by "Old Red Wagon" (wr10)
Published 05/29/2017 at 22:03
by "Old Red Wagon" (wr10)
Published 05/29/2017 at 22:03
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STARS: 1
I’ve recently wanted to purchase an older Ranger to use for truck duties and to use as a beater in general. A lot of the ones i have found on craigslist have been the 2.3L. Should i only look at the 4.0's? How reliable are they, both 2.3 and 4.0? Found the following one on CL that looks pretty decent. Would talk him down as much as i can if i do decide to make the drive to look at it. I don’t know much about these and figure a few of you may have experience with them. Any input would be appreciated. Thanks.
https://austin.craigslist.org/cto/6150284386.html
"Slant6" (slant-6)
05/29/2017 at 22:12, STARS: 5
I wouldn’t forget the 3.0, sure it gets the same millage as the 4.0 and it’s slower, but it’s hands down the most reliable of the three.
And it’s a truck, so reliability should come before speed.
"BrianGriffin thinks “reliable” is just a state of mind" (briangriffinsprius)
05/29/2017 at 22:27, STARS: 3
As previously mentioned, the 3.0l is solid.
But can we have a moment please? Listen, I get it, rangers are cool. BUT, if you’re only using it for truck things and aren’t driving it to downtown anywhere...uh, why? A comparable RWD F150 can be had for the same price, can do twice as much truck stuff, and is generally easier to find.
"TheD0k_2many toys 2little time" (thed0ck)
05/29/2017 at 22:29, STARS: 0
2.3 is reliable but slow, both v6 motors are good but the 3.0 tends to be a little more reliable.
but if it was me id just get an f150
"Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies" (jordanwphillips)
05/29/2017 at 22:33, STARS: 0
Especially if you are using it for truck things. I get it, we love small trucks on here, but there is a reason they don’t sell here. We have a Tacoma at work, and while it’s by far the least likely to leave us stranded, it’s also the truck we forget to bring supplies in, because we have to cram shit into it because the bed is too small. For the same price, just get a bigger truck.
"DrJohannVegas" (drjohannvegas)
05/29/2017 at 22:53, STARS: 3
(one more vote for the 3.0, btw)
Cross-shop the V6 F150, and check Rangers right behind the cab for rust where the frame sections are riveted together. Maybe not a problem in Austin, but I’m always skittish.
"Tripper" (tripe46)
05/29/2017 at 22:57, STARS: 0
Just did this! I previously had a 1987 ranger, and I just bought a 2001 Ranger edge, rwd, 3.0, three pedal, super cab with 61k on the clock and I adore it as you can see below.
The search was a difficult one though, I had a hard time swallowing the “truck tax”.
Edit: I had to have the 4.0 because power...until I drove one lol...it’s slow as shit too! After that I didn’t care what engine but slightly preferred a V6.
http://oppositelock.kinja.com/tripper-got-a-truck-1795014752
http://oppositelock.kinja.com/ranger-inspection-1795098245
http://oppositelock.kinja.com/ranger-upgrades-1795291233
http://oppositelock.kinja.com/i-used-the-crap-out-of-my-pickup-this-weekend-1795428041
http://oppositelock.kinja.com/new-console-complete-1795638889
"TheRealBicycleBuck" (therealbicyclebuck)
05/29/2017 at 23:09, STARS: 1
Another vote for 3.0. Mine has 269,000 miles and is 21 years old. It still runs fine.
Distributors and clutches go around 135,000 miles. If you get a manual, replace the rubber inspection port with a freeze plug. When they rot out, fifth gear will sling the transmission fluid out the hole. I learned this one the hard way. If it idles rough, check the accordion sections of the intake, especially near the manifold. The heat from the exhaust causes the plastic to get brittle and crack. The air leaks cause it to run lean and idle wrong.
"Audistein" (Audistein)
05/29/2017 at 23:20, STARS: 0
I can’t give too much advice over which engine to get, but I just wanted to suggest that you also check out the Mazda B2300, Mazda B3000, and Mazda B4000. They are exactly the same as the Ranger but can sometimes go for less money because they are less searched-for. As far as I know, it’s the same engines, same chassis, and I think they even have the same body-panels.
"Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer" (smallbear94)
05/30/2017 at 07:52, STARS: 0
"TheRealBicycleBuck" (therealbicyclebuck)
05/30/2017 at 08:27, STARS: 0
There are some slight differences in the sheet metal in a few spots and the grill, lights, and plastic bits are all different.
The Mazdas gave you more for less. I cross-shopped the Ranger and the Mazda when they were brand new. I literally drove a Ranger to the Mazda dealership and did the side-by-side comparison. Here’s the story: http://oppositelock.kinja.com/the-time-i-made-my-first-deal-1589122861
In short, the Mazda came with more extras for less money.
"nerd_racing" (nerd189)
05/30/2017 at 08:38, STARS: 0
DO NOT GET A 3.0L. I had nothing but problems with mine. It didn’t have much power, got horrible fuel mileage, barely made any heat, and was always miserable to drive.
Stick with a OHV 4.0L or a 2.3L or 2.5L.
"nerd_racing" (nerd189)
05/30/2017 at 08:39, STARS: 0
This was not my experience with the B3000 I had.
"Slant6" (slant-6)
05/30/2017 at 09:06, STARS: 1
Cool.
"Meatcoma" (mastapoof)
05/30/2017 at 10:11, STARS: 0
I’d avoid the 2.5. My wife had a 99, even with regular maintenance they last about 150k and they are gutless. She went through 3 engines in 20 years, some of those it sat idle. The parts are a lot more expensive and harder to find. The 3.0 and 4.0 are abundant and roughly 1/2 the cost.
"Audistein" (Audistein)
05/30/2017 at 13:21, STARS: 0
That was a great read. Certainly a unique experience.
At first glance I guess I assumed that the North American B-Series was identical from behind the taillights back but it seems that’s not true. The post-facelift ones (from 2001 to 2009) do look even more similar between the Ranger and B-Series but again there seems to be many small differences on closer inspection I suppose. Even the doors look a little different, though its possible they’re interchangeable.
"TheRealBicycleBuck" (therealbicyclebuck)
05/30/2017 at 13:51, STARS: 0
Thanks!
It’s the little things that make the difference. It’s also what makes the Mazda a better value.
"CaptDale - is secretly British" (captdale)
05/30/2017 at 17:06, STARS: 0
But why not have some collapsed suspension?
