My name's Eric, I'm 17 and live in Washington. I got a 97 Ranger for my first vehicle, 2wd, 5 speed manual, it was a fun truck but unfortunately back in October I rolled it in the ditch at 6 in the morning and ended up selling it and saving up for a new truck. A few weeks ago I found a 97 Ranger XLT extended cab with 261,000 miles on it, 4wd and 31" tires on it for $2,300 and bought it that night for $2,000. The engine was rebuilt and the owner had all the paperwork to show it, I can't remember how many miles it was rebuilt at. I've always been into dirt bikes and snowmobiling and other action sports but not the mechanics of it, I also didn't care much for cars or trucks as long as it got me where I needed until I got my first Ranger. My first one was bought for me but my second one I paid for myself so it's my baby and I really want to make it mine and learn how to do the work myself if I can. I already have a small list of what I'd like to do to this one I just need to do more research and save up some more first. I joined these forums hoping to get some second opinions, learn all I can about Rangers and drool over everyone else's projects.

 

Nice truck what all do you want to do to it

 

Since I got it I've changed the fuel filter, replaced a bearing on the belt that was squeaking and put new shocks in. I really like the look of headache racks and would love to build my own instead of buying one. I think it would look good with bed rails and possibly a lightbar? At first I wanted to get a leveling kit and running boards but I don't know if I want to lose the gas mileage. The seats are pretty worn so I wouldn't mind finding new seats, in my last ranger I wanted to take out the bench seat and put in bucket seats from an Explorer and that still sounds neat but that's all I've come up with to do so far.

 

I just bought my first ranger and I like it a lot so far I have to replace all the shocks sounds like you have a good plan on what you want to do on your truck I don't think you will lose that much mpg

 

What kind did you get? I began liking them a lot after having one, they're great trucks. I might do the leveling kit last, I drive around 70 miles a day so it's already going to take awhile to do everything I'd like without having to spend any extra money on gas

 

I have a 1999 xlt ext cab 4x2 mine need a lot of work still but I bought it for a work truck so I do a little bit at a time

 

Welcome to R-F! Sounds like you're on the right track to taking care of it. Fuel mileage's biggest factor is how much skinny pedal you use, don't forget that. With 35s and geared the way I am, I can still get 16mpg out of my 3.0 by taking it easy. If you just lift it enough to be level I don't think mileage should be too much of a concern.

 

Welcome to the site!