I currently have a 1994 Ranger 2.3L, I want to get a long bed and bigger engine to haul my dirt bike. Was considering newer Ranger with 4.0L and long bed or F150 LB. Heard the 4.0L has marbling problem and low gas mileage. Should I just get a F150 with a 4.2L V6 or 4.6L V8? I like 1995/1996 or should I go 1997 or better? Won't be towing.

 

I personally would get about a 95 or 96 F150 with a 4.9 or 5.0 liter and a 5 spd. I Fell in love with a 96 F150 Eddie Bauer edition that was 4.9 liter 5spd, Dark blue over beige paint with biege interior. and factory aluminum wheels. That was a beauty of a truck and had lots of power. I was already to buy it after driving it around for a week and then when I went back to sign the papers on it I was told that there was a problem with the title. According to the title it had been destroyed in a flood in north dakota. Thats when I bought my 97 F150 XL ext cab, 4.2 liter V6, 5spd. I liked it at first but was not impressed after the trhird time it was in the shop for little stuff and hated the V6. talk about gutless. I finally sold it in august. Just my humble opinion.

Brad Godkin
1986 F350 CC/SRW
6.9liter/C6

 

My wife drives a 94 Ranger Super Cab with a 4.0. Power is good, no problem there but it has averaged 14 mpg for over 44000 mile.
I had a 89 f-150 300 inch 6 cyl 5 speed that was a great truck that would run circles around the Ranger and averaged 16 mpg.
I now have an 88 f-150 with a 5.0 and aod. This truck is even better! All kinds of power and gets 15 mpg with a cabover camper pulling a small boat! I wouldn't trade this truck for a new one.
I think a full size is the only way to go IMHO -greg

 

yeah, fullsize!!!!!!! rangers are just toys.
John Floyd
South Mills,NC
'86 F150 2wd 300 6
Crane Cam 260/272
stock manifolds, w/ staight pipe

 

My '95 4.0 automatic Ranger gave me 80K trouble-free miles. I got 20-22 MPG highway and 18-20 around town with 3.55 gears. The 3.08 "economy" gears are much worse in town and not much better on the open road. I hauled and towed with it. I sold it and bought a '96 F-150 4.9 because I wanted a heavier truck for towing. The 4.9 is a great engine, but both it and the 5.0 will give you less performance and less economy in a full size than a 4.0 in a Ranger. Other than that the full-size is a better truck in every way. If you're going to use it as a truck, get a 150.
If your bike will fit a 6.5' bed, you might want to go that route, especially if you get the extended cab.

There are some significant issues about body integrity and driveline durability on the new-style 150s. Go for a 95-96, "the last of the best." If you get a '95 or earlier, you avoid the OBDII mess as well.