Underrated /Overrated Rangers/RBV's

[TheTopher]

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.

Welcome to modern vehicles. Stupid pieces of junk.


That's what's great about Ford leaving the Ranger alone. They haven't had the chance to "Fix it 'til it's broken" like most car companies have done to every model they make.

 

[adsm08]

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.

Never seen that handle problem on the Ex, but it is common on the S-10/Blazer.

I agree that the Rad is a pain in the dick, I've had the pleasure of doing several since they are a common failure item, but you don't have to take the A/C stuff out.

The trans disptick thing came about because people who thought they knew what they were doing were checking their fluid and doing it wrong and then screwing things up when they tried to adjust it. Plus, once you know how to do it right, those dipstick-less ones are nice for filling.

 

[Hopman]

Welcome to modern vehicles. Stupid pieces of junk.


That's what's great about Ford leaving the Ranger alone. They haven't had the chance to "Fix it 'til it's broken" like most car companies have done to every model they make.

I changed out the airfiler on my mom's '04 Impalla few months ago. Who'd have thought changing an AIR FILTER would be a knuckle-buster? They put it where you can get to it (driver's side front corner of the engine bay), but don't leave enough room to get it out! Would another 1/2 in killed them?

Thank heaven for that! They've tweak things here & there (more power, better seats, smoother ride), but the bones are still solid.

When the apocolypse comes they'll be two things left: cockraoches & Ford Rangers!

 

[dwsykes]

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.

I agree, they IMO are a great combination and just cool...