Most reliable Ranger configuration?

[85_Ranger4x4]

How long did it take you to get yours running even close to normal? A year? Yea... super reliable.

Be honest, does it even run now without a cel? And I mean without you pulling the bulb out.

I don’t think a CEL was even a thing until ‘88...

 

[alwaysFlOoReD]

I don’t think a CEL was even a thing until ‘88...

My 86 has a spot on the gauge cluster for the cell but if you go behind there is no circuit to that spot.

 

[Josh B]

According to the Ford manual the engine got to be pulled, so I pulled out all the stops and got my trusty ol Haynes manual off the shelf and they recommend the same thing, in order to properly seal the oil pan.
Then I went one step farther and duckduckgo'd it. Some two mechanics or such a website said the timing cover could be coated with silicon prior to installing

 

[rusty ol ranger]

How long did it take you to get yours running even close to normal? A year? Yea... super reliable.

Be honest, does it even run now without a cel? And I mean without you pulling the bulb out.

It sat for 12 years before i got it and the only reason it took so long for me to fix it was the fact i suck at diagnosing EFI.

It also has no check engine on the dash, i havent scanned it again but it runs fine so im not gonna dig.

Rusty#1 went over 300k with literally nothing but an ignition module and tune up parts. Literally everything else was original.

In all the years ive been here, the total failure rate of 2.9s (as in, death by knocking or other serious mechancal issues), has been very low.

 

[PetroleumJunkie412]

Out of character, but I'd pick the Perkins Rangers as #1 for reliability. Possibly the mitsubushi diesel, but I know very little about them.

The Perkins diesel was underpowered, but it's a low compression, low rev diesel that can be converted to run biodiesel. Not much better in my book.

I'm sure Bobby and a few others will yell at me now.

After that it's a coin flip between a 2.9 with an upgraded cooling system or a 2.3 in an area with no Hills.

Reliability comes down to two things - listen to what your vehicle likes and dislikes, and PROPER PERIODIC AND PREVENTATIVE MAINTENANCE. Proper cleaning as well. One prevents mechanical failure, the other slows rust.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

It sat for 12 years before i got it and the only reason it took so long for me to fix it was the fact i suck at diagnosing EFI.

How I have it pictured:

Out of character, but I'd pick the Perkins Rangers as #1 for reliability. Possibly the mitsubushi diesel, but I know very little about them.

The Perkins diesel was underpowered, but it's a low compression, low rev diesel that can be converted to run biodiesel. Not much better in my book.

I'm sure Bobby and a few others will yell at me now.

It has potential but its obscurity is kind of a turn off. I have yet to actually see a diesel Ranger, finding parts for one or anyone that knows anything about them would be a job in itself.

The base engine was probably used in other things and has some potential for cross shopping there... but wait this is different and that is different, not fun for a dd.

I LOVE the 354 Perkins Massey and Oliver used. Sounds/runs awesome and very economical.

 

[Dirtman]

Yea, hard to say an engine is reliable when you can't find one. I've seen one factory diesel ranger in my life, with the exception of the T6 trucks.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

Yea, hard to say an engine is reliable when you can't find one. I've seen one factory diesel ranger in my life, with the exception of the T6 trucks.

I don't blame that on the engine, they never sold well so there wasn't a lot of them to start with.

 

[91stranger]

I think were mixing up daily driving reliability and engine reliability. Everyone knows diesels are a more reliable engine over gas but for a basic daily driver you wouldn't want something that old or that rare. Most parts stores seem to carry a lot of the 4 and 6 cyl stuff for rangers. I bet they wouldn't have squat for an 80's diesel ranger which would be a big turn off for someone needing a daily driver. Lawn mowers are reliable but you wouldn't want it as a daily driver.....

 

[Shran]

After that it's a coin flip between a 2.9 with an upgraded cooling system

So what you're saying is... a 4.0?

 

[bobbywalter]

Duratech. Then lima.

 

[Ultraspontane]

Thanks for the spirited discussion, boys. I have to admit, part of me just wanted to sit back and watch the dust up as you all duke it out.

I'm still looking for a truck. Currently driving a 93 GMC c1500, that is serving me well enough (haha I don't expect that one to go over well here) but is getting a little long in the tooth. I'm a little partial to the Chevys because they seem easier to work on to me than the Fords of that era.

I did own an 89 Eddie Bauer Bronco II 5spd about 7 years ago. That was such a fun little truck and I kick myself each day for getting rid of it. The cooling system shat the bed and I got rid of it.

 

[rusty ol ranger]

If you have a fullsize 1/2 ton now may i reccommend a 92-96 F150 with a 4.9L (300cid) straight 6 and a 5 speed.

Itll get roughly the same mileage as a V6 ranger (assuming you go 2wd) and do a whole lot more. Plus the 300 is generally regarded as one of the most reliable/durable engines ever built.

The 92-96 F series is also a rock solid platform and the I6 is very easy and simple to wrench on. Probably more so then your chevy.

 

[1990RangerinSK]

Thanks for the spirited discussion, boys. I have to admit, part of me just wanted to sit back and watch the dust up as you all duke it out.

I'm still looking for a truck. Currently driving a 93 GMC c1500, that is serving me well enough (haha I don't expect that one to go over well here) but is getting a little long in the tooth. I'm a little partial to the Chevys because they seem easier to work on to me than the Fords of that era.

I did own an 89 Eddie Bauer Bronco II 5spd about 7 years ago. That was such a fun little truck and I kick myself each day for getting rid of it. The cooling system shat the bed and I got rid of it.

Must've had a 2.9.

 

[1990RangerinSK]

This is probably the most reliable Ranger ever:

If you don't know who he is, read this: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ranger_Smith