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looking for advice


autopilot118

New Member
Joined
Mar 19, 2009
Messages
2
Transmission
Manual
Hello,
I am looking to buy a Ranger and would like to get some advice from you guys that seem to allready done countless hours of reaserch. A little backround is that I used to have an '89 Ranger with the 2.9 2wd manual trans and loved everything the truck did for me, but it didnt have and ex-cab and I am 5'10'' so I dont have it anymore. I am looking to get a '93-'97 cause I like the newer body style but still want the TTB suspension in the front. I still plan on getting a 2wd manual trans just wanted to get a more styleish body and an ex-cab. I dont plan on lifting or really heavely modifing the truck at all, just a good daily beater that can take my abuse.

Now the questions:
-when did they first start using a stearing rack
-is the 4 liter a much better option than the 3 liter
-can the manual trans typicaly take some good abuse (both from driving hard and light towing)
-am I better off with obd2 or doesnt really matter

Anyne that took the time to read and awnser I thank you in advance :headbang:
 
Last edited:
4.0 is a better towing motor than the 3.0

the Trans in both is very durable.

obd2 in the 4.0s started (in most cases) in the 1995 model year.

the 4.0 will have a 8.8, the 3.0 could have a 8.8 or a 7.5

I lean towards the 4.0s because they have low end torque. IMO the 3.0 is a car motor.

86
 
I personally think the 4.0 is better, alot more mods for them too. the manual will be fine if you maintain it. Your better off with obd1 for self maintaining. however you will be financially and reliabilitywise better off with obd2. Diagnosing is easier as well.
 
Rack and pinion steering didn't show up on Rangers until 1998, the same year they went to a short/long arm suspension setup. 1997 and older Rangers used an inverted "Y" steering linkage and twin traction beams up front.
 
5'10" and the regular cab doesn't fit you? I'm the same height and always feel like I need to roll down the window and hang partway out--even in the winter--but the pedals were a good distance away. I figured you had to be 6'4" before your knees started interfering with your attempts to steer. I personally prefer the single cab.

But the 4.0 is my preference. It can do V8 jobs. I wouldn't worry about the year--any year 4.0 is good. Any truck you get will be 12+ years old and by that age the care the previous owner gave it is more important than anything else. Certainly the older engine has less parts to go wrong--my '91 motor has one cat, on O2 sensor and did not come with an EGR. Troubleshooting is a snap. The newer ones are going to have maybe 2 cats, 3 O2 sensors and definately an EGR. And there is no $20 code reader for it. But I would own a newer one as well.
 
4.0 all the way, it has great power and if i hav'nt yanked my trans. out by now then i guess they are pretty good. 97 model
 
im 6'3 and a standard cab isnt CRAMPED. i kinda wish the seat would go back further but i still can easily acess the pedals and steering wheel fine. IMO the standard cab is prefferable because its much lighter and easier to handle.
 
Wanted to say thanks for all the relpies so far, I have found a 94 XLT ex cab 2wd stick 3.0L with 87K on it, seems very clean and never abused. After somethinking Im going to stick with OBD 1 so I can do an engine swap later if I choose (V8) without having emmision inspection problems. I have heard that the 3.0L may not have as much power but is very reliable and easy to fix, and like I said my towing will be minanal (3K lbs at the very most). Seems like a good year since its the last of the OBD1 and should have the buggs worked out (correct me if Im wrong please). Not looking at the truck till Sat 4/18/09 so any additional input would be apreciated.
 
There's nothing wrong with a 3.0 (or any RBV engine for that matter) when it comes to towing 3000lb's in normal terrain.
 

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