Whats years stand out with the 2.3's

[henryj10]

Was wondering out of the 2wd's with 2.3's which years are the preferred years for the engines

I'm looking for an answer or thoughts on better years of 2.3's as far as gas mileage, engine longevity when they left the factory WHICH YEARS of these trucks ARE THE BEST?

I've got a 96 2.3 150k 8 spark kAnda air i get around 30 mpgs highway burns no oil still going strong.

Thanks,
Jason

 

[RobbieD]

"Best" is somewhat subjective; what works best for one guy may not be the best for the next guy.

Personally, I'm kinda partial to the '94 model. Rounded-tooth timing belt, the last year before OBDII, and factory tube exhaust manifold (like a header). I can't complain, with 377,000+ miles on the clock. Got my money's worth out of her, I reckon.

 

[henryj10]

RobbieD

377,000 miles? on one engine? damn thats good, hope mine last that long whats the advantage of the older OBI over the OBII? whats kind of mpgs did you get? with a 94 over the years?

Jason

P.S. I see your a ranger only driver. But what are you gonna buy new after 2009?

 

[98whitewood]

Maybe a 2010 Ranger?

 

[RobbieD]

RobbieD

377,000 miles? on one engine? damn thats good, hope mine last that long whats the advantage of the older OBI over the OBII? whats kind of mpgs did you get? with a 94 over the years?

Jason

P.S. I see your a ranger only driver. But what are you gonna buy new after 2009?

Yeah, 377,600-something at the moment. It's just been a damn good little engine, and truck. No major repairs, and at times, in the early years I owned it, sometimes it'd go a long time between oil changes.

Mileage runs around 22. Not great, but not bad for a high-mile motor.

There's pros and cons over OBDI versus OBDII. OBDII has deeper diagnosics, but the trade-off is more complexity, as in more sensing units. Two that come right to mind, is that OBDII adds a camshaft sensor, and a second oxygen sensor. I just feel that the OBDI is a very decent engine management system, needing relatively few parts. It works fine for me, but others like OBDII. Kind of like Vista and XP, I guess.

And thanks for asking, but I bought my last new truck in 1994. I just would much rather have the older models, and I figure, honestly, that I can keep the ones I have running for as long as I need to. In fact, my favorite is the '84, and I'm planning a full restoration on it, although mildly modified (as in just a Duraspark conversion).

 

[DetUnd]

I agree with the OBDI response. same engine less problems. great engine.

 

[henryj10]

reason I brought up new ranger

the reason i brought up the new ranger thing is i heard 09's the last year for the rangers. Stupid move in my mind on fords part but hey they didnt take bail out so they must be doing something right.

Yeah i wish I had known about the obII extra sensors info wasn't until I had trouble with oxys during clutch work(long story) that i noticed I had more oxygen sensors than i needed. Prolly would have bought a OBDI ranger had I known. Do the pre 95's have 8 sparks? or just the 4 mines got the 8.

be nice if mine would last a good 300,000

 

[Bryan22]

my 94 has a cam postition sensor thanks california!

 

[RobbieD]

Just enjoy your truck, henryj10; they're all good, and I hope that yours lasts longer than mine. I think 1989 was the first year for dual plugs on the 2.3L, but don't quote me.

And you're right, Bryan22. California does give you guys the good stuff, before everyone else gets it.

 

[Birdracing]

I have a 94 here with 265,000km's on it and still going strong just had it going for the first time in about a month, i don't think you can kill these little motors mine is going turbo in the fall of the year winter project

 

[Bryan22]

Just enjoy your truck, henryj10; they're all good, and I hope that yours lasts longer than mine. I think 1989 was the first year for dual plugs on the 2.3L, but don't quote me.

And you're right, Bryan22. California does give you guys the good stuff, before everyone else gets it.

good for what? lol. just something else to give me problems

 

[dorman68]

I just picked up a 1994 with a 2.3L 171,000 mi last week for $200. The thing is dog slow but runs great . It needs a clutch, leaf spring shackles, and brakes thats about it. The frame has some surface rust in areas but I am generally happy going with the 2.3L eng.

 

[Bryan22]

that's a steal!

 

[fastpakr]

I just picked up a 1994 with a 2.3L 171,000 mi last week for $200. The thing is dog slow but runs great . It needs a clutch, leaf spring shackles, and brakes thats about it. The frame has some surface rust in areas but I am generally happy going with the 2.3L eng.

For what it's worth, if it really is 'dog slow' there's probably something not running right that you can fix. I'm impressed every day with how well the 2.3 can move the Ranger. I'm not saying it's fast by any stretch - it certainly isn't. But it's more than adequate for merging onto a crowded highway, etc.

 

[fordmandan87]

I picked up a 94 for 300 yesterday and it is a peppy little sucker.