Off Road Package
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Joined: Jul 2003
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Off Road Package
Hi folks. I have a 2000 3.0 FFV Ranger 4x4 with the Off Road Package. I guess it was a little bit stupid of me to get a truck with an off road package since I don't do any off roading, but it had everything I wanted: black, manual, 4x4, 25000 miles, and only $12000.
I want input from other Ranger owners with the Off Road Package about reliablility and durability. As you know it has a really stiff suspension, which transfers every bump in the road to my butt. I personally don't care about the rough ride, but I wonder about the long term effects on my engine and other components.
Might all this bouncing around adversely affect engine components? What kind of long-term results have other Off Road Package owners had? I have put 15,000 miles on the truck and it just seems to run better with time, but it just makes me wonder. Do any of you have older Off Road trucks and if so, how many miles?
Thanks in advance
I want input from other Ranger owners with the Off Road Package about reliablility and durability. As you know it has a really stiff suspension, which transfers every bump in the road to my butt. I personally don't care about the rough ride, but I wonder about the long term effects on my engine and other components.
Might all this bouncing around adversely affect engine components? What kind of long-term results have other Off Road Package owners had? I have put 15,000 miles on the truck and it just seems to run better with time, but it just makes me wonder. Do any of you have older Off Road trucks and if so, how many miles?
Thanks in advance
Logistics Pro
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 4,410
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From: Central KY
Off Road Package
It won't hurt anything on the truck...just your internal organs. I hated the way my '99 felt on the highway...so I said I wouldn't buy the off-road package again. But the skidplates ARE so nice to have...esp. on the transfer case and fuel tank. So I got the off-road package again...and this one rides just as rough on the highway. I guess it's a trade-off. But no, it won't hurt anything on the truck.
Post Fiend
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 9,748
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From: Connecticut
Off Road Package
The stiffer suspension you have now is not a threat to the long-term life of your truck. But if it really bothers you, and you are willing to spend some dough, then you can put a new set of shocks on there that could help smooth the ride out....the same thing goes for tires, maybe to a lesser degree, but still a factor.
Last edited by Rockledge; Aug 27, 2003 at 08:53 AM.
Posting Guru
Joined: Apr 2003
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Off Road Package
yeah, my '98 off-roader is bone jarring at times, I am thinking of putting adjustable shocks on it. I have 92K miles and have had no significant problems except wheel bearings that required $1000 of work since the whole 4wd hub assemblies had to be replaced. That was recently and not likely related to the stiff ride. Anyway its been a great truck. Good Luck.
-Jim
-Jim
Logistics Pro
Joined: Sep 2002
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From: Central KY
Off Road Package
I feel bad for you Jim. $1000K repair and you haven't even gotten to 100K yet...I don't know if that's my idea of a good truck or not. But I totally understand...I had a '99 with 83K on it and it was starting to make me paranoid.
To the original post: you sure could get some shocks for the "regular" Ranger 4x4 and swap them out. The Rangers without the ORP ride a lot smoother. Since you said you won't be off-road much you could do this pretty easily.
To the original post: you sure could get some shocks for the "regular" Ranger 4x4 and swap them out. The Rangers without the ORP ride a lot smoother. Since you said you won't be off-road much you could do this pretty easily.
Elder User
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 818
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From: northeastern ohio
Off Road Package
Originally posted by WXboy
To the original post: you sure could get some shocks for the "regular" Ranger 4x4 and swap them out. The Rangers without the ORP ride a lot smoother. Since you said you won't be off-road much you could do this pretty easily.
To the original post: you sure could get some shocks for the "regular" Ranger 4x4 and swap them out. The Rangers without the ORP ride a lot smoother. Since you said you won't be off-road much you could do this pretty easily.
Monroe reflex are also good and cheaper I hear.
Rand
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Off Road Package
Rand, the Off Road Package and 4x4 are different. Just look at some Ford trucks on the road. The ones with just 4x4 have a "4x4" decal above the back wheels or on the tailgate. The ones with just 2x4 have no decal, which makes sense because why would you want to advertise that it's not 4 wheel drive? A small percentage have a "4x4 OFF ROAD" decal above the rear wheels or on the tailgate.
The Off Road package has a stiffer suspension and, I think, a higher rear differential gear ratio. Mine has 4.10s. My dad had a 2000 Ranger 4x4 without Off Road package and his has 3.73s. Mine also has skid plates and his doesn't.
Next time you are out driving around look at some of the decals on them.
The Off Road package has a stiffer suspension and, I think, a higher rear differential gear ratio. Mine has 4.10s. My dad had a 2000 Ranger 4x4 without Off Road package and his has 3.73s. Mine also has skid plates and his doesn't.
Next time you are out driving around look at some of the decals on them.
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Logistics Pro
Joined: Sep 2002
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From: Central KY
Off Road Package
There is the regular XLT 4x4, the EDGE 4x4, and the FX4 (which is the same thing as the off-road package on a 2001 - previous). The ones with the off-road package do ride too stiff on the road. But like you said they have very important skid plates and they also have the nice 16" wheels standard and lower gear ratio usually (4.10). You can swap your shocks for some nice Monroes or the "regular" Ranger shocks and you'll have a smoother ride but you'll still have the other nice features of the ORP.
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Logistics Pro
Joined: Sep 2002
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From: Central KY
Off Road Package
Yeah, the same ORP available on the 1998-2000 models was also available on the 2001 and 2002 models. It had plates for the transfer case and fuel tank and "4x4 off road" decals. Only the 2000 had one up front for the radiator.
Now, the ORP has been named FX4, but it still has the same plates. FX4 Level 2 has one additional plate up front for the radiator as you know.
The regular XLT 4x4 has never had any skid plates whatsoever and still doesn't. I almost bought a 2003 like this...but the thought of having no plates at all made me paranoid so I paid a little more for the FX4 package with some plates. The plates on my old truck saved me a couple of times when I was driving back on the farm.
Now, the ORP has been named FX4, but it still has the same plates. FX4 Level 2 has one additional plate up front for the radiator as you know.
The regular XLT 4x4 has never had any skid plates whatsoever and still doesn't. I almost bought a 2003 like this...but the thought of having no plates at all made me paranoid so I paid a little more for the FX4 package with some plates. The plates on my old truck saved me a couple of times when I was driving back on the farm.
Posting Guru
Joined: Jun 2003
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From: Perry,Ga.
Off Road Package
Originally posted by WXboy
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The regular XLT 4x4 has never had any skid plates whatsoever and still doesn't. I almost bought a 2003 like this...but the thought of having no plates at all made me paranoid so I paid a little more for the FX4 package with some plates. The plates on my old truck saved me a couple of times when I was driving back on the farm.
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The regular XLT 4x4 has never had any skid plates whatsoever and still doesn't. I almost bought a 2003 like this...but the thought of having no plates at all made me paranoid so I paid a little more for the FX4 package with some plates. The plates on my old truck saved me a couple of times when I was driving back on the farm.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 4,410
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From: Central KY
Off Road Package
I was referring to the 1998 and up models with the torsion bar suspensions. Back in 1989 there wasn't really an "off-road package" so the plates were extra options you could get on any Ranger.
Mountain Pass
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 125
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From: West Ga
Off Road Package
Correct me if I am wrong but, I read that the only difference in the reg 4x4 and the 4x4 OffRoad was the 4x4 OffRoad stickers, skid plates and the super stiff off road shocks. The rest is the same including springs.