2001 Ford Ranger, super cab XLT info needed!

[Alchase]

I may have the opportunity to buy a 2001 Ford Ranger, super cab, XLT, 4x4, 3.0l V6 with extremely low miles, for around $5k from a family member who is in their in hospice. This vehicle has been immaculately cared for. I would be using this for a “commuter” instead of my Ram 1500, and for hunting/fishing activities. I have never owned a Ford, let alone a Ranger, so I am asking any of you, what I could expect for:

Reliability?
Known problems?
Maintenance issues?

Or any info you could provide regarding Ford Rangers in the 2001 time frame? I know Rangers have a strong following, so hopefully some of you can advise me on this. 
Thanks in advance!

[lewy]

Thats a good little truck, cant go wrong there

[gasman]

 

Do it you wont be disappointed in it. Good little trucks And run for ever.

I got an 89 with what i can only guess as 220K miles on it, got it jn a trade wity a Forum member And my son has a 97 with 260K miles. Just rslplaced The clutch in his two yeRs ago.

[Woodchuck]

Good trucks, Depending on engine it won't do a whole lot better on gas than what you have though. 

[jackelope]

Good trucks, Depending on engine it won't do a whole lot better on gas than what you have though. 

 

[FC]

I am surprised to see people showing so much love for a Ranger! I made an awful lot of $$$ working on those and the Ford 3.0l in general. Personally I always thought they were junk, for 5k I would buy a little bit older Toyota.

3.0l is well known for headgasket/cooling and egr problems. If it has the auto trans don't pull anything with it! The front hubs on the 4wd are a problem child if you use the 4wd much. If you load the bed heavy you will wipe out the rear wheel bearings. The brakes are a high frequency repair item as well.

Not trying to rain on your parade but the only thing I could say about them that is good is the gas mileage of the 3.0l. I would pass.

[Heredoggydoggy]

I am surprised to see people showing so much love for a Ranger! I made an awful lot of $$$ working on those and the Ford 3.0l in general. Personally I always thought they were junk, for 5k I would buy a little bit older Toyota.

3.0l is well known for headgasket/cooling and egr problems. If it has the auto trans don't pull anything with it! The front hubs on the 4wd are a problem child if you use the 4wd much. If you load the bed heavy you will wipe out the rear wheel bearings. The brakes are a high frequency repair item as well.

Not trying to rain on your parade but the only thing I could say about them that is good is the gas mileage of the 3.0l. I would pass.

  I love the Ford Ranger vehicles, but after 1992 they discontinued the 2.9 V6 and went to the 3.0--   I just got a 1986 Ranger pickup, and have a 1990 Bronco II.  Both have the 2.9 V6 and 5-speed transmission.  My neighbor got a newer Ranger with the 3.0 engine and I ended up going to a wrecking yard to get a low-mileage 3.0 engine for his truck because the original engine blew a head gasket!   when I had the 1991 Ranger 4x4 pickup with the 2.9 V6 and 5-speed, I used to get 27 mpg on the highway all the time.

[Alchase]

Thanks for the input everyone!