Welcome Visitor! Please take a few seconds and Broo
Member
- Joined
- Dec 21, 2015
- Messages
- 52
- Reaction score
- 31
- Points
- 18
- Location
- Quebec
- Vehicle Year
- 2006
- Make / Model
- Ford Ranger
- Engine Size
- 3.0 V6
- Transmission
- Automatic
- 2WD / 4WD
- 2WD
I bought my '06 Ranger back in 2010. It's a white 2WD, 3.0L automatic, single cab with the long (7') bed.
After yet another tedious winter, I realize this little truck is getting old. I do a complete detailing of my vehicles twice a year, Fall and Spring, truck included.
After the wash, I noticed a lot of paint chipping that began rusting. I already had a few spots (front lower corners of the bed) where paint was flaking in chunks, but this year the rear wheel arches joined the party big time. The door's inside lower section is also pretty rusty while the upper interior section sees paint chipping (???) and my seat belt's floor anchor is getting attacked too.
I was pretty discouraged at all these defects, enough so that a detailing that usually takes 6 hours was cut short to 2, using an all-in-one product instead of several dedicated ones that do a better job and last longer. I never had that much paint flaking at once, ever on any vehicle.
The way I use the truck, of course it has several dings and scratches, but strangely this is not where the rust problems are.
All this despite annual rust-proofing at a reputable shop.
Mechanically, I had my share of problems over the last 9 years and last year was the first time ever I had to call a tow truck when my ignition coil pack failed.
Despite all these shortcomings, I do not yet want to let this truck go. It hasn't even reached 100 000 miles yet. The size and height are perfect for my use. The new Ranger's bed is way too high to be practical. Maybe the 2WD version is lower, but I can't know since Ford only offers the 4WD version in Canada. The only modern truck that would fit my needs is a 2WD Tacoma, new or used, but have you seen those prices ? The Nissan Frontier also exists in lower 2WD version, but they are very rare, or people keep them instead of selling them. Both the Tacoma and Frontier are only sold with extra or double cab here, we don't have single cabs anymore in the midsize segment and haven't for many years. I could live with an extra cab and a 6' box.
A repaint is prohibitively expensive so I'm unwillingly joining the rusty Rangers club. There are a LOT of members up here in eastern Canada. Despite the (sometimes severe) body rust, many are still earning their keep, so will mine.
It successfully took me and my father in law to Hershey last year for the AACA Fall Meet and brought back a lot of stuff. It was a 10 hours drive each way.
Good luck little Ranger, I may be giving up on your aesthetics, but I'll try and keep you in working order as long a possible if it makes financial sense.
Sorry this was long winded, I had to vent a bit.
After yet another tedious winter, I realize this little truck is getting old. I do a complete detailing of my vehicles twice a year, Fall and Spring, truck included.
After the wash, I noticed a lot of paint chipping that began rusting. I already had a few spots (front lower corners of the bed) where paint was flaking in chunks, but this year the rear wheel arches joined the party big time. The door's inside lower section is also pretty rusty while the upper interior section sees paint chipping (???) and my seat belt's floor anchor is getting attacked too.
I was pretty discouraged at all these defects, enough so that a detailing that usually takes 6 hours was cut short to 2, using an all-in-one product instead of several dedicated ones that do a better job and last longer. I never had that much paint flaking at once, ever on any vehicle.
The way I use the truck, of course it has several dings and scratches, but strangely this is not where the rust problems are.
All this despite annual rust-proofing at a reputable shop.
Mechanically, I had my share of problems over the last 9 years and last year was the first time ever I had to call a tow truck when my ignition coil pack failed.
Despite all these shortcomings, I do not yet want to let this truck go. It hasn't even reached 100 000 miles yet. The size and height are perfect for my use. The new Ranger's bed is way too high to be practical. Maybe the 2WD version is lower, but I can't know since Ford only offers the 4WD version in Canada. The only modern truck that would fit my needs is a 2WD Tacoma, new or used, but have you seen those prices ? The Nissan Frontier also exists in lower 2WD version, but they are very rare, or people keep them instead of selling them. Both the Tacoma and Frontier are only sold with extra or double cab here, we don't have single cabs anymore in the midsize segment and haven't for many years. I could live with an extra cab and a 6' box.
A repaint is prohibitively expensive so I'm unwillingly joining the rusty Rangers club. There are a LOT of members up here in eastern Canada. Despite the (sometimes severe) body rust, many are still earning their keep, so will mine.
It successfully took me and my father in law to Hershey last year for the AACA Fall Meet and brought back a lot of stuff. It was a 10 hours drive each way.
Good luck little Ranger, I may be giving up on your aesthetics, but I'll try and keep you in working order as long a possible if it makes financial sense.
Sorry this was long winded, I had to vent a bit.
