The New Plan:

[Ranger Kip]

Looks like the Beast will be set aside for now, I am a looker till I graduate. I talked to my mom, and looks like my parents will be helping me find a good sturdy truck with the use of 50% of each of my paychecks saved in an account, and a few hundred they will give me.

I am kinda happy though, because it WILL be a ranger. I wanna shoot low in terms of the years though, but might buy a new ranger, and just buy conversion panels for it and make it look like a first gen =P. Better gas mileage, more power, less problems, and updated.

Any ideas on a good year and model of the Ranger?

 

[LIMA BEAN]

1983 through 2010 are all good years.

 

[Tony Raine]

buy the newest ranger you can afford, and leave it alone. keep it stock, and save your money for college.

after you get out of college you'll have more money to make a cool project, right, the first time.

 

[Ranger Sport Honduras]

i agree with tony raine.

if u want fuel economy look for the 01+ duratec 2.3 engines. they have good power and great mileage.

any 98+ is good if u want a reg cab. Ford gave 3" more of space to the reg cab on 98.

if ur looking for a 4wd look out for any 01+, those got rid of the vacuum hubs present on 98-00 trucks. they got the 4.0 sohc in 01 too.

 

[superds]

My personal favorite are the 93-94 models. If I were in the market for one I would get a 4x4 supercab, 4.0, 5 speed. I think the models look good, you could get the 4.0 (ohv) fairly easily and you still had the TTB front suspension and a mechanical speedometer, making it easy to correct the speedo for tire/gear changes. Plus, with the 4.0 you automatically get an 8.8 rear and Dana 35 front differentials.
Also, less electrical stuff to go wrong compared to a 95+ model with OBDII, but of course if you live in an strict emissions area, I've heard some inspections just check to make sure the OBD is working correctly, no faults, and send you on your way. If that were the case that would be an argument for getting an OBDII vehicle.

 

[master hec0]

4th gen leave it stock. we have one of those 2001 3L single cab short box 2wd. it gets the job done.

 

[Original_Ranger84]

I would (depending on what you save up and what you want.... and your situation). Seeing as you are going to be going to college I would look more towards an economical truck so that leads to the 4 cylinder trucks and like RSH said I would get a newer 2.3L Duratec motor.

But if you want extra room (extended cab I would go with the 3.0L) and if you want 4x4 I would also recommend the 3.0L or older 4.0L. People knock the 3.0L for being sluggish but I'm rolling 31's on 3.73s and a 5 spd and I think it works just fine and you can't knock 25 mpg.

But only get a 4x4 if you REALLY think you'll need it. As in you are moving to a place with lots of snow, or do you plan on taking the truck camping or out alot? 4x4 is alot of extra cost in college, I spent (well not alot of money, but time...) about 1.5 weeks working on my 4x4 this winter and getting it by. Now its getting alot of new stuff thats not cheap...

Plus 2wd reg cab short box rangers look pretty cool.

 

[Ranger Kip]

haha, thanks guys!

I am looking towards the older Ranger's (they look cooler in my opinion, I like the flat front end compared to the rounded), but I am also keen to the 93-94 rangers as well.

I was thinking about its usefulness in this order (from most used to least):

1. Durability (will it fall apart? can it handle snow, dirt, ice with ease?)
2. Mileage (how many miles will I get out of it until it needs replaced? mpg?)
3. Price (how much will it cost a day? week? month? year? how much is the vehicle to purchase?)
4. Gas Tank (how large is the gas tank? how far will it get me on a full tank?)


That's basically the list from most important, to least. I want a durable vehicle that can drive in winters of Mass. and Penn., have good gas mileage, be pretty cheap to buy and repair, and be able to get me far on a single tank of gas.

Oh, and maybe easy to upgrade XD. If I ever come across the extra money FOR the truck, I want to add some stuff (bigger tires, 1" puck lift maybe, brush guard, etc.).

Anybody know of any kits for a newer ranger that make it look older?
How would buying a newer ranger, and placing an older body on it sound? instead.

 

[Original_Ranger84]

You want 4x4 or 2x4 is fine?

If so I would probably lean you toward a 2.3L 2wd motor. 5 Speed trans if you can drive stick. And probably a 1992 body cause its as updated as it will get and you can add the older 1st gen clip if you so feel inclined.

 

[Ranger Kip]

Wanted to stick with a 6 cylinder, and 2x4.

4 cylinders are too small for me, and a 2wd or 4wd only is kinda useless to me. 2x4 is hand because you can be economic, and offroadable at the same time.

I was thinking more 3.0 or less for a 6 cylinder to save on gas. But I want around 20+ mpg and reliable.

 

[Original_Ranger84]

A 2x4 is a 2wd....?

A 4x4 is 2wd and 4x4 with the push of a button or pull of a knob...

I would get a 93 or 94 3.0L v6 5 speed in that case.

 

[Ranger Kip]

thats the plan, extended cab more expensive? problems with it?

 

[-Nathan-]

Wanted to stick with a 6 cylinder, and 2x4.

4 cylinders are too small for me, and a 2wd or 4wd only is kinda useless to me. 2x4 is hand because you can be economic, and offroadable at the same time.

I was thinking more 3.0 or less for a 6 cylinder to save on gas. But I want around 20+ mpg and reliable.

You do understand that 4x2 is the same as 2wd right? and that any 4x4 truck runs normally in 2wd, but can be switched into 4wd?

......................

 

[02RangerXLT]

A 2x4 is a 2wd....?

A 4x4 is 2wd and 4x4 with the push of a button or pull of a knob...

A 2x4 is a piece of wood... a 4x2 is a 2wd vehicle...

 

[Original_Ranger84]

A 2x4 is a piece of wood... a 4x2 is a 2wd vehicle...

I will hit you with a 2x4 and make you understand my reasoning!!!!! RAHHHHH lol