is this a good or bad ranger

[ranger to be]

Ok so I am looking for my first truck to learn how to drive on. I like the rangers for reliability, customization and mpg. I keep looking at this 1995 Ford ranger I want to know if a 1995 ranger is a good truck. I have my own "yard service" so hauling equipment around is a must. The truck is a 1995 RWD 3.0L 5 speed with a tow package and a regular cab ex bed. I do believe it's an after market tow package. Is this a good truck for a DD and winters in PA? any help to convince my dad RWD is fine with weight in the back ? http://www.autotrader.com/dealers/dda/detail.jsp?dealer_id=611646&ct=u&car_id=289782117

 

[adsm08]

Well, the 3.0 would not be my first choice for towing things, but you can do worse. At the least, it should get good mileage.

2wd is fine for winter if you know how to drive in it. I have a 4x4, rarely use it, even in winter. Only on the days that there is a few inches of snow on the roads, and mostly for starting off in a straight line or for making emergency maneuvers.

Also have a 2wd S-10 that we have driven around in snowy weather with a pair of 18-wheeler brake drums in the bed. It did just fine.


When it comes to snow, its not about what you are driving, its about knowing how to drive.


If you live in the city, that's even better since most of the roads should get cleared pretty quick anyway.

 

[CHKNFKR]

Every truck i've ever daily driven has been 2wd and i've never been stuck unless i was.doing something stupid.

 

[straycat]

Why not a newer one? If you want to buy a truck find a newer one for your first truck. You will be spending a lot of upkeep on an older truck unless you are a good mechanic. Find something with low milage and work from there. Do you need a topper, roof rack, or a bed extender? How much weight you plan on hauling? Towing a trailer? You might want to get a 4.0 and not the 3.0. Just shop around a bit and go to Carfax and see what they have. My little sister bought a nice 2003 Ranger 4.0 last year at her Carfax and got a great deal on it. Low miles (1 owner) and it had 54,000 miles on it and it runs really super great. She paid under $5,000 for it out the door. Don't buy the first one you look at on Craigslist or the Auto-trader. Take your time and decide what paint / interior color you really would like to own.

It's my money and I want it now!!!! Go buy that truck!!!

 

[ranger to be]

ok well first of I am turning 16 soon so price is a major key. second off I am not planing to do much towing (Rarely any) most of the weight will be mowers and trimmers in the bed. second 104,000 miles is not that many. Third I have bin look since I was 8 at getting a truck but I like this ranger and it 3 miles from my house I just want your thoughts on it. I have bin reading you post for about a year now and I really want to get a ranger.

 

[mike123]

Definitely shop around for a good running one! And drive it more than a mile!
My first truck was a 93 ext cab with the 3.0, it had close to 400,000 miles on it, ran good for about a mile, after that...complete trash, I put a new motor in it at 15 3 months from driving, a month into driving it that motor threw a rod, put another in it and then the tranny finally started going. I got rid of it ASAP and bought me a 87 1/2 ton. Btw my 3.0 didn't get that great of mileage.. But it could have just been the motor its self..

My advice to you, shop around, drive it a lot and make sure your happy with whatever you get, I'm 17 and I've had 1. 93 ranger, 2.87 F150, 3.96 F150 (still have it, about to trade it for another ranger), and number 4. 78 F250 4x4 (my long term project)
I've had 3 trucks that I DD'd and swapped'em all out because I wasn't happy.. My dream DD is a 83-88 4x4 ranger and I'm about to get it.. The money I have pissed away in those trucks is phenomenal.. If would have just got the 1 I wanted first I'd be about $5-$6,000 richer..
Soo... Choose wisely boss..

 

[Heavyfire14]

a ranger is great the one i own is my second one and now i wouldnt want anything else im 17 and i got a '97 4.0l auto (i dndt want auto, its just the only 4.0l that i could find for sale within 50 miles lol) the 3.0 isnt horrible but if you could get a 4.0 in your price range that would be alot better but, it sounds like a good solid truck that you would enjoy (also ALL 4.0 supercab rangers come with the 8.8 rear diff)

 

[Heavyfire14]

My advice to you, shop around, drive it a lot and make sure your happy with whatever you get, I'm 17 and I've had 1. 93 ranger, 2.87 F150, 3.96 F150 (still have it, about to trade it for another ranger), and number 4. 78 F250 4x4 (my long term project)
I've had 3 trucks that I DD'd and swapped'em all out because I wasn't happy.. My dream DD is a 83-88 4x4 ranger and I'm about to get it.. The money I have pissed away in those trucks is phenomenal.. If would have just got the 1 I wanted first I'd be about $5-$6,000 richer..
Soo... Choose wisely boss..

same with me. ive had a 83 mustang (complete CRAP), 74 f250 (traded), 89 ranger (woulda been good if a tweaker didnt try making into a prerunner) 82 s-10 (also crap), 72 plymouth duster (regret gettin rid of since the minuite it left my site) and my current 97 ranger xlt 4.0 auto 4 gear (lookin to keep and maintain this one for a long time).

GET WHAT YOU WANT RIGHT OFF THE BACK SO YOU DONT WASTE MONEY. it took me a while to learn but, i learned the hard way.

 

[ranger to be]

thanks guys your a real help. If i could find a nice fist generation ranger I would get one but I look at a work/play truck so I don't want to wreak a classic. I would like to put a diesel motor in a ranger sometime during my life. I think the diesel rangers sound really bad ass, but thats me.

 

[koda6966]

The 3.0 is a slug but it will last forever, 5speeds are practically invincible, and since it's a 95 you get the updated dash but no trouble codes!

Go for it.

 

[Heavyfire14]

and hey, its better then a 4 cyl.

 

[RangerManxlt98]

Awe come on

and hey, its better then a 4 cyl.

no love for the 4cyl's? i love me 4 cyl's

 

[--weezl--]

ok well first of I am turning 16 soon so price is a major key. second off I am not planing to do much towing (Rarely any) most of the weight will be mowers and trimmers in the bed. second 104,000 miles is not that many. Third I have been look since I was 8 at getting a truck but I like this ranger and it 3 miles from my house I just want your thoughts on it. I have been reading you post for about a year now and I really want to get a ranger.

there, fixed it for ya, sorry, it was bugging me

3L is a decent motor, mowers and trimmers = no weight in the truck... i hauled my 650lb motorcycle in the back of mine (much newer, and 4L) over 2000km, but barely noticed it... you will be fine with a few mowers and a 3L

thanks guys your a real help. If i could find a nice fist generation ranger I would get one but I look at a work/play truck so I don't want to wreak a classic. I would like to put a diesel motor in a ranger sometime during my life. I think the diesel rangers sound really bad ass, but thats me.

not much of a "classic" just older truck, imo, classic is 35+ years old not much from the 80's will ever really be a classic to me though... except, of course FOR me (i will ALWAYS be classic)

diesel swaps can be done, there's a few people who have done them, my dad actually offered me a cummins 4bt today, for my truck, but i like my motor...

as everyone else has said, make sure you don't just go out and buy the first one you see... KBB will tell you that a 95 in any condition isn't worth too much, so don't go spending too much on it!

welcome to the site btw!

 

[TheTopher]

The 3.0 is a slug but it will last forever, 5speeds are practically invincible, and since it's a 95 you get the updated dash but no trouble codes!

Go for it.

Ford switched the Ranger over to OBDII about halfway through the '95 year. My Truck's got it.

 

[adsm08]

you get the updated dash but no trouble codes!

You say that like its a good thing. That only makes it harder to diag a problem.