98 Ford Ranger

[KeepTryin]

Looking at a Ranger 4wd club cab 98 with a 3.0. Is this a descendant of the German 'Taunus' Capri 2.8 engine? In which case I'm liking it. Have some experience with them... Anything else to look for besides obvious undercarriage abuse issues?

Thanks
Tryin

[spruce]

I believe the whole series of Ranger engines were "stretched out" (all the way to 4.0L) versions of a smaller original engine, but not sure what the original was.

Had a 2000 4.0Ranger 4wd auto trans.  It is the main reason I now have a Tacoma!

Between 90,000 and 105,000 miles I had the trans rebuilt, upper control arms replaced, and the 4wd was acting up when I traded it off.

Look at the front wheels (from the front) and you'll see a lot of Rangers on the road with the top of the front wheels tipped inward (camber) and the inside edges of the tires worn.  This will require replacing the upper control arms and getting it realigned.  IIRC this cost me about $550.

As a "bonus" the gas mileage on the 4.0L I had was terrible!!!  Don't know about the 3.0 version.

[markc]

Had a 93 with the 3.0.  It was better than the old 2.7, or 2.8 in the Bronco II, but it was weak, and at 155,000 miles a freeze plug blew out and ruined the motor.  That was the first and last Ranger for me.  The tranny had gone out much earlier, the AC right after the warranty went out.