i need your opinion
#1
i need your opinion
hey guys,
so my civic was recently hit and totaled and the insurance company is going to give me about 3,800 for it, and i have decided that its finally time that I can own a truck. I know i want a manual transmission, and most likely a 4 cylinder, but now i have to decide which engine to get. is there much of a difference between the 2.3 and 2.5 engines. one other thing, i don't plan of doing any serious mudding, but i do need to get to fishing/hunting spots, and was wondering how the 2 wheel drive rangers do in mud? thanks for the help
so my civic was recently hit and totaled and the insurance company is going to give me about 3,800 for it, and i have decided that its finally time that I can own a truck. I know i want a manual transmission, and most likely a 4 cylinder, but now i have to decide which engine to get. is there much of a difference between the 2.3 and 2.5 engines. one other thing, i don't plan of doing any serious mudding, but i do need to get to fishing/hunting spots, and was wondering how the 2 wheel drive rangers do in mud? thanks for the help
#2
one other thing, i drive about 400 miles a week and am a little concerned about how the 4 cylinder engine will handle that, would a 6 cylinder be a better option, what type of gas mileage can i expect from a 6 cylinder? the truck will be used mainly to get to school and work, which is about 65 miles each way, and I'd just be using it for fishing/ hunting on the weekends thanks again
#3
#4
The 2.5 is the exact same engine as the 2.3 with a longer stroke. These are known as being one of Fords most reliable engines, maybe even more so then the 300 sixes. Keep in mind that they are a bit underpowered in a full framed truck. I don't have any issues keeping up with traffic on our interstates, but I live in an extremely flat state.
The Ranger in my signature gets a consistent 27 mpg with over 200k on the original engine. She's been 100% reliable for my 80 mile daily commute.
If you live in a rust prone area, check the leaf spring hangers, shackles, shackle mounts and rear cab mounts. These are known problem areas for Rangers
The Ranger in my signature gets a consistent 27 mpg with over 200k on the original engine. She's been 100% reliable for my 80 mile daily commute.
If you live in a rust prone area, check the leaf spring hangers, shackles, shackle mounts and rear cab mounts. These are known problem areas for Rangers
#5
thanks for the replies guys, I live in St. Louis Mo, we don't have a lot of real big hills, but it definitely isn't flat around here. My civic has a 4 popper engine, it keeps up with traffic just fine, but when me and my two brothers are in it, you can really feel the difference. garthneddy, the cars aren't prone to a lot of rust I'll be sure to check out the rust prone areas that you described.
#6
#7
They're as easy to work on as any other older pickup. The only thing that comes to mind is a plug change. 4 of the plugs are easily accessible and should give you no problem. The other 4 plugs will require either an elaborate network of swivels, extensions and steady hands or you can pull the intake manifold.
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#11
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: Ottawa, Ontario
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We have had a bunch of Rangers and IMO the best combo for reasonable milage and reasonable power is the 3.0/5-speed combo with 3.45 - 3.55 gears. We had a 2.3/5-speed and while it did get good milage it was a gutless wonder that could not maintain highway speeds into any kind of a headwind or up even a slight grade, but it was also crippled with a 3.08 axle so maybe it would have been a little better with a little more gear. That said the 3.0 trucks are within a mpg or two of the 4-banger and make a lot more power so I think it's worth the tradeoff. The 4.0L will drink you out of house and home.. you will get better milage from a 4.9L fullsize truck.
#12
My 2.3 Ranger avg's 24-25 hwy/city combo about 27 all hwy.
#13
#14
That 24.2 mpg was on a stretch of nothing but highway, from Bend Oregon to Boise ID, quite a few high passes involved, so coasting down cancelled the guzzling up hill runs.
On my 80 mile round trip commute, which involves a grand total of 4 stop lights, it gets about 22-23 mpg.
#15