Learn Me: Ford Range Edge

So after several weeks of weather that the Rampage is very clearly not well-suited for in its current setup, this weekend SWMBO and I have resolved to finally pick up another reliable, running vehicle that we hope to have for a while and get a lot of use out of. Since having one will make getting up to the property where we're hopefully be building a cabin far easier, 4WD is pretty high up on the list.

The boyfriend of one of SWMBO's co-workers has a very nice looking, relatively low-mile 2001 Ford Ranger Edge 4x4- he's asking a price at the upper end of what we're willing/able to spend, but surprisingly it's actually about at what the blue book value for it comes up as. It ticks off most of the boxes: 4wd, has a back seat (doesn't have to be much of one, it's so our dog can ride in it too), looks to be in good shape and well maintained- and SWMBO loves the color to boot (yeah, shouldn't matter- but it does...).

I had been figuring if we got a truck that it would be something larger like a F-150 or Chevy 1500 and hadn't really considered the smaller Ranger/S-10 trucks. How capable are the 4wd Rangers? Could one tow, say, the Rampage?

Here's the listing for it: https://lexington.craigslist.org/cto/d/2001-ford-ranger-edge-4x4/6451514747.html

Thoughts? Thanks! 

They're good trucks, BUT at that price you could easily get into an F150.  I think he's asking a bit too much for it with that mileage.  I'm not crazy about that front pre runner? style bumper either, but that's my opinion. 

I think the Ranger 4.0 w/ tow pkg is rated to tow around 4-5k?  Pretty sure a base F150 V6 of similar vintage can tow similarly or even more.   I like Rangers, but once you start pricing out pickups in the 3-5k range, you can easily step up to a full size.  

If your planning too tow just go fullsize. While i love rangers and it has a tow rating your going to be working it hard. There solid for mild off road and theres a pretty large aftermarket but i wouldnt buy one while planning too tow. 

The beds on those stepside rangers are nearly useless they are so small.  A friend has had one since new and I’ve used it, it isn’t all that good at being a truck.  

That truck will have a 4.0 SOHC. It's an ok engine for the era, but it has one major fault. They were known for having timing chain guide issues until about 04. As a result of some questionable design decisions, the engine has a timing chain for each bank, and one is located in the front of the engine, while the other is located in the rear, so if it has any rattle while the engine is running, it's best to replace all of the guides. That means the engine comes all the way out of the truck. There's no guarantee that this will happen, but it's the most common issue that comes up with the 4.0 SOHC, and seems to be most prevalent in Fords from 98-04. Fuel economy will probably be 16-18mpg, which is pretty similar to a full size. That may not be a dealbreaker if the Ranger is in great shape, and the full size options aren't, but if quality is comparable between the 2, then buying a full size probably makes sense.

I think even the 3.0 was rated to tow at least 4K lbs.  I’m a little leery of the 4.0 V6 as it seems more maintenance intensive than the other engine options.  

Decent pickups are still way too expensive around this area.  Especially full sizers.  For what they go for, it seems like a Tahoe or Suburban ends up being a better deal.

Edit:  just looked at the CL link.  In that price range, I’d definitely look for a full size SUV, if it’s an acceptable choice.

I'd pass on that one for your needs Ash, no real advantage to the smaller size but several disadvantages.  Similar setup in an Explorer would be more useful.  

Tahoe/Yukon/Expedition would really be best.

For that money I would go for something like this:

https://louisville.craigslist.org/cto/d/2002-toyota-sequoia-4x4/6455526523.html

https://lexington.craigslist.org/cto/d/2001-toyota-4-runner-for-sale/6436981962.html

Most of the other vehicles on our short-list are SUVs, ranging from the Escape/Mariner/Tribute (though I rarely see a Tribute with what we're looking for/in our price range) up to Expeditions or Excursions. Both trucks & SUVs have different advantages/disadvantages for us- though an extended-cab truck with a topper would eliminate the majority of the downsides to the truck if it weren't for the fact that around here a truck will cost 2x more than a similar condition, age, & mileage SUV.

We're already set to take a look at it Saturday, but are also planning on heading out to look at some SUVs as well.

My first car was a Ranger. My last 3 cars before my SVTF were Rangers. I like Rangers.