Ranger Life Span
Laughing Gas
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 819
Likes: 2
From: Northern Maine
I just replaced my 98 2wd 3.0 Ranger with an 05 4x4 4.0 Ranger. My old truck was still running very good and still got 23 MPG, I was just ready for an upgrade. I gave my old one to my brother for him to run as a beater. The 98 has 272,500 miles on the clock.
New User
Joined: Sep 2019
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
Never give up your Ranger
Some vehicles "hit the wall" after 100K miles or so. You can count on them to start falling apart.
From everything I know, the Ranger is NOT such a vehicle. I see guys on this board who swear by their '80s and early '90s Rangers. I myself have almost 118K on my '98 and wouldn't even considering getting a new truck. The 4.0 is a durable motor, and there are a lot of them out there on the road.
If there is nothing wrong with it, my vote is you keep the '94 Ranger.
From everything I know, the Ranger is NOT such a vehicle. I see guys on this board who swear by their '80s and early '90s Rangers. I myself have almost 118K on my '98 and wouldn't even considering getting a new truck. The 4.0 is a durable motor, and there are a lot of them out there on the road.
If there is nothing wrong with it, my vote is you keep the '94 Ranger.
VT Chapter Ldr
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 96,096
Likes: 294
From: Orange, Vermont
Rust kills them here in Vermont. Many a good running ranger junked due to frame rot 
The 4.0 is good but does have a reputation for cracking heads. I had a 92 that had well over 100K when that happened and I changed the engine in it.
The 4.0 is good but does have a reputation for cracking heads. I had a 92 that had well over 100K when that happened and I changed the engine in it.
New User
Joined: Oct 2019
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make
Brett Foote
Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!
Michael S. Palmer
Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home
Verdad Gallardo
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!
Joe Kucinski
2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?
Brett Foote
2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package First Look: 12 Things You NEED to Know!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Most Surprising 2026 Ford Truck Features!
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 Ford Trucks Coming to Mecum Indy 2026
Brett Foote
5 Best / 5 Worst Ford Truck Wheels of All Time
Joe Kucinski
New User
Joined: Nov 2019
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
My 2000 xlt extended cab
I bought my ranger with a 140k on her. I stuck over 3 grand into it. It had a miss fire and it leaked everything everywhere. New rack and pinion, new calipers pads rotors drum brakes new trans power steering fluid fuel and brake lines several new soloneids new bumper headlights new leaf spring shackles and hangers new ball joints and ti rods new water pump alternator and battery new tailgate new window new tires new gas tank straps I had to remount the cruise control buttons. My e brake cable fell off had to take that off. New exhaust system from the cat to the tail pipe. And it still has problems it needs a transfer case seal replaced the extended cab doors don't open the anti theft light is on the dome light doesn't work properly and it's leaking antifreeze also needs rear main seal and a new differential cover. Guy I bought it from put a new radiator plugs and wires in it. I put 20k miles on it since the repairs I would feel comfortable taking it to Florida and back.
New User
Joined: Dec 2019
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
Hi, I have a 94 ranger xlt 4x4, v-6 with a 4.0 engine. I have been thinkin bout keepin it awhile adn liftin it up and just fixin the truck up if anything goes wrong. She still looks great and drives great but I'm afraid as soon as I lift it the damn thing is gonna die on me. Right now I got 94,000 miles on it. I was just curious how long some of your rangers have been holding up. Is this smart or should I just save my money and buy a newer truck.
New User
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
So my old faithful '97 2.3 liter 5 speed extended cab completely dropped dead at 335,000 miles a few days ago. She was an AMAZING vehicle that never broke down until that fateful night last week. I had her for the last 15 years and bought it with 60k on the clock. The ONLY thing ever replaced under the hood outside of maintenance was an alternator maybe 50k miles ago. Original clutch ( ! ), starter, fuel pump, exhaust.....I am sure I went through 5-6 sets of tires ad 3-4 batteries in that time. Oh yeah, until the bitter end, she only burned a half qt between oil changes. I was kinda shocked when she gave out ( even though I knew it would someday happen). RIP my old friend. Today, I replaced her with a real nice '05 four door loaded 3.0L model in great condition...….ready for another 300+ thousand.
Joe
Joe
Postmaster
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 4,724
Likes: 4
From: Rogersville, TN
I bought my step daughter a 1990 ranger a few months back and whoever changed the transmission fluid did not tighten any of the bolts on the pan. She drove it 200 miles and burned the transmission up in it. Didn’t have a drop of fluid in it when I went to get her. I will be putting a new transmission in it after I finish a few more projects first, but it has 175k miles on it and everything else on it was running just fine. It has the 4.0 in it.
New User
Joined: Jul 2020
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
I am new to this forum, I have a 2003 Ranger XLT, 2.3l, 5 speed with 407,000 miles, I bought the vehicle new in 2003. I have driven all the miles except for may be 1,000 that my wife drove on a trip. The vehicle is still operating ok, no major maintenance. Any ideas on the mileage that I may get. a very well take care of Ranger. Give me your ideas.
Jim
Jim
Moderator
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 13,851
Likes: 111
From: SW Va
I am new to this forum, I have a 2003 Ranger XLT, 2.3l, 5 speed with 407,000 miles, I bought the vehicle new in 2003. I have driven all the miles except for may be 1,000 that my wife drove on a trip. The vehicle is still operating ok, no major maintenance. Any ideas on the mileage that I may get. a very well take care of Ranger. Give me your ideas.
Jim
Jim
Continue what you've been doing, as it seems to be working really good for your vehicle use under the conditions & drive cycle its seen.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
kman101
1983 - 2012 Ranger & B-Series
7
Feb 13, 2008 02:55 PM
