Buyer's Remorse - Requesting Advice

[AzScorpion]

I would pass solely on the previous owner being a smoker. No way you will get that out of the HVAC internals, headliner fabric, carpeted floors, etc.

I'd also not buy a Ford with 100k miles unless it was driven by someone I know well, who had a great service history with it. Even then, probably not.

I agree with he second part 100%!

As far as the first part you can use an ozone machine and they work wonders on smoke, pet smells and musty smells. The house we're renting now had a very strong smoke smell when we got here. I bought this ozone machine and ran it a few times and now it's fine. Reading the reviews many have used it when buying a used car and have got rid of the smells too. They have larger commercial ones for house puff backs (I use to work for 2 fire restoration companies who used these) when placed inside for 12-24 hours along with blowers can work wonders.

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[IdahoRanger]

I agree with he second part 100%!

As far as the first part you can use an ozone machine and they work wonders on smoke, pet smells and musty smells. The house we're renting now had a very strong smoke smell when we got here. I bought this ozone machine and ran it a few times and now it's fine. Reading the reviews many have used it when buying a used car and have got rid of the smells too. They have larger commercial ones for house puff backs (I use to work for 2 fire restoration companies who used these) when placed inside for 12-24 hours along with blowers can work wonders.

Ozone machine works great for a car. Bought a car that the dealer tried to hide the smoke smell but as soon as car sat in the sun it hit me hard! Tried several things and only the ozone generator worked.

 

[RangerBill]

2019 f150 Lariat 4wd (3.5L EcoBoost V8)

I've heard that they have a problem with the timing chain stretching. Also, cam phasers wearing out. At 100K miles, it may be close to needing major repairs.

 

[awd.nv]

Man, that F150 sounds like trouble, I would avoid it. Plus 100k Ecoboost may need some little things here n there. Were the cam phasers a thing on these like the Raptors?

If you ignore the warnings of the people in here, be sure to hear it at a COLD START. If it makes a lot of noise, those would be the cam phasers and they are not cheap to replace.

My wife hates how small the Ranger interior is because she compares to our last two Pilots, she dailys a 2023 Pilot Touring AWD w/Method wheels & Toyo AT3. I love the Ranger size off-road AND around town but told her if I am getting an F150 it has to be a Raptor so we are not doing that any time soon. I did consider a used 2019-2020 Raptor gen 2 but $45-50k on a used truck seems like a lot still, almost rather go new at that point.

Look, don't shoot me but maybe something like a 2019 or newer Honda Pilot/Ridgeline may do the trick? I did some moderate trails in our 2016 AWD before getting the Ranger. Yes the Ranger is more comfortable off road but you are in a little pickle here so I am tossing it out there. The AWD system is very good. The main weakness is the ride quality is not like the Fox shocks you're used to.

Check out this channel if you want to go down that rabbit hole.
https://www.youtube.com/@JonDZ_Adventuring/videos

 

[Mustang2Ranger]

OP-

Forget the F150, sounds like a mess

Trade the Ranger for a 4wd Ranger and transfer any mods you can

Sure you might have a small payment for awhile, but would be worth it. Like others said F150 doesn't fit as well on the trails. But you seem to need the space with the dogs and potential kids

 

[JBranger]

Thank you all for your advice, this definitely will add some more things to think about.

 

[Chris M]

Thank you all for your advice, this definitely will add some more things to think about.

This site often excels at giving members things to think about and causing life-choice questions.

You're welcome! ?

 

[Buckbull]

i can't imagine a couple of rear facing child seats, 2 dogs, wife and you being comfortable in anything besides a full size truck. Heck, even a full size crew-cab truck with all that would be tight. Sounds like you need a suburban lol.

 

[LaBalbe]

I'm with those who suggest getting an SUV for your wife. I've got a teen and a toddler (technically, the younger is my sister's kid, but she's a single-parent, so I'm the father-figure). When mine was in a car seat, I had a 2nd gen Escape, and it worked great, as I could tether it through the trunk.

Now, with Thing 2, I've re-installed the exact same car seat, and it is a major PITA to get it into the Ranger compared to the SUV, because you have to tether it in behind the back seat. Not so much a problem for the infant car seats, because they're rear-facing, and smaller, but with the bigger, front-facing toddler seat, it's cumbersome to lean it forward enough to fold forward the seat-back, clip in the tether, tighten it sorta-kinda enough (remember, it's still leaning forward because the seat back is too), then slam the seat-back back into place (which usually takes a couple of tries, as the tether clip has to be pulled up-right otherwise it sticks out more than the actual space available), and once that's done, you can finally let down the child seat and make final adjustments on the tether strap.

So, to recap, one hand is holding the tether strap/clip straight up along the rear window, the other hand is maneuvering the seat-back, and the shoulder of that second arm is holding the car-seat tilted forward so that you can do all of that simultaneously. How much do you love your wife and want to maintain a happy marriage?

I love my Ranger, but damn, will I be happy when Thing 2 becomes big enough for a simple booster seat which doesn't have to be tethered behind the seat-back.

 

[53fordf100]

Good morning all!

As the title states, I am having buyer's remorse. Not from owning a 2019 XLT, but due to the fact I opted for 2wd I didn't realize I was going to enjoy off-roading/camping so much). Currently I've got about 80k miles and have an opportunity coming up to get 4wd, but it wouldn't be a Ranger. My question is, has anyone gone this far in modifications and sold/traded in for an equally modified 4wd Ranger? Any pros/cons? The truck was paid off a while ago, but we are looking to get a second vehicle for my wife + potentially kids on the way and I absolutely love the cab size/space (2-5 years) - we also have a great dane + lab.

We have a private seller for a 2019 f150 Lariat 4wd (3.5L ecoboost V8) that has about 100k miles. Previous seller passed away, so I am thinking they might be selling the vehicle off at a really good price. The interior is decent, he was a smoker and you can definitely tell - but I am confident I can detail it and get the smell out eventually. Missing driver side tail light (damaged), a few dents on the driver + passenger side body, and what worried me the most was when we started it, I kind of had to hold the push button for a second or two longer than normal. They're willing to let me bring it to my mechanic for a quick look to see if we can diagnose any obvious issues since I am not a professional, but they may even be okay to bring it in to a Ford specialist at a dealership to run an official diagnosis since we are not sure of the maintenance/general history of the vehicle. I am not sure if it is worth the money + time to rebuild/repair anything on the truck if there is potential engine issues (as I have heard they usually start to have problems at 100k+ miles). KBB states based on the VIN it is worth $22-25k, I probably wouldn't pay more than $8-15k for it in this state.

With all this information, would you risk purchasing the f150 as the primary off-road vehicle (I do work from home) or get the wife a new/slightly used reliable vehicle and then trade-in or sell the ranger for a 4wd option? My worry with that is that I'd have to re-purchase and upgrade the 4wd version. I'd be okay with upgrading a basically stock F150, as it would feel like a new project. I do realize it's a long read, but I wanted to provide enough detailed information - thanks again in advance!

My current Ranger build (2wd sport):

• FORD, raptor-style front grille
• Fox 2.0 coil-over suspension + rear shocks
• 33" Falken Wildpeak AT3W
• FactionFab 1.5" wheel spacers
• Front driver/passenger aftermarket crash bars
• GoRhino bedliner running boards
• Tailgate damper
• Tint (darkest I can go at legal limit - TX)
  • Front Windshield
  • Driver/Passenger
• Ranger Decals
• Builtright Industries phone mount
• Exactmade floor mats
• LastFit LED upgrades
  • Daylight
  • Switchback fog lamps
  • Ditch pods
  • Cargo bed lights
  • Front Driver/Passenger turn signals
• FitcamX front + rear dashcam (OEM style)
• Peragon bedline-sprayed retractable bed cover
• Raptor bedliner spray

If you’re looking for a truck with off intentions then this might be the one since it has some minor damage so you won’t feel to bad if you bang it up some. 100 k miles is a bit much for this type truck unless you can verify the frequency of maintenance. Good luck.?

 

[RangerTX]

With all that, I'd be thinking Explorer at least.

Based on experience.... I couldn't agree more!!!! You, and your wife, will regret the Ranger as her daily driver. No way man. She will kill you after just a few months with kids. Where you gonna put the stroller, diaper bag, and all the gear that comes with kids. No frigg'n way.

 

[DukeCanBuildit]

Based on experience.... I couldn't agree more!!!! You, and your wife, will regret the Ranger as her daily driver. No way man. She will kill you after just a few months with kids. Where you gonna put the stroller, diaper bag, and all the gear that comes with kids. No frigg'n way.

Blink twice if you need help.

 

[Msfitoy]

Sadly, invested mods will not add much if any to returns. You might get some special buyer excited if your additions fit their wants and sell it privately. Trade in? Write them off. But sounds like you're having strong regrets and might as well bite the bullet and go for the truck you really want and chalk up any loss as lesson learned...

 

[jflogerzi]

honestly I would keep this truck and add a locker. Find an OEM to swap in from junk yard or add a 3rd party air locker. Far less work and money involved. Start saving for a family/DD SUV. 2WD+Lockers using the right tires can still do quite a bit. It

 

[Mustang2Ranger]

Also a good option^^^

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