Used 1997 Ford Ranger Extended Cab Consumer Reviews
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97 Ranger 4cyl 5 speed still runs great 143k
dalebass3, 04/03/2013
1997 Ford Ranger XLT 2dr Extended Cab SB (2.3L 4cyl naturally aspired 5M)
16 of 16 people found this review helpful
I bought this truck 2 years ago. I knew it needed a slave cylinder just didn't realize it was inside the tranny. So I had a mechanic buddy do it and replace the clutch and rear main seal while he was at it. Has run great since. Only problem is the A/C. It wasn't working when I got it. Found a big hole in the condenser and then it worked for a couple days but then sprung a new leak in another line with the new found pressure. This seems to be a pretty common problem. Engine runs great for its age. I see a ton of these on the road
Reluctant to buy, Happy I did.
Brian, 04/09/2016
1997 Ford Ranger XL 2dr Extended Cab SB (2.3L 4cyl naturally aspired 5M)
24 of 26 people found this review helpful
I almost didn't buy this truck, as it had a lot of miles on it. After a lengthy test drive, the truck felt solid, shifted nice, and drove very well, so I did buy. I've had it for some time now (a few months - actually it's my winter beater/rainy day driver), and it's just passed over 250,000 miles. The 2.3 liter engine uses no oil between oil changes, and makes no funny noises. It's a little short on power, but it's more than made up for that with it's relentless reliability. I see these trucks everywhere, and they are, figuratively speaking, a dime a dozen. I looked at Toyota, but they resale they hold is insane, which I'm told is due to the longevity of their engines. I know I haven't owned it for an extended amount of time (years), but I would say, money spent, the four cylinder Ranger is as good, or better than the, incredibly overpriced Toyota's out there.
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1997 Ford Ranger for sale near you
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love my truck
mac_712, 03/08/2003
1997 Ford Ranger STX 2dr Extended Cab 4WD SB (3.0L 6cyl naturally aspired 5M)
3 of 3 people found this review helpful
I was told before buying that it was under powered. But I have found the 4.0L engine to have plenty of power. The seats are very comfortable.Gas mileage could be a bit better but I don't baby my vehicles either. This is my first 4x4 and I will never do without 4wd again. The only repairs I have had in the 2 years I have owned this truck is replacement of a couple of sensors in the EGR system and the 2 front u-joints on the front axles have been replaced. I have been told that the u-joints usually need replaced at around 75000 mi and mine lasted 87000 so I can't complain.
Great Truck
russ1a1hesston, 04/28/2003
1997 Ford Ranger STX 2dr Extended Cab 4WD SB (3.0L 6cyl naturally aspired 5M)
3 of 3 people found this review helpful
I enjoy my Ranger. It has a V6 4.0L with 4 wheel drive. It's a little weak in acceleration but plenty of power for hauling a load. It pulls a heavy trailer load better than my V8 Jeep Grand Cherokee.
expect problems
brandonm, 05/02/2002
1997 Ford Ranger XL 2dr Extended Cab SB (2.3L 4cyl naturally aspired 5M)
2 of 2 people found this review helpful
the ranger is an attractive pick-up that means well, it just had horrible engineers. i've only put on 20,000 miles on mine in the last 3 years (52,000-72,000) and can't believe the problems i've had. i've been stranded, oil changes bring a list of things that need to be fixed, and new electrical problems almost regularly. fuel-pump died on a road-trip leaving my wife and me stranded. after returning home the check engine light came on again and the canister also had to be replaced. not cheap. had to replace all ball- joints, another $700. this shouldn't be happening on a truck with 70,000 miles on it. i'll never buy a ford again because of my experience with this truck.