Buying a 2007 Ford Ranger Thunder double cab 2.5 TD

[DarkMatter]

I'm going to look at a used 2007 Ford Ranger Thunder double cab 2.5TD. It has done about 85k miles and had a new cam belt about 10k miles ago.

Are there any known weaknesses on these vehicles?

I'd welcome advice on what to check mechanically on this vehicle. How can I check that the 4 wheel drive works?

Thanks.

[Fane]

To check that the 4wd system is working, select 4wd and apply full lock. As you move off, you'll notice that the steering will feel heavier, like it wants to go in a straight line.

As to other areas, I've found them pretty reliable. On an 07, it'll be the TDCi engine, rather than the TD.

[tvrolet]

Rust. Rust from hell. More rust.

I bought a Ranger Thunder double-cab new in 2005. It had been years since I bought any new vehicle but I wanted a 'keeper', and I fully expected to run it until I croaked or it could go no more. At 5 years old...

• The rust on the rear diff was coming off in huge flakes, to the point it was seeping oil through the rust fractures.

• The pipes to the power steering in the engine bay had rusted through meaning power steering fluid was squirting everywhere. I replaced one set but the rest of the piping looked equally flakey.

• The leaf springs on the rear were breaking up with rust.

• The brake pipes were seriously rusty - MOT advisory.

• The handbrake cables rusted out.

• The bottom of the rear doors had simply disintegrated - the outside skin and inside trip looked fine, but the horizontal part of the door pressing had simply gone.

• The heater matrix corroded, leaked and needed replaced.

...and more.

This was on a 5-year-old vehicle I'd owned from new. It was used as 'domestic' transport and to tow a car trailer occasionally. Never used 'off road' but it got a fair bit of use in the snow as 'ski-transport'. FSH etc.

Before I bought it I'd test-driven most of the other double-cab pick-ups and chose the Thunder as I preferred the driving position to some of the others; it drove OK and had a decent spec for the price. And if you'd asked be how it was at maybe 12 or 24 months old I'd have recommended one whole-heatedly. And in fairness mechanically it was fine...but just a total rust-bucket.

Ditched it at the auctions (I couldn't face the guilt of selling it on face-to-face) and got a Grand Cherokee 5.7 Hemi. Sure its not a pick-up, but it also confirmed the folly of 4 cylinders and diesel engines. Horrid things in reality, that I'd convinced myself were worthwhile for a couple of years

[DarkMatter]

Thank you for your advice Fane and tvrolet.

[cologne2792]

The rust issue seems to be down to the individual vehicle. My Ranger is an '02 Mk 2 Supercab 4x4 with 135k and no rust whatsoever. I looked at an '04 Thunder with 160k that was also completely rust free and an '03 Supercab with 120k that was almost completely rotten. On the MK3 2006 onward front, a local builder had a white MK3 Supercab with spots of rust breaking out on the tailgate, tie down bars, bonnet, roof and most of the underside - he replaced it with a MK3 Thunder Supercab of similar age, mileage and use which is spotless.

As to issues, as long as they are properly serviced then there aren't really any. The common rail 2006 onward have a DMF and issues arising from inappropriate gearing on 1st and 2nd leading to clutch and DMF destruction in inexperienced hands. Ford claimed there was nothing wrong and it was simply driver error although they did lower 1st and 2nd on the MK4 to a ratio comparable to the Mk1 & 2. On the whole very, very good truck - I've had mine for 18 months and it's been very reliable and very good in 4wd in the snow. Just remember that like most pickups it has no center diff so 4wd is reserved for off roading or snow and ice covered roads.

[DarkMatter]

Thanks cologne2792.

[CAPP0]

My 2p worth - I had a 2004, can't recall the mileage when I sold it, maybe around 110k - but it was tirelessly reliable,swallowed all manner of crap and I was never aware of any rust anywhere on it. For what it was, not horrible to drive either.

[LightweightLouisDanvers]

Well you resurrected the thread!