I have been looking for a small pickup for the winter to commute with. I have an 80 mi a day commute. I was planning on going to check out a ranger this weekend. It has 3.0, 5 speed, 4x4 and has 130,000 miles. Looks like it is in good shape and I didn't think the miles were that high for the price and I see many on craigslist with miles way higher. Is there any cons to the 3.0 motor I don't know much about it or anything I should be looking for that are common problems with these trucks. I have had plenty of fords just nothing smaller than a 250. Any info would be great thanks.

 

I got two of them here with the same powertrain and they have been great, nice to drive and very good fuel milage. We have one with 4.10 gears that is used for hauling a trailer and rarely sees the highway but I'd bet it wouldn't return as good milage if it did, they both manage low 20's mpg driving around. The later motors had an issue with failures of the EDIS module(it replaces the distributor) that can lead to engine failure so if you get one I'd suggest you put a new module in it right away and then you should have many years of reliable use from it.

 

Do all the basic stuff, tuneup, fluids, etc., and you'll be good to go...just make sure you're buying a driver...good long test drive in stop-n-go and on the highway, too. The 3.0 is often disrespected, but it's a stout little motor if taken care of...likes to rev and run. Cab comfort can be dicey if you're a big guy but that's fixable, too. Check the axle code...you'll get higher/better highway mileage with the 3.45 ratio than the 3.73 or 4.10, but all three are good...I was getting 25 mpg out of the 3.45 in the old diff on my truck at 65 mph, but that has dropped to about 22-23 mpg with 3.73 axle. Lots of good resource info, especially DIY stuff, online for Rangers. Have fun with it...what year is your F250?

 

The whole big guy thing might come I to play. I'm 6'-4" but it's not going to be a daily driver. Mostly for winter commuting to work in the snow and to put a small row boat in during the warm months.

I had a 96 250 with 351, I had a 06 250 with 6.0, a 03 250 with 7.3, a 97 350 with a 460 which I have to say my have been one of my favorite trucks and am sad I got rid of it. Now I have a 14 350 with 6.7, I love it it is a monster

 

Ah...another BOB (big 'ol boy), I'm an inch shorter but tip the scales at 265. If you plan on keeping it, start watching Craigslist for seats now...with patience you can replace what you have or when it wears out, and it will in a year or so, with a nice 60/40 bench set out of Rangers/Mazda's up to 2003. I did buckets and went back to the 60/40 set up. Lots of buckets will bolt in, but they're made for the little people. I've seen some nice Windstar/Aerostar buckets in Rangers, but I like a seat made to fold forward and backward and slide up and far back, too. I'm partial to F250's in the 67 to 79 year range...but can't afford to feed one right now. As I get older, I get more creative with hauling/working options so a Ranger suits me just fine...do miss looking down on the cuties, tho'.

 

I put 254,500 on my 98 3.0 before I had any trouble with it. It's not a power house but it goes from point A to point B quite well. It got 23 mpg when I got it with 83,000 miles and burned no oil at all. It was still running strong when it blew out a head gasket last month. The truck is only a two wheel drive but its not rusted bad at all and had a new clutch last summer. People think that I'm touched in the head but I'm going to fix it and keep on running it. Good advertisement for Ford.

 

Just a quick FYI:

Somewhere around 1995/96, Ford integrated the duties of the EDIS ignition module into the PCM. So a '98 Ranger doesn't utilize a "stand-alone" module like your '94 does.

 

Yes good point... but now that you bring it up I think I should clarify my statement from before. The module I was referring to is the mechanical part that replaces the distributor commonly referred to as the cam sensor.. not the electronic ignition module.

 

OK, you are referring to the "camshaft synchronizer shaft/sensor assembly" and I agree it's a good idea for anyone with a Ford 3.0L OHV to keep an eye (ear) on it.

See: https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/7...ml#post5934392

Another quick FYI: "Doorman" brand replacement synchros have proven to be typical chinese junk. Avoid them.

 

I'm 6'-2" and tip the scales at 265. I have short legs for my height, though, so my head is pretty close to the ceiling in my '94 Ranger XLT 2wd 4.0 V6 Automatic. If you have longer legs than I do (practically guaranteed!) you might be comfortable head-room wise, but I don't know about leg room in that case. I've had my '94 since Jan. 1999 - Yes - Almost 16 years!!! I've had very few problems, most were minor. I can't comment on the 3.0.

 

I'm 6'4" with a 35" inseam, I have to put the seat all the way back and recline it a bit but once that is done I find the Ranger buckets comfortable. The first Ranger I had(an '83) was a reg cab with a bench seat and looking back I don't know how I managed to drive it.. young and stupid I guess. LOL.