oil and steering fluid, and i smelled the tranny fluid but didnt check the level since it shifted fine. any thoughts? i am used to a stick and this crap is a little annoying.

Messages Page 29 of 299

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