Deciding on which Ranger, need help

[mentalbreakdown00]

you couldn't give me a dodge with a 4.7, I've got about 5 sets of heads that are warped beyond specs, and I refuse to use "shims" like dodge wants after you flatten the overly warped heads to "correct" for the amount needed to shave off to fix the warped heads... what kinda crap is that....also the front axle shafts that are smaller than my samurai on a "power wagon", wish they would go under

 

[dragonryder]

Now I got a new one in the mix. About 2 weeks ago I called about a 92 ranger with a 5 speed four cylinder that has alot of things already replaced and says it only has 85000 miles. Only problem is it is only a standard cab but it is inspected and he will go down to 800 bucks for it. Going to look at this on tonight and it may be the winner

 

[dragonryder]

you couldn't give me a dodge with a 4.7, I've got about 5 sets of heads that are warped beyond specs, and I refuse to use "shims" like dodge wants after you flatten the overly warped heads to "correct" for the amount needed to shave off to fix the warped heads... what kinda crap is that....also the front axle shafts that are smaller than my samurai on a "power wagon", wish they would go under

Haven't had any problems with mine yet but it only has 44000 miles. Not real happy with the power but gas mileage is fairly good for a 4x4 with a quad cab. Hopefully if anything goes wrong with it it will still be under warranty

 

[darkspork]

Now I got a new one in the mix. About 2 weeks ago I called about a 92 ranger with a 5 speed four cylinder that has alot of things already replaced and says it only has 85000 miles. Only problem is it is only a standard cab but it is inspected and he will go down to 800 bucks for it. Going to look at this on tonight and it may be the winner

Of the 3 that sounds like a best bet. The Ranger being a standard cab is only an issue if you are relatively tall, otherwise, you have your quad cab Ram. I can live with a Reg cab (I'm only 5' 6"), but my taller friends can't.

 

[dragonryder]

Nope, maybe I am getting my expectations too high for a $1000 vehicle. The 91 standard cab looks like it has been put through the ringer and hacked back together. I also don't trust the owner saying it only has 85000 miles. It did fire right up but lost power and back fired going up the hill. Seller says it is because he didn't let it warm up first but not sure. I'm not a mechanic, so all I can go by is gut feelings and what I can see. Seller says it was wrecked and that is why the bed and cab dodn't line up(matter of fact the bed is a little loose) but it never gave him any problems with inspection. Still have to go look at the 96 but can't stop thinking about the 88. Just wish I knew how forboding that engine tap is.

 

[darkspork]

Nope, maybe I am getting my expectations too high for a $1000 vehicle. The 91 standard cab looks like it has been put through the ringer and hacked back together. I also don't trust the owner saying it only has 85000 miles. It did fire right up but lost power and back fired going up the hill. Seller says it is because he didn't let it warm up first but not sure. I'm not a mechanic, so all I can go by is gut feelings and what I can see. Seller says it was wrecked and that is why the bed and cab dodn't line up(matter of fact the bed is a little loose) but it never gave him any problems with inspection. Still have to go look at the 96 but can't stop thinking about the 88. Just wish I knew how forboding that engine tap is.

You are probably right. Only car I had where the performance was degraded by the engine not being warmed up was my 74' Nova, and that was largely due to the carburetor which was hard to find a replacement for (1 barrel carb), and the choke was worthless, so worthless that one in four times it would get stuck, literally suffocating the engine (could not get air). I don't think there were that many new cars/trucks that still used carbs in 91' though. Your gut is probably right, though. It could be something simple, but it sounds like the guy is trying to pull a fast one on you. I really would look more into the 96' than the 88' if it runs just as well simply because you already have a work truck and it sounds like you just need something to commute in. If it were your only vehicle my opinion might be different

 

[dragonryder]

Goin to go look at the 96 now, if body is good I might go for it. I'm figuring that if either the 96 or 88 engine goes I could replace it with a 3.0 or 4.0 so now I need to look at the better body

 

[darkspork]

Goin to go look at the 96 now, if body is good I might go for it. I'm figuring that if either the 96 or 88 engine goes I could replace it with a 3.0 or 4.0 so now I need to look at the better body

Maybe I'm missing the point but I thought the point in getting the Ranger was for fuel economy? The 4.0 is going to get very comparable gas mileage to what your 4.7 is getting. I have friends with 5.4 F150s and they are getting better gas mileage driving harder than I do. I keep up on my maintenance, drive the speed limit and I average 17 mpg doing 70-80% highway driving. All time best: 20.2mpg.

I know there are people on the forum getting gas mileage in the 20s with 2.9, but they are likely very well maintained 2.9s, which it can't be guaranteed you'll get for $1000. As for the 3.0, best I've got out of it is 23 mpg doing 90% highway, 10% city driving. If you look at the 4cyl though, there's plenty of people on the forum and elsewhere I'm sure getting mid to high 20s.

Fuel economy.gov (new estimates, 5 speed manual 2wd):
88 Ranger 2.9L: 17 city 22 highway
96 Ranger 2.3L: 19 city 24 highway
96 Ranger 3.0L: 17 city 23 highway
96 Ranger 4.0L: 16 city 21 highway
06 Ram 4.7L 6MT: 14 city 19 highway

Just saying a 5mpg increase is more than a 2-3 mpg increase.

 

[dragonryder]

And the winner is ...............
1996 red ranger. Body is in good shape with just a few dings and a couple of small rust bubbles above the rear wheels. Interior is nice. 5-speed shifts well. Still runs smooth for having 191000 miles on it. Seller will get inspected for a year for me but I will have to get the emissions test on it because he lives in an area that doesn't have emissions. I need to get new door lokcs because he never had a key for the locks and didn't worry about because he lives out in the country. Windshield has a decent crack in it but it doesn't affect the drivers line of sight. Front springs are weak so it is sagging some and the front wheels are toe out. Has a slight oil leak at the rear seal and a squeeky pully beside the power pump that is annoying but doesn't seem to affect performance. He dropped the price from 1250 to 900 for me and its sold. Guess now I'll be on here more often for help.

Thanks all

 

[ForOffRoadDriving]

you cant go wrong with the 2.3l, mine has 240,000 miles on it and ive transplanted that motor and 5 spd trans twice (ranger bodies in michigan dont last long enough).

 

[dragonryder]

Thats a good sign, I hope I have as good of luck

 

[dragonryder]

Maybe I'm missing the point but I thought the point in getting the Ranger was for fuel economy? The 4.0 is going to get very comparable gas mileage to what your 4.7 is getting. I have friends with 5.4 F150s and they are getting better gas mileage driving harder than I do. I keep up on my maintenance, drive the speed limit and I average 17 mpg doing 70-80% highway driving. All time best: 20.2mpg.

I know there are people on the forum getting gas mileage in the 20s with 2.9, but they are likely very well maintained 2.9s, which it can't be guaranteed you'll get for $1000. As for the 3.0, best I've got out of it is 23 mpg doing 90% highway, 10% city driving. If you look at the 4cyl though, there's plenty of people on the forum and elsewhere I'm sure getting mid to high 20s.

Fuel economy.gov (new estimates, 5 speed manual 2wd):
88 Ranger 2.9L: 17 city 22 highway
96 Ranger 2.3L: 19 city 24 highway
96 Ranger 3.0L: 17 city 23 highway
96 Ranger 4.0L: 16 city 21 highway
06 Ram 4.7L 6MT: 14 city 19 highway

Just saying a 5mpg increase is more than a 2-3 mpg increase.

Yeah I know but like I said I have bad luck with mileage on 4 cylinders because I am always pedal to the floor. I am willing to give up a few miles for a few ponies

 

[Iron Ranger]

When I get my V8 ranger done, I've always wanted to buy a 4x4 with a decent cab and a shot box so I can rip it off and build a custom flatbed.

$900? Can't beat that!!!

 

[Ranger Sport Honduras]

show us the new horse!!!

 

[dragonryder]

I'm not picking it up till next week. He is going to get it inspected for me first, then I'll put up pics