I have a 1999 Ford Ranger. Up to this point I’ve been willing to spend the money to keep it running but I know that one day I will have to part with it.
This will make me sad. I really, really like that vehicle. On the other hand, not trusting my vehicle to carry me safely also makes me sad. I am wondering if sadness #2 is starting to outweigh sadness #1.
I’m considering asking a mechanic to really look over the truck to see what’s going on with it at this point. What needs to be fixed, estimates, or perhaps a determination that it is finally time to see the old lady off to the big parking lot in the sky.
So… any ideas on what to ask? I do have a mechanic shop in mind for this, but it would probably be helpful if I did more than say “look for everything wrong on this thing”.
What systems should be looked at?
Although I’d really like to have a new-to-me vehicle that’s not possible at this moment in time. (I’m working on it) The upside is that my Toyota sedan is still in working order so regardless of what I decide to do I still have a functioning vehicle.
Just explain the situation to the mechanic as you’ve explained it here. This would not be considered a weird request. The important part is that you have a mechanic that you trust.
I had a '98 Ranger back in the day, and I really liked that vehicle. Except that it was horrible in the snow; I should have gotten a 4WD.
I don’t find it a problem in snow. It’s a problem on ice or other slick surfaces. Yep, not a 4WD. My sedan handles much better on slick, but it sits so low that ants have to stoop to go under it. Can’t handle deep snow that the truck can get through.
I like both vehicles, but they’re both old enough to vote and buy beer.
You say you “don’t trust the vehicle to carry you safely”.
What does that mean to you in more detail? What actual problems does it have now? e.g. sometimes won’t start, steering shimmies between 50 & 55 mph, left front brake squeals, etc. Or is it fine in terms of daily symptoms but you just have a gut feeling it’s due to have a fatal aneurism some day soon and leave you stranded by the roadside in winter? Or are you starting to notice how un-crashworthy it is compared to more modern vehicles? Or …?
The more you can articulate to us, or ref mmm’s good advice, the mechanic, the better the outcome.
Oh, it starts just fine - first crank even on the coldest days. No steering shimmies at any speed. No brake squeals. Day to day it runs very well but every so often something just breaks.
I do worry about rust. I’ve had two wheel rims rust out (both replaced). The truck bed had a problem and a friend of mine who owed me a favor and had welding skills fixed it. I am concerned about the main frame of the vehicle being compromised by rust to the point it’s a hazard. I am also concerned about the cooling system, possible leaks in hoses and such.
Lately there have been some troubling symptoms regarding brakes - wait, you said, didn’t I just say the were OK? Yes, the brakes - lines, actual brake mechanism, etc. are fine, they just checked them out for me. The mechanic says he suspects the ABS module is at fault. That can be an expensive repair, hence my pondering whether or not it is worth it. Brakes are not optional, after all, so it’s either fix the problem or lose the truck.
Uh… short of getting into a crash (which I seriously avoid) how would I notice something of that sort? Given my “new” vehicle is 23 years old and I don’t drive “modern” vehicles, not owning one…
I have a 2000 Ford Ranger that belonged to my late father. I’ve been keeping it up just to have a truck around and as a first vehicle for my twin teenage sons to share for driving to school, etc
Earlier this year, just before they got their licenses, I took it to my regular mechanic and basically asked what you did in the OP. I explained my plans for the truck and told him I wanted to know what it needed to be safe and reliable for them.
He found a handful of things (front brakes, shocks, etc) that I pretty much expected on a 25 year old vehicle and I had it all fixed for around $1,000 that I consider money well spent.
It helps to have a trusted, regular mechanic. A lot like having a primary care physician. This guy has done a ton of work for me over the years and I know he’s honest and won’t just try to run me a bill.
In my opinion, your first step here is finding someone like that. If you don’t have someone already, ask friends who they use. That will go a long way toward feeling confident with the answers you get so you can make an informed decision about the vehicle.
I’ve got my reliable mechanic shop. They’ve been great and they’re why my elderly vehicles are still running. Thanks everyone, I was just seeing if there was something I hadn’t thought of yet. I’ll get to this in January.
With my similar aged vehicle (2000 Suburban) I asked the mechanic, “would you take your mother-in-law on a 1000 mile road trip in this car?” Without any hesitation he said yes, so then I did, and it was fine.
It sounds like you do have a good handle on things, but yeah, old cars will just break. Sometimes you can predict it, other times it will just be “today the passenger window doesn’t go down.”
In my opinion bad frame rust would be the worst thing, but otherwise think about it in a rough order of expense. If you need a new window regulator, you’ll just replace it. But engine, transmission, catalytic converter and emissions, or other big ticket things might mean the truck is done. Little things can add up, but a used ABS module and some new radiator hoses or whatever might be a small price to keep it on the road another few years compared to buying a new(er) car.
If your mechanic has any experience at all with older vehicles, he should be your go-to for questions about rust. He’ll know what critical joints, what nooks and crannies, and what trouble areas to look at for rust. He’ll tell you whether the rust is a cosmetic issue or the sign of impending doom.
Sounds like your mechanic knows what to look for in an older vehicle! Keep a vehicle long enough, and weird stuff starts to break. (I’m on my 4th or 5th oil cap in one Jeep, and it’s not because they keep getting lost.) You’ll have to be the one to judge what’s too expensive; I’ve had a couple of repairs that pushed what most would consider reasonable, but it was worth it to me to keep the vehicle running. (ABS module? Go for it!)
I would definitely ask about a thorough frame and suspension assessment, especially since you’ve had rust issues in the past.
I don’t mean to dispute your lived experience. But WTF?
Oil caps get used once a year on a daily driver, and far less frequently on a seldom-use vehicle. How ancient could a Jeep be to have used up several of them? Or are they plastic just so flimsy and embrittled with heat that they shatter when you try to remove them?
How is this one jeep eating oil caps? Color me surprised, amazed, and curious.
This video shows a different vehicle, but it’s the same style cap: Link
Basically, the two-part factory cap used from the 90s into the 00s was prone to failure, and replacements weren’t much better. I ultimately ended up with a generic solid plastic cap that works fine.
(Also, the Jeep in question is a ‘97 Grand Cherokee, known for premature intake manifold gasket failure…I was adding oil at least once per week before that was fixed.)