Welcome Visitor! Please take a few seconds and Campin1983
New Member
- Joined
- Jun 22, 2021
- Messages
- 7
- Reaction score
- 7
- Points
- 3
- Location
- South Bend, IN
- Vehicle Year
- 2009
- Make / Model
- Ford Ranger
- Transmission
- Automatic
Good Morning,
I've been lurking around a little, and wanted to start participating as my Ranger is going to need a little help going forward. But first, the story behind the truck:
This 2009 Ranger was purchased new in 2009 by my dad (with my help) as the 2010's were starting to come out. It has the 4.0L V6, RWD and a towing package (though I'm not sure if it was the factory installed version with a tranny cooler or a dealer installed tow hitch only). He anticipated using it for towing his camper and lots of yard work.
Instead, he had a job change and ended up putting in long hours out of town, rarely using the Ranger for anything but interstate travel, selling the camper in 2011. At 130,000 miles, he decided to replace it with something more fuel efficient and more comfortable. I wouldn't let him trade it in, so now it's mine!
I've driven it for about 10,000 miles since then, and here's what I know:
The good: Engine and tranny still run strong. It's been on synthetic oil for a long time and I usually can beat the factory gas mileage ratings. Frame has only light surface rust, and the only rust on the cab is a little bit at the door edges. Dad had the maintenance done by the dealership he bought it at, so fluid changes and most maintenance were performed at factory intervals.
The bad: Suspension is starting to squat on the rear end and overall the ride is awful. Vibration in the steering at 65mph and up. (Seeing the mechanic next week for that)
The worst: The floor of the bed is SOFT. I see where the factory heat shield over the exhaust just absorbed water into the bed,.and in places the spray in bed liner is all that holds the metal together. The seam at the front edge of the bed has seperated from rust and flexes.
I'm hoping to keep this Ranger going for a while. I use it mostly for short in town trips and yard work, with much longer camping trips through the summer (much like dad originally intended). The furthest off-road it ever gets is gravel roads on the campground, so it's mostly a tow/haul vehicle.
Hoping to learn and improve it so this Ranger can stay in the family many more miles!
I've been lurking around a little, and wanted to start participating as my Ranger is going to need a little help going forward. But first, the story behind the truck:
This 2009 Ranger was purchased new in 2009 by my dad (with my help) as the 2010's were starting to come out. It has the 4.0L V6, RWD and a towing package (though I'm not sure if it was the factory installed version with a tranny cooler or a dealer installed tow hitch only). He anticipated using it for towing his camper and lots of yard work.
Instead, he had a job change and ended up putting in long hours out of town, rarely using the Ranger for anything but interstate travel, selling the camper in 2011. At 130,000 miles, he decided to replace it with something more fuel efficient and more comfortable. I wouldn't let him trade it in, so now it's mine!
I've driven it for about 10,000 miles since then, and here's what I know:
The good: Engine and tranny still run strong. It's been on synthetic oil for a long time and I usually can beat the factory gas mileage ratings. Frame has only light surface rust, and the only rust on the cab is a little bit at the door edges. Dad had the maintenance done by the dealership he bought it at, so fluid changes and most maintenance were performed at factory intervals.
The bad: Suspension is starting to squat on the rear end and overall the ride is awful. Vibration in the steering at 65mph and up. (Seeing the mechanic next week for that)
The worst: The floor of the bed is SOFT. I see where the factory heat shield over the exhaust just absorbed water into the bed,.and in places the spray in bed liner is all that holds the metal together. The seam at the front edge of the bed has seperated from rust and flexes.
I'm hoping to keep this Ranger going for a while. I use it mostly for short in town trips and yard work, with much longer camping trips through the summer (much like dad originally intended). The furthest off-road it ever gets is gravel roads on the campground, so it's mostly a tow/haul vehicle.
Hoping to learn and improve it so this Ranger can stay in the family many more miles!
