1998 Ford Ranger XLT Super Cab 4x4 3.0L V6

Summary:

Reliable, economical, and comfortable

Faults:

CD player inoperative.

No other problems. Perform regular maintenance such as brakes, U-joints, and oil changes - truck is easy to repair.

General Comments:

Bought this truck as a winter vehicle and make trips to Lowe's and the landfill.

Paid about $5500 and have been very pleased with the purchase.

Does great in snow, and tows a 2000lb. trailer adequately.

I generally get 20mpg with mixed driving.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 4th November, 2005

1998 Ford Ranger XLT, Stepside 3.0

Summary:

The Ford Ranger is an excellent truck, for all purposes.

Faults:

Faulty switch for the dome light, around 90,000 miles. Disconnected the bulbs for the time being, but had a replacement switch on the way.

Stock CD player would make a chafing sound when playing brand new discs, worked just fine playing burned ones.

General Comments:

This truck handled wonderfully.

With the right weight in the back for winter, 2WD does just fine.

Stock CD player was more than enough after I replaced it with an identical one I bought off Ebay, speakers put out decent sound.

Bottom line, my Ranger saved my life. Bad weather caused a crash (10/25/05), full end over end flip, and although the truck is totaled the cab held up well enough that I could walk away from it; airbags and seat belts worked excellently. So, in that aspect, it receives a pretty high safety rating from me. I'm not sure I'd have survived in anything else.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 3rd November, 2005

1998 Ford Ranger XLT 4.0

Summary:

Good allaround truck for the money

Faults:

Power Steering Pump 20,000.

Clutch slave three times 18,000 first time, 28,000 second time, 40,000 third time.

Front hub assembly self-destructed 33,000.

4x4 Electronic actuator quit 35,000.

Interor light/door switch countless times, WD-40 fixes.

Refused to go into low range 4,000 and 10,000 miles.

Rear end seals 40,000 and 88,000.

Stereo hasn't worked since 20,000.

Waterpump at 70,000 and 90,000.

The WORST heater of any vehicle I have ever owned.

General Comments:

All the problems that I have encountered were repaired under the warranty by Ford dealer until 50,000 and they worked with me after 50,000 because they agree I have a lemon. That being said, I still love this truck. It has suitable power, great legroom, pulls any trailer I put behind it and does well in reasonable amounts of snow. My 5th Ranger and I would buy another.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 15th July, 2005

1998 Ford Ranger XLT 4.0 V6

Summary:

Perfect truck for commute, fun, and light utility use

Faults:

Had to replace turn signal switch at 65,000 miles. Switch cost $60.00 at the dealer and I installed it myself. Easy fix.

Check engine light came on at 70,500 miles. Cleared computer and the light stayed off.

General Comments:

The 4.0 liter gets good gas mileage for a truck. I get around 18 with a mix of highway/city and just under 23 when driving cross-country.

Seats are comfortable and plenty of room for the driver.

Back seat is not made for adults, works best for small kids or groceries.

Transmission and engine seem to lag a bit. The truck doesn't "snap" when you hit the gas. Newer models of the 4.0 liter have more than 200HP compared to mine which is around 160HP.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 21st June, 2005

1998 Ford Ranger XLT 2.5 4 cylinder

Summary:

Fun, reliable, and cheap

Faults:

Brakes pads 72000.

Timing belt 72000 (preventative maintenance) do it yourself cheaper and prety easy to replace.

Regular service, oil changes, tires, battery, coolant flush, transmission fluid change.

General Comments:

Awesome truck. Very reliable. I would recommend it to anyone. Comfortable ride, very good power for a 4cyl truck. Maintenance is low cost. I would buy another one in a heart beat. I wouldn't recommend raising the truck. They roll very easy when raised. Mine was a 2wd with a 3 inch lift. The truck rolls over like no other. Just be careful. Don't be stupid, and you should be fine. Was a great truck while it lasted.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 8th May, 2005

1998 Ford Ranger XLT 4 cylinder.

Summary:

Extremely reliable and tough truck!

Faults:

2 Weeks after I bought the truck it would not start. Can't recall which sensor fixed the problem, but it was covered under warranty.

At 75k the alternator went out.

At about 100k both of the rear leaf springs broke and I had never fixed them b/c I never haul anything. Just rides a little lower in the back now.

At 145k the front stabilizers went out along with the rear u-joint.

Whining noise when sitting in idle and turning the wheel even after the power steering was flushed and replaced.

161k had the first tune up done.

General Comments:

I am extremely impressed with this truck! But have to upgrade due to size constraints of the regular cab.

I have spent very little for breakdown problems over the 5 years and 137k miles I have owned this vehicle.

Gets oil changes only about every 6k to 10k miles. I drive about 2.5k a month.

I found a 94 Jeep Grand Cherokee with 111k miles on it in great condition for $2,000. I can't pass it up. I hope I don't regret getting rid of the Rangermobile.

Would recommend to anyone.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 17th March, 2005