Hi - I just joined the forum and took deliver of a brand new 2011 Ranger Sport about two weeks ago. It's a V6 Auto, 4 dr model Torch red! Not bad so far about 21 on the highway for mileage in OD. Has most of the goodies and I'm really enjoying it. Of course I've been driving Corvette's for the last 13 years, it's a bit different...actually I had an S10 Ext Cab back in '99. It was nice but I liked the Ranger better. Too bad about Ford's decisions going forward.

I have a tonneau ready to go on the bed. Looking forward to that.

So just thought I'd say hi

 

Welcome Aboard, sounds like a nice truck

 

Welcome to FTE. This is a great site for all things Ranger. Although, with a brand new Ranger, you probably will not need to use FTE for quite a while. The Ranger is a pretty reliable truck.

I hope you enjoy your Ranger as much as I like mine.

 

Welcome to FTE.

Congrats on your compact pick-em-up choice. I agree that Ford upper managment should have been shown the door, not the Ranger!!!! BUT they do have a replacement in the wings, just waiting for the economy to get better to bring it out I suppose, but a lot of folks are down sizing Now, so they are missing that boat!!!!

Anyway, what engine/tranny did you opt for??? I assume if its the 4dr cab, that you have the 4.0L OHC & 5R55E auto tranny, a nice zippy combo????

If you do come to having any problems, be sure to have introduced yourself & made friends with your Dealers Service Manager & be sure to keep the scheduled maintenance up to date along with the paperwork, as he'll need it to warranty interface with Ford for you.

Most folks use Motorcraft parts & fluids, as they're of good quality & price competitive. If you choose otherwise during the warranty period, make sure the fluids say on their label that it meets or exceeds Fords specs & you'll not likely have any warranty problems, I didn't, as my top notch Dealer & Ford stepped up to the plate on my long running unusual engine problems that cropped up on my then brand new 99 pushrod 4.0L.
Anyway they were finally able to put it right in 02, under warranty & its still ok, so as has been said, the Ranger is a solid, reliable, ride, just cover your butt up front, in case the unusual happens.

If you like to turn your own wrenches, be sure to visit the "Tech Info" thread atop this forums thread listing page, for some useful info.

Enjoy your new ride!!!

 

Thanks!

With the Corvette's I was hands on, but with a brand new warranty the tools might collect a little dust. I presume Helm Inc is the place for FSMs? I always like to have the FSMs regardless.

Yep it's the 4-dr model with the 5-spd Auto (OD) and the 4.6 liter V6 (207/238) has the Traction control and AdvanceTrac. And I thought my '01 Vette was advanced, in just 10 years the truck has those traction/handling features. Compared to my previous S10, this truck in the rain grips like crazy no back tires breaking loose. Like that a lot.

If you're running along 55-60 and kick it down to pass it gets right with the program, no complaints and then run say 70-80 the truck handles that well. (The seats could be a tad bit softer.) I definitely like how the Sport sits so high up, I understand it has the suspension package of the 4x4 but just a 4x2.

Yes definitely digging my new truck.

Yeah I just passed a thousand miles last night on the way home from the beach area.

Stupid things I like about it, the extra wipe programmed into the push to washer function. With every previous vehicle when you use the washer function you always have to add one extra wipe, and these characters at Ford thought of that. LOL

Since I got it new, I can monitor it and add the ESP during the warranty period.

 

You might want to try eBay for a Ford service manual on CD/DVD. I bought for my '01 Sable. Turned out it also had my 2000 Ranger!!

 

Hello, again, Jet-Jock,

I think your V-6 engine is the 4.0 l. engine. That's the biggest engine Ford put in Rangers.

Check to be sure so that when you get filters and fluids, you get the correct items. Enjoy.

 

you're right, mis-type it's the 4.0L V6.

 

OK, so it has the 4.0L SHOC engine, so be aware that the 4.0L is still spec'ed to use 5W-30, Not 5W-20, as our 4.0L engines never got the oil pump upgrade to allow it to be able to pump enough volume of the lower viscosity 20wt at operating temp.

 

Stamped right on the filler cap, 5-30W.

Is it true the factory fill is a semi-synthetic?

 

Yes Motorcraft 5W-20 & 5W-30 are semi-synthetic, but its a group-3 mineral oil semi-syn, not PAO or Ester syn.