What do you hate about your Ranger?

[19Walt93]

Frost on the windshield on October 3rd.

 

[Eddo Rogue]

I have a list of things I hate about my ranger (in order):
-For every problem solved, two more show up.
-It has a cam synchronizer, which goes bad and is discontinued by Motorcraft.
-The door never shuts all the way, and clunks violently loud until I get it to shut.
-just about every window and 3rd brake light leaks air/water.
-The ac is terrible and robs so much power, its very noticable.
- I live in CA, so no mods or motor swaps.
-in todays world of 1000hp and 20mpg's, my ranger has 1/10 of that hp and half the mpg's.

That's about it.

 

[scotts90ranger]

I have a list of things I hate about my ranger (in order):
-For every problem solved, two more show up.
-It has a cam synchronizer, which goes bad and is discontinued by Motorcraft.
-The door never shuts all the way, and clunks violently loud until I get it to shut.
-just about every window and 3rd brake light leaks air/water.
-The ac is terrible and robs so much power, its very noticable.
- I live in CA, so no mods or motor swaps.
-in todays world of 1000hp and 20mpg's, my ranger has 1/10 of that hp and half the mpg's.

That's about it.

I have some experience on the door issues, simply loosen the latch pin a little and pry it out a touch, if you get the door latch to the pin and the door has to move up or down to latch that's your problem, I fixed my '97 with a 2x6 on edge and a floor jack to jack the door up a little... closes like a dream between the two tweaks, if the body lines are good when the door is closed don't screw with the pin...

 

[gaz]

It's 1st dent; I had temporarily leaned an upright 8' 4x4 against the auto I was working on, 93-111 or so seconds later I bumped it and it fell...in slow motion towards the 1987 Ranger parked behind.

It landed square on the front corner giving it it's first ever sent. It is almost 8" long and nearly ½" deep. It will probably come out with some modest persuasion but it was a sad moment.

This happened just the other day .(

 

[sgtsandman]

My things are more irritants than hates and some are self inflicted that will eventually get addressed.

1. Rust. It's a Ford, it's what they do and it's a constant battle. Eventually I'll need to replace the diver's side door and do a patch repair in the right front bed.

2. It doesn't have the power I would like it to have. That is partly my fault and partly the Ford's fault. The truck really should have came with 4.10:1 axle gears and me installing tires 2" taller didn't help. That will eventually get fixed by installing 4.56:1 gears.

That's really about it. There are some things that I wish Ford had done differently but they really aren't a hate or irritant.

 

[JoshT]

I have a list of things I hate about my ranger (in order):
-For every problem solved, two more show up.
-It has a cam synchronizer, which goes bad and is discontinued by Motorcraft.
-The door never shuts all the way, and clunks violently loud until I get it to shut.
-just about every window and 3rd brake light leaks air/water.
-The ac is terrible and robs so much power, its very noticable.
- I live in CA, so no mods or motor swaps.
-in todays world of 1000hp and 20mpg's, my ranger has 1/10 of that hp and half the mpg's.

That's about it.

Sounds like most of your problems could be solved with one simple fix.

 

[sgtsandman]

Sounds like most of your problems could be solved with one simple fix.

 

[mikkelstuff]

My one gripe is that the 3.0L is so wimpy. Yes it will run 80 mph all day and I think this is a good engine with lots of durability. Just takes a while to get up to speed. Of course this is my problem. Brother and I bought this truck for our Dad. We thought a 3.0L would be plenty and did not look at any 4.0L trucks.

Then too, Colorado emissions will not allow a 5.0L upgrade to this 2002 Ranger! (Engine must be equal or newer than the vehicle.)

Still I'm most pleased to have this truck after Dad died.

 

[Snoranger]

Waiting.

 

[JoshT]

That might work too, but he'd probably have to fix the part I bolded in the quote before he could.

Waiting.

For?

 

[avid]

My '98 is running great overall with a replacement 4.0, new Cooling, Exhaust, AC, and Brake Systems/components, shackles, tires, battery, seats, bluetooth stereo, blah blah blah. Eventually I'd like to put new rims and slightly larger tires on as well as heavier leaf springs.

But what I hate is the body: Sun-faded chalky red with mild hail-damage and the beginnings of rust on the cab corners. I've done all the previous mechanical work with some help on the engine swap from a buddy who has since moved to Florida. But I haven't the first idea about how to get started with body work. And I hate the red. I used to own a red car and I've had enough of red vehicles for one lifetime. Would really like to get it a nice midnight blue.

 

[Snoranger]

For?

 

[Eddo Rogue]

My one gripe is that the 3.0L is so wimpy. Yes it will run 80 mph all day and I think this is a good engine with lots of durability. Just takes a while to get up to speed. Of course this is my problem. Brother and I bought this truck for our Dad. We thought a 3.0L would be plenty and did not look at any 4.0L trucks.

Then too, Colorado emissions will not allow a 5.0L upgrade to this 2002 Ranger! (Engine must be equal or newer than the vehicle.)

Still I'm most pleased to have this truck after Dad died.

Thats why its called the 3 point slow. The 4.0 is not much better. LS7 might do the trick.

 

[sgtsandman]

Thats why its called the 3 point slow. The 4.0 is not much better. LS7 might do the trick.

The 3.0 has to be reved up to a higher RPM to get a similar power to the other engines. A lot of people are uncomfortable with doing that. I ran into similar with my Honda CR-Vs. People always thought I was over reving the engine when I was driving it exactly how the manufacturer recommended it be driven (about 2,000 - 3,000 for the standard power band instead 1,000 - 2,000 rpm). As a result, the 3.0 has a reputation for being weak and sluggish.

 

[Eddo Rogue]

The 3.0 has to be reved up to a higher RPM to get a similar power to the other engines. A lot of people are uncomfortable with doing that. I ran into similar with my Honda CR-Vs. People always thought I was over reving the engine when I was driving it exactly how the manufacturer recommended it be driven (about 2,000 - 3,000 for the standard power band instead 1,000 - 2,000 rpm). As a result, the 3.0 has a reputation for being weak and sluggish.

Yes very true, and maybe just not good motors for the Ranger because of this. I don't think they got the gearing or something right either, perhaps trying to accommodate lower rpm driving. I remember flying in a 3.0 Aerostar as a kid, those minivans hauled ass!