- Joined
- Aug 10, 2014
- Messages
- 506
- Points
- 1,601
- Age
- 34
- City
- Madison, IN
- Vehicle Year
- 1995
- Engine
- 4.0L
- Transmission
- Automatic
- Tire Size
- 215/70R15
I've been dormant a number of years. Long story short, rust and a persistant cylinder 5 misfire got the better of my current 1995 Ranger, and barring a resale (or some legal gymnastics, long story), it's been condemned to a parts truck and driveway storage shed.
I've been on the lookout for another long bed 1995+ Ranger to replace it and move some of my mods and the like to (1995+ for head unit and OBDII reasons). Last night I stumbled upon a 2007 RWD long bed Ranger with a 3.0 and looks to have what is or is close enough to the fully optioned interior I do indeed like, something that's a bit rare to find with a long bed (and both 1995's did too). And it has a 3.0.
(For the body condition, I think the seller wants way too much for it. But for the sake of this discussion, we'll ignore that since I'm not even at the "what is it worth" stage)
My first of two 1995 Rangers had a 3.0 in it and it was somewhat gutless. A somewhat far cry from the 1995 4.0 Ranger that replaced it. So, I'm a bit hesitant. However, my wife's former 2003 Taurus also had a 3.0 Vulcan... and it kicked butt. So, did Ford change tunings at some point, or is that a difference between Ranger and Taurus tunings?
(Not looking to tow or anything too crazy... I have a 1984 F-150 to haul my boat and other things...)
Also, I haven't done a lot a lot with the later models of the "old" rangers... I do know about PATS and the suspension overhaul in 1998 (I'm a bit of a TIB fanboy, so that makes me slightly sad). And that they retuned the transmissions to run 5 speeds. But other than a couple of facelifts, they seem unchanged since 1998 (or at least since 2003). Any surprises or things to watch out for? Yes, I am aware of the cam syncro issues Vulcans have. And the always rotten leaf spring mounts and shackles. Been there, done that!
I've been on the lookout for another long bed 1995+ Ranger to replace it and move some of my mods and the like to (1995+ for head unit and OBDII reasons). Last night I stumbled upon a 2007 RWD long bed Ranger with a 3.0 and looks to have what is or is close enough to the fully optioned interior I do indeed like, something that's a bit rare to find with a long bed (and both 1995's did too). And it has a 3.0.
(For the body condition, I think the seller wants way too much for it. But for the sake of this discussion, we'll ignore that since I'm not even at the "what is it worth" stage)
My first of two 1995 Rangers had a 3.0 in it and it was somewhat gutless. A somewhat far cry from the 1995 4.0 Ranger that replaced it. So, I'm a bit hesitant. However, my wife's former 2003 Taurus also had a 3.0 Vulcan... and it kicked butt. So, did Ford change tunings at some point, or is that a difference between Ranger and Taurus tunings?
(Not looking to tow or anything too crazy... I have a 1984 F-150 to haul my boat and other things...)
Also, I haven't done a lot a lot with the later models of the "old" rangers... I do know about PATS and the suspension overhaul in 1998 (I'm a bit of a TIB fanboy, so that makes me slightly sad). And that they retuned the transmissions to run 5 speeds. But other than a couple of facelifts, they seem unchanged since 1998 (or at least since 2003). Any surprises or things to watch out for? Yes, I am aware of the cam syncro issues Vulcans have. And the always rotten leaf spring mounts and shackles. Been there, done that!
Last edited:
