car shopping

so, the wagon is probably not going to make it through another Ohio winter. I noticed the transmission sub frame is no longer attached well to the front radiatot mount. Something about the hole rusting out. Likely to end up in a boneyard, or parted out for a good motor/tranny and glass.
Anyway.
I've been looking at a v6 ford ranger, 98 with 103K miles.
It's the flareside, so fiberglass bed=no rust. Cab corners appear to be in good shape. I've seen some rumblings about the EGR valves and brake proportioning stuff.
Does anyone have one of these? Have you had to have any major work done? I can handle brakes, belt changes and water pumps, I'm talking about major driveline work. Tranny and diff stuff. I'd like to have a small pickup, and the v6 with a 5spd doesn't seem to get terrible mileage, something like 25 highway, I get 28 with an escort wagon, so not a big loss there. I can sacrifice the ride quality for the utility aspect. So anyway, I'm just looking for opinions, asking price is 3k, whic is right in line with blue book for an excelent condition truck.

 

Here's the tinyurl
www.tinyurl.com/crs5m

 

fw my dad has a 2000 ford ranger and he liked the truck..he sold it last year for a 2003 S10..... i can not remember him having anything go bad on it or complaining about anything

 

I had a 1994 Ford Ranger Basic Model (stick, hand windows) drove it till had 230,000 miles. Changed the clutch twice, water pump once, Tires and betls once every 18 months, kept up on all the oil changes. Ran fine when I sold it and the guy that bought it is still driving it. I also live in Ohio, They are next to the worst in snow. You have to put 600# of weight in the back.

I now have 4-Wheel drive Ranger, Much happier with it and Much, Much better in the Snow.

Matt

 

The common EGR problem is the PFE sensor. It measures a drop in exhaust backpressure when the EGR opens. This is so the processor knows how much EGR flow is taking place. The part is probably $30 to $100 and 1 or 2 hours to diag. and replace.
I don't recall any common brake problems.

 

Yeah, I've seen the DPFE valve.
http://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=115627
I've been spending some time over there trying to learn the problem spots to look for.
They seem to be very reliable, and easy to work on. So far I've found that the drivetrains are nearly bulletproof if well maintained. I plan on doing the full tune up on whatever vehicle I buy.
Plugs, filters, cap, rotor, wires, coil, and all the fluids.