Newb! Howdy! Here to LEARN!

[jamie73554]

Howdy! I'm Jamie, Don't own a Ranger yet, but am scouring the ads feverishly! Wanting to know the best years, engine tranny combo, etc. Need a super reliable one! I prefer an automatic, but am not opposed to a manual. Not looking for max power, just a runabout and grocery getter. Reliability and lowest cost of repairs/maintenance are the big factors. Any comments on the above are appreciated. I'll start reading everything on the forum and see what I can learn.

 

[rusty ol ranger]

Cheapest and most reliable would probably be a 2.3duratech/5sp/2wd.

Mainly cause the 2.9 trucks are getting pretty old

Welcome to TRS

 

[jamie73554]

Thanks....are there better years than others within the 2001 - 2006 ranger?

 

[pjtoledo]

for the 2.3 Duratec they had intake baffle & heated thermostat issues in 2001/2002.
starting in 2003 a redesign eliminated those.

I bought a 2005 new, currently have over 370,000 miles on it.
only real issue was losing compression on one cylinder at about 320,000 miles.
after a swap it was found to have stuck/non-sealing rings in cyl #1.
the other cylinders, and bearings, were perfect.

all in all, a regular cab 4 cylinder ranger is a great run-about truck.

 

[dvdswan]

Welcome to the site.

 

[Josh B]

Man, if you're near where you say you're near you're in the middle of nowhere. The last vehicle I bought for a primary was in 2006 and news papers were still going strong so it was possible to get there before the crowd if you did it right. These days I have no clue how to get there first, or even early
You might shop around Altus, maybe even Lawton, and hope to catch someone shipping out one of the airbases and leaving one behind, but you will really need to brush up on looking one over and knowing how to pick a plum from a lemon.
If you advertise for one there you will need to know these things double :/
I'd suggest keeping up on these Ranger forums to learn as much as you can before trying to pick one out, even tho time is not on your side when shopping for a vehicle, but you do NOT wish to end up with a lemon, so plz do be careful
Good luck with it dude, and don't forget to ask lots of questions

 

[mikkelstuff]

The 2004 and newer (1998-2011) 3rd generation Ranger had larger diameter front disk brakes which I like (put them on my 2002 Ranger). My choice, which I have, is a 4WD extended cab Ranger. The 3.0L push-rod V6 is pretty wimpy but very durable. Truck will run 80 mph all day. Just takes a while to get up to speed.

I gather that the 4.0L is no powerhouse either but the overhead cams mean a more complex engine.

One good thing about Rangers is that there are plenty out there meaning parts are readily available.

 

[jamie73554]

Thanks all for the replies and advice. Currently, I am leaning more towards a 2003 and up, 4 cyl, (maybe a 3.0L V6) manual tranny with less than 100,000 miles. I do just need a reliable get around vehicle, but knowing me, I never leave anything alone. It will get some kind of treatment to make it nicer...taller tires, bed cover maybe, perhaps a worthless bolt together fake roll bar! hahah... I'm not concerned about location much. I can travel 250 miles or so to get the right one. And yes, time and patience will suss that out....probably too late in the year to get one for this winter and put away the bike, but I'm not in a hurry (so he says now before having to ride to the grocery store in sub zero weather)....as always, advice and suggestions are appreciated and given due consideration.

 

[Blmpkn]

Go for a 4cyl. The meager amount of extra power the 3.0 makes over the 2.3 isn't worth the mpg penalty

 

[jamie73554]

Leaning that direction....lots of them to choose from....BTW....I am about to search this question, but what is the WIDEST wheels that can be put on a ranger without them sticking out of the wheel wells? Right up to absolute flush is fine, tho

 

[superj]

The v6 3.0 with 5 speed is awesome in my 05 edge. A perfevt run about truck

 

[Blmpkn]

Leaning that direction....lots of them to choose from....BTW....I am about to search this question, but what is the WIDEST wheels that can be put on a ranger without them sticking out of the wheel wells? Right up to absolute flush is fine, tho

I have some 8 hole steelies on my 96 that are pretty flush with the fenders.. unsure of width or backspacing numbers though.. I can measure tomorrow. They look to be 8" wide though with lower backspacing than stock, 225s on them.

 

[jamie73554]

The v6 3.0 with 5 speed is awesome in my 05 edge. A perfevt run about truck

Its a choice on the menu. Like to keep things simple and reliable with a low cost of repair. I'm not too concerned about gas mileage. Where I am, its a mile or less to anywhere in town. Cant really see me doing more than a couple thou miles a year.

 

[jamie73554]

Man, if you're near where you say you're near you're in the middle of nowhere. The last vehicle I bought for a primary was in 2006 and news papers were still going strong so it was possible to get there before the crowd if you did it right. These days I have no clue how to get there first, or even early
You might shop around Altus, maybe even Lawton, and hope to catch someone shipping out one of the airbases and leaving one behind, but you will really need to brush up on looking one over and knowing how to pick a plum from a lemon.
If you advertise for one there you will need to know these things double :/
I'd suggest keeping up on these Ranger forums to learn as much as you can before trying to pick one out, even tho time is not on your side when shopping for a vehicle, but you do NOT wish to end up with a lemon, so plz do be careful
Good luck with it dude, and don't forget to ask lots of questions

Well, they do refer to the town I am in as the edge of the earth...so yea...not middle of nowhere...the EDGE of nowhere! While I have not owned a car since 1986, I am very mechanically inclined. I know what to check and how to check it...but yes, the oddities of the model are unknown to me at this time....hence...I be here to learn!

 

[rusty ol ranger]

Its a choice on the menu. Like to keep things simple and reliable with a low cost of repair. I'm not too concerned about gas mileage. Where I am, its a mile or less to anywhere in town. Cant really see me doing more than a couple thou miles a year.

Both engines are reliable. Both will cost about the same to fix. Havent drove a duratec truck but the 3.0 will make you wonder if its really a V6.