CJB

<dc.nc@verizon.net> wrote in message
news:1137895634.700395.76820@f14g2000cwb.googlegroups.com...
> Looking to buy a used Ranger for my son. Already had 3 taken in for
> used car inspections and all had misc problems. I found one today that
> is a 2002 v6 auto with 90k miles, almost all highway commute miles.
> Original owner. When I asked if he has done all the factory
> recommended services, he said no, just an oil change every 3k miles.
> Said he recently changed the differential fluid. Truck is clean and
> drives very well. The regular oil change is good, but is the other
> lack of service a major issue if the truck is running good? I will
> have this checked by my wrench also, but thought I would ask this group
> first.
>

It depends on the overall condition of the truck otherwise. For example, if
he didn't change the air filter or fuel filter, I don't think it would do
any harm, and changing them should restore full performance. The
transmission is probably not an issue either. I'm a firm believer in
regular trans maintenance, but part of the equation is what kind of usage
the truck has received. Pull the dipstick, and check the transmission
fluid. If it's still pink and doesn't smell burned, then there's most
likely no harm done. If he's been hard on the tranny, i.e. he's towed with
it or otherwise driven it hard, you should be able to tell by the condition
of the fluid.

In some ways, I'd almost prefer unchanged tranny fluid at 90k. Think of it
this way, if he had dogged the truck, and just last week changed the fluid,
you wouldn't be able to tell because the fluid would look perfect. As it
is, you should be able to judge the overall condition of the transmission by
the condition of the fluid.

Of course, if you buy the truck, drop the pan and change the filter and
fluid as soon as you buy it. You might even be able to negotiate the price
down since you're going to have to replace fluids and filters right away.

CJB