11th Oct 2004, 20:35

I own the 2000 XLT 4 wheel drive with the 5 speed automatic transmission, I have been the only owner, pushing 50,000 Miles and have from time to time driven it hard!, When I start and stop I get that "clunk" in the back end, it has done it forever!, My transmission doesn't slip, in-fact I still find I have better torque, and nice shifting. I love this truck it was worth every penny that I paid for it. Dealerships when they see it want to buy it from me. WHAT A GREAT TRUCK!!!

12th Oct 2004, 19:28

The comment that I read about the clunking is probably your rear end about to go out. The same thing just happened to me.

Bought it used, it looks great, but this is going to cost at lest 1200 bucks.

This is the first thing that's went wrong and this makes me sick just reading the other comments.

15th Nov 2004, 08:25

I have read about all of these problems with the 2000 ford ranger and now I am not surprised that my trans is also going out at 60,000 miles. ford needs to do something.

14th Feb 2005, 22:17

The clunking noise some are hearing is actually a problem with the drive shaft. If you go under the truck, you can turn the drive shaft a little, which you shouldn't be able to do. That is the clunking when you start or sometimes when you stop. You will probably also notice a small hesitation when accelerating. I got 2 drive shaft replacements under warranty, simply because I was aware of the problem before I had symptoms. Ford knows it is an issue, but they won't recall because it is not a safety concern. It probably won't ever cause you any real problems.

My XLT has been great up until now. 85,000 miles, and the only thing I had to put in was a thermostat. Unfortunately, now I have at least one, maybe two cracked cylinder heads. It is a common problem with the 4.0L V6 according to the parts dealers around here. Keep an eye on your coolant and oil levels when you get up in miles. Before this week I would have sworn by my Ranger, hopefully after this repair I can pick up where I left off.

8th Mar 2005, 08:20

I have a 2000 ford ranger with transmission problems. It is a 3.0 v6 xlt ex-cab. 1st gear holds till it hits the rev limiter, then slams into 2nd. but the rest shift out just fine. anybody know anything about this? By the way. anybody have a check engine light on that the egr valve you replaced did not fix? if so, try the pressure feedback exhaust sensor. about 248$. thanks guys.

21st Mar 2005, 14:44

On of your solenoids is probably bad. Take it and have a diagnostic run on it and they will know which one it is. Sounds like solenoid B.

26th Mar 2005, 22:18

I say if you are having problems with your transmission, go with a 5 speed manual...it's almost impossible to screw one of those up. Not even Ford can do that. I have 88,000 miles on my Ranger, and haven't had a single problem. Knock on wood. I find the more basic the truck is, the better off you are.

13th Jan 2006, 10:29

I bought my 2000 Ford Ranger XL brand new and never beat on it.

I noticed at 20,000 miles "the clunking noise". Some say it could be transmission mounts or drive shaft problems.

Then at 46,000 miles, where I'm at now, the a/c goes on and off when it wants, when I hear a clunking noise under the hood, and my truck is now overheating... mechanics say I blew a head gasket and not only that, 2000 Ford Rangers are known for cracking the cylinder heads... I'll never buy a Ford again!!!

p.s. Ford Ranger XLs were the most popular selling truck in 2000, there's no way they're going do a recall!!!

16th Jan 2006, 20:29

RE: Rita Runner.

You sound like you're totally up on your maintainance. I change fluids and everything will be okay. What fluids? Oil and windshield washer? ;)

And to not do anything about clunking in the drivetrain for awhile is a death sentence to the truck you know. Parts can only grind for so long before blowing up, out, in, down, inside out, or to pieces.

17th Jan 2006, 09:44

LI have changed the oil and trans fluid many times this is why the transm. has lasted, the frustrating thing is the electrical problems. Anyone got 100,000 miles, 3.0 6 cylinder automatic?

Or having electrical problems? Anyone want to buy it for parts for their truck?

31st Jul 2006, 21:29

Well I am going to sound like the minority of this group. Bought a 2000 ranger XLT used with 38,000 miles on it and have put over 50,000 miles of hard driving (interstate, Mountain, Desert climate, 4x4ing. I have made no modifications to my Ranger and it has run beautifully for me.

I do have the 4.0 V6, providing me plenty of power for a small pickup. I also have noticed the clunking noise in the back end, but agree with someone about 12 comments ago, it's the drive shaft and ultimately not that big of a deal.

Regular flushings of the transmission and good basic maintenance has kept this little pickup in beautiful condition. I would buy it again if I had to do over. GREAT TRUCK!!! Out performs a lot of the newer mid-size pickups I see on the road.

29th Nov 2006, 13:04

Well I'm back... I'm the same guy as the comment above, that "great" truck I had is not so much anymore. Transmission even with the constant flushings and good maintenance took a full dive at 85,000 miles. I've had it back to ford 3 different times since to repair a $2,500 transmission replacement. Clunking in rear end is still there, I am seeing new electrical problems, and loss of compression (power). I am very un-happy with my truck right now. FORD!!! needs to own up to this power-train that they've put into their trucks and take care of their customers. They've already lost me. I'll sell this truck as soon as possible.

31st Jan 2007, 16:44

2000 ranger sport xlt 4.0

I've bought my ranger brand spanking new and love the truck. Now at 108,000 miles I've been through 3 serpentine belts, 3 thermostats, upper and lower balljoints, tie rod ends, and oh yeah two wonderfully cracked heads. All somehow out of warranty.

6th Feb 2007, 17:48

2000 ranger sport 4.0.

Hmm... after all listed above (the last entry) now I have a blown head gasket. Hopefully not cracked heads again. I'm getting them tested tomorrow. Wish me luck! I'm keeping the truck, but now I am buying a new one! A GMC.

14th Feb 2007, 18:16

My 2000 Ranger XLT (3.0L) a month ago had to have the heads taken off the engine for a $1700 repair of valve seats. A week ago the O/D light started flashing. My local shop did the diagnostics and the code read that the problem was in the transmission or shift solenoid. They found that the solenoid was bad (sticking), but after slapping a new one back in, the transmission still won't shift like it's supposed to between 1st and 2nd. So now we're talking another $2500-3000 to rebuild the transmission with a warranty. The web is full of forums with these Ranger problems. And FORD won't take responsibility for a bad product.