Help me, I'm so tired of driving Jeeps....

[goblazers_6]

So I've had a series of Jeeps over the last 10 years, ranging from mild to hardcore crawlers. I've got a company vehicle that I drive to and from work everyday but can't really use it for personal use. So I didn't have to depend on a trail-rig to get me to work, but if I wanted to go anywhere else I had to take it. I'm done with that, it sucks.

I want something reliable, comfortable, quiet on the inside, clean, smooth, safe, and something that drives straight. Something with luxuries like carpet, a stereo, a cupholder, air conditioning, and maybe even power windows and locks. Am I dreaming to ask for keyless entry?

None of my last few rigs had any of the above.

I could really use a compact pickup as well. I think I've narrowed my search down to a 91-92 Jeep Comanche or a 93+ Ford Ranger. Comanches are POS drivers so I'd be spending a lot of time and money trying to make it nice. I'd rather buy a nice Ranger and do a few things to make it "nicer".

I'm looking to spend <$5000. I want a 4x4 4.0l with a 5 speed. It'd be nice to have an extended/super cab but that isn't mandatory. It looks like the Ranger got a makeover in 98, is it much better than the 93-97 model year? What should I be looking for and looking out for?

Thanks for the help guys, hopefully I'll be buying a Ranger and starting a build thread on here shortly.

 

[hoosier1104]

Welcome to TRS our little slice of Ranger heaven on the internet.

I have an 05 w/ a 5.0 but it had a 3.slow originally. It is all about what you want and what you want to do with it.

 

[bobbywalter]

So I've had a series of Jeeps over the last 10 years, ranging from mild to hardcore crawlers. I've got a company vehicle that I drive to and from work everyday but can't really use it for personal use. So I didn't have to depend on a trail-rig to get me to work, but if I wanted to go anywhere else I had to take it. I'm done with that, it sucks.

I want something reliable, comfortable, quiet on the inside, clean, smooth, safe, and something that drives straight. Something with luxuries like carpet, a stereo, a cupholder, air conditioning, and maybe even power windows and locks. Am I dreaming to ask for keyless entry?

ever consider a fullsize bronco or tahoe???



the ranger is not too costly to suit to taste, but for overall operational costs and off road handling the ext cab 4.0 is similar to the bronco...

 

[Rolled Ranger]

Welcome to TRS. I went to high school in Woodland. I don't meet too many people that even know where it is.

 

[Sunk]

I know where Woodland is! I used to drive through it all the time... Like every damn every weekend.

In 98 the Rangers got a face-lift and the the front suspension was changed from TTB to IFS. If you're looking at lifting the truck, you'll want the TTB as it's far easier to modify. In 1998, the extended cabs also got the 4 door option.

 

[goblazers_6]

This will not be used as a trail rig, at all. I'll probably be keeping it at stock height and it will be used a driver, a truck, and maybe some light towing. I'll be building another crawler real soon, and I can borrow my Dad's 7.3 if I need to do any heavy hauling.

I went on Wikipedia, and read what they have to say about the Ranger. I think I'll keep an eye out for a 01+ 4.0l. Plus I really like the 4-door.

 

[Ryannn]

http://www.therangerstation.com/resources/RangerHistory.htm
http://www.therangerstation.com/resources/How_To_Buy.html
http://www.therangerstation.com/resources/ProblemArea.html

Read^

Welcome to TRS!

 

[straycat]

You can buy a nice looking Ranger for $5,000. Look on Craigslist or check you local newpaper ads, Bro. I see them all the time for a great price here in Florida.
I have Jeeps and never tire of driving them. I have had Jeeps since I was a kid and I will always love them as much as I do my Rangers then and now!! If you buy a pos..it will always be a pos unless you dump a ton of money into it to make it what you want....just remember that!!!

Good luck on a new purchase, Bro!!!

 

[AgPete139]

If you buy a pos..it will always be a pos unless you dump a ton of money into it to make it what you want....just remember that!!!

Good point. I'm still working out the kinks in my Ranger...

Ive finally gotten it reliable...

Pete

 

[straycat]

Good point. I'm still working out the kinks in my Ranger...

Ive finally gotten it reliable...

Pete

Good on 'ya, Mate!!

 

[Hahnsb2]

I went to high school in Woodland. I don't meet too many people that even know where it is.

I do

$5k will buy a damn nice Ranger, these aren't Yotas and Jeeps we're talking about here I prefer TTB over IFS and would get a 93-97. Good choice with the 4.0 and 5 speed

 

[goblazers_6]

Y
I have Jeeps and never tire of driving them. I have had Jeeps since I was a kid and I will always love them as much as I do my Rangers then and now!! If you buy a pos..it will always be a pos unless you dump a ton of money into it to make it what you want....just remember that!!!

Yours must not be as fun on the trail.

Now don't get me wrong, I love Jeeps. But I don't love driving a lifted, locked, no swaybar, chunked mud tire clad, always dirty, always loud, Jeep with ~6 hard wheeling seasons on it. It's fun to take it on a beer run, but not on a 200 mile trip, plus my wife will only ride in it if we're wheeling.

I wouldn't consider any of the Jeeps I've bought a POS, but after I've dumped a bunch of time and money into them, they become one. How does that work?!

A Ranger is going to be my Cadillac. Something stock (stockish) that has options, is comfortable and quiet, but can haul parts, or garbage, or bark dust. I'll probably put less than 5,000 miles a year on it. I want IFS, and I want the SOHC version of the 4.0, and I think I'll try to find a 4-door in my price range.

 

[Ryannn]

Yours must not be as fun on the trail.

Now don't get me wrong, I love Jeeps. But I don't love driving a lifted, locked, no swaybar, chunked mud tire clad, always dirty, always loud, Jeep with ~6 hard wheeling seasons on it. It's fun to take it on a beer run, but not on a 200 mile trip, plus my wife will only ride in it if we're wheeling.

I wouldn't consider any of the Jeeps I've bought a POS, but after I've dumped a bunch of time and money into them, they become one. How does that work?!

A Ranger is going to be my Cadillac. Something stock (stockish) that has options, is comfortable and quiet, but can haul parts, or garbage, or bark dust. I'll probably put less than 5,000 miles a year on it. I want IFS, and I want the SOHC version of the 4.0, and I think I'll try to find a 4-door in my price range.

Good Choice! Dont let those guys bug you!
Again Welcome to TRS!

 

[straycat]

Yours must not be as fun on the trail.

Now don't get me wrong, I love Jeeps. But I don't love driving a lifted, locked, no swaybar, chunked mud tire clad, always dirty, always loud, Jeep with ~6 hard wheeling seasons on it. It's fun to take it on a beer run, but not on a 200 mile trip, plus my wife will only ride in it if we're wheeling.

I wouldn't consider any of the Jeeps I've bought a POS, but after I've dumped a bunch of time and money into them, they become one. How does that work?!

A Ranger is going to be my Cadillac. Something stock (stockish) that has options, is comfortable and quiet, but can haul parts, or garbage, or bark dust. I'll probably put less than 5,000 miles a year on it. I want IFS, and I want the SOHC version of the 4.0, and I think I'll try to find a 4-door in my price range.

I have taken my jeeps to Moab several years in a row...drove them out to Utah and back and never broke down. I trail road all day and sometimes all night. I took my early Rangers out there as well several times and had a great time. Never had any issues while I was there. Just a lot of fun. I am going back next year for a massive get together with a bunch of old friends and my wife and I are looking forward to that gathering.

I guess it is how you set a vehicle up that makes it more fun to drive then another. I loved all my old Rangers and Bronco II's as much as my Jeeps. Both my current Jeeps have way more power than a Ranger and that makes climbing a bit for fun for me. I love a solid axle better for a lot or reasons since they last longer and are more stronger.

Just research on what suspension you want to use and try not to go too overboard on it and you will enjoy a great ride. Shocks have a lot to do with a good quality ride. My current Ranger is really smooth on the road and around town and that makes it fun to drive as well.

 

[lil'_big_truck]

I went on Wikipedia, and read what they have to say about the Ranger. I think I'll keep an eye out for a 01+ 4.0l. Plus I really like the 4-door.

It sounds like you already know what you want. haha. Rangers are solid trucks. After everyone I've talked to, I've never met a single person who didn't like their ranger. And like everyone else has said, they're easy to modify if you choose to. I have a 97 3.0 4x4 and haven't had a single problem with it besides rust (because of where I live). good hunting!