The Rare 95 2.3 L 4x4

[swansong]

So the other day I'm cruising Autotrader the other day and find this:

http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.jsp?ct=u&car_id=272275756&dealer_id=64614595&car_year=1995&rdm=1265221078702&lastStartYear=1981&model=RANGER&num_records=25&systime=&make3=&make2=MAZDA&highlightFirstMakeModel=&start_year=1995&keywordsfyc=&keywordsrep=&engine=&certified=&body_code=0&fuel=&awsp=false&search_type=both&distance=100&marketZipError=false&model2=B-SERIES&search_lang=en&sownerid=602064&showZipError=y&make=FORD&keywords_display=&color=&page_location=findacar%3A%3Aispsearchform&min_price=&drive=&default_sort=priceASC&seller_type=b&max_mileage=&style_flag=1&sort_type=priceASC&address=53223&advanced=y&end_year=1995&doors=&transmission=Manual&max_price=&cardist=12&standard=false

So I noticed the truck is apparently a four-banger with four wheel drive... Pretty sure they didn't make 'em like that in 95 (or ever?), so I emailed the dealer saying the info must be wrong, either its not a 2.3 or not a 4x4.

He emails me back today with this:

Hi Kevin, All dealerships have what are called " vin number generators " which tell us specific info about the vehicle in question. In fact we have two vin # programs at Ryan motors. One is through AutoTrader and the other is through our operating system. Both of these systems tell me by the vin number for this truck is a four cylinder motor and 4x4 as well. Lastly that is what a inspection of the truck reveals. It is a 4 cylinder 4x4 truck as noted by the vin#. Due to the vin number calling out those options this truck was built by Mazda/Ford stock as it now sits. If your interested give me a call or stop by for a test drive. Thanks Tim

WTF? Is he pulling that out of his ass or did Ford/Mazda truly make this thing?

 

[kevinsranger]

there is a guy on here from jersey that has the 4 banger 4x4 and its a 95. at least as far as i remember, i beleive its mikeyford or something

 

[partsguy84823]

Its legit. You could get a 4cyl-4x4 up through the 1997 model year. When they changed to the T-Bar on the 4x4s and changed the 4cyl to the 2.5 in 1998, the 3.0 became the standard engine in the 4x4s.

 

[dixie_boysles]

im pretty sure ive hears that Ford did in fact make it, and yes it is very Rare!

 

[exbass94]

They're not THAT rare, and yes, Ford made them up until 97.

 

[swansong]

Wow well I'll be darned.... Never seen one anywhere else before! Kind of a cool combination, wonder what kind of mileage they get..

Thanks for the clarification! I can proudly say I learned something today lol

 

[CopyKat]

4.0L regular cab short box 4x4, is rare also.

 

[swansong]

Man I'd kill to have a 4.0 L reg cab short box 4x4 with a 5spd... Make it black with about a 2" lift and its my dream truck ha

 

[fastpakr]

I'm pretty sure you couldn't ever get the 2.3/4x4 combo in an extended cab, but it was absolutely available in a regular cab

 

[Ozwynn]

Its legit. You could get a 4cyl-4x4 up through the 1997 model year. When they changed to the T-Bar on the 4x4s and changed the 4cyl to the 2.5 in 1998, the 3.0 became the standard engine in the 4x4s.

I almost bought a 97 reg cab 4x4 with a 5spd. I bought a 91 Explorer instead (best Ford I have ever had)

4.0L regular cab short box 4x4, is rare also.

that has got to be more rare than a 2wd shortbox reg cab with a 4.0L.... I have only ever seen 3 ..... and one of them was mine.


I mean approaching factory 4.0L Bronco2 rare .......

 

[86 slo-vo]

Man I'd kill to have a 4.0 L reg cab short box 4x4 with a 5spd... Make it black with about a 2" lift and its my dream truck ha

really? ill sell ya mine cheep...since it id your dream rig

i looked and looked for a 93-97 2.3 5 speed 4x4...couldnt find a decent one so ended up snagging the truck i have now

 

[mjonesjr]

I'm pretty sure you couldn't ever get the 2.3/4x4 combo in an extended cab, but it was absolutely available in a regular cab

You are correct.

 

[Ranger44]

I owned a 93' 2.3 4x4, and have seen 2 or 3 for sale in the past 2-3 years. It was a fun truck, and I got 21(towing/winter)-24.5 mpg(summer) w/ it constantly.

This variation was ONLY available in a reg cab, short bed model. 4.10's were pretty much standard.

 

[JohnnyO]

I'm pretty sure you couldn't ever get the 2.3/4x4 combo in an extended cab, but it was absolutely available in a regular cab

The Ford dealer near my office used to carry a bunch of them back then.
Only available with a manual trans and all came with 4.10 gears. It would have to be slow as molasses though.

 

[Ozwynn]

Only available with a manual trans and all came with 4.10 gears. It would have to be slow as molasses though.

thats why I bought the Explorer ...... back then I thought speed was everything....... Now I am not as stupid and fuel economy is what is important.......