Most reliable engine/model?

[One Sick Puppy]

Apart from the overall cost-of-owenership, and my particular needs, one of the reasons I bought my 2008 2.4 regular cab manual was because I read that the automatic transmissions and the 4x4 models have some reliability issues that the manuals and 2x4's don't.

Is this true? I have been contemplating trading up to an FX4 and I'd even be tempted to get an automatic if it was a sweet deal. But, apart from all the extra $ I'd spent on gas and the trading-up, I worry a bit about parting with my current truck, which I'm under the impression should last me a very long time with very little work.

I know a 4x4 truck would probably experience different driving habits, but I'm just curious what people think of the higher-end models compared to the lower ones in regards to overall reliability.

 

[dogboy]

I think Ford's newer autos are better than the old ones (8_ -94 I think) but still are no where near as reliable as amanual/ 5spd. You still get around the same life, if not more, from an auto than you would the clutch in a manual. My ranger had 142K miles on it when I got it, and my cousin who is a transmission tech, said it was clear that the tranny had been removed/ rebiult before I got the truck, when he looked at it. And the tranny was on it's last leg AGAIN 10K miles later...

In my opinion, unless you have cash coming out your ears, you are completely throwing your money away by buying a new truck, and turning around immidiatly and selling it to buy a different one.

If I were you, I'd just suck it up for about 5 years, THEN sell it and get what you want. You will be money ahead if you wait to get a different truck.


EDIT: And after seeing your other thread, I think you have your engine wrong. Unless there is some crazy engine option in Canada, you don't have a 2.4L. Rangers after 1991, other than deisels, only come with 2.3's, few 2.5's, 3.0's, and 4.0's. So, you have one of those, if it is a stock motor.

 

[Sevensecondsuv]

People here will tell you the most reliable ranger is TTB/TIB equipped truck (1997 down) with a 2.3L "Lima" 4 cylinder (different engine than the 2.3" Duratech your truck has) or a 3.0L vulcan V6 both with a M5OD manual trans.

 

[tpking]

i had a 94 reg cab 2.3 5sp and i beat the living shit out of it never changed the oil put 100k on it in a year and that thing is still kicking around somewhere

 

[OilPatch197]

People here will tell you the most reliable ranger is TTB/TIB equipped truck (1997 down) with a 2.3L "Lima" 4 cylinder (different engine than the 2.3" Duratech your truck has) or a 3.0L vulcan V6 both with a M5OD manual trans.

2.3L is a GREAT engine, but the 2.0L would have been better if it was not plagued with carburator issues.

 

[Will]

If it has a timing belt then it's going to tkae a reliability hit compared to an engine with a chain. For instance, if you give it to your sister-in-law she won't pay any attention to the odometer the engine will die eventually. On a chain engine this can't happen. Otherwise I think all of these engines can go 250,000+ if you change the oil occasionally.

The trannies I can't speak on really. I had 2 old A4LDs die at 140,000 and an M50D die at 140,000. The A4LDs had some kind of pump bushing defect and the M50D had the rubber plug issue that the previous owner let the oil out and messed it up. I got it cheap because of that. But I believe the newer autos have resolved their problems and are good, just as the manuals are.

A 4x4 has more parts so it stands to reason a 4x2 should have less to go wrong with it, but the 4x4s are reliable. More so than the old ones really because there are no u-joints in the axles to sieze up from neglect.

 

[GreatWhite]

Apart from the overall cost-of-owenership, and my particular needs, one of the reasons I bought my 2008 2.4 regular cab manual was because I read that the automatic transmissions and the 4x4 models have some reliability issues that the manuals and 2x4's don't.

Is this true? I have been contemplating trading up to an FX4 and I'd even be tempted to get an automatic if it was a sweet deal. But, apart from all the extra $ I'd spent on gas and the trading-up, I worry a bit about parting with my current truck, which I'm under the impression should last me a very long time with very little work.

I know a 4x4 truck would probably experience different driving habits, but I'm just curious what people think of the higher-end models compared to the lower ones in regards to overall reliability.

I think of buying the lower model will save you hassle in the long end due to not replacing gizmos such as power windows, door locks

 

[OilPatch197]

If it has a timing belt then it's going to tkae a reliability hit compared to an engine with a chain. For instance, if you give it to your sister-in-law she won't pay any attention to the odometer the engine will die eventually. On a chain engine this can't happen.

That would be operator error, nothing to do with reliablity. Reliablity has nothing to do with "maintance-free".

The most reliable things, I have found are the products that are the most servicable. If you run a engine with no motor oil in it, does that make it less reliable? Absolutely not, lack of routine maintance has nothing to do with how reliable somthing is, however it does show the ignorance of the driver.

There is NO excuse for not following maintance schedules that pertain to your vehicle.

 

[Wicked_Sludge]

my vote for most reliable RBV ever would be:

a 90-94 3.0 (distributored, not DIS), 5 speed (even when leaking, an M5OD is more reliable than an A4LD), 2wd (less moving parts), extended cab (8.8 rear instead of 7.5).

 

[rurouni20xx]

well my a4ld hasnt died at 280000 miles on a d35 4wd, ive actually run the spindles in the ground, and the carrier bearing besides servicable stuff like ball joints and shocks. this is a 93 3.0 a4ld supercab dana 35 w/ 10 inch rear brakes factory, i think its an 8.8 rear end...eec4 engine. my distributor cap/rotor coil and plug wires after 16 yrs and 257000 miles finally corroded in half, coil on plug systems and coil packs generally dont get but about 100k. the engine died at 280000, oil pump failure, got oil changes at 3000 then 2500 miles, burned a qt of oil every 1000 since 150k. the only tranny prob i had was the vacuum modulator went out and pumped a qt of tranny fluid thru my vent lines to my heads and burned it off every other week for 30k, then found the prob and fixed. i can still go out and crank the trk to this day but when it warms up the oil pressure drops and runs on 3 cylinders. the 4wd w/ auto locking hubs crapped out on me 3 yrs ago cuz i rear ended a car and i think the system just lost power from a loose or broken wire, never looked into it. if that isnt a testament on how long and how far the 3.0 4wd auto can go i dont know what is.

 

[rusty ol ranger]

my vote for most reliable RBV ever would be:

a 90-94 3.0 (distributored, not DIS), 5 speed (even when leaking, an M5OD is more reliable than an A4LD), 2wd (less moving parts), extended cab (8.8 rear instead of 7.5).

The only Rangers that had the 8.8 were the 4.0L ones. No 3.0 ones ever had one from the factory, regardless of cab configurations.

That said, i throw a vote in for the 86-88 2wds with a 5sp and a 2.9L. Ive got one with well over 300,000 beat to hell miles.

later,
Dustin

 

[Wicked_Sludge]

i had to check the tech library. its '98+ 4x4 extended cabs that come with 8.8's, doesnt matter what powerplant.

 

[3BlindMice]

My 2.3L 5-speed XLT Super-Cab 4x2 has 200,000 miles on it - 141,000 hard ones by yours truly. She's pulled what shouldn't have been pulled, hauled what shouldn't have been hauled and went where she shouldn't have gone. I don't beat her up, I just expect a lot out of her.

Except for the timing belt going at 159,000 (my bad), I've changed the oil, filters, put gas in, put on 5 sets of new tires and cleaned the throttle body. It will get a new clutch and front crankshaft seal in a couple of weeks.

If she dies tomorrow, I will remember her with a tear and fond memories.

 

[Insanejughead]

The only Rangers that had the 8.8 were the 4.0L ones. No 3.0 ones ever had one from the factory, regardless of cab configurations.

That said, i throw a vote in for the 86-88 2wds with a 5sp and a 2.9L. Ive got one with well over 300,000 beat to hell miles.

later,
Dustin

My '94 std cab, long bed, 2.3L came with an 8.8. It also has the M5OD and it's just about to hit the 300,000 mark.



About 3,000 mi ago I replaced the axle bearings. I also replaced the RABS valve.

At the 281,000 mark I pulled the engine and did my turbo swap. The tranny won't last much longer with the abuse it's getting now (otherwise I can see it easily lasting another 50,000 maintained miles)

I didn't do anything to the truck when I bought it at the 245,000 mark.

 

[Wicked_Sludge]

ill bet either the axle or engine were swapped. no standard cab 4 banger came with an 8.8. check the drivers door pillar. does the rear axle code start with an 8, 9, F, or R?