2nd vs 3rd gen 4cyl Rangers?

[bottlerocket]

By no means am I trying to start a flame war between owners, but I am looking for legitimate insight on a truck I want to pick up. I'm looking to spend just a couple grand on a pickup for daily driving and hauling stuff for the house. Specifically a 4cyl 5 speed manual. I've been seeing plenty of mid 90's as well as several late 80's-early 90's models. Comparing quality, reliability, etc is one generation more favorable? I know newer is generally accepted as better but I'm a die hard Ford guy (Mustangs specifically) and we all know its fact that Fox bodies are by far better than early SN95 body Mustangs so trying to see if the previous model Ranger is the same way.

I daily drive a Jeep which is modified quire a bit so I'm seeing 14-ish MPG and would like something I could drive on a daily basis that gets better MPG and can haul stuff for working on my house.

 

[adsm08]

Most of the changes between 92 and 93 ( the gen 2/3 split) are cosmetic. The wiring is arranged a bit differently, but the dash, frame, running gear are all the same. The 93+ is a bit more aerodynamic, but if you go no newer than 91 the doors are more reliable (92 switched to a cable operated handle/latch system).

Just take what you can find.

 

[EMB1230]

I've been kinda getting into fox 'stangs lately too, trying to find a 2.3 5 speed 'vert, but most seem to be auto. Yeah, who doesn't love a 5.0, but damn, they are thirsty!!

Well, for one, finding a 4 cyl with 5 speed won't be difficult, most came with 5 speed. I would say 95 or newer, whole slew of improvements starting in 95. better looking dash, twin piston calipers in the front, more power from the 2.3L

 

[Captain Ledd]

If you're looking for a 3rd gen, 95-97 is pretty much the pinnacle of that particular era for Rangers. Mechanically very similar to 2nd gens, OBD2, better dash, better body, better front brakes, layout, everything is pretty much better.

 

[bottlerocket]

Awesome thanks for the input guys! I'm a sucker for the looks of the first and second gen Rangers but if the 95-97 were that much better I know what I need to look for.

EMB1230: The vert fox bodies are awful in my opinion. My first fox was an 87 5.0 vert GT and it was like driving a boat. The top is EXPENSIVE to get parts for if the hydraulics fail as well and the back seat is nonexistent. Go find a nice notch or hatch. Notch is the sexier of the two but the hatch has so much room under the glass. Good luck with the search!

 

[EMB1230]

95 also added a standard driver's side airbag, 96 was the first year for the passenger airbag even though 95's had the cavity for one, but very few 96-97's actually got it.

 

[Insanejughead]

I don't think they're better dashes. I like how simple it is to replace the heater core on the Gen 2-'94 dash.

 

[Snoranger]

I don't think they're better dashes. I like how simple it is to replace the heater core on the Gen 2-'94 dash.

^ It takes longer to explain how to change the heater core, then to actually do it.


Buy which ever bodystyle you like better... They are mostly the same and the "better" parts are easily swapped to whatever you buy.

 

[EMB1230]

One nice thing about the 89-94 dash, you can lock the glove compartment

 

[bottlerocket]

was the front end changed at all? I heard somewhere the front suspension of the Rangers have issues with their bushings or something like that. Not sure if that was remedied at some point or if that just a myth.

 

[PanamaExpat]

Anything with rubber bushings is going to need them replaced after nearly 20 years.....

 

[EMB1230]

was the front end changed at all? I heard somewhere the front suspension of the Rangers have issues with their bushings or something like that. Not sure if that was remedied at some point or if that just a myth.

1998+ have issues with the upper and lower ball joints wearing out prematurely, don't think I've heard of anyone having issues with the front suspension on 1997 and older trucks, aside from age, and normal wear and tear. Like Panama said, anything rubber is going to be need to be replaced after so many years.

 

[Insanejughead]

^ It takes longer to explain how to change the heater core, then to actually do it.

Yep. It's great.

One nice thing about the 89-94 dash, you can lock the glove compartment

I did not know the '95+ doesn't lock...