Faults:

Just Purchased A 1998 Ford Ranger Super Cab XLT 4x4 4.0L. I purchased the truck for $8000.00 because the truck was still Cherry!. The 4th day of ownership, with my A/C running at Max... I switched on the 4x4 high to engage the front axle. All of a sudden my A/C automatically switched to defrost mode by itself. Because now my A/C just blew Defrost and of course my front windshield frosted up quickly! And to my amazement my 4wd High/Low Light Blinked 6 times every minute. I took it to the dealer 2 days later. Dealer told me that a vacuum leak was the culprit for both incidents (A/C Blend Door & Slight Vacuum Hose leak to Electronic Front Hubs). Also, I needed to replace the 4x4 Solenoid to engage my 4x4 high/low! Also, they highly recommend me replacing the Upper/Lower Ball Joints & Arms. Dang It!!! Now I'm a thinkin' if I bought someone else's HEADACHE!!!

General Comments:

Overall, I really like the compact and size of this truck besides the headache and money being dished out for fixing purposes. Once all is complete and done. I believe I have a Good and Hopeful Long Lasting Truck. I'd better because my wife is Now In Love With This Truck. She wants me to Purchase the New 2008 Ford F350 Crew Cab Long Bed Dually 4x4. Cheeee Hoooooo!!!

Faults:

The worst problem with this truck has been the clutch. In the 5 years I owned it it's had to be replaced 3 times. Even with a brand new clutch, it's rattled back and forth when in neutral or with the pedal down. I don't know if the first shop that did the clutch damaged my transmission or if it's an issue with the ranger.

The shocks/ball joints went squeaky after owning the car a year or so (~80k miles) This may have been from taking it off-roading. I never had money to replace them.

The tilt-back lever broke off both front seats.

The rear differential went out back in Dec 05. My guess it was at about 120k miles.

I had to replace the radiator (it had a leak for a while that slowly got worse) about 6 months ago (~155k miles) This was the least expensive repair.

A/C has been extremely weak for several months, even after adding refrigerant.

I've pretty much given up on it now (173k miles). The clutch lost pressure, clutch fluid all leaked out on the road and the mechanic said the transmission may be burnt.

General Comments:

Even with all of the repairs it's been fairly reliable. I've had many to list simple because of owning the car five years. The gas mileage was mediocre (~17mpg avg) even though it should be higher for this truck. The ride is somewhat bumpy, though the interior isn't bad. I got the inside really filthy working construction, but still was able to clean it up well a few months ago. I can't believe the original CD player and sound system still works (when you hear squeaks, just turn up the tunes!)

The engine seems to be the most reliable part of the ranger. Though it doesn't accelerate very fast, it gets decent torque. I've towed several cars with it.

I believe I got my money's worth out of it, paying originally about $9000 and getting 125k miles out of my ownership. In repairs I probably spent $2000-3000 over 5 years.