First Ranger need advice..

[jeeper1]

Actually this will be the first Ford in my family.My son has been washing dishes and frying fish for the last year to save up $5000 dollars.I will pitch in another $5000 and we are looking at a extended cab Ranger.I know very little about these trucks and would like some advice on engines/transmissions combos their quirks and heads up on any major defects in certain years.We don't care if it's manual or auto tranny and it will be a daily driver so small six or 4 banger is on the short list.If anybody wants to know anything about any Jeep models let me know that's my truck of choice, but my kid just loves the Ranger (must be from his mothers side)It will probably be in the 2003-2007 model years.Thanks in advance Jeeper1.

 

[darkspork]

For the 2003-2007 Rangers the smallest engine you will be able to find is the 3.0L V6. I would, however look more into the 4.0L V6, the 3.0L makes similar power to the 4 cylinder engine but gets almost the same gas mileage as the 4.0L. I'd also go with the 4.0L over the 3.0L simply because my father had bad luck with the 3.0L in his Aerostar (needed rebuild at 100k miles, and again at 145k miles), and one of my co-workers with an 05' land up having serious engine problems with the 3.0L (under warranty thankfully). I'm sure there are other people on the forum who will stand up for the 3.0L as they may have had good experiences with it, I've just as a whole seen 4.0s go a lot longer than 3.0s.

The 4cyl is the only Ranger engine that really returns decent/good gas mileage. Gas mileage is my main gripe with the 4.0L, but my truck is a 4x4 and has 4.10 (taller) gears. The 4.0L, is a tough engine though, and has never came close to letting me down.

The transmission thing comes down to preference. For the automatics one of the most unreliable transmissions was the A4LD which Ford stopped putting in the Rangers in the 90s. The newer automatics are much better. The newer manual Rangers use the m5od transmission which is supposed to be one of the most reliable transmissions you can for a Ranger. The manual transmission can sometimes be finicky with gears 1-3, some people have perfectly smooth shifting transmissions, some don't. My transmission doesn't like to go into 1st unless I'm at a stop (which is fine, some transmissions actually lock you out of 1st unless stopped as a safety precaution), 1st to 2nd and 2nd to 3rd shift can be difficult when its -20F or colder outside, and same goes for 4th to 3rd and 3rd to 2nd when its -20F outside. Gets easier as the transmission warms, probably just the transmission fluid thickening from the coldness. Its summer time and all shifts are smooth in my Ranger, any issues I've had are climate related, and I've had similar issues in my last car (Toyota made). I have little experience with automatic Rangers, but in the years you mentioned I would think it should be as good as the manual Ranger.

Hope this helps.

 

[2manyfords]

The manual trannys are the most reliable.

Both V6 engines are pigs on fuel in those years. The 3.0L (smaller v6) IMO is under powered.

PS.... Love my 99TJ

 

[JohnnyO]

Basically they are all very reliable. An extended cab will likely have a 3.0 in a 4x2 and a 4.0 in a 4x4. There ARE 4-banger 4x2 extended cabs but they are exceedingly rare. From about 2002-up all 4x4 ext cabs had the 4.0 engine. Good power but uses a lot of gas. 3.0 is not a lot better but in a 4x2 driven lightly it will be okay.

Unless you're in the deep south or southwest, look for rust along the bottom seams of the doors and tailgate.

The automatics call for a transmission fluid flush every 30,000 miles, which hardly anyone does, so get that done asap unless you have proof that it's been done. If you get a 4x4 it calls for changing the transfer case lube (it's just Mercon ATF) at 60,000 miles but it will already look like tar at 30,000.

Basically they call for a major service every 30,000 and just oil changes and tire rotations every 5000 in between. If you get one with less than 30k you're good, if you get one with more miles then I would do the 30k service unless you have proof that it's been done. Then 60k and so on. If you take care of it right and change the fluids, a Ranger will run until the body falls off.

 

[Original_Ranger84]

I just picked up a 99 ranger ex cab 4x4 with a 5spd and 3.0l. and i love it! Its got enough power for what i use it for and it got 20mpg even with a plugged filter and really burned out plugs. If he is only gonna be driving it around and not like wheeling it hardcore or anything i think a 3.0l will be just fine. And the 3.0l in the ranger or atleast older rangers are bullet proof. I would say go with an older ranger, like 96 - 00 cause you can get then cheaper and have extra money to fix it and put on some nice mods like a stereo or something.

 

[Rifleman]

Basically they are all very reliable. If you take care of it right and change the fluids, a Ranger will run until the body falls off.

+1

Couldn't have said it any better cept maybe adding the body can be repaced two or three times. Damned bodies won't last 300,000 miles even with good care unless always kept super clean in stored in climate control.

I've never seen any of the '02 and up 4.0L engines have an issue that wasn't created by the user (even if most won't admit it) beyond the occasional sensor crap out from some factory defect. Most you'll replace and never have trouble again.