Underrated /Overrated Rangers/RBV's

[Hopman]

When I talk about Rangers being under or overrated, I'm not talking about engine power, but there are some models or versions that are overhyped or hidden gems.

I'm going to start off by saying that the 1st gen Explorers were underrated. It's basically a Ranger with four doors & a hatch your friends don't mind riding in. I'm also going to go out on a limb in my belief that the 2.3/4x4/5-speed (all generations) is also underated.

Current Explorers are overated, especally the V-8 ones.

 

[parisot]

Current Explorers are overated, especally the V-8 ones.

i dont know if i agree that they are over rated or not (havent had a chance to drive/abuse one yet), but i do think the 2002 and up are dang sexy.

I do think however, that rangers as a whole are under rated by everyone except for those who have owned one. My 91 ranger takes a beating daily and keeps on trucking.

 

[Hopman]

True. You never appeciate a Ranger until you have the pleasure of owning one. I commend Ford for making such a versitile truck. It's kind of like the Swiss army knife or Leatherman you keep in your pocket. It does so much in a small package.

 

[lil_Blue_Ford]

i dont know if i agree that they are over rated or not (havent had a chance to drive/abuse one yet), but i do think the 2002 and up are dang sexy.

I do think however, that rangers as a whole are under rated by everyone except for those who have owned one. My 91 ranger takes a beating daily and keeps on trucking.

I don't really mind the looks of the '02 and up Explorers, but they are a bit overrated. They're becoming nothing more than fancy mall crawlers. I should know, I've gotten to drive, ride in, and work on one since 2002/3.

And yes, I would say that Rangers are often underrated except by people who own 'em. My one buddy started out with an old S-10, then had a couple cars. He picked on Rangers a lot and then finally ended up getting a 97 2wd with a 4.0. I think he loves that truck, lol. He's talked about selling it and getting a Taco, but I'm not sure it's gonna happen, lol.

I do think that the 3.0L is often underrated too, even by Ranger owners. It takes the right gearing and a manual trans to wake one up though. Mine did everything I asked of it with no problems, and I did work the hell out of it!

 

[Shran]

Pretty sure all the first gen Rangers are way overrated. Most of the ones I've owned (I have owned four 1st gen Rangers and four 1st gen B2s) had fairly low mileage and felt like cheap pieces of crap. The nicest one, my old '88, even seemed like it was falling apart and it only had 92k on it. Something was always broken.

The '96 I have now has almost 200k on it and it feels solid as a rock. I am impressed.

 

[exbass94]

02+ Explorers overrated in what way? Sure they suck offroad, but they're waaay better at everything else, from ride quality, build quality, handling, road noise, power, etc. My aunt's 06 Explorer is extremely nicer and better than my 94. I personally don't give a crap about off-road ability. How many do? 2% of the market?

 

[adsm08]

Pretty sure all the first gen Rangers are way overrated. Most of the ones I've owned (I have owned four 1st gen Rangers and four 1st gen B2s) had fairly low mileage and felt like cheap pieces of crap. The nicest one, my old '88, even seemed like it was falling apart and it only had 92k on it. Something was always broken.

The '96 I have now has almost 200k on it and it feels solid as a rock. I am impressed.

I disagree. My 87 is the most solid of all the RBVs I've driven, except for the ones that are <5 years old. It doesn't have all the power and speed I'd like, but it is only a 2.9. Works great for what it is, but I really would love a 4.0.

02+ Explorers overrated in what way? Sure they suck offroad, but they're waaay better at everything else, from ride quality, build quality, handling, road noise, power, etc. My aunt's 06 Explorer is extremely nicer and better than my 94. I personally don't give a crap about off-road ability. How many do? 2% of the market?

I agree. They suck off road, but not many people are buying them for that anymore anyway. My dad has on 06 Eddie. It's a nice vehicle, does what he bought it for, which was to haul around his hunting gear, but still have comfortable seating for more than 2 or 3 passengers. I won't drive the thing in the yard after a light rain, but on the road it is a wonderful vehicle.

 

[SnC RangeR]

i had a 94 explorer eddie bauer edition 2wd 4.0 and i put her through hell and back for 3 years in high school on and off road with not much more regular maintenance she held together up to 195k i could have gotten more but i didnt take care of her as well as i should have but i was a teenager so i say first gen explorers are deff underated.

 

[jranger86]

love my 07 sport 4x4, it is extremly capable of doing anything i ask it too, and chicks dig rangers. rangers have an unspoken classiness to them..

 

[rusty ol ranger]

Most underrated- 2.9/5sp combos, and anything 2wd.

Most overrated- 3rd gen 4.0's.

 

[jhammel85]

Most underrated- 2.9/5sp combos, and anything 2wd.

Most overrated- 3rd gen 4.0's.

I agree with the 2.9. It can be a good motor, Cracking head problem or not.

 

[Shran]

I disagree. My 87 is the most solid of all the RBVs I've driven, except for the ones that are <5 years old. It doesn't have all the power and speed I'd like, but it is only a 2.9. Works great for what it is, but I really would love a 4.0.

Disclaimer: I've owned eight 1st gen RBVs and one 3rd gen. My 1st gen stuff includes every year except 83, and every engine except the 2.0, 2.3, and diesels. I have daily driven and wheeled these things for years.

For a daily driver with no mods, anything 86+ that is fuel injected is fine. Anything older is getting to the point where it is hard to find parts for and hard to find a mechanic if you can't do the work yourself. Carbureted engines, especially ones with feedback carbs like the early RBVs are just not very desireable and it's not legal to remove that stuff in some (all?) areas.

From the standpoint of somebody who has no problem piecing together a truck from donor parts, there is absolutely nothing desirable about a 1st gen beyond the body and frame. 2nd gen RBVs are all around BETTER vehicles - name a part on a 1st gen that doesn't have a better alternative replacement that could be had from a 2nd gen (4.0, M5OD, D35, 8.8, better A4LD, BW1354, nicer interior, etc etc etc!)

 

[trail B2]

I agree that the 2.3 has a valuable place in the Ranger line up.Put some 9.5s on a reg cab short bed nice little truck.

The thing that I don't think people appreciate about RBV stuff is when you buy used how hard your money works for you.The toyota lovers tell you they depreciate to fast.I buy used I want them to depreciate fast so I can buy more truck for less money and make my money work harder.When you buy a slow depreciating car used and sell it used the money you get back is your money.So underrated, how much truck for the money.

 

[Hopman]

I agree that the 2.3 has a valuable place in the Ranger line up.Put some 9.5s on a reg cab short bed nice little truck.

So underrated is how much truck for the money.

Agreed on both counts. My '94 is a 2.3 and while she won't win any stoplight drag races, the motor has gobs of low-end grunt (sweet spot is around 2300-2500 on my truck) AND good gas mileage.

On the "bang for the buck" part, agreed as well. The Rangers are just shruken F-Series!

 

[lil_Blue_Ford]

02+ Explorers overrated in what way? Sure they suck offroad, but they're waaay better at everything else, from ride quality, build quality, handling, road noise, power, etc. My aunt's 06 Explorer is extremely nicer and better than my 94. I personally don't give a crap about off-road ability. How many do? 2% of the market?

I'm not just talking off-road ability...

The seat adjustment handle has broke 3 times so far. It's also only been used about 4 times.

And if you've ever had the thrill of changing a radiator in one of those... You pretty much have to tear the ENTIRE front clip apart and the A/C system to change the radiator. What a brilliant idea. No dipstick to check the auto trans fluid level (our regular mechanic couldn't even figure out how to drain and fill the trans), the fuel filter is hidden on TOP of the gas tank, and a host of other crazy things.