1998 Ford Ranger XLT 4.0v6

Summary:

The ford ranger is a great and dependable truck

Faults:

So far I have put on 3 power-steering pumps, but that was due to them putting in the wrong pump, finally the 3rd time they did it right. Other than that I have only put a thermostat on. Nothing else has been done to this truck except for a intake and a 70mm MAFS. It is a very tough truck. I have drove this truck for about 17k. I have run at the 1/4 track (ran a 17.5 @75mph) 15 plus times and also go four wheeling on the weekends once in a awhile and still feels and runs just like new.

General Comments:

This is an a amazing truck. Extremly reliable and has some decent power. For anyone looking for a great truck this is what your looking for.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 5th October, 2004

1998 Ford Ranger XLT 4x4 4.0L V6

Summary:

As far as compact trucks go, this is the beast among children

Faults:

-Door Ajar sensor wasn't working. A $4 can of WD-40 fixed it 8 months ago.

-Oxygen (O2) sensors have gone bad, but I can't remember which ones.

-An exhaust lifter has gone bad, but that was my fault. I added a molasses like engine treatment to my oil.

-Rear Output shaft seal had been leaking before I purchased the truck. 11,000 miles later, I have not changed it and only just now am I noticing something isn't right. Will cost some $50 to fix permanently.

General Comments:

-The 4.0L engine is rarely beat at a green light. She out-dragged one of those little Hondas not too long ago.

-4x4 made a weird noise a while back, but it fixed itself. Its fun, and I can't remember how many cars she pulled out of ditches last winter.

-Tons of leg room upfront, and in back my friends can fit, though with a bit of difficulty.

-If I had $30,000 right now, I wouldn't buy a new truck, I'd have a supercharger and duel exhaust put in.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 7th July, 2004

8th Feb 2005, 00:05

I totally agree the ford ranger has a great acceleration and can beat quite a few imports. The 4x4 on it makes noises at times, but once you hook up to something nothing can stop it its quite the pickup and I'm going to put some money into mine also to make it really scream.

1998 Ford Ranger XLT 3.0

Summary:

Ranger...will turn Chevy boys into Ford men

Faults:

The serpentine belt squeaks. It was replaced by the dealer before I bought it. The clutch makes this weird squeal noise sometimes when I take off slowly or when cold. Dome light stays on sometimes after the door is closed longer than it should.

General Comments:

Love the handling of this truck. Takes curves like a car. Is quicker than it feels. Very comfortable ride.

Roomy interior for a compact truck. The seats are comfortable and my regular cab has good leg room for being almost 6 ft tall.

Not too impressed by the climate controls. The fan needs five speeds, instead of four. Due to the fan is either barely on, to noticeably on, to full blast. You also cannot manually turn off the A/C so you can run the cold air from outside on all settings, instead of only two. There is no in between on the temperature settings either.

The 3.0 feels a little under powered. Just feels like it wants to go faster, but can't. As far as I know the truck is purely stock. I have looked for upgrade parts, but have found little for the 3.0 engine.

For as popular as the Ranger is you sure can't find any performance parts for it. Had the same problem with my old 1991 2.3 Ranger. That's another posting in the works.

Overall, if you are looking for a truck that you can beat the snot out of, the Ranger is your best bet. Many can attest to that.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 20th June, 2004

25th Jun 2005, 06:41

The Ranger dome light switch is in the door latch. Occasionally, the dome light would stay on in my '98 Ranger after I shut the door (s). I sprayed Radio Shack tuner cleaner on the door latches. This usually clears up the problem for a month or two.