Hi all. New here and really am just looking for some info on a truck I am looking at. Right now I drive a 06 Ford F150 but am looking to get out from under the payment so I am selling it.

A guy offered me a 1998 Ranger XLT 4X4 extended cab 4 door, 4.0, 5spd manual and cash in trade. It has 187000 but everything looks to have been taken care of pretty well and its a good looking truck. It does have an A/C leak but everything else works and its pretty well equipped. Is there anything in particular to look for? Build dates that had more problems, certain tell tell signs of ongoing or previous issues, or just general problems those trucks have. i.e. the spark plug debacle in the 2004-06 F150s.

I know I will be getting something that will need some sort of maintenance I am just trying to arm myself the best I can so I hopefully don't get screwed over. I am looking for this to be a 3 year vehicle. I don't drive a ton just back and forth to work, hunting and a few errands here and there.

Found out the truck has a bad O2 sensor as well. It is running good and strong. Idles well and sounds good. What usually causes the O2 sensors to go. Is it a relatively easy fix? We thought it was the left rear O2 sensor.