Back again

[Simple_serf]

Hi all,

After a bit of a Ranger Hiatus (not chosen by me, the remnants of my 04 are still sitting in front of the barn, and I still get a headache when I look at them), I am sick of dealing with my f150. It's continual 4wd issues, and more importantly the 14mpg that I get with the 4.2, have made me start looking at Rangers again. I still commute about 30-40K miles a year.

I'm thinking about looking for a 4wd, ex cab, 4.0, 5 spd. Yes, I know they are harder to find, but I really don't like the auto trans that ford used in the ranger, and I would like to get 20-25 mpg again.

Any thoughts?

btw, It's been good to see some old faces still on here!

Paul

 

[kunar]

welcome back! just keep your eye on craigslist and the right truck will come along sooner or later.

 

[Ranger1776]

man, up by me there are more extended cab ranger 4.0's than you would know what to do with! too bad theyre all rusted out... and if theyre not they want way too much money, rare up by me is a truck like mine, single cab, short box, yadda yadda, welcome back!

 

[RonD]

?? 4x4 Ranger with 4.0l/5-speed that gets over 20MPG...........really

2WD Ranger with 2.3l/5-speed can get 25MPG

 

[Mark_88]

Welcome back...I thought I recognized that fire ball from somewhere...

Happy hunting for your new Ranger...CL might help...so would checking out the vehicles for sale on here...or maybe stand on a corner with a sign "Will work for Ranger"...

 

[Simple_serf]

Oh yeah, I know I'll find what I am looking for. On the upside, my f150 still goes down the road.

Old Orkin trucks are a dime a dozen here. 2wd, short box short cab, 2.3 or 3.0 $6k. I would get one, but after being upside down, I would rather have the 4wd. Yeah, I know I am used to 2wd milage, but when an f350 gets better milage than my 150, I know It's time to start thinking. I'd love the 3.0, but I have only ever seen one in a long bed/cab w/4wd.

 

[97RangerXLT]

?? 4x4 Ranger with 4.0l/5-speed that gets over 20MPG...........really

2WD Ranger with 2.3l/5-speed can get 25MPG

My 97 4.0 w/ automatic has gotten 21mpg on the highway. usually it gets 19mpg on the highway and 16-18 mixed driving.

AJ

 

[97RangerXLT]

BTW, welcome back, and I would get a 4.0 over the 3.0 if you are going supercab and 4x4. you will thank yourself in the long run...

AJ

 

[RonD]

My 97 4.0 w/ automatic has gotten 21mpg on the highway. usually it gets 19mpg on the highway and 16-18 mixed driving.

AJ

You must have the back-end jacked up..........you know, so your always going down hill...lol.

I do mostly city driving with canopy and tools in the back, 15-16mpg is a good day, hitting all the green lights

 

[97RangerXLT]

With a full load of tools that isn't too bad.

I do believe I had a good tailwind on the day I got 21mpg. Plus I have found anything over 70 and gas mileage really goes down

Sent from my SCH-I535 using Tapatalk 2

 

[RonD]

Yes, lol, not complaining, gas mileage for the weight I carry and where I drive is fine.

I would get one, but after being upside down, I would rather have the 4wd.

Flipping over or not flipping over wouldn't be a 4x4 atribute, a 4x4 can help you get moving in low traction situations, 4 tires pushing/pulling give you better odds that 1 will have traction, once in motion momentum physics is king and 2x4 or 4x4 won't matter, tires can matter.
4x4's also have a tendency to have a higher center of gravity, which can lead to roll over.

 

[Simple_serf]

I ended up having the rear spin out due to icy conditions. I feel that under that specific condition, If I would have had a front wheel getting some bite, the front end would have stayed straight and I wouldn't have done the 180. I flipped when I went off the road and down into the median sideways.

I wasn't helped by the fact that we didn't finish the job at work that day, and I left all of my tools in the job box on site instead of in my truck. Having that weight in the back could have helped as well.

 

[doorgunner]

Welcome back.......too bad that you can't shorten that commute by about 20,000 per year......

 

[brokemechanic3000]

How are you guys getting such good mileage? My truck at best gets 13 MPG!!
99 B3000 SE 4x4 Auto