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01-19-2017, 08:08 AM
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Ford Truck Driver
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Join Date: Jan 2017
Posts: 77
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Helping my son buy his first Ranger
First post here - thanks in advance for any info and insight!
My son has saved up some money and decided he wants a Ranger for his first car.
We found a single owner 2006 FX4 Level II for sale locally but it has 190,000 miles on it. It appears well cared for and has been regularly serviced.
The only major repairs have been water pump and t-stat replacement.
I've had a couple of Ford trucks but never a Ranger, and I'm not familiar with the 4.0L V-6.
What issues should we be concerned with on a high mileage car like this? I have read about some transmission issues and also can chain tensioner issues but those seem to affect the earlier model years more so than the '06.
I want him to have a car that is reliable enough to take down to Baja or up into the hills camping/hunting/fishing and not leave him stranded.
Thanks again for any advice you can share!
BTW, here is a pic of the truck. I'm assuming it is a LII because of the wheels since there is no sticker. As just says FX4 (haven't inspected it in person yet). Did the regular FX4 come with these wheels?
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Last edited by SBh2oMan; 01-19-2017 at 08:16 AM.
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01-19-2017, 08:25 AM
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Ford Ranger Driver
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Join Date: Feb 2012
Posts: 2,172
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Quote:
Originally Posted by SBh2oMan
First post here - thanks in advance for any info and insight! My son has saved up some money and decided he wants a Ranger for his first car. We found a single owner 2006 FX4 Level II for sale locally but it has 190,000 miles on it. It appears well cared for and has been regularly serviced. The only major repairs have been water pump and t-stat replacement. I've had a couple of Ford trucks but never a Ranger, and I'm not familiar with the 4.0L V-6. What issues should we be concerned with on a high mileage car like this? I have read about some transmission issues and also can chain tensioner issues but those seem to affect the earlier model years more so than the '06. I want him to have a car that is reliable enough to take down to Baja or up into the hills camping/hunting/fishing and not leave him stranded. Thanks again for any advice you can share! BTW, here is a pic of the truck. I'm assuming it is a LII because of the wheels since there is no sticker. As just says FX4 (haven't inspected it in person yet). Did the regular FX4 come with these wheels? Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
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Welcome to the site!
Timing chain issues were pretty much worked out by 06. The auto transmission that ford put behind the 4.0s is pretty reliable if you don't over work it.
Looks to be a level II, I don't believe the regular FX4s ever came in two tone paint, but I could be mistaken.
__________________
2002 Ford Ranger XLT 4x4, ext. cab, 4.0L v6
Superlifted 33x12.5 Duratracs
1995 Ford Ranger STX 4x4 ext. cab 4.0l v6 SOLD
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01-19-2017, 08:30 AM
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Ford Ranger Dismantler
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Join Date: Nov 2014
Posts: 7,008
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It's a pretty good truck. I believe (from what I've read on forums) that the early SOHC 4.0 had tensioner issues like 01-03.
Transmissions are pretty good too. The 5R55E is a good tranny, just of course they don't like heat like all transmissions.
Truck could have been re-painted. It doesn't even have the FX4 sticker let alone the Level II stickers. Those wheels didn't come on the Regular FX4's.
The differences are very minor. It should have three skid plates and a 31 spline axle.
Should have come factory with Bilstein shocks and 31" BFGoodrich All Terrains but those are normal wear and tear items that have probably been replaced.
Only thing that should decide your purchase is the price.
__________________
2007 Regular Cab - 2.3 DOHC - 5 Speed Auto - 4.10 Gears - Maxtrac 7" Lift - Fiberwerx 3" Fenders - Bilstein 5100 Series - 15x10 Ultra 164's - 35x12.50x15 Red Letters - Custom dents
Quote:
Originally Posted by guell
People like him make me believe that birth control needs to be put in the public water supply
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01-19-2017, 08:33 AM
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Ford Tough
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Join Date: Oct 2016
Posts: 318
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Re: Helping my son buy his first Ranger
all used cars are being sold for a reason, so its really up to you to determine what that reason is, and if you're willing to take it on.
Few things to do:
1) Check for rust. Just about any mechanical issue can be resolved for a reasonable amount of money, or if your son is willing, blood sweat, and tears. But things like rust can take a car off the road quicky, and is very costly and time consuming to repair. I would avoid a rusty car at all costs...
2) check for a comprehensive service history. Sounds like this person may have one. If somebody has kept records, that means that they have done their due diligence to keep the car running well.
3) put aside $1000 on top of the purchase price of the vehicle. If something goes catastrophically wrong in the first few months, You'll have the money to repair it. That will buy you a junk yard engine/transmission, or just about any other single major repair or a number of smaller ones.
4) Find a mechanic you trust and schedule a prepurchase inspection. A lot of shops will do this for minimal cost. Some even do it for free! I They take a half hour to an hour and do a one over on the car, and tell you what they think of it. worth every penny and then some. Don't let their report scare you, they are looking for anything and everything that could be possibly need to be repaired, Look for real issues on big ticket items.
5) test drive it and other similar trucks. Drive it around and see if it "feels" right. I've bought and sold a lot of cars (30+) over the years, and you can often feel if the car feels Good. Go drive some other ones with less miles, or newer, or what have you. so you can compare how the cars feel to each other. They should feel fairly similar.
Plenty of 4.0's have high mileage, 250k+, but those are ones that have been maintained and repaired as needed. what this one will need is up in the air until you actually look at it. Its a good looking truck, looks clean at least from the picture. What are they asking for it?
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01-19-2017, 08:40 AM
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Ford Truck Driver
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Join Date: Jan 2017
Posts: 77
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Re: Helping my son buy his first Ranger
Quote:
Originally Posted by aroundincircles
all used cars are being sold for a reason, so its really up to you to determine what that reason is, and if you're willing to take it on.
Few things to do:
1) Check for rust. Just about any mechanical issue can be resolved for a reasonable amount of money, or if your son is willing, blood sweat, and tears. But things like rust can take a car off the road quicky, and is very costly and time consuming to repair. I would avoid a rusty car at all costs...
2) check for a comprehensive service history. Sounds like this person may have one. If somebody has kept records, that means that they have done their due diligence to keep the car running well.
3) put aside $1000 on top of the purchase price of the vehicle. If something goes catastrophically wrong in the first few months, You'll have the money to repair it. That will buy you a junk yard engine/transmission, or just about any other single major repair or a number of smaller ones.
4) Find a mechanic you trust and schedule a prepurchase inspection. A lot of shops will do this for minimal cost. Some even do it for free! I They take a half hour to an hour and do a one over on the car, and tell you what they think of it. worth every penny and then some. Don't let their report scare you, they are looking for anything and everything that could be possibly need to be repaired, Look for real issues on big ticket items.
5) test drive it and other similar trucks. Drive it around and see if it "feels" right. I've bought and sold a lot of cars (30+) over the years, and you can often feel if the car feels Good. Go drive some other ones with less miles, or newer, or what have you. so you can compare how the cars feel to each other. They should feel fairly similar.
Plenty of 4.0's have high mileage, 250k+, but those are ones that have been maintained and repaired as needed. what this one will need is up in the air until you actually look at it. Its a good looking truck, looks clean at least from the picture. What are they asking for it?
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Thank you. All good sound advice and pretty much what I do for every car I buy (except a Volvo wagon for my daughter that she fell in love with and ended up being a money pit). [Lesson to Dads: don't take your precious daughter with you when you look at cars!]
The seller is asking $5k and has some service records but not all. Offered to put me in touch with his mechanic.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
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01-19-2017, 08:41 AM
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Old man driver.
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Join Date: Nov 2009
Posts: 14,894
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Re: Helping my son buy his first Ranger
Don't use wheels, decals, or really anything to "Guess" what sub model of Ranger it is. Many Ranger owners will change out, swap, remove items to change the appearance of their truck. Best bet. Run the Vin. number and see exactly what model of ranger it is.
__________________
2001 Ranger Edge 4x4 (sold)
2006 F150 Lariat 4x4 (sold)
2007 Explorer XLT (Destroyed by Deer on highway)
2014 Explorer XLT (inherited from parents)
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01-19-2017, 08:44 AM
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Ford Tough
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Join Date: Oct 2016
Posts: 318
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Re: Helping my son buy his first Ranger
That's a good sign for the car for sure. I would talk to the mechanic. Ask him what he thinks. Bought a car once, brought it in for an inspection, mechanic asked me what I paid for it, then offered me $500 on top of that so he could buy it from me, it was in such good condition and I got such a good deal on it.
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01-19-2017, 08:51 AM
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Ford Truck Driver
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Join Date: Jan 2017
Posts: 77
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Re: Helping my son buy his first Ranger
Good advice, terrenceStuart. One of the things I find attractive about this particular Ranger is that it is a single owner vehicle, purchased new from dealer, bone stock (according to owner) and is his 3rd Ranger. He is selling to buy a larger truck because he needs room for a family now. Unlike other Rangers I've looked at, it hasn't been owned by a succession of teenagers applying random customizations on a shoe string. (And I was one of those teenagers many years ago!).
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
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Update on model specifics: just got an email from owner:
" I still have the Window Sticker at home. If I recall right it's not list as a level II but does have the upgraded wheels. It originally came with BGF AT tires but I when to the KO's and now the KO2's. It has power windows and door locks, cruise control, AC, AM/FM with CD player and tape deck and skid plates. I added a hitch and the wiring was already in place. This model has no carpet in it. The only fabric is the bucket seats. Everything else is a rubber type material. "
Skid plates from dealer = Level II, right?
Or could it just be a 4x4 XLT with a bunch of dealer-added upgrades? I guess I'll run the VIN and find out.
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01-19-2017, 09:54 AM
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5.Oh All the way
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Join Date: May 2009
Posts: 6,603
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Re: Helping my son buy his first Ranger
What kind of seats are in it? If it has leather or cloth with red or blue inserts, its a true Level II. If it has black seats with light grey inserts, its an FX4. I about know its not a butchered up xlt because of the fender flares and wheels
__________________
2014 F150 SuperCrew XLT 4x4
275/65/17 Falken Wildpeak AT3W | Shorty Antenna | Tinted Windows | ProClip Phone Mount |5.0 v8 |Tow Package | Oxford White
Sold/Totaled: 2006 Ranger XLT 2D SuperCap 4x4 Torch Red
15x8 Pacer 164P Polished Wheels | 31x10.50 BFG ATs | Level II Tow Hooks | FX4 Red Insert Seats
Tinted Windows | 6000K HIDs | Kobalt Low Profile Toolbox | Pioneer Speakers
Last edited by dixie_boysles; 01-19-2017 at 09:56 AM.
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01-19-2017, 11:10 AM
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Like the Forums
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Join Date: Oct 2016
Posts: 34
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Re: Helping my son buy his first Ranger
Painted bumpers and lower body may be plastic-dip. My 05 Dark Shadow Gray has an all black interior with leather seats. Those wheels may be polished. I like the look of those larger fender moldings, mine aren't as large. Here is a bit I copied from somewhere on differences.
FX4 adds: Limited-slip rear axle, black wheel-lip moldings, skid plates, premium shocks, step bars, 16-inch, five-spoke aluminum wheels, all-terrain tires, rear jump seats, tilt leather-wrapped steering wheel with speed control, power windows, mirrors and locks with remote keyless entry.
FX4 Level II adds: Torsen limited-slip rear axle, body-color grille surround, bright front tow hooks, rear tow hook, 15-inch forged Alcoa aluminum wheels with 31-inch by 10.5-inch BF Goodrich All-Terrain “KO” T/A tires, skid plates front, mid and aft, Bilstein shocks, unique two-tone bucket seats, center console, chrome shifter (manual) and AM/FM stereo with MP3/CD player and cassette.
__________________
2005 FX4 II
Dark Shadow Gray
Black leather buckets and interior
L/S 8.8" 4.10
5 speed Auto
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01-19-2017, 11:35 AM
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Ford Truck Driver
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Join Date: Jan 2017
Posts: 77
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Helping my son buy his first Ranger
Interesting. This truck definitely has the body colored grill surround, center console, Alcoa wheels, & skid plates but no bright front tow hooks. I guess I'll find out about the rest this weekend.
Last edited by SBh2oMan; 01-19-2017 at 11:41 AM.
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01-19-2017, 11:51 AM
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Bringing hell to the city
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Join Date: Feb 2015
Posts: 2,585
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Re: Helping my son buy his first Ranger
If you get the vin, run it on Etis.Ford.com and compare it to the list of what the Level 2s have. If it doesn't have all of that on the build sheet, it's not a Level 2
__________________
Baby Girl: 2006 White Ranger XL with many memories. R.I.P. 1/26/15
Quote:
Originally Posted by Logan03CO
I knew you were an alright guy!
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ford4thot
The only reason it's worn out junk is because you've gone 70k miles without changing the oil.
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01-19-2017, 12:05 PM
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Ford Ranger Dismantler
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Join Date: Nov 2014
Posts: 7,008
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I believe the Level II's come with optional rubber floors, so it wouldn't necessarily be carpet.
Remember there are some things that are more "permanent" that wouldn't be sold for a quick buck. Level II tow hooks or the Alcoas, if the trucks owner knows a few things about the demand for those items amongst Ranger owners, that's what I would replace/remove for a few bucks.
I wouldn't see the skid plates or the seats/floor as "5 minute removal for 50 bucks"
And since he said "bucket seats" I'm assuming it's not a 60/40 "bench seat" like the rest of the 5th generation rangers. Meaning maybe it has a full center console. That's what I'm getting out of it.
__________________
2007 Regular Cab - 2.3 DOHC - 5 Speed Auto - 4.10 Gears - Maxtrac 7" Lift - Fiberwerx 3" Fenders - Bilstein 5100 Series - 15x10 Ultra 164's - 35x12.50x15 Red Letters - Custom dents
Quote:
Originally Posted by guell
People like him make me believe that birth control needs to be put in the public water supply
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01-19-2017, 12:10 PM
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That Ford Fanatic
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Join Date: Jan 2017
Posts: 115
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Re: Helping my son buy his first Ranger
Quote:
Originally Posted by SBh2oMan
Thank you. All good sound advice and pretty much what I do for every car I buy (except a Volvo wagon for my daughter that she fell in love with and ended up being a money pit). [Lesson to Dads: don't take your precious daughter with you when you look at cars!]
The seller is asking $5k and has some service records but not all. Offered to put me in touch with his mechanic.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
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Idk how it is out where you are, but in Tennessee that is a steal. Even 06+ ranger 4x4s with that kind of mileage are still going for $10k plus.
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01-19-2017, 12:13 PM
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Ford Truck Driver
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Join Date: Jan 2017
Posts: 77
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Re: Helping my son buy his first Ranger
Quote:
Originally Posted by Tyler46
. Meaning maybe it has a full center console. That's what I'm getting out of it.
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In his description he refers to "bucket seats and center console with AM/FM/CD player"
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