Which Ranger is the Best Ranger?

"Thunderface" (thunderface) 01/09/2015 at 10:45 • Filed to: Ford ranger

0

21

Hey Oppo- I was wondering, since quite a few of you have Ford Rangers, which ones are best? What years, trim levels and engines are better than the rest?

FKA-RacecaR > Thunderface 01/09/2015 at 10:49

5

This one.
(Anyone get the reference? Anyone at all?)

yamahog > Thunderface 01/09/2015 at 10:49

2

My personal fave:

But my dad did have a Ford Ranger when I was really little. Not sure what year.

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > Thunderface 01/09/2015 at 10:49

1

I'm a fan of the FX4 ones. the 4.0 V6 is a pretty solid engine.

I've driven a 3.0 V6 XLT with high-rider package and it was a lot of fun, that crazy little bastard towed a 23 foot long 5000 pound camper for an hour and a half for me twice with no issues too

Stephen the Canuck > Thunderface 01/09/2015 at 10:52

5

Mazda B4000. For some reason I like it more even though it's the same damn thing.

Rock Bottom > Thunderface 01/09/2015 at 10:54

2

They got better as the model years progressed. I'd buy the newest 4x4 extended cab I could find that doesn't have the OHC engine or the tiny fiberglass step-side bed. The 3.0 and pushrod 4.0 are both fine engines and these trucks drive great with either the auto or the stick. The OHC engine, while powerful and pretty smooth, has been known to shed timing chains and have some other odd failures. It's certainly not bad enough to call it "unreliable", but if you can live with less power, the other engines are better.

I've only ever had a 1984 with a carboretted 2.3 anda stick (and a family of mice living in the seat), but I've had several as work trucks over the years and driven dozens of them. If I needed a truck, I'd get a Ranger in a second. I might get one anyway...

JCAlan > Thunderface 01/09/2015 at 10:55

1

4.0>3.0

Mathematically speaking.

My 97 STX 4.0 extended cab with 187,000 miles does what I need it to. Never been stuck in snow or mud, and you can put stuff in it that you need to transport from one place to another.

kanadanmajava1 > Thunderface 01/09/2015 at 10:55

5

I like '58 Edsel Rangers the most.

Jcarr > Thunderface 01/09/2015 at 10:56

1

We have '96 XLT 2wd with the 2.3 I-4. It's a beater for hauling things occasionally so it just sits most of the time. It's got about 175,000 miles, but it starts right up and runs like a champ every time. Not particularly rewarding to drive, but it's dead reliable and gets the job done.

mazda616 > Stephen the Canuck 01/09/2015 at 11:05

1

I have an excessive want for one of these. We are going to be in the market for a small truck to pull a pop-up camper and I want a B-Series just to complete our Mazda fleet.

Cé hé sin > Thunderface 01/09/2015 at 11:06

2

These ones. They're diesel and manual. My local dealer has them (and sells only a few it must be said, pick ups not being a thing here)

Thunderface > Cé hé sin 01/09/2015 at 11:19

1

Bring to Canada pls!

swansong, rockin' the wagons > Thunderface 01/09/2015 at 11:28

1

FX4 Level II was the top trim, and most capable off road. The 2002 FX4 is the same mechanically as the 2003 and 2004 FX4 Level II. They had a Torsen limited slip, skid plates, different shocks, 15" Alcoa wheels, other things(?), and a manual transfer case, affectionately referred to as Twin Stick:"

That said, I'd love to find a 2001+ regular cab, short box, 4.0L SOHC V6, manual, 4x4 Ranger. Not even sure if they ever made them that way, but there's something about stout little regular cab trucks that I love.

swansong, rockin' the wagons > FKA-RacecaR 01/09/2015 at 11:31

2

Ah, a Ranger of the North. One of the Dunedain.

Also,

nermal > Thunderface 01/09/2015 at 11:36

2

The ARB one that you can't have.

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > mazda616 01/09/2015 at 11:37

0

should pull it fine from my experience

I pulled a 5000 pound 23 foot travel trailer (with a slideout) last summer with a 2001 Ranger that has the small v6

Meatcoma > Thunderface 01/09/2015 at 11:48

1

Steer clear of the 2.5L engined Ranger 98-01.

meganuke > Thunderface 01/09/2015 at 11:51

1

I've owned a 1996 4.0 2wd regular cab long bed manual, a 1998 4.0 2wd regular cab long bed manual, and now have a 1995 2.3 2wd regular cab manual. I miss the power of the 4.0, but the little 2.3 runs well and gets decent mileage, especially for a 20 year old truck with an engine architecture dating back to the 70's.

The original ranger was a fullsize F100. Assuming you're referring to the smaller truck that appeared in the 80's, I don't think you can really go wrong with any of them. Pre-1993 models are a bit more rust prone, but mechanically they're almost the same. In 1998, they finally went to a modern A-arm design for front of the 2wd trucks. This made premature tire wear a non-issue and improved handling, but the ball joints were prone to failing in 30-40k miles. Personally, I'd go for a 98 or newer model, as the engines are more powerful, the suspension is better, and you're more likely to find a lower mileage one.

You can tell a Finn but you can't tell him much > Thunderface 01/09/2015 at 11:58

2

If you're talking available in the U.S. then Dusty's Ranger is the best Ranger.

EDIT: I don't think Dusty is selling his Ranger, but I'm sure if you offered him enough he would consider.

If money is no object and you have connections with CBP then Dakar Ranger is the best Ranger.

Svart Smart, traded in his Smart > Thunderface 01/09/2015 at 13:10

2

My nod goes to the 1995 through 1999 model years. They're new enough to have dual airbags, but they retain the dedicated amber bulb (for the turn signal) in the taillight cluster. (Ford apparently eliminated the amber signals after 1999, switching to a 3-in-1 brake light/taillight/turn signal arrangement. Ugh.)

Cé hé sin > Thunderface 01/09/2015 at 14:42

0

Not a chance, it's too close in size to Ford's American offerings and too small for the North American market in any case. You're not going to get the Hilux, almost the default pickup in much of the world, either.

gogmorgo - rowing gears in a Grand Cherokee > Thunderface 01/10/2015 at 23:13

1

This one:

Except he would drive a Comanche.