1998 Ford Ranger XLT supercab 4x4 from North America - Comments

Heads replaced at 100,000 miles.

Drivers seat is broken down badly.

The gas mileage was horrible from day one averaging 15-16 mpg highway at its best. Then at 100,000 miles it kept fouling spark plugs. So found both heads to be cracked and were replaced with new. Gas mileage instantly went from previous to 18-20 mpg highway. I found out through the mechanic that to repair the old heads was going to be more expensive than buying new. Why you ask, well I did too. It seems the original heads were not thick enough in certain areas, so to meet spec. material would have to be added and then machined to match what a new head would be. I bought the new ones of course.

Few other minor problems. Lights on cruise control buttons went out. Steering wheel shows wear, small stuff like that. But let me just say that I've drove the heck out of this truck for five years now and with 148,000 miles its went well beyond meeting my expectations. Its never left me stranded. Drinks regular leaded gasoline like its premium, it doesn't care how cheap the gas or what the octane. I've actually been looking at buying something else. But after reading things on this site. Maybe I should stick with what I know works.

THIS TRUCK ROCKS! NO RUST, and RUNS BETTER THAN THE DAY I BOUGHT IT!!

Don't have one? Get one!

I also have a 98 4.0L Automatic. SWEET TRUCK. It has 130000 miles on it and there is nothing wrong with it. All I have done is changed the oil and put gas in it. It just keeps going. I bought it for 5500 and it has never let me down. Great buy!!

I have a 96 4 litre 4x4 supercab and agree its generally excellent. My gas mileage isn't very good either though, and my engine is fine. However things you should watch out for (I have less mileage than you and already dealt with) :

- If you have an auto tranny, watch out. Based on the A4LD (LD stands for Light Duty!!! from the 1980s Aerostar) this tranny is the weak link in the drivetrain. Note shift 'flares' between 2nd and 3rd especially, and slow engagements, for signs of trouble.

- Heater control valve is notorious for slow leaks.

- Ball joints and tie rods wore prematurely.

- Emissions control components (EGR valve, etc) rusted out causing stalling condition.

- Door ajar light can stick. Spray WD40 into door latch switches. My right-side cruise control lights also went out, but came back on by themselves a few weeks later ??

- Automatic hubs and transfer case motor can fail. Though shift-on-the-fly supposedly is offered, I suggest only engaging at a stop to prevent wear.

- Mice built a nest on my engine. Watch out for this... lots of dry shredded paper and leaves, just waiting to ignite. There is a passage from behind the glove box to the engine bay, they used this passage to collect nesting materials.

I just bought a 1998 Ford Ranger truck from a Ford dealer on Monday, and while driving it home, I experienced a banging noise coming from the upper radiator hose by the thermostat, and lo and behold, the problem is there is air getting in the cooling system from a leak behind the timing cover, which is causing it to get air into system, then another test was done on the oxygen sensors, and both came out with a little green on it, which means there is possibility that the head gasket is going to start leaking...

I paid 4,500 for the truck and bought it as is... with 100 thousand miles on it.

Great car, have 160,000 miles on it and it is still running strong!