Which is better

[Troy-hyde]

I have the oprituntiy to buy a 87 ford ranger 4 wheel drive 2.9 5 speed .. and i was woundeing if it was a better truck for 4 wheelin. I now have and 84 2.8 carburated automatic trans. Just seeing other opinions about it.

 

[michowski]

so are you asking if its better to wheel with a manual or auto? The answer to that is that it a personal preference. Lots of people can only do auto and cant drive a clutch good enough to go offroad. Others prefer manual because you can better tell how the truck is doing and get more of a feel for what its doing. My personal preference is I can go either way but I like my manual for offroad. I can really tell what the trucks doing, and I can easily tell when something is to much and im gonna break. I become more in tune with my truck and the manual trans. Auto would be better if your just gonna splash in some mud and flat surface, just mash the throttle and go. Its really a personal preference

 

[samsonitesamsonite]

your auto is a week link as is the carb if you do any extreme angles.

 

[Ranger44]

your auto is a week link as is the carb if you do any extreme angles.

x2

 

[blackbronc]

2.9 is better just for the fuel injected motor. stick has better feel, auto is easier to wheel. Flip a coin.

 

[kunar]

the 2.9 will get better gas mileage than the 2.8, the stick will get better mileage than that auto. the stick is way more fun to drive. i dont see any argument. okay okay...it may be a little tougher to wheel but that one negative is far outweighed in my book

 

[Evan]

The manual is a much better choice in my opinion, when comparing these two trannys. The manual is going to be much more reliable. You'll have more power and probably more fun.

 

[MAKG]

Carburetors are OK if you don't do high angles. But they do depend upon gravity to work, and can stall if they aren't close to level. On the other hand, there has been at least one report of a 2.9L running upside down (after rolling the vehicle on the trail). Not that this is good for the engine; putting the oil pump pickup in the air doesn't do good things. But it shows you don't have to worry about angles.

It's also MUCH harder -- or at least takes quite a lot more effort -- to keep a carburetor running properly. Despite all the myths. Do you REALLY want to replace the jets every time you drive into the mountains?