I'd like to think I am in the market (wife hasnt said if I am or not, but she is wanting to ditch her 01 buick for my 14 focus) for a new (to me) truck but dont know anything about Rangers. I'm looking to stay below $8,000 bucks and definately under 100,000 miles. (the cheaper and fewer miles the better of course)

I am a bigger guy (6' 290 lbs) that just turned 50.

First off what I think I would want, would be a supercab. (just for a place to throw stuff, coolers, grocerys or whatever and hoping that adds to the fronts leg room) Rubber floors would be great. 2 or 4 wheel drive doesnt matter to me. Automatic transmission would be prefered. Is the 4.0 the motor i'd want?

I dont pull a trailer and seldom am I off the paved road.

Is there any package, model year or option I should avoid or one I should seek out?

What is the Edge?

Thanks in advance,
James

 

Considering your physical size I would suggest looking for an extended cab. That said, the cab of a Ranger is far more spacious than any of its competitors. I did own a Dodge Dakota once and wouldn't recommend that one. Mine gave me a lot of trouble. Both of my Rangers were much more reliable.
For your needs, a daily driver and occasional work truck, any engine will do you just fine. The 4.0 was a very good engine but a bit thirsty. A very popular choice at the time that I can personally vouch for I'd the 3.0 v6. While the 3.0 could be rather underpowered in a 4x4, it did quite fine in a 2wd. I had a 1995 XLT so equipped and it was very reliable. I only traded it because I needed a larger truck at the time.
From what I've heard the 98-2000 Rangers count be kind of unreliable. I cannot personally say anything about them one way or the other. Based on my previous experience with prior Ford Rangers, I would not hesitate to buy any of them. Good luck in your search and let us know whatever you decide on.

 

See my reply in the thread for towing with a 2006. I have had four and give some experience in that thread.

Buy a Supercab 4x2. Edge was the replacement for sport and then the sport came back and replaced the Edge.

If auto is what you want buy either a 2.3 Duratech four from 2002- 2011 or the 4.0V6 from 2006-2011. I Owned a 2.3 Duratech in a front drive 05 Escape with manual trans and it was great on gas and good power. I would stay away from 3.0V6 as they have power of the four and mpg of the 4.0V6.

I bought my 2011 new and wish I would have bought two.

 

My two cents worth.... I currently have an 88 ranger, 2.3 5-speed. This thing is the energizer bunny of trucks. 419,000 miles and counting. Not much power but will keep up with traffic. Passing takes some forethought... It is a standard cab and is a little tight, especially when two of my kids are with me (I'm not nearly your size). My biggest annoyance with the standard cab is that everything has to go in the back. Not cool if its raining. I've driven / owned many over the years and would prefer the 4.0 for power and driveability. I was unimpressed with the 3.0. My 2.3 only had 82 hp when new so expectations were appropriate, and I was pleasantly surprised.

 

Definitely get an extended cab. I'm 6'4, 220# and it fits me very well. I have a 90 2.9 4x4 and just sold my 2000 3.0 4x4. Great trucks, I liked the 2000 but it didn't seem to have as much power as the 2.9. go figure. Very much like the style of the stepside but it's hard to find a canopy for and that's big in the PNW. I'm not sure when they changed it, but the seat in the 2000 goes back farther than the 90.

 

Just throwing this out there, but have you considered an Explorer Sport Trac?

 

I just picked up a 2000 XLT 4.0 extended cab with 186k miles. I didnt know it was a 4.0 until it was already home, lol. I would rather have the extra get up and go at the expense of a few mpg. I am only 5'9", and with the seat back I can hardly touch the pedal.

Keep in mind, from what I have read in reviews and testimonials, 150k-200k is not even broken in yet when it comes to these trucks.