Here is the story. New Member, New Ranger

[Old Red Replacement]

After researching tow vehicles to replace “old red” 98 Ranger ext cab 4.0, 4x4 3.73 axle brought from NY to Fl in 2001. It towed new mini-toy hauler Wolf pup 1200 miles home from Mo. I added $500 in to make it better.[Automatic transmission fluid cooler, new brake controller, fan clutch, and other stuff, etc] Poor paint, interior, and questionable AC output.

I was looking @ F-150 base work trucks, but heavily researched Ranger and towing capacity and reviews.

The local dealer called and said he could get and match price of bigger distance dealer 100 miles away.

With COVID and everything I was not anxious to go there or have people come to me to test drive look @ my old truck.

I wanted Base XL with tow package, would They take”old red” for $3500
to reimburse me for money spent on it in last few years.

He called back in an hour 10:30 am, I gave deposit, they went got truck from other side of state, and I picked it up The next day.


It is White base XL , with tow package, locker, and the entry rail step.

Currently breaking it in, adding extras, [Bed & tailgate rug, tonneau, bug deflector, the engine cover mud flaps]

It seems to be[3 ] different trucks, drive, sport, tow mode .

Ranger tough and development in Aus carried to USA, yeah!

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[cb4017]

Nice rig. I'm curios to know how that brake controller is working out for you and where you took the brake pedal signal.

I have the same controller from when I had my Frontier. In that it was plug and play with the correct harness.

You'll be pleasantly surprised by how well the Ranger tows. Has no problem with my 3k lb TT.

 

[DukeCanBuildit]

After researching tow vehicles to replace “old red” 98 Ranger ext cab 4.0, 4x4 3.73 axle brought from NY to Fl in 2001. It towed new mini-toy hauler Wolf pup 1200 miles home from Mo. I added $500 in to make it better.[Automatic transmission fluid cooler, new brake controller, fan clutch, and other stuff, etc] Poor paint, interior, and questionable AC output....

I love your old red replacement story - mostly because “old red“ looks so familiar. I replaced my own “old red” (2001) with my 2019.

Welcome and enjoy your new Ranger.

 

[SILK]

Welcome to the forum, @Old Red Replacement! You'll find a lot of good people and a lot more good info here. On your base model, any brake controller should work. But just in case anyone is using that search box in the future, for Rangers equipped with Adaptive Cruise really need to buy the Ford-manufactured one. Off the shelf kinds don't play well with Adaptive Cruise and could cause a catastrophe, from what's been said. I haven't seen anyone actually come across this problem, but it's not a problem that I'd want someone to be a guinea pig for.

 

[Old Red Replacement]

Nice rig. I'm curios to know how that brake controller is working out for you and where you took the brake pedal signal.

I have the same controller from when I had my Frontier. In that it was plug and play with the correct harness.

You'll be pleasantly surprised by how well the Ranger tows. Has no problem with my 3k lb TT.

look at picture of wires spliced, followed this guide.

1. White - Ground
2. Yellow/Orange(Red) - 12V Power
3. Green/Black (Solid Blue according to Ford Service Wiring Diagrams) - Trailer Brake Controller Out
4. Violet/White - Brake Light Trigger (Brake On/Off

 

[shred5]

What amazes me about older Rangers is I see so many in great condition, this is WI too.
Sometimes a little faded paint but almost no rust.
There is one down the street from me and I see it all the time and it looks new.

 

[a572mike]

I miss my "Old Red". It too was a '98, but with a flareside box, I bought it new when I graduated from college...

I recently moved from Minnesota to Western Colorado. My new Ranger pulled a heavy 6x12 Uhaul trailer through the Rockies on I-70 with ease. My old 2005 F-150 FX4 with a 5.4 and 3.73's would have had to have been worked like a rented mule to do what the Ranger did that day.

 

[Mach-1]

I say keep the old Ranger, that's what I did. I've had my no-frills 1997 Ranger XLT since 2002. I still drive it to work everyday. I love my 2019 Ranger Lariat too. My old Ranger is the Danger Ranger, the new one is the Power Ranger. That's how the two are identified in our house.

 

[Trigganometry]

Welcome to the family. My 97 3.0 had 287K on when it got retired for the 2020 XLT I’m in now. Frame by leaf spring front mount points to frame had some massive rust holes. I mean fist sized ones! Only thing I miss from the old girl Is the 8’ bed.

 

[Cape Cruiser]

Welcome to the family. My 97 3.0 had 287K on when it got retired for the 2020 XLT I’m in now. Frame by leaf spring front mount points to frame had some massive rust holes. I mean fist sized ones! Only thing I miss from the old girl Is the 8’ bed.

My memory is not great but I dont think they had an 8ft bed on the Ranger unless your talking the full size f100 Ranger package

 

[Trigganometry]

My memory is not great but I dont think they had an 8ft bed on the Ranger unless your talking the full size f100 Ranger package

Had a 97 XL 3.0 with standard cab. Just a bench seat and that’s it. They called them utility trucks. Not many of them but they had 8’ beds on them.

Edit: Just went and checked, my bad it was a 7’ bed on it

 

[rang19ca]

Yes they had a 7 ft bed. We bought hundreds of them at my work. The last few years they were only available on a fleet order.

 

[cfhgarza]

Looks like you got a pretty rare truck. Not many XL or SuperCabs around. Should be a nice tow rig for you. Congrats and enjoy

 

[Old Red Replacement]

+ 2 1/2 yr update. I now have 7800 miles on new Ranger XL, 50%
towing camper. No issues on 3 rd oil change.
I did grease the slip & stub, changed the ULV trans fluid, added extra capacity PPE pan and Glowshift Transmission oil temperature gauge. I tow 4500 lb high profile Hybrid toy Hauler in +90F Fl heat. 12/13 mpg towing, transmission temp 195F @ + 90 F Fl temps. Tow mode, 93 octane, no tunes or mods.

 

[scarchild35]

That's awesome. Very cool.
Enjoy the extra horses and twist you've got under the hood now.

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