Am going to look at an 84000 mile 2008 on Saturday. The F150 is getting too expensive for everyday commuting. I had a '97 Ranger 2.3 previously and really liked it and got 23-24 mpg on average.

Is the 2.3 Duratec good tor 150K or more? Any special problems or maintenance issues with it? Can I expect the same fuel mileage?

Thanks in advance,

Mike
2006 F150
1963 F100

 

Check the front end (ball joints etc) for wear. Check the rubber shift rail plugs on the manual tranny for leakage. Check the the hoses where the power steering connect. I had a leaky seal on mine. The thermostat on this 2.3 Duratech is sold only as an assembly with the plastic housing/electric heater and sensor as a unit and it's pricey.CHeck the condition of the antifreeze as well.

 

Thanks for the heads up!

 

I've got 158,000 on my 2000, 2.5L 5 speed. Still running good!!!

 

Thanks Mike.

I had over 150K on my 1997, with no plans to get rid of it when the F150 came into my life 4 years ago. The reason I asked about the 2008, is that later model 4 cyl Rangers (2004 & up I think) have a different 2.3L, a gear driven DOHC based on the Focus engine, not the old belt driven SOHC motor.

 

it's a good truck...and it's good for 150k easy.......but everything is about the Benjamins?

 

Just a footnote to the original posting: the engine is not a Duratec. When i bought my 2008 Ranger, I thought the same as you. In talking with Ford mechanics, reviewing the literature, reading the Factory Service Manuals closely and comparing certain aspects of the two engines, the truck engine differs from the Duratec engines found in passenger cars (I own a 2008 Mercury Milan, 4 cyl. also). For example, the Duratec engine has coil-on-plug ignition and variable valve timing while the truck engine does not. Another difference is with the thermostat housing and stat - the truck part is less expensive than the car/Duratec replacement part.

 

I looked up in the app chart and apparently they made a change in 2006 and they started using a conventional thermostat from then on. Take that off the list of potential issues. This 2.3 16 valve has no timing belt and has a lot more torque than the old Lima 2.3 it replaced. It should also have the theft deterrent PATS system with keys with imbedded chips.

 

Thanks to all who answered.

We bought it yesterday and got well acquainted on the sixty mile drive home. The dealer had sold it new and it was traded in on a 2011 Ranger. Only thing wrong with it is the interior needs a good cleaning. Do miss the F150's V8 acceleration tho.

 

Congradulations! I really like our 06 longbed 5 speed. I think with regular maintenance and treating it half decent North of 200k would be easy.

 

I've been very satisfied with my 2008. The only thing I regret is that it is an automatic, not manual. When I was looking last August, the only manual tranny I could find was in a 4 wheel drive with a 4.0 engine. The power would be great but the gas mileage wouldn't. As it turned out, i had surgery on my left knee which would give me problems using the clutch pedal (it still is giving some problems).

Hope you enjoy your truck.

 

Good luck with that li'l Ranger!

I bought my 2004 back in early 2005 and there are close to 50k miles on it now; I've had a lot of fun with it and it delivers phenomenal gas mileage to boot. Mine is a Regular cab, 4 cylinder with a 5-speed stick... and with a hard tonneau, it's kind of like a "sports coupe with a big trunk."

 

So far so good, Ponyguy. Mine is the Supercab, but without the jump-seats. Makes a good place for the dog to ride. I did put people in the jumpseats in my trusty old '97 occasionally, but I sure wouldn't want to ride there.

This one is bringing back good memories, it's like a sports car compared to the F150.