'96 Sport

[James Morse]

Can't find specs for that model I find Splash only.
It's listed as Sport and says Sport on the side.

 

[RonD]

I think SPORT trim was an optional package since 1985 or so, aka STX, but just for 4x4s 1995 to 1997, then "Sport/STX" was discontinued for 1998 and up
1996 Brochure here, has STX listed: https://www.therangerstation.com/resources/pdf_documents/1996_ford_ranger_brochure.pdf
Page 16

But brought back in 2019 Rangers I believe

 

[James Morse]

Thanks RonD. It's this one:

1996 Ford Ranger in Blacksburg, VA | Roanoke Ford Ranger | Duncan Ford Lincoln

 

[Uncle Gump]

Sport was available in 06...

They also offered in in a 2WD version.

 

[James Morse]

I guess I'm still confused... the '96 that says "Sport" on it, was sold as an STX (brochure)? Or you think someone stuck a Sport decal on it?
Probably I'm not seriously interested that particular one (in the ad) as it seems like $10k is a lot for an almost 30 year old truck. Though there are some good things about it depending what you are looking for.
It helps me a lot to be able to know what I'm looking at, for instance, an FX4, some years that's quite significant, other years, not so much and you would in the ideal world be looking for Level 2.
Mazdas were 'the same' but different. Later B4000's had 4x4. 4.0L, and skid plates (fuel tank and transfer case) by default. They had an add-on Off-road pkg with the 31" tires, MP3, a few other things, plus, that was only in one color. Point is, regardless of what a listing says, if I see a B4000 (later years) I know it already has a bunch of stuff, and I can pretty well tell by the pics if it had the off-road pkg even though it's not plastered on the side.
Not that I'm stuck on Mazda by any means, all I'm saying is there were fewer models/options to keep track of.
I don't know how useful are skid plates anyways. I guess if it prevented a gas tank puncture, that'd be pretty important. I suppose you could add them.
Uncle Gump is that your '06 Sport?

 

[sgtsandman]

Sport was also available in 2011. The only reason I didn't get one was because the two at the dealer were automatics and I wanted a manual.

 

[James Morse]

Why did you want manual, for durability? People are saying auto is better for off-road and seems more convenient for on road. That said this is the first auto I've had in 52 years of driving so maybe I'm enjoying the convenience of it and it seems to always be in the correct gear so I got no complaints.
You don't see all that many manual trans, they come up here and there in searches.
Manual xfr case seems even rarer. At least in later years.
So I guess you found a used one...

 

[sgtsandman]

Why did you want manual, for durability? People are saying auto is better for off-road and seems more convenient for on road. That said this is the first auto I've had in 52 years of driving so maybe I'm enjoying the convenience of it and it seems to always be in the correct gear so I got no complaints.
You don't see all that many manual trans, they come up here and there in searches.
Manual xfr case seems even rarer. At least in later years.
So I guess you found a used one...

Nope, bought it brand new.

I prefer the driving experience of a manual over an automatic and it’s a theft deterent.

For off road driving, manual vs automatic is a mixed bag. Each has it’s benefits and negatives. In the end, I think an automatic has the upper hand.

As far as durability, it depends on how you look at it and which automatic transmission is in the discussion. Properly maintained, a well designed automatic can give a manual a run for it’s money. There are still things to be watchful for on both. So, a zero sum game.

I also wanted the 15” wheels over the 16” wheels. The bigger the wheel gets, the more expensive the tire tends to be and the less sidewall there is to play with. The Sports on the lot all had 16” wheels, the XLTs, 15”.

 

[James Morse]

Thanks. I get it. Never thought of manual as being theft deterrent, but now that you mention it, it is getting to the point where there are tons of people who cannot drive a manual.
Aside from cost, on the 16" wheels vs 15", are you saying that less sidewall means less comfortable ride on the highway?
I didn't realize you could put 31" tire on 15" rim thought you had to have 16"
I think your setup is really close to what I'd like problem is what they ask for them today.
What does it mean pre-2008 lift, briefly?

 

[Ranger850]

Thanks RonD. It's this one:

1996 Ford Ranger in Blacksburg, VA | Roanoke Ford Ranger | Duncan Ford Lincoln

Definitely looks like an STX my buddy got in the mid 90's. Maybe the "sport" decal on the side was just for looks. Mid 90's is when every car a got a "sport" badge or decal and watered down actual "sport cars" by giving the car an appearance of "sportiness" with no actual "sport"

 

[sgtsandman]

Thanks. I get it. Never thought of manual as being theft deterrent, but now that you mention it, it is getting to the point where there are tons of people who cannot drive a manual.
Aside from cost, on the 16" wheels vs 15", are you saying that less sidewall means less comfortable ride on the highway?
I didn't realize you could put 31" tire on 15" rim thought you had to have 16"
I think your setup is really close to what I'd like problem is what they ask for them today.
What does it mean pre-2008 lift, briefly?

More side wall is important for off road driving. The more sidewall you have, the more flex you have and the more space you have before the rim of the wheel is hitting something.

On road, sidewall depth makes a difference as far as ride goes but there is a point of diminishing returns between ride comfort and steering response. People concerned more with steering response than ride comfort go the opposite direction. Less side wall to flex makes for faster response.

Again, there is diminishing returns there. Beyond a certain point, you risk damage to the rim of your wheels from pot holes and curbs.

As far as the tire diameter, you can get pretty big with 15” wheels. Older full size trucks have 15” and I’ve seen 35” and 40” tires on them.

Pre-2008 lift means installing torsion bar keys and axle blocks from a 4X4 Ford Ranger built between 1998 and 2007. The keys are indexed differently and the axle blocks are taller. It translates into about 1.5” lift of a 2008-2011 Ranger.

 

[rusty ol ranger]

Definitely looks like an STX my buddy got in the mid 90's. Maybe the "sport" decal on the side was just for looks. Mid 90's is when every car a got a "sport" badge or decal and watered down actual "sport cars" by giving the car an appearance of "sportiness" with no actual "sport"

3rd gen STX's got a different grille then other models.

VS regular...

 

[Ranger850]

I thought there was a 4x4 stamped in the grill somewhere. Like in the first pic, by the DS headlight.

 

[rusty ol ranger]

I thought there was a 4x4 stamped in the grill somewhere. Like in the first pic, by the DS headlight.

I think that picture isnt defined enough to see it. Cause the 4x4 is black and molded into the plastic

 

[superj]

that black grill is ugly with the ford badge stuck on top. looks like they made it in the shed out behind the garage, without thought, because they needed something really quickly