Learn me about Rangers

"adamftw" (adamftw) 12/09/2016 at 14:18 • Filed to: None

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Head gasket is on it’s way out in the Disco (surprise) and I’m not into fixing it. Thinking about picking up a mid 90s Ranger/Mazda B truck. 5 speed, 4x4. Engine doesn’t matter, though through looking around I think I’m partial to the 3.0 V6 because it is a lot easier to work on than the SOHC 4.0. Budget is $3k or less (why am I buying a house again? Oh, yea it has a garage). Going to be a DD for now, possible small lift and 31-32" tires for camping and overland-ish things.

Found one in CT for just over 2 grand, 151k, extended cab long bed 4x4 5 speed 3.0. Anything specific to look out for?

Jcarr > adamftw 12/09/2016 at 14:21

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We have a ‘96 with the I-4 that has about 175,000 miles. Use it just for hauling so it sits most of the time and only gets about 100 miles a year, but it starts up and runs just fine every time. The only problem we’ve had is the master cylinder crapping out, which wasn’t bad to have replaced.

Denver Is Stuck In The 90s > adamftw 12/09/2016 at 14:24

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SOHC 4.0 is a piece of crap

OHV 4.0, while only 160hp/225ftlbs is borderline bulletproof

The 3.0 is eh

The 2.3 is gutless, although easily turbo’d

The 2.5 is actually not bad

Try to get one with an m5OD manual, the 4r44e and aod are shit

HammerheadFistpunch > adamftw 12/09/2016 at 14:24

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That bed rack is looking very similar to Vicarious’ at this point, he just needs a few more tabs for fuel and such. Turns out sleeping under it isn’t a bad idea. He might also be a good person to talk to about it, since he sold his b series to buy his tacoma.

adamftw > Denver Is Stuck In The 90s 12/09/2016 at 14:28

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Ah, ok I didn’t know they put both 4.0s in there. The OHV is a good motor for sure. I will only be getting one with a manual trans.

adamftw > HammerheadFistpunch 12/09/2016 at 14:28

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Found the pic on the interwebs. I’d get a cap to sleep in the back if I fit. And I’d entertain a Taco, or even better a first gen Tundra but I have to stay cheap for a bit.

Nonster > adamftw 12/09/2016 at 14:34

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I had a 94 short bed, single cab, 2.3L automatic for a long time. I loved the little truck and it was pretty damn bullet proof.

I’m not a fan of the automatic transmissions. The one behind the 4 banger is particularly fragile. I had to have mine rebuilt around the 100k mileage mark.

The 2.3L engine is gutless and an absolute pain in the ass to work on, but that sucker won’t die. I don’t have experience with any of the V6's, but my gripe with the 3.0L is that I think you get only a little more power than the 2.3 and fuel economy just as bad as the 4.0L.

Pre-1997 Rangers have the Twin Traction beam front suspension. After that they went to a more conventional IFS. Each have their merits depending on what you want to do.

Denver Is Stuck In The 90s > adamftw 12/09/2016 at 14:34

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They switched over to the SOHC cologne block in 1999, if you get a 1990-1998 ranger you’d be able to get an OHV cologne. Also things to look out for:

- Ford front main seals are designed to push out when they fail, look for leaks around the harmonic balancer. Its easy to fix, but time consuming so it should be a negotiation point

-The M50D likes to throw shifter bushings so don’t be alarmed if there is a lot of play in gear

-if looking at a OHV 4.0, valve tick is a normal thing on those. But if looking at a SOHC 4.0, ticking indicates a timing chain failure which is very common on those motors (it has 4; 2 up front, 2 in back). Run if you notice SOHC tick.

MasterMario - Keeper of the V8s > Denver Is Stuck In The 90s 12/09/2016 at 14:38

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only 160hp/225ftlbs

My tractor dressed as a truck has an issue with you using the phrase “only”

(My 4.9 I6 “only” makes 150HP/260ft-lbs)

I know it’s not a lot, but you don’t gotta make me feel worse about it man

:)

adamftw > Denver Is Stuck In The 90s 12/09/2016 at 14:39

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Yup, I know all about that SOHC tick.. my mom’s Explorer just started. This ad also said he just did the clutch and put new shifter bushings in, so that’s a plus. Thanks for the info.

Denver Is Stuck In The 90s > MasterMario - Keeper of the V8s 12/09/2016 at 14:42

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My Pride and joy is a 1993 Ranger with a 4.0 OHV V6 (160hp/225lbft), 5 speed stick and a 3.55 LSD in the rear

Not trying to put anyone’s ride down, if I was I’d be putting my own down

MasterMario - Keeper of the V8s > Denver Is Stuck In The 90s 12/09/2016 at 14:45

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Haha, yea I know. I love my truck too...even if it is slow (especially when towing). 1993 F150 I6 with ZF 5 speed

Jarrett - [BRZ Boi] > adamftw 12/09/2016 at 14:50

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Not sure which 4.0L variant the 2007 was, but it is not gentle on fuel.

AfromanGTO > adamftw 12/09/2016 at 15:07

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Oh God not the 3.slow. It has all of the power of a 4 cylinder and the gas mileage of a V8. If you get a Dual Sport Mazda or similiar version of the ranger enjoy replacing the whole torsion bar set up...... I loved my B3000 Dual Sport, but I am glad I don’t have it anymore.

I bought my first GTO after the Mazda truck, and I was impressed how good the GTOs gas mileage was compared to the truck. It was an auto GTO at that.

TheRealBicycleBuck > adamftw 12/09/2016 at 15:10

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What do you want to know?

http://oppositelock.kinja.com/i-drove-the-same-truck-for-eighteen-years-1575868655

The 3.0 (3.slow) will run forever. The only time the engine has stranded me is when the distributor gear wore out. That’s happened twice. The repair is easy enough, just replace the distributor with a new one and reset the timing. This happened twice to me at roughly 120,000 mile intervals.

Check the passenger-side inspection port if it has a manual transmission. Fifth gear throws oil onto the rubber plug. When the plug goes, the oil gets thrown out of the transmission and then the trans will overheat. If it’s still rubber, get it replaced with a freeze plug.

Clutches last about 130,000 miles.

Look at the exhaust header bolts, especially on the passenger’s side under the a/c blower. These tend to rust out and break off.

The final accordion section of the intake tends to tear apart on the bottom side. Since this is downstream from the MAF, revving the engine will open the gaps and cause it to lean out. If you find one that is running rough, this is the first thing I would check.  

The 3.0 tends to ping with the stock thermostat. One solution is to replace it with one that opens at a lower temperature. This stops the pinging, but affects fuel economy.

The Mazda will come with more amenities than the comparable Ranger. When I bought mine, it had upgraded seats, sliding rear glass, alloy wheels, and sport mirrors for a couple thousand less than the Ranger.

Feel free to ask questions. I’ve had mine a long time, so I can probably answer them.

ADabOfOppo; Gone Plaid (Instructables Can Be Confusable) > adamftw 12/09/2016 at 15:27

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The are a special unit of the Army that deals with ‘unique’ missions under ‘difficult’ conditions. I believe quite a bit of physical and mental training is required before you can be part of their unit.

nerd_racing > adamftw 12/09/2016 at 15:28

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DO NOT get the 3.fail. I had a B3000 and it was absolutely garbage. It didn’t make much power, didn’t get any better mileage than the 4.0L, and it never put out much heat. I’d go with the 4.0L or the 2.3L.

Other people swear by the vulcan but the ones I’ve had access/exposure to were all garbage, unless you don’t need heat in the winter, like going slow, and don’t care about fuel economy.

adamftw > nerd_racing 12/09/2016 at 20:23

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Sounds like my Disco. Thanks for the info

adamftw > AfromanGTO 12/09/2016 at 20:24

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Ok, I’ll look for the 4 banger or the 4.0 OHV. I’d rather the TTB to be honest, I hate torsion bar stuff.

adamftw > Denver Is Stuck In The 90s 12/09/2016 at 20:25

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If that was 4wd that would be exactly what I want. Love the color.

adamftw > TheRealBicycleBuck 12/09/2016 at 20:28

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Thanks! What kind of fuel mileage do you average? I’m coming from 12 so anything over 20 would be amazing. I don’t care if they’re down on power, as long as it’s reliable. I’ve worked on the Vulcan before and it’s pretty easy to navigate.

TheRealBicycleBuck > adamftw 12/09/2016 at 20:33

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Mine was getting 20mpg years ago, but slid down to about 18mpg in mixed city/highway driving.

adamftw > TheRealBicycleBuck 12/09/2016 at 20:36

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I can deal w that

Denver Is Stuck In The 90s > adamftw 12/10/2016 at 00:38

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Thanks, Veronica has been good to me. I’m currently puttering around in a 95 4.0 4x4 manual XJ Cherokee because my ranger spit out a catalytic converter. I should have Veronica back on dd duty pretty soon though. I also have a 5.0 swap planned for her, so funds permitting stay tuned...

AfromanGTO > adamftw 12/10/2016 at 13:43

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Avoid the Dual Sport or Edge trucks then. The 4.0 will make you the happiest of the 3 engines. Also the 4.6 won’t fit in the engine bay without a lot of massaging and hammering. The trucks engine bays are too narrow for modular motors, but will fit an old 302.