Ranger design question

[AwesomeRanger1]

Was the ford ranger to be a light multi-use truck? Multi-use as in can be used from city streets to country roads to full blown interstate driving? Those of you who have driven the Ranger on the interstate, could you tell the age and engine type in your ranger? Also what driving the ranger on the interstate was like such as did it go smoothly? are there any issues with driving ranger on the interstate Long distances hours at a time? I'm just curious about the experiences of others with Rangers. Any responses would be appreciated. Thanks.

 

[RonD]

I had a '92 Ranger x-tra cab, 2.9l, manual, 4x4 with cab high canopy, I drove it back and forth from Eugene, Oregon to Vancouver, Canada, at least once a week for 9 months.
About an 8 hour drive.
It is a brick with 4 tires as far as wind resistance, and did get pushed around a bit in crosswinds.
MPG is below average compared to a car with similar engine size, Ranger sits higher and has 0 aerodynamics going for it, lol.

But ride was comfortable, never got tired from driving, bored but never tired

 

[adsm08]

There is no limit to how far you can drive at 70 MPH or better assuming everything is in good working order. Well, not no limit. You will run out of fuel at some point.

 

[tmcalavy]

They were designed and marketed to compete with the little Jap trucks...and they still do that, even ones like mine that are 20+ years old...just gettin broke in good, and what's an interstate? dontcha havem back home?

 

[elmwood]

I have a 92 Ranger 2 wd with a 3.0. I drive it a few times a week for errands. When I do drive it on the freeway I only go around 65mph. I did take it whan it was new from Mich to Florida and it did well.

 

[SenorNoob]

The 4.0 makes cruising down the interstate easy for me even though I do have to keep on the pedal pretty good.

Now the truck I had with the 2.3 was impossible on the interstate. It took 20 miles to get up to speed and would lose 30mph if you ever let the pedal up off the floor. Or got hit by the wind from a semi. Or crossed onto a bridge. It was pretty sad.

Gotta second that wind thing. You can get some pretty serious surprises if you aren't prepared for it. I recommend finding a section of road with a 50mph crosswind to get a feel for it. If a big truck goes by too fast it feels like getting sideswiped just because of the air.

 

[LilGreen]

I'm assuming the interstate is a hwy? I'm from Canada so not too sure but I would think a vehicle made by one of the most popular company in the world would be able to go on the hwy... Kinda a silly quetion

 

[SenorNoob]

If by highway you mean multi-lane divided road then yes.

And it's certainly capable. Just not the best vehicle for solely high speed operation.

 

[4.0B2]

I drove my 4.0 powered (92 explorer drivetrain) B2 about 8 hours straight at 70....

 

[wildbill23c]

Well I've had 2 different RBV's.

1984 Ford Ranger 2.8L 4x2 Automatic. Grandparents bought it brand new in 84, grandpa drove it to work 5 days a week in California from 1984 until he retired in 1989. Then drove it all over the country pulling a travel trailer all over the place with it. Then they moved to Idaho and bought a 1988 Ford F-250 4x4 460 automatic. Then a larger trailer. So after that I was given the Ranger. I drove it all over the place even offroad hunting and for being 2WD it did pretty good offroad and when the going got really rough I threw on the tire chains and kept on going right behind the 4x4's, ok well passed several of them after they got stuck LOL.

Now I have my 84 Bronco 2, same engine but with a 5 speed and 4x4. I drive it around town mostly, but now that I have the oil leaks tamed I drive it out of town more often now at 65mph, and very rarely do I get on the freeway with it because the freeway where I live isn't much use unless you are leaving the valley or going out of state. Otherwise its mainly a run around town vehicle. I've been out in the hills with it, but haven't done so for a while now as I don't have time, and just haven't cared to do much driving around lately.

However, as long as the vehicle is maintained, there's absolutely no problems driving for long periods of time on the freeway. As a matter of fact its better driving a vehicle long distances at higher speeds than the stop and go trips in town which is actually where most of the wear and tear of a vehicle comes from is the short trips around town and stop and go traffic.

My grandfather also had a 93 Ranger 4x4 4.0L Automatic for a while that didn't venture too far from home as the transmission in it was a piece of crap even after being rebuilt just never knew when it would decide to fail again so it was limited to just running around town which lasted about a year till the transmission was toast again.

 

[straycat]

I have driven my 83 Ranger 4x4, my 99 Ranger (lifted 2wd) and my Jeeps and my Toyota trucks back and forth from San Diego, Coronado, and Alameda, California to Tampa many, many times. I stopped in Moab to wheel several times as well. I never had any issues and the trucks all enjoyed the workout on the Highways (they never let me down. My tallest tire size has always been 33’s running 4.10 gears and sometimes a 4.88 (my Toyota trucks). Great fun trips and lots of new people to meet and old friends to see again. I took my 89 BII out that way twice a year for about three years in a row. If you have a good setup on your ride it will be a pleasant ride and won't wear you out!!

 

[hoosier1104]

I had a 05 Edge extended cab 2 wheel originally with a 3.0 and it did well at all speeds regardless of the conditions really. Dropped in a 5.0 with the same results.

 

[racsan]

ive had 2 different rangers, both supercabs, ranger 1 was a '88 2wd 2.3 5 speed, 3.73's, did fine on level ground and could get 28 highway mpg, very comfortable on long trips, this truck didnt have cruise control though. any long upgrade and you had to downshift, a long enough, steep enough incline and you had it in 3rd-floored trying to maintain 50 mph. ranger 2 (my current) is a '93 s/c 4x4 4.0 5 speed. also has 3.73's, its a much better traveller, still has comfortable seats, but with cruise control and more power, i can just sit back and steer. best mpg has been 19.5 but its worth it. kinda wish i still had the '88 at times, but the '93 is much more capable. id take it across country anytime.

 

[ZMan]

when I was in school back in 05 I did about a 7 hour drive (Pittsburgh PA to Akron Ohio, Akron to Athens Ohio)..with 2 passengers for part of the trip, no problems. That was in my '92 4.0l 5spd...they're a production vehicle, they're made to drive..

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

Gotta second that wind thing. You can get some pretty serious surprises if you aren't prepared for it. I recommend finding a section of road with a 50mph crosswind to get a feel for it. If a big truck goes by too fast it feels like getting sideswiped just because of the air.

It was the 80's though, bricks were popular across the board. Even fullsizes were windcatching bricks.

Also you couldn't legally drive faster than 55mph back then, speed makes a big difference in how much of an effect the wind has.