4.0 1999 ford ranger reliability?

Posted by Whole-Roof-8310@reddit | askcarguys | View on Reddit | 18 comments

Thinking about getting one of these guys, the manual as I don't trust ford automatic transmissions, and the pushrod, not the sohc with timing issues. I can deal with old car quirks but I'm a little afraid of ford with all the "haha found on road dead" or "fix or repair daily". Are these trucks the trusty work horses everyone claims they are or do ford owners just not know what it's like to drive a reliable car?

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One_Evil_Monkey@reddit

Aside from opting for a Ranger...

You've made a pretty wise choice with the pushrod OHV and manual.

Engine's are pretty solid. Keep up with regular OCIs. Good oil, no more than 5k miles between.

The Mazda sourced transmissions are decent enough but synchros are a bit of weak point. It's a truck, not a sports car, treat accordingly. Pretty sure it's the M5OD transmission... and as such believe it or not it uses Mercon V. Which is AUTOMATIC trans fluid. Just be sure to use a quality stuff. Motorcraft is your best bet but Royal Purple is also good choice. Either way, go synthetic. Recommended changes are 50k miles. I suggest every 30k.

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Whole-Roof-8310@reddit (OP)

What's the reason for the automatic fluid?

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One_Evil_Monkey@reddit

Because that's what it was designed to use and what Ford/Mazda specifies for the M5OD transmission.

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Glum-Welder1704@reddit

My 1996 Ranger with a 4.0 is still running. It had about 150k on it when the odometer quit in 2018. If you have a mechanical trip meter, don't zero it while moving.

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ActionJackson75@reddit

Good engine but 27 years old is never going to be a super reliable car. The engine can be great but there’s a bunch of other ways it can leave you stranges

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Whole-Roof-8310@reddit (OP)

I'm no stranger to 30 or 40 year old shitboxes Im just not super knowledgeable on ford engines so I feel ok with it's age and it's spent it's life in Colorado so I'm not TOO worried about rust

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itchybiscut9273@reddit

Buy it, do a complete suspension overhaul on it and you'll be pretty much worry free for awhile

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Dorsai56@reddit

It's a solid truck. I used to drive one. My son drives it now.

Do your maintenance and you'll be fine.

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Many-Pomegranate-33@reddit

Cam sensor shaft common issue but not a biggie overall.

Keeping up on coolant system is biggest key on any of those yrs of Fords

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mckenzie_keith@reddit

I had one with a bunch of missing parts. I think I paid 250 bucks for it because there was 9 months left on the registration and it was not stolen. It ran really badly. Not a chance in hell of passing smog, so I never even tried to register it in my name. Suspension was messed up too. It would kind of jump sideways every time I hit a big bump. But it had been spray painted black and graffiti'd on. So cops constantly pulled in behind me and ran the plates. Never got pulled over though. That's how I know it was not reported stolen.

On its last day, it literally made it to the car wreckers and then wouldn't start. But the engine was still warm so the guy gave me 50 bucks for it anyway.

Ford fucken ranger.

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Amarathe_@reddit

Best thing ford ever made

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qkdsm7@reddit

Pushrod 6, clutch pedal, zero concerns.

sohc 4.0, automatic, run away....

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