Ford Ranger II

hurtubise

My 99' KIA sportage was bought back since it is a LEMON. So I finally got what I wanted in the first place, a Ranger XLT supercab 4X4. I looked at the 2000's, but the 99 leftovers are such a good deal. Mine has; 4.0 liter, 5 speed,limited slip, sliding rear window, dual medium radio, 4 door, flareside, power group, convenience group, air conditioning and the off-road package, all wrapped up in the now extinct autumn orange. MSRP was $23,405. I paid $19,095! The Portsmouth, NH Ford dealer has a no dicker sticker that is hard to beat. Autobytel came close but I would have had to order and wait. Prices on 2000's are similar, but Ford no longer has the flareside plus discount. Overall I am very pleased with the truck. Now, where can I find quality aftermarket 'toys' for my Ranger?

johneel

I've got a question about the Overdrive on my new (3,800 miles) Ranger 3.0 V6 Automatic. I know I shouldn't use overdrive if I'm climbing hills (but I live in Boston where there are no hills) or if I need some quick get-up-and-go to get into traffic, etc. But I've also heard that if your car or truck has OD you should just leave it on. That the engine is "programmed" for it and that your transmission will last longer if you keep OD engaged. My truck is purely an on-road vehicle and I almost always keep the OD engaged. Any thoughts?

Also, one other thing. I'm having great trouble telling whether my air bag is on or off. The quick flash of light distinguishing between the on and off settings is too brief and too uncertain for me on the Ranger. Does anybody else feel this way?

Thanks.

jloco1

Johnee1,

The off light should stay on when the air bag is deactivated. You may want to have that checked out. JLOCO

hurtubise

The off light comes on initially, then should go off. If it stays on then ,yes, it is off. Just look at where the key goes, is it in the on or off position? The manual covers this quite well.

cpousnr

Congratulations, welcome to the club.
The FIVE STAR RATED side impact Ranger, on national TV no less!
Looks like a good price to me.
Try this for aftermarkets:
Kurtz Kustom Motorsports, consider the Tru Rev.
http://www.kustomz.com/
You need this for your tool box:
http://www.therangerstation.cjb.net/
And if you REALLY want to get hairy:
http://www.bbk1.com/supercharging.html
Consider synthetic oil after 5-10K
If your in the market for windscreen/tonneu cover, let me know.

cpousnr

I will check prices in the Denver area but would guess 11-12K at the very most.

Consider the KKM Tru Rev pack for the 2.5, costs 150bucks, better acceleration etc

Go the ranger man, even the 4 banger, the chevy would cost you bucks in maint. Real good prices now on leftovers, colors may be not too good but go the Ranger man! Guy I worked with had a 94 4X4 S10 and it was a POS. Brakes out at 22k, rattles, just a POS. And he never took it off road, it was just a reg p/u with 4X added.

anonymous

Hey, anyone else having trouble with the new format of HTML that Edmunds is using?
I cannot post on #867 as all I get it the previous posts and there is no option to post. I use to get to the login page and all was well.
Now when I try to go to the login, I get a cookies warning even though my cookies are set to accept all cookies.
Just by shear luck I got to this response page

anonymous

tHIS IS CPOUSNR!
Hey, anyone else having trouble with the new format of HTML that Edmunds is using?
I cannot post on #867 as all I get it the previous posts and there is no option to post. I use to get to the login page and all was well.
Now when I try to go to the login, I get a cookies warning even though my cookies are set to accept all cookies.
Just by shear luck I got to this response page.

spoog, land where you asked between DelNorte and Lake City is rather expensive. You might try Creede area or over east a bit in the San Louis valley.
Also, that area gets VERY cold in the winter usually.
As I recall, land prices start around $4K an acre on up in that area.
Too many Texans (sorry if I offended, but it is true!)

jcleveland

I keep my Passenger Side off all of the time. I don't want to forget to shut it off when I put my boy over there. Anyway, the light for off is always lit when the switch is turned to the off position. It blinks a couple of time when I start the truck (system test), but then stays on. Every other truck I've seen with the disable behaves the same.

lcsjff

I am thinking of buying a 2000 XLT SuperCab with the 3.0L flex fuel engine with the 5 speed manual tranny. Anybody have one and like to share their thoughts on it? I would greatly appreciate it.

Joe

sredman1

what are you getting it on and what are you gonna use it for??

hurtubise

Hey, thanks for the links! I'm going to wait until the engine breaks in before I do anything. Air flow in & out can be improved, now I know how!

cpousnr

You can get larger MAF's and throttle bodys that increase power 10-12%, a Turbo charger that takes the hp up to around 235 and 1/4 miles in sub 16 sec at around 88mph, if you got the bucks!

plenty of nice options, wind screens, covers, etc.

Engine breaks in between 5-10K.

lcsjff

I plan on using it to haul bikes back and forth to the trail, camping gear to the camp site no off road though, daily commuting and the usual trips to the local home center.

cpousnr

It would seem that what you plan on doing will be suited to the Ranger you are asking about.

The flexfuel option is very friendly to the enviornment. You should have no problem hauling what you discribe.

You should get a real reasonable price on that model. Check the rebates and papers for some deals.

Best of luck!

cpousnr

with Ford service. There is a fix for the intermittant windshield wiper problem. They replace both the switch and something called a GEM module. So if you got it, they will fix it under warrenty.
Mine reoccured so it goes in tomorrow for service and this plus the TSB on the cow bell sound.

scape2

To add power/responsivness to your 3.0 you may want to add a K&N air charger kit this helped my 4.0 with throttle response.
I too run 89 octane. It makes a difference in engine performance. Some say its all in our heads but I can tell a difference.

xena1a

Thanks for the suggestion Vince. I'll try to locate a K & N air charger kit for my Mazda this weekend.
I really do like this truck. Decent mileage, good build quality, excellent steering and braking. Nice handling. This is my first 4WD, and
it is amazing what these vehicles are capable of scrambling over.
Did you ever add dual exhaust to your Ranger? I noticed many posts back that you were considering it...

hmergler

Yes, I finally got my new Ranger. Picked it up Wed. night. It's great so far... 60 miles. Did have one minor problem though. On the drive home, the battery voltage dropped and the battery light came on. Went right back to the dealer. My salesperson had just left, but they sent me around to the service bay and called to say I was coming. They checked it out and it turns out I had a bad alternator, so they replaced it and the voltage regulator. Au guval, what you gonna do? It runs great and my wife really likes it too. She's actually taking it all next week to work.

- The Merg

scape2

No, the dual exhaust is my next big modification to my Ranger though. I'm saving right now, and with Xmas right around the corner, the wife has other things to do with the money. So, it may be summer sometime before I acutally make the jump.
The Ranger/Mazda are very capable trucks. I feel they are the best compact truck on the market today. What kind of tires come with Mazda's? If they are Firestones, junk them quick. If you do any offroading get either a 265x75R16 all terrain or a 30"/31" all terrain. The Firestones are a joke. The all terrains make a huge difference in how the truck will perform offroad. They also make the truck look 10x better, gives it a whole new look and stance along with more ground clearance.

lcsjff

Thanks for providing me with the info. I has made me feel more at ease with my decision. Now, just a little more time to save for a bigger down payment and I will have one of my own! Unless of cource I find one under the tree Christmas morning!

lcsjff

cpousnr

Hey, I own some property down in Westcliffe. Next time your there, try Medano Pass(takes you to the Sand Dunes), Hayden Pass and Music Pass. Just stay away form Blanco Peak road, eats all but the highly articulated 4X4's.
How do you like those Sangre's?

Another option is the KKM Tru Rev Induction system:
http://www.kustomz.com/cat1.html
Made by Kurtz Kustom Mototsports. It is 89 bucks plus shipping.

xena1a

Thanks for the suggestion on the KKM Tru Rev Induction system. I'll explore that possibility as well.
My wife and I own a few acres up in Antelope Valley. Gorgeous country. We hope to eventually build up there. I bought my Mazda 4WD for the specific purpose of exploring the many off-road
areas of the Sangres and Wet Mountains during my all too brief summer visits.
During late Aug/early Sept, I took drives to the Huerfano Basin and Music Pass. I also went up South Colony as far as the Rainbow Trail and then climbed Mount Humbolt. What a view!!!
My '99 Mazda B3000 4WD enables me to get back into areas that I wasn't able to with my 2WD Chevy 1/2 ton. I consider the Ranger/Mazda trucks to be exceptional products at a reasonable price. I can't wait for my next trip up to the Wet Mountain Valley!

hciaffa

Going through the responses I came across your response #69 and you mention a cow bell sound. Can you elaborate on this. I'm getting a cow bell sound when I put my Ranger (98 XLT Auto, 4x4)into drive or into reverse. It dosen't do this all the time but I'm curious on what it could be. I just had a new drive shaft put on under warranty because of a shuttering feeling when starting off or coming to a stop. What and when is your situation. Thanks

cpousnr

Oh man, we are neighbors. Mine is in Cuerno Verde Pines between Roseta Rd and Airport road. Try the Letter Drop Inn in Roseta. If you come out again, email me at Cpousnr@aol.com and Ill try to hook up for some trips. We want to build next year, a spanish style home.

I just found a new way up to Greenhorn Rd on the Wet Mtns. If you have a San Isabel NF map, follow along. Go so. past marker 47, turn at the Centenial Ranch road, go 10 miles to the "T" go south about 5 miles on the Gardner Rd to FR 630, take it east to FR 404 and it goes right up to the top of the Wet Mtns. Whe i get the pics I'll give you the URL because I was taking shots of the sunset over the Sangre's. There is NO snow up there right now, kinda a bad situation. I started to go into a field after grouse but stopped cause of the cat. convertor. Great grouse hunting in the Wet's.

I tried Music in the summer and had no problem but two weekends ago slid backwards on the last climb just befor the top. Hit a tree to stop me. I was real heavy, 4 people in the truck, wet muddy tires trying to go up ice. Medano is worse than Music but the run goes from Wolf Springs Ranch over to the Sand Dunes.

Man I have put 21K on mine, but I go down hauling water for my trees twice a month when there is no rain/snow. A tree that loves it down there is the Limbur pine, in case your looking for added trees.

hciaffa:
Dont know yet, had to cancel the service but will do it this week. Will post the results here. Have HEARD that Ford put a 2 section driveshaft on some units and it is not working well. They are replacing them. I think mine is a single section shaft.

cpousnr

I made a mistake, the road off of FR 630 is FR 402.

You have a very capable vehicle that will traverse MOST of the roads in the area very well. Only one so far that exceeds my Ranger is one on Blanco Peak up from the San Louis Valley. You have to settle the truck down on the skid plates and get PULLED over 3 rocks. No thanks, the Ranger was inexpensive but not free and I choose not to beat it up like that.

Wish I had know you were there this summer so could have hooked up. Both Medano and Hayden are nice challenging passes, a nod to Medano for the beauty. I will send you a URL on a SUPER 4 wheel drive book on colorado, local company and with shipping only 29 bucks. In color, explains the trails mile by mile so you can set the trip meter. Gives history, degree of difficulty and degree of views on a scale of 1-10. Medano is 4 difficulty, 10 views, Hayden 3 difficulty views 8. Music is not rated but based on going over Medano I would say Music is a 3 difficulty and a 5 views.

xena1a

Thanks for kind words about the Mazda. Actually, the Ranger was my first choice. However, the wife is a confirmed Ford hater. But the Mazda was OK with her!!! Little does she know how closely the two are related. Oh well, it's my dirty little secret...
Yes, we'll try to link up next summer for some off-road fun. I do need to warn you that I am a 4WD novice. In fact, Music Pass was the first time I had ever driven a 4WD vehicle off road! It was a little tense for me, but I took it slow and made it OK. I do need to get some skid plates and better tires, however. I'm still running those Firestone A/T's...
I believe that I have the link for the 4WD books that you mentioned (from a previous post). I'll be ordering those soon. Good luck on your home building in Cuerno Verde. Great area. We looked for land there too. Thanks for all of the inform- ative info on the various boards. It has been very helpful and much appreciated. Later...

Tim

cpousnr

Skid plates can be obtained from Ford for $103 and $23, hardware extra (h/w I think is expensive) You can buy the bolts at a hardware store, used castle nuts and washers and install yourself in about 1/2 hour.
Yes you need slid plates here. Your lucky you did not hit on Music.
Yes keep in touch and if things work out would love to take you up to some places. If you thought the views from Music were great, there are better ones there for the taking.

joejoejoe1

I saw in one message that the 3.0 FFV (I guess for the 2000 model year) does not use standard motor oil (usually between 69 cents and $1 a quart), but it requires a special oil that costs $9 a quart. Is this true?

The message was:
#21 of 78: jhaas (fosterville) Sun 15 Aug '99 (04:46 PM)
I have the 3.0 V6 FFV and had pings around 2500
miles. It went away when i put in 89 octane. I
haven't returned to 87 yet but i'm afraid the ping
will sound again. That's all the dealer can
recommend for now. I'm also disappointed to find
out that these engine doesn't use conventional
motor oil and that FFV oil cost $9.00 a qt.

Also, I am looking at purchasing a Ranger and wondered which engine is more reliable, the 2.5 4 cyl or the 3.0 v6. They are similar in power and the price difference is minor.

scape2

My opinion get the 3.0. As you said the price difference and even the mpg difference is minor. The 3.0 has 152HP and 192ft/lbs of torque in comparison to the 2.5's 120HP and I belieive 148 ft/lbs of torque.
If you get a 4x4 with the 3.0 get the 5spd also with a limited slip 3.73 rearend.

hurtubise

Help! I'm looking for a special product, it is a contraption that bolts to the pickup bed and acts like a big tray. When you drop your tailgate you can pull the tray out for easy access. It is great for those of us with caps installed. If anyone knows where to get one, please respond! Thanks

xena1a

These questions are generally directed to cpousnr and vince8. However, anyone please feel free to respond...

1. Any advantages of installing the K&N Air Charger versus the KKM Tru Rev Pack, or visa versa? These products appear to be for the same purpose - improve the air flow into the engine.

2. By installing one of these two products to increase the air flow into the engine, is the next logical step to also improve the airflow out? That is, an exhaust modification of some sort? Seems like the items 1 and 2 should sort of go hand in hand...

Thanks in advance...

Tim

scape2

Yes, the KKR and the K&N are pretty much the same thing. Allows the engine to breath much easier. I notice the difference in the higer RPM's. I would say about 3rd gear or so. I have also seen other kits available by different manufacturers.
A dual exhaust system would definetly help HP and torque of both a 3.0 and 4.0. This is my next project, hopefully next summer.

cpousnr

I have the KKM. Inexpensiv, $90, and easy to install on a 99. Some older ones require a 95-97 4.0 air pipe, from filter over to fuel distribution which costs $100 additional.

Difference is I think the K&N gives you a different MAF assembly, but it is around $200.
They claim more hp.

I like the KKM, nice sound, crisp acceleration. No real notice of MPG increase.

cpousnr

larger MAF and larger throttle body first to take advantage of more air.

xena1a

vince8 -

You've mentioned that your next Ranger project will be a dual exhaust system. If you could proceed with this right now, what set-up would you have installed? Would it be a true dual? (i.e., 2 cats, two mufflers, two tailpipes) Or would it be what I believe is referred to as a "Catback" system? (i.e., 1 pipe into the muffler from the cat, and 2 pipes out of the muffler). Any details would be appreciated. Thanks...

xena1a

cpousnr and vince8 -

Thanks for the responses concerning my questions about the various air induction products. I will buy one or the other shortly...
Also, you guys have both got great looking trucks. I've seen the pictures. Excellent!!!

scape2

As you say I plan on doing a "true dual" exhaust system. This will give your 3.0 or 4.0 a very noticeable difference and HP/Torque. There are systems available for dual exhaust systems for Ford Rangers. I have found prices ranging from about $700 up to $1200. When the time comes I will do more shopping. And I am going to try to do it myself to save the cost in labor. I hope to find a system that I can bolt together.
Thanks! I really enjoy my Ranger. I get compliments from folks once in a while too.
Need an opinion, with its stepside bed what do you think a matching canopy (fiberglass of course) would look like?

xena1a

Gosh Vince, I'm not sure. I've never seen a shell on a stepside Ranger. So in that regard, it would certainly be distinctive and unique. Do you need the covered storage space that it would provide? If so, then I say get it. However, I will also say that you've already got a great looking truck as is. It all depends a great deal on whether the decision is based on practical needs or is more aesthetically oriented.
The only suggestion I could offer is to look around for either a Ranger or 1/2 ton stepside with a shell. If if pleases you mind's eye, then go for it. If not, well, I believe I mentioned that you already have a great looking truck...

hurtubise

Vince, I've ordered a fiberglass shell for my stepside. They are available from a variety of vendors. Mine will be color matched. The options I went for are tinted glass, sliding side windows, sliding window at front of cap, windows on the flared out part (the cap is as wide as the cab at the front, then flares back to the bed rails), and roof rack mounts so I can use my Thule system. I've seen one on another ranger and it was really sharp. Up here in Maine it'll keep the bed clear of snow and ice and allow my boys (two dogs) to hang out in the back.

scape2

Hurtubise, sounds like a nice one. I am really tossing this around. I did see a Red Ranger stepside with a shell and it looked pretty good. When you get the shell take a picture and post it!
What the hell, take a picture now and post it.

scherf

I have a 2000 Ford Ranger on order. Naturally, I almost fell off the bed when I read I was going to have to pay $9 a quart for oil. I called up the dealer's service department, and they said they have never heard of a special oil for the Flexible Fuel Ranger. They said they've been using regular oil in the Flexible Fuel Taurus for the last 5 years it's been out. They said either the dealers who use a "special" oil either have some sort of special emissions requirement in that state or are ripping people off. I figure if there was something critical, Ford would put in the owner's manual that there's a special oil. I mean, the truck market is too competitive for them not to tell you that your engine will fall apart if you don't use something. Also, why would they not tell a dealer's service department if there were such a thing? Finally, synthetic oil (100%) is at most $5 a quart--what could possibly be in this "special" stuff that would cost $4 a quart more? More than likely, someone is getting ripped off...

devontie

I just picked up my 2000 Ranger super cab XLT on 11/13/99. It has a 3.0 automatic, limited slip, and 4 wheel ABS. I spoke with the service dept. and read the owners manual, the motor uses the same oil as any other engine. The truck is great I love it. Good Luck with yours, I had to wait 6 weeks for it.

brewster3

Just wanted to know if the 3.0 Engine in my '99 Ranger uses a timing belt or chain ??? My wifes '96 Lumina with 3.4 engine just broke the timing belt at 45,000 miles, it was very inconvenient and expensive.

hciaffa

After doing an oil change on my 98 3.0l,I noticed that the drain bolt had what looked like RTV on it and that it was peeling off, as well as that there is an 'O'ring thats some how fused to the bolt flange. Anyway I went to the dealer to get a new 'O' ring and I was told that Ford has dicontinued a seperate O ring replacement but has redesigned the bolt with the O ring impregnated into the flange with a different compound (the RTV material was coming off and there was a possibility it could get into an oil channel and block it up). The parts guy said that this plug should be good for a couple of oil changes then you would have to get a new one, also you don't have to tighten this one down as hard. Has anyone run into this or has anyone tried using a fiber or nylon washer without any oil leaking these bolts go for around $7.00 each.

sredman1

Ive seen a couple Ranger stepsides with caps, they look really good... there are a few good pics of them in the Leer catalog..

xena1a

Has anyone switched from 15 to 16 inch rims on their Ranger or B-Series? I know that I will eventually replace the Firestone A/T's on my B3000. I'll probably go with the BFG's (not sure what size yet). I was wondering if it is also worth considering moving up to 16 inch rims. My truck is a 5-speed manual, 4WD. Advantages? Disadvantages? Potential problems? Any input would be appreciated. Thanks in advance...

scape2

See what I mean, there is hindsite again. First a peacmaker then a warrior, LOL. This guy talks out boths sides of his mouth. At least I have held steady on my position as the Ranger being the best compact truck on the market today!

cpousnr

BFG AT KOs are $100 for 31X10.5X15's and $117-120 for 265X75X16's and the tire elevation is the same.

Is there a real choice here? I would stay with the 15's. That is one reason I did not go for the off-road option and was willing to add my skid plates afterward.

JMPNJO

After reviewing responses #7, 8, 9, 11 I was really glad to learn others have experienced the same klunk or cow bell noise that my truck makes. I'm driving a '99 Ranger, 4x4, 4.0, 5sp auto and the dealer thinks I'm nuts and that I'm making a mountain out of a mole hill. The noise occurs when starting out or accelerating if coming out of a coast mode. Seems like excessive loosness in the drivetrain. Very infrequent. Hard to recreate when the dealer is ridding with me. When the transmission/driveline specialist drove with me he said the noise was due to loosness in the driveline system and I should learn to live with it. (Fourth time at two different dealers for this item)
So far them have only removed diff case cover and checked backlash, readings are aok.

Response #11 from hciaffa seems dead on. He/She says replacement of the driveline is the cure. Makes really good sense to me. Not to doubt hciaffa, but does anyone have a Ford Service number or some such for this? I think the dealer would be happy to help me (and get me off their back) if I could provide him with some type of official or FMC recommended fix. Thanks