Most durable, and least expensive 01-05 Ranger

[junebug]

I am new to this site. I want to buy my 17 yr.old son a used 2wd Ranger.Probably,2001.5-2005 models with ATrans. Which engine?DOHC I4? 3.0L.OHV? 4.0L.SOHC? I'm researching. Thanks.

 

[Ozwynn]

they all good. the 3.0L is bullet proof and i would go that route for a teen ager. the auto trans leaves alot to be desired, it won't take long to want a 5 spd.

 

[GBranger04]

i'm a 21 year old and have a 4.0L, it's pretty easy to get on it and really get goin. i'm fairly responsible for a young guy but the 4.0 really has some balls and can be pretty tempting to test. not sure if that plays into your decision but if you're worried about him managing power then the 3.0 might be a better bet. not that you can't do a number on yourself in a 3.0. good luck, and your son is a lucky guy, hope he appreciates it.

 

[Wicked_Sludge]

i vote 4 banger.

im a die-hard 3.0 fan...but i think the 2.3 will best suite your (his) needs. they usually come in base model trucks (read: cheap), they do great on gas, are reliable to boot (about a tie between the 2.3/3.0), and a 2wd truck is pretty light, the 4 popper will scoot it along decently.

i would also teach him to drive a stick though. it will get better economy, be more reliable, and have better get-up-and-go. and its best to teach them now so if there is a need for him to drive a stick in the future he can.

 

[GBranger04]

i vote 4 banger.

im a die-hard 3.0 fan...but i think the 2.3 will best suite your (his) needs. they usually come in base model trucks (read: cheap), they do great on gas, are reliable to boot (about a tie between the 2.3/3.0), and a 2wd truck is pretty light, the 4 popper will scoot it along decently.

i would also teach him to drive a stick though. it will get better economy, be more reliable, and have better get-up-and-go. and its best to teach them now so if there is a need for him to drive a stick in the future he can.

+1 on the teaching him stick. i'm glad i learned when i was 16, i have an auto but i can jump into any manual and get back into it pretty easy. helps with learning to control a vehicle in various conditions and situations too.

 

[junebug]

One of my main considerations is engine durability and low cost to fix. DOHC alum. cyl. heads are very expensive. 3.0 can have OHV,camshaft/valve and follower issues,no? 4.0 OHV can have timing chain rattle,no? I realize that all these engines are good and we want a Ranger. More opinions please.

 

[Sunk]

i vote 4 banger.

im a die-hard 3.0 fan...but i think the 2.3 will best suite your (his) needs. they usually come in base model trucks (read: cheap), they do great on gas, are reliable to boot (about a tie between the 2.3/3.0), and a 2wd truck is pretty light, the 4 popper will scoot it along decently.

i would also teach him to drive a stick though. it will get better economy, be more reliable, and have better get-up-and-go. and its best to teach them now so if there is a need for him to drive a stick in the future he can.

+1 on teaching him to drive a stick. It's a pretty valuable skill to have.

 

[Wicked_Sludge]

just because the 2.3 is a DOHC doesnt make it expensive to maintain. and being aluminum certainly has nothing to do with the cost of maintaining the engine. i cant even think of an instance where valve trane issues have come into play on that engine.

the 2.3 is very reliable and cheap and easy to repair and maintain. ive never heard of lifter or cam "issues" on the 3.0. the 3.0 and 2.3 are very close in the reliability department. the 4.0 is only slightly less because of the complex and flawed timing chain arrangement.

 

[Mechanickid]

Imo the 4.0 is the best. 2.3 second best. 3.0 = JUNK. just my 0.2

 

[Wicked_Sludge]

anyone that would suggest a 4.0 is more reliable than a 2.3 or 3.0 hasnt worked on one.

 

[Ozwynn]

right now you could pick the 3.0L up cheaper than the 2.3L. people either want mileage or power. the 3.0L is right in between. plus its bullet proof and runs like a cockroach. it cannot be killed if you keep oil and coolant in it. thats what you want for a teen ager.

 

[Bryan22]

i'd say the 2.3. I LOVE the 3.0 b/c i owned one and almost never had to work on it, there wasn't a single time it left me stranded in 7 years. But I hear that new 2.3 is just as good, about equal in power and +10 MPG. in my opimiom 2.3 is the way to go. My next ranger will be a 2.3 duratec. that is after i get a 2.3 turbo in my current one!

 

[cappin90]

I got my 98 ranger when i turned 16 it has a 4.0 auto (180k miles so far) and so far the only problem is the tranny. its on number three since new. get a manual, and dont worry about power or speed unless you are dead set on a newer 2001+. the 4.0's gained 50 horses that year

 

[JamesC]

3.0 for sure, I would say its the most durable. I just got an 05 3.0 with a manual trans it does the job pretty well, I've always liked the 3.0 probably one of fords better engines as far as durability goes.

 

[86ford]

with the way some of you talk about a 3liter i am tempted to swap one in to replace my dieing 2.9, but i anticipate my wheeling style taking the 3.0 out quickly.....

86