New Member: Buying a Ranger, need advice!!!

[Bass]

Hey guys,

I'm a new member here. I currently own a '96 Grand Cherokee that's lifted and has quite a bit done to it. Although it's a great truck (when it works like it should), it's become a money pit and too much needs to be done to it at this point, so I want something else...

So, I've chosen a Ranger. I've always heard so much about the reliability of Rangers which is what has steered me this way. I am sick of spending every moment of daylight underneath my Jeep swapping/fixing/replacing stuff, and I want a fun little truck that will not be so expensive to drive.

I've done a lot of searching and THINK what I want is a base, 2wd 2.3 Ranger. My reason for this choice would probably be due to their simplicity, and the reputation these trucks have. Gas mileage is also a big factor, considering that the Jeep never did much better than 16mpg.

My question to you guys is, what years should I be looking at for reliability? I am on the fence as to whether I should go shop right now for a 2-3000$ Ranger and hope that it lasts, or save a bit of coin and in a few months try and buy an 07-08 with the 2.3. They are running at about $7k around here with low mileage. Are there certain years to look out for? Am I better off with an older Ranger (2000-2003ish?) that I can tinker with and not worry so much about? Or will they give me lots of trouble?

The plan is to stuff my 31s from my Jeep onto the Ranger, and a small lift. At this point I just want a reliable truck that will take me fishing whenever I want to go. I don't mind wrenching once in a while, but I would also prefer not to have to every single weekend (unless of course it's for a mod and not a repair).

Looking forward to any responses! Thanks again guys.

-Simon

 

[Andy D]

You want a car with under 50K miles or over 150K. Let me explain why. Under 50, its a puff. shouldn't need a thing. Over 150K, it has been maintained to reach that figure. The ideal used car is an older car with ~ 140K that the owner has kept up. Then some cheap widget goes and the frustrated owner gets mad and dumps it for a song. You buy for a song, fix widget with a JY part

 

[Bass]

I guess I'll be looking at the lower mileage Rangers then; my Jeep has 160k miles and it's quite the hassle.

 

[EMB1230]

Early '01's and older will have the Lima 2.3 or 2.5L. A late '01 and newer will have the Duratec 2.3. All 3 are excellent engines. Limas 2.3's are 98-112 hp, Lima 2.5's are 117-119 hp Both are all-iron, have 8 valves and use 8 spark plugs and the driver's side ones are a real bitch to get to. Luckily, they're only for emissions purposes. They also have a timing belt that has to be changed every so often, On the plus side, they're NON interference so if/when the belt snaps, no damage will be done, however you will get stuck somewhere, lol. Duratecs are 135-143 hp, all-aluminum, have 16 valves and use 4 spark plugs, and have a timing chain so less maintenance for them. Duratecs avg about 2 MPG more than Limas.

 

[LIMA BEAN]

2.3 LIMA = 4 plugs/ + Dizzy

2.3 Duratec= 8 plugs/ + DIS

 

[Bass]

Sounds like the Duratec is what I want, for simplicity's sake...

Anything else to consider?

 

[LIMA BEAN]

Sounds like the Duratec is what I want, for simplicity's sake...

Anything else to consider?

If you like your girlfriend... bench seat.
If she is a pain in the butt... buckets w/console.

 

[matticus420]

If you like your girlfriend... bench seat.
If she is a pain in the butt... buckets w/console.

Lol problem solved

 

[EMB1230]

2.3 LIMA = 4 plugs/ + Dizzy

up until 1988. 1989 got the 8 plugs and coil packs. Also, Duratec's use coil-on-plug.

 

[LIMA BEAN]

up until 1988. 1989 got the 8 plugs and coil packs. Also, Duratec's use coil-on-plug.

I have an 88, for some reason I thought it was all duratec after that, thats what I get for thinkin right.

 

[Bass]

Bench seat it is most likely, if I can find one!

So I guess these are pretty reliable little trucks then! Glad there's no issues that jump out like that!