Question

[D Baker]

I have a question, what constitutes the differences in generations of Rangers?
Is it model years, and what are they?

The Raner I have has 4X4 Off Road sticker on the rear quarter panels. Does this indicate that the truck has a beefier suspension than a normal 4X4.

I know these are pretty newbie questions, just trying to figure this truck out.

BTW, I've picked up some pretty good tips off the forum since I joined, I just want to thank everyone for sharing tips and information.

I've had this truck a week and a couple of days and can see why everyone likes the Ranger. We took it out for its first road run on Saturday and ran Route 66 from Tulsa to Oklahoma City with numerous stops to look around. The truck was comfortable to drive for a 300 mile trip and I watched the gauges pretty close to see if there were any worries along the way. The a/c kept the boss nice and cool the entire day and the truck ran flawlessly. We made the round bard and Pops in Arcadia and ended up for dinner at Eskimo Joes in Stillwater. Fun trip, we are planning to make the 66 run from Tulsa to Missouri soon.

I've already started on cosmetic fixes a 17 year old truck needs.

Thanks for looking,
DB

 

[wildbill23c]

I think with most vehicles generations are differentiated by major model changes.

4X4 Offroad, is nothing more than a gimmick to get people to buy that model making them think its more capable. Same damn truck, you just pay more money for it for the stickers. Many manufacturers tout "4X4 Offroad", its nothing more than over-priced shocks, some stickers, and occasionally a more aggressive looking street tire which are also over-priced.

I believe many consider the 1st gen Rangers to be 1983-1988, 2nd Gen from 1989-1992, and 3rd Gen from 1993 until manufacturing ceased in the US market. Other members with some better knowledge hopefully will help clear up these numbers...but to me that's what would make me separate them into different generations...body style changes to me would make it a different generation.

 

[adsm08]

So the generations are demarcated by years (happens about every 5 years or so) but are determined by either major mechanical or cosmetic changes.

So Gen1 is 83 to 88

Gen2 is 89-92, the front clip was redesigned, wheel arches enlarged, 2.0L engine was dropped and the 3.0 and 4.0 engines added during those years. Interior stayed the same.

Gen3 is 93-97, major body redesign, 2.9L engine was dropped, interior and firewall were redesigned for 95. That is the last time the interior got a major overhaul.

Gen4 is 98-00, the body didn't change much, I think the lights and grill were changed a bit. The cabs were r-proportioned for 98 to give more space to the front seat, and the front suspension was changed from twin I-beam to an SLA independent front end with coil springs for a 2wd and torsion bars for a 4x4.

Gen5 is 01 to 12, last time the front clip was changed, the 4.0 OHV was dropped and replaced with the SOHC version, the PVH hubs were lost in favor of a live axle.

The 4x4 Off-Road I don't think had anything too different in terms of suspension. It may have had different gearing or something. I know the FX4 packages came standard with a 31-spline 8.8 (instead of the standard 28-spline), 4.10 gears and 31 inch tires.

 

[D Baker]

Thanks

Thanks Gentlemen for taking time to reply.
Dale