Teenager looking into Rangers.A couple Q's

[Junior88]

Hi guys,

I'm new here and I am a teenager that's looking into getting a truck for general driving, fishing (logging roads) and hauling stuff and a small boat. (12' aluminum +gear)

I was thinking a 90's ranger with a V6 (are they decent on fuel?)

Would 4x4 be necessary for neglected logging roads? I won't be doing any mud pits or overly-steep uphill stuff. Just bumpy, pot holed logging roads.

Thanks for your tips,

Ryan

 

[adsm08]

Well, mid-90s 3.0 Rangers have been rumored to hit 30 MPG during strictly highway trips. Some have been known to get 25 regularly. The 3.0 isn't the 4.0 by a long shot, but it should still have plenty of power for what you say you are doing. The 4.0 will be lucky to see low 20s regularly.

4x4 is for traction. If you aren't hitting mud or ice or snow it's not needed, but if you live in an area with harsh winters then it's nice to have.

 

[Junior88]

Well, mid-90s 3.0 Rangers have been rumored to hit 30 MPG during strictly highway trips. Some have been known to get 25 regularly. The 3.0 isn't the 4.0 by a long shot, but it should still have plenty of power for what you say you are doing. The 4.0 will be lucky to see low 20s regularly.

4x4 is for traction. If you aren't hitting mud or ice or snow it's not needed, but if you live in an area with harsh winters then it's nice to have.

Thanks man. The harshest stuff that I will be hitting snow or mud wise is stuff nothing more than 2-4 inches deep of mud or snow that my mom barely has any issues in her Mazda 3.

Im guessing that the 2WD trucks have decent ground clearance? My dad's buddy has a 09 GMC Sierra and he only scraped his running boards twice getting out to the spots..

 

[adsm08]

Most early 2wds were stanced similar to the 4x4s.

 

[mn_smokeater]

a 2WD can go ALOT more places then you would think they can go or should go but most that is the drivers ability to make it happen.

 

[TheTopher]

a 2WD can go ALOT more places then you would think they can go or should go but most that is the drivers ability to make it happen.

+1 good tires and a little know how will get you where you need to go.


I made several trips to the hardware store for my winter projects last year when our 3 feet of snow was fresh on the ground in my 2wd open differential ranger.

I had one hill that was a PITA because I couldn't make it to the top before the light changed, even though I wasn't stuck, it was slipping a lot. So I just went a little further down the road to a yield sign and turned there instead.



As far as ground clearance, I don't have to jack my truck up to change my oil, and I weigh 200lbs. That enough room for ya?


You should take a gander at Ranger Sport Honduras' build thread, his truck is 2wd open diff and all he seems to do with it is run mud covered back country roads.


As far as fuel economy what adsm said is spot on.


Hope this helped.

 

[robertc1024]

+1 on the Topher. I've got no snow in TX but I've never even gotten close to being stuck if using common sense.

 

[willievhook]

If neglected logging roads where you live are just pot holed, you'll be fine with a 2wd. Maybe get some weight in the bed for traction....you don't really want to be spinning your tires on gravel.

 

[4.0B2]

2wd with limited slip and good tires is all ya need probably. I'd recommend the 4.0 just bc I'm in love with that motor. But I'm sure the 3.0 would be fine also. Our EX has got 24 mpgs on the interstate. It's 2wd limited slip, and I've had it in the pasture and 4 wheeler trails during deer season.
I mean, who doesn't want 4wd lol but the 2wd can do good stuff. You could even do a lunchbox locker or detroit locker later on, but probably not needed. An overpacked L/S is an option to.

 

[Captain Ledd]

I've got stuck at a few traffic lights in my 2wd. As well as my driveway.

I'd just go with a 4x4 or plan on adding some sort of locker for the rear (2wd), even if just a cheap lunch-box type. Because as soon as you get one tire off the ground or on a soft spot, you're stuck. And that's a pain.

Tires are a big thing, when I had a more street like tire I literally got stuck on wet grass.

Apart from that, I take mine into the back field all the time and haul crap out of the woods.

yeah. 4x4 isn't necessary, but it sure is nice those few situations.

 

[mp3deviant721]

2wd should be fine for what you are looking for. A small lift, all-terrain tires, and a limited slip should do you good. You can decent gas mileage with a lifted 2wd if you regear the rear axle.

 

[mp3deviant721]

Well, mid-90s 3.0 Rangers have been rumored to hit 30 MPG during strictly highway trips.

My 4.0 got 27mpg on a highway trip once. It was mostly smaller state highways. But the average speed was 55mph. That helped me a lot.

 

[Destroyer000]

my 2wd 4.0 5spd gets 24 higway and 19-20 around town..

 

[Junior88]

Thanks for the tips guys! So I think that a Ranger with some good rubber and a new differential with like 3-4 hundred pound of weight will suffice? If I know i'll need FWD, i'll just take my dad's truck

How much would a new differential cost?

 

[TheTopher]

Thanks for the tips guys! So I think that a Ranger with some good rubber and a new differential with like 3-4 hundred pound of weight will suffice? If I know i'll need FWD, i'll just take my dad's truck

How much would a new differential cost?

I think you might mean a locker for your differential. Its about 300 for a trutrac or other lunchbox locker. You'll notice a decrease in road manners and increased tire wear on paved surfaces. Not that lockers are bad. I would Just recommend trying out the open diff before you decide a locker is worth it for you.