4th gen really better than 3rd?

[Slim]

Today was maintenance day. Uuuuhhhhmmmm, we'll just leave that at that.

This Spring i'm replacing my current '97 reg cab. Gotta be an extended cab, it's reason #1. I'm thinking to go with a '98+ truck for the change in suspension and styling. I like the pro's, but tire of the con's. It's also easier to find a newer truck with lower mileage.

For those of you that have gone from a '95-'97 truck (thinking same interior), is it really an upgrade? The suspension? The engine(s)?

I'm also trying to figure out other more specific things, so if anyone has anything notable to add, for better or worse, please speak up.

Thanks.

 

[Tractorman]

I like my 02. You can get the rear doors, which is nice for for throwing crap in the back seat. I have the 4.0 SOHC, which puts out solid power. It was enough that I could go down the highway at 70-75 pulling my Mustang from Texas to Wisconsin, with little to no down shifting till the big hills. I don't have vacuum hubs, so my 4wd is almost instant, another plus.

But if I were to go back and do it again, I'd get a 1/2 ton. Better power, room, capability, ride, practically the same MPG. The best MPG I've gotten with it was 18 on the highway.

I know the 4.0 SOHC isn't popular around here, but I have 131k on mine now, and it runs like a champ. Starts everytime, runs smooth and quiet, and gets me around. But honestly, an F150 or Chevy of the same year would have been the smarter buy.

Just my opinion.

 

[PlumCrazy]

It all comes down to what you use the truck for. I personally dont think the 98+ suspension is "upgraded". The TTB RBV's are easier to lift, have more suspension travel, and less parts to wear out. If you never leave the the pavement the 98+ setup is a smoother quieter ride and will be just fine. If you plan on lifting you can either go bodylift and gain no travel, move all the stock components down and gain no travel, or drop 1500 on a decent lift.

 

[erocka1982]

i went from a 97 reg cab to an 04 ext cab with the rear doors. to be honest, i agree with tractor man! dont get me wrong cuz i love my rangers, this is my 3rd one, but i do alot of home remodeling and my flairside ranger doesnt make the cut sometimes(esp with 12 foot sheets of sheetrock..lol but it works hard and never breaks down so i cant complain. plus the only one that fits in the back seat is my 110lbs girlfriend(sorry guys no pics haha) but other than that, my fav bodystyle was the 95-97(didnt like the dash in the pre-95) but i like my 04 way better than my 97 though it doesnt have the power my 97 had(it was a 302)

 

[triumphrider-1]

If you want the extended cab, I would highly recommended locating a 4 door one. My uncles extended cab is only a 2 door and it can be a real pain if you want to put larger items back there.

Suspension and engine are up to you and what you do.

The unit bearings in the front are expensive to replace. As PlumCarzy mentioned, the torsion bar setup will be smoother for street use; but will not travel as much as the TTB or TIB suspensions.

 

[Great_Big_Abyss]

plus the only one that fits in the back seat is my 110lbs girlfriend(sorry guys no pics haha)

Not sure I'm interested in seeing pics of a 110lb girl. Personally, I like my girls with a little more voluptuousness. I'm a bigger guy (6'-2", 210lbs) and wouldn't want to feel like I"m breaking my girlfriend.

 

[Fx4wannabe01]

The unit bearings in the front are expensive to replace. As PlumCarzy mentioned, the torsion bar setup will be smoother for street use; but will not travel as much as the TTB or TIB suspensions.

I think we need to boil it down to if he's wanting a 2wd or 4wd. His truck now is 2wd, so I assume he'll be looking at a coil-sprung 2wd and those bearings are a whopping $40 for all 4. Not $400 for both unit bearings like on 4x4's.

The way I'm reading the OP, I'm guessing he's after an equivilent truck to his current truck. meaning it'll be a 2.5L 4cyl coil-springs but an x-cab. Well....the 2.5 has more guts than the 2.3L. If you want to keep it 4cyl 2wd, I highly suggest getting a 2001+ 2.3L Duratec 5spd. Holy cow those engines are FUN to drive! It's a rocket ship compared to the 2.3/2.5 Lima engines. The 3.0 is a good strong motor, but it does have the 3.slow nickname and they are sorta sluggish...it puts out the same power as the 2.3L Duratec. The 4.0 OHV(up to '00) is a pretty good engine that you can actually work on. lol. I had a first year 4.0 SOHC in my 2001 Ranger and well....it had all the issues all the early SOHC's had: timing chain issues. New engine went in at only 110k as it's cheaper to engine swap then fix the existing engine. If I could do it all over again, I would've gotten a 00 4.0 and swapped a 01 front end on it. I think the suspension is easier to work on because I'm WAYYY more familiar with a-arm suspensions already, not even considering the ranger I have now, but from working on my past rigs and such. And, those twin i-beam's tend to have front tire cupping issues. That isn't a problem on 98+ a-arm trucks. 4dr is AWESOME!!! Definately keep looking til you find a 4dr that you want.

 

[Slim]

Thanks guys! Allow me to fill you all in a little more. Apologies for not doing so earlier. This'll be long, but thorough.

My main reason for getting a replacement for my current Ranger is "only" for getting an extended cab. I've been able to make it this long, but it's now getting in the way of my health (back and posture). As with erocka1982 i'd greatly prefer to go with a '95+ truck simply for the interior (but if I found "the right one" that was earlier I wouldn't say no as long as it's an extended cab). Agreed further with all about getting a 4 door model if possible. I know i'd greatly prefer it. (learned from my Capris, T-Bird and ZX2)

4x4? No, please, dear God, NO! NO offense to the 4x4 crew, I love you all, but I don't need it, I don't want it and I really won't buy it. I have an 8.8 with TracLoc that'll go into whatever I buy.

Engine - i'd like to say i'd prefer to shy away from the 4.0, but only for fuel concerns. My '97 has a 3.0, it's a great compromise engine I find. The truck has 3.73s in it so I don't find it's that sluggish, but it's all perspective (I come from a history of SBFs, so ..... ). I'd entertain a 4 cylinder engine, it'd be easier to get around under the hood of a Ranger, for sure (better than my old ZX2 lol). Right now i'd say 3.0, then 4 cyl, then 4.0 last, but it really depends on the specific truck and test drive impressions.

Suspension (and steering) - this is a concern. The TIB works fine for me, but i'm trying to find out if the SLA stuff, torsion or coil, is any better for handling. Couple this with rack and pinion steering in the 98+ trucks and I could be very happy. I have the bumpsteer of the TIB and the sloppy steering from the crapola box isn't desirable either.

Overall useage - 99% street truck. No plans to lift. My '97 has a 2" spring lift and I love not having to get the jack out for an oil change (FTMFW! love that!), but if I wound up getting a torsion bar truck I could totally see myself trying to lower it, maybe leave it like that, maybe not, dunno. My truck is primarily my commuter, but does hauling duties for whatever we need.

I (we, missus and I) can't imagine the past 1+ year of my life without this truck, so i'm destined to get another Ranger, I just want to see about getting someing ..... nicer. I have the big picture dialed in, i'm just trying to sort out the small details now. (also trying to find out if newer 3.0s still have the oil pan gasket problem - ahem)

Anyway, that's all of it. If you've bothered to read this far thank you!

 

[Fx4wannabe01]

Thanks for that update and fill-in, Slim. Really appreciate it. And it's good you're doing this too....can't tell you how many threads I read about people wanting to slam their edge for cheap or whine and complain about the 3.0 not having the power it should. lol.

If you want handing, you'll want to steer away from torsion bars. These trucks handle like junk as it is and the torsion bar ones handle even worse. lol. Of course, this coming from a guy who's torsion bar truck is now in the air 8" on 35's. lol. It's been so long since I've rode in a stock torsion bar and stock coil-spring truck, that I honestly think they feel the same. What with my truck being huge and my little brother's 01 2.5L being slammed on 45 series rubber. lol. But what I can tell you is that if you go torsion bar and want a lower height, you totally bought the wrong truck to do that. You can only get about and inch to an inch and a half of drop all while keeping good ball joint angles. The 98+ trucks, even coil-spring 2wd, sit about at the height of a Gen3 TTB truck.....maybe just shy of it but darn close. It's a tall truck!

For 4dr, you're stuck to 98+ trucks.

IDK what you're budget is or anything, but I suggest a 01-03 2.3L 4dr 2wd XLT. Same power as the 3.0. Alot better mileage than the 3.0 and WAY better mileage than the 4.0(people report 33mpg on the highway with the 2.3L).

You may already know this...but the only 2wd torsion bar trucks are the '00 Trailhead model, 01-05 Edge model(2wd), and 06+ Sport model(2wd). All other 2wd's are coil-spring. And quite honestly, I feel the Edge/Sport trucks interiors are cheap.

I guess I'll say it first......Craigslist. Look at dealer ads for trucks and go drive 'em! lol. Figure out what you like. Even if a truck is a 2dr, but it has the Duratec 2.3L and the trans you're after, you'll still get a real good feel for the truck.

Good luck, and keep us updated!!

 

[Ranger Sport Honduras]

well the 2.5 does have more gutts than the old 2.3 now the new 2.3 makes a 3.0 sweat, i woulkd go for a 2.3 dohc if looking for a 4 cyl. besides it has great mileage.
as for suspensions the 98+ susp has a great ride on pavement, but like posted above its a lil bumpy on dirt roads since it has less susp travel

 

[Slim]

I know, that's why i'm asking! I don't wannabe another pita poster. lol This is why i'm searching all this stuff now, and these few hang-ups are where i'm stuck. I know i'm not buying an Edge, at least that much for sure ($$$ to buy and then to insure, i'm sure).

Not sure I agree with the 4 cylinder being on par with 3.0 power. I'll be getting a truck that weighs at least 200 pounds more, so the missing 30 hp and 15 lb-tq could be sorely missed. I am, however, just talking numbers here, so again, a test drive would help here greatly. Regardless, i'm still willing to entertain it. I think that considering that the truck see's 90% commuting duty and that rest is "light loads" (moving furniture, or under 500 pounds junk) it might be a winner.

Understood with the torsion bar examples - i've read that same quote from you numerous times.

Definitely going to test drive a few different trucks to get a good feel for them.

Thanks!

 

[Slim]

well the 2.5 does have more gutts than the old 2.3 now the new 2.3 makes a 3.0 sweat, i woulkd go for a 2.3 dohc if looking for a 4 cyl. besides it has great mileage.
as for suspensions the 98+ susp has a great ride on pavement, but like posted above its a lil bumpy on dirt roads since it has less susp travel

Main reason I lifted my '97 was the huge Toronto/Brampton pot holes bottoming out my saggy front springs, so maybe torsion would be okay if I made a set of lift keys for it. lol

 

[Slim]

What a ****in' pitmfa! "No rust" and then you can see in the PICS that the frame is all crusty and ****. Like come ON! If you don't look underneath your pos truck then don't say 'no rust', ***hat!

I'm getting frustrated with retard sellers. Especially the used lot dealer fags, some of which can't even get the year of the truck right. There's a number of trucks around that I wouldn't mind checking out, but as soon as I start scrutinizing the pics of what is advertised as what should be a worthy vehicle I get disappointed. I don't want to drive 1.5 hours to look at a truck that is newer than mine, with less mileage than mine, and twice the rust.

****!

Sorry. Done now.

Morans!

Okay, now i'm done.

 

[Slim]

Oh, so ..... SSSSSOOOOOOOO very worth it!

Even with the crap tires on it, this truck is far, FAR superior in every way to my '97. No offense to the Lil' Black Bastard (finally figured out a name for it lol), but it's days are, thankfully, numbered.

Drove the new truck home last night. It's been a few years since i've been able to get into a vehicle and feel really comfortable driving it. I've missed the roominess of my old '96 T-Bird and I think i've found it again, along with something that holds a straight line well and turns with ease. And useful foglights!

Might sound kinda dumb, but getting out of the last two **** boxes feels really good dammit!

I'll link to a new thread next week once I get it washed up. Need plates first.