Looking to get a ranger!

[ozziemo27]

Well tomorrow I am going to drive 2 rangers. Both are X cab and 4x4, but one is 3.0 5 speed and one is 3.0 Auto.

Just want to make sure im going to like the truck. I really havent found ANY 4.0's around here for sale, and tomorrow I will know if I can deal with the power output of the 3.0. Some people said its slow, some say its fine. IF the truck can hold its own, I dont care.

i would drive both a 3.0 and a 4.0 to see which you like best, im surprised you havent found any 4.0s, they are pretty common, although, your state IS about the size of a chihuahua turd just messin with ya

 

[PapaGeno21]

LOL, no it is. IM dead center, and if im on I95 for more than 20 mins in either direction, im in either Mass or CT lmao.

Im still looking but I would like to drive those first to see how I like the truck. They are both at dealers which is good becuase I wouldnt go "test" a vehicle from a personal sale add. Once I know if I want a ranger, which im pretty sure im dead set on that, I will start hunting for something more specific.

 

[Toms01PSD]

The 4wd Rangers have a BW13-54 Transfer case. You should be able to fit 31's stock depending on what year you end up with. I think 93-97 will fit 31's.

 

[lil_Blue_Ford]

Yeah I understand gearing, ive got 4.56's in this Jeep and had 4.88's in my other one. But im assuming the trans is geared differently.

Is it true the 4wd on the Rangers is running through an NP231 T Case?

I was thinking about some 235/75R15 BFG AT's on Cragar soft 8 rims... Thats like a 28 1/2 ish.

3.73 gears are fine in a manual 5-speed 3.0L extended cab running 235/75/15 tires. 4.10s would give you a lil more zip, but you might lose a lil fuel economy. If it's an auto trans you'll want the 4.10s for sure.

Rangers, Explorers and Bronco IIs all got BW1350, BW1350e, BW1354, and BW1354e t-cases from the factory. If it has anything else, it's been modified. Unless you're talking about an Explorer with a v-8.

IMHO, I'd get a lil more open of a tread pattern than a BFG AT. I ran Sport King AT radials on my 2wd Ranger and they did excellent. I was so pleased with them that I'd buy them again. IIRC, they're made by BFG, just one of the off-brand tires. I got about 50k miles out of 'em before they were close to wearing out. I ran them all year round, they went great in mud and snow as well as pavement. A second choice for me would be Nexen Roadian AT II tires, I have a set on my F-150 right now and I didn't have to use 4x4 all that much since I put them on, it went great with a couple hundred lbs in the bed and 2wd. Or pick something else with an open tread, that's what I've found to work the best on these trucks if you're gonna run it in the winter.

 

[lil_Blue_Ford]

Huh?

It's a spam/troll posting, ignore it, lol.

The 4wd Rangers have a BW13-54 Transfer case. You should be able to fit 31's stock depending on what year you end up with. I think 93-97 will fit 31's.

Yes, stock 93-97 should fit 31's. Might rub if you get off camber enough, but they should fit.

 

[Boghog1]

Nice to see you here Papa I just sold my 88 XJ and like you find that I don't need a lifted truck let me know your opinion of the 3.0

 

[Hopman]

Alright guys, I currently drive a 90 Stang on the nice days in the summer, but my Daily ride is a heavily modified Jeep Cherokee. Now as far as that is concerned, I am looking to sell that and just get myself a nice daily driver that gets me some good gas mileage and can be practical at the same time.

The ranger fits all my needs, plus its a FORD!

Here is what i was thinking.

93-97 era 3.0 V6, 5 Speed or Auto (Not sure on that yet), ext cab, 4x4.

How good is the mileage on that engine, and is that truck reliable?

Am I better off with the 4.0? IM not looking for a powerhouse just something that can move and hold 70 on the highway while getting good MPG's.

What is an average mpg for the 3.0?

Thanks guys!

First of all, go with a stick/4x4 combo. The engine is a toss-up. I've got a '94 2.3 4-banger (backed w/ the above combo), and LOVE it! If you can't find a 4-banger, go with the 4.0. They're a bit more common than the 3.0's and have more oomph.

From talking with some friends who've had 4.0 Rangers, they say they've gotten about 15-20 MPG. With my 4, I avetrage between 20-25 mpg.

 

[PapaGeno21]

Well I drove a 1993 Automatic 3.0L V6 with 4x4 and ext cab. The thing was a dog. Not sure if thats becuase its older, but it was really slow.

So I need to drive a 5 speed 4.0 and 3.0.

 

[Starboard M]

I hate to barge in on this discussion, but I was curious to see what people thought of the 4.0 OHV with an automatic.

Im not as concerned about mpgs as much (I drive Cherokees as well, used to the 10-20mpg), but I would like to have at least some power and reliability.

Anything specific to look out for on the 4.0 OHV that I/we should be aware of?

 

[PapaGeno21]

Good question bud, I completely forgot about the 4.0 with Auto.

 

[lil_Blue_Ford]

Well I drove a 1993 Automatic 3.0L V6 with 4x4 and ext cab. The thing was a dog. Not sure if thats becuase its older, but it was really slow.

So I need to drive a 5 speed 4.0 and 3.0.

Common problem with the auto trans 3.0L Rangers. A gear change might wake it up a lil but I've never experimented, most of my trucks are manual trans.

You'll get the best performance out of a manual trans 3.0L if you upshift between 4,000 and 5,000 rpms to stay in the powerband. I wouldn't upshift lower than 3,000 unless I had to.

 

[lil_Blue_Ford]

I hate to barge in on this discussion, but I was curious to see what people thought of the 4.0 OHV with an automatic.

Im not as concerned about mpgs as much (I drive Cherokees as well, used to the 10-20mpg), but I would like to have at least some power and reliability.

Anything specific to look out for on the 4.0 OHV that I/we should be aware of?

I'd say a 4.0L auto would probably be on par with a 3.0L stick for performance. From what I've been told, around town fuel economy would be around 15 mpg though compared to the 3.0L with a stick getting 18+ around town.

The OHV 4.0L motors were decent.

 

[eric17mx]

A 4.0 auto will rape a 3.0 manual and then some.

 

[Starboard M]

I'd say a 4.0L auto would probably be on par with a 3.0L stick for performance. From what I've been told, around town fuel economy would be around 15 mpg though compared to the 3.0L with a stick getting 18+ around town.

The OHV 4.0L motors were decent.

How do they hold up in heavy wheeling? Both the engine, but more specifically the tranny?

I seem to recall PapaGeno has the same AW4 I have in my Jeeps, and they are bulletproof for just about anything you can throw at them. Does the automatic in the Rangers have the same ability the Jeep trannys do?

 

[PapaGeno21]

Thats what I was worried about going with an auto. Me and Starboard are friends from the Jeep end, and hes looking build a NASTY ranger where as im looking for a NICE Daily driver.

IF the 4.0 and Auto is a reliable setup, I dont mind having an auto. How are those trannys?