High Mileage
New User
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 23
Likes: 0
High Mileage
I'm on my second Ranger.
#1 - '83 2.8 carburated V-6 2wd auto - had 196k miles on it when I got rid of it. Had head problems once a year mainly due to my own ignorance, but I'm gonna blame Ford for part of it (or whatever German company that made the engine) - that crazy thermostat-on-the-lower-hose thing got me - changed the antifreeze for the first time and didn't realize it was necessary to pull the top hose and fill the engine up too. I mean is that the only vehicle that was ever designed that way? Insane. Heads finally cracked and I practically gave it away. New owner had engine replaced and I understand it's happily racking up the miles again.
#2 - '87 2.9 EFI V-6 2wd auto - has 107k on it (really!) and has been a good truck except for fuel injection problems twice now (see other thread). Replaced valve that switches between front and rear fuel tanks, put heavy-duty radiator in it, and added air shocks for towing a small trailer. Oh yeah, and got rid of those wimpy, flimsy Ranger side mirrors!
#1 - '83 2.8 carburated V-6 2wd auto - had 196k miles on it when I got rid of it. Had head problems once a year mainly due to my own ignorance, but I'm gonna blame Ford for part of it (or whatever German company that made the engine) - that crazy thermostat-on-the-lower-hose thing got me - changed the antifreeze for the first time and didn't realize it was necessary to pull the top hose and fill the engine up too. I mean is that the only vehicle that was ever designed that way? Insane. Heads finally cracked and I practically gave it away. New owner had engine replaced and I understand it's happily racking up the miles again.
#2 - '87 2.9 EFI V-6 2wd auto - has 107k on it (really!) and has been a good truck except for fuel injection problems twice now (see other thread). Replaced valve that switches between front and rear fuel tanks, put heavy-duty radiator in it, and added air shocks for towing a small trailer. Oh yeah, and got rid of those wimpy, flimsy Ranger side mirrors!
Junior User
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 52
Likes: 0
High Mileage
We have 86 and 90 Broncho II's. They both have about 150K on them, and both motors are still running great. We've only replaced the basics..tune ups. My husband's uncle has an Aerostar with the same motor, and believe it or not....400K with not a problem. Oh, and as for the flimsy mirrors...our '90 has the same thing on it. We hate them!! Why would the '85 and '86 models have nice ones, but the '90's have generic? Go figure!! They had to save money somewhere, huh?
New User
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
High Mileage
I have a 90 ranger sc, 2wd, 2.9l 5spd manaul. i bought it new off of the showroom floor. i have approx 225,000 miles on it. I have worked this truck like a dog, but I try to take good care of it.When I worked in the auto repair business, rangers were very rarely in for repairs, nor were f-series. I made alot of money off of chevy c&k series, so, we all know ford's are superior. Have had very few problems with my ranger that were not from ordinary maintenance/wear. I will say that the slave cyls should be flushed yearly, as I have replaced mine twice and it's a tough job, by yourself. engine has never even thought about overheating, and i had a leaky water pump from the factory(that took 5 yrs to go ahead and crater), and a stuck t-stat for a couple years. If cared for properly, a fuel-injected 2.9 will last indefinitely, i think. good luck with yours..
New User
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 15
Likes: 0
High Mileage
Hi,
My 88 ranger has just shy of 160K.
I had the tranny replaced about a year and a half ago (fords are not known for their trannys).
As for the heads cracking, it happens on the 2.9 the cooling system could be better on it. as long as you don't overheat there really isn't a problem
88 Ranger XLT
79 Bronco Ranger XLT
"J"
My 88 ranger has just shy of 160K.
I had the tranny replaced about a year and a half ago (fords are not known for their trannys).
As for the heads cracking, it happens on the 2.9 the cooling system could be better on it. as long as you don't overheat there really isn't a problem
88 Ranger XLT
79 Bronco Ranger XLT
"J"
New User
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 10
Likes: 0
High Mileage
You people are all SO lucky! My 89 is on 2.9 #2 right now (this is after the original was"rebuilt" by the guy I bought it from) and I think 2.9 #3 may be coming in the near future. What is up with these engines? I generally work to properly maintain my vehicles, so problems are frustrating at the very least. Oh well, maybe I'll have better luck with the next one...
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
Top 10 Fords at 2026 Carlisle Ford Nationals
Joe Kucinski
3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership
Brett Foote
10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches
Pouria Savadkouei
Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained
Brett Foote
10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer
Joe Kucinski
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)
Brett Foote
New User
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
High Mileage
Greetings!
I have a 95 XLT 2WD Longbed with the 3.0 and 5sp I have 142K miles and it runs great. Normal maintainance stuff and a clutch at 106k. The factory serpentine belt lasted 130k before I got nervous and replaced it. It still looks great except for the parkinglot door chings! :-( BOO to people who dont watch their doors! This is a great truck! I will probably drive it till falls apart. Great to see so many Fords still going strong!
Daniel
I have a 95 XLT 2WD Longbed with the 3.0 and 5sp I have 142K miles and it runs great. Normal maintainance stuff and a clutch at 106k. The factory serpentine belt lasted 130k before I got nervous and replaced it. It still looks great except for the parkinglot door chings! :-( BOO to people who dont watch their doors! This is a great truck! I will probably drive it till falls apart. Great to see so many Fords still going strong!
Daniel
New User
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
High Mileage
i had a 85 ranger with 2.3l in it. It was my first vehicle and it had 125,000 when i bought it. I used and abused this truck, and put over 220,000 when i traded it for a 83 ranger 4x4 with a 2.8 it also had over 200,000 and needs to be rebuilt now, it was a forest service truck. I had an 84 bronco II with a 2.8 also had high milage when i bought it 180,000 i put a few thousand miles on it before i sold it to my cousin still running on the same engine without a rebuild, and no problems other then a little oil usage. So its not just the 2.3 and 2.9 engines that you can get a lot of milage out of
Gone but not forgotten.
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 6,521
Likes: 2
High Mileage
Glad to see that I'm not the only retired old gezzer that loves anything with a motor(I'm 67). I bought my Flareside Ranger new in April 99 and don't beleive it will ever be high mileage - I just turned 8500 after 2 1/2 years. So far I have lowered it 3 inches, put an alum. grill in grill shell and valence, put masks on parking and tail lights, installed dual pipes with 4 stainless steel tips under a fiberglass roll pan,and put a white face on the instrument panel. Future plans include fiberglass hood, bed cover, 18" wheels and paint. I hope that you're enjoying retirement as much as I am.
New User
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
High Mileage
My '87 2.0L just turned over 302,000. I have never been inside the engine. Hot oil pressure runs 60 psi at driving rpms and idles at 50 psi. Compression is 185 psi on all 4 cyls. Does not knock and runs very quietly. Burns no oil. I bought the truck new and it is definitly the BEST vehicle that I have ever owned!
New User
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
High Mileage
Hi, I have a 96, 2.3L, 2wd, manual. It is not high mileage yet (only 84,000) but I have had to get a new clutch. The new clutch is the only big problem I have had so far. I do have a question so i can keep her running for 300,000. I am not a mechanic, but am very mechanically inclined and can do most anything that I have instructions for. The question is, I missed the 60,000 mile tuneup (im lazy) so I am about to do it. If I go buy a Ranger manual will I be able to do the tune up or is it something I should pay to have done? I also would love to know how to work on engines, so i may just do most of it myself anyway, but I would like anyones input.
New User
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
High Mileage
The best things to do to get the highest milage possible is to keep the oil changed, tune ups when needed, driving it like a policeman was sitting next to you, also during startups, especially during cold ones, keep your engine idling as low as possible until you get good oil pressure, and NEVER let it run hot. Keep good hoses and a clean radiator in it to avoid a possible overheat. I live in Fla. so I have always used 20W-50 Castrol oil. I have always liked a thicker oil. At 60,000 it probably wouldn't hurt to change the timing belt on yours, if that's what the manufacturer recommends. I'm on my third one and I am close to changing mine again. The first one I put close to 200,000 miles on it and when I took it off it looked just as good as the new one I was putting on. The fibers in the belt could have started to weaken so I changed it anyway and I try to change it out more often. If you do this, youshould get many many miles out of your Ranger.
GOD BLESS
GOD BLESS
Junior User
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 54
Likes: 0
High Mileage
89 Bronco II, 2.9l, 230k + miles
water pump (mech seal)
fuel pump x2
fuel press regulator
throttle body
still gets 20+ mpg with lots of power
leaks about 1qt ~ 3,000 mi or 3 months
Very good motor, would crack the he** out of the heads if you overheated it, but as stated above, the key to longevity in any engine is regular oil changes with a quality oil and easy in/easy out of the throttle. This truck racked up many of its early miles at high speed for long distances with many of its last miles stop and go city driving.
water pump (mech seal)
fuel pump x2
fuel press regulator
throttle body
still gets 20+ mpg with lots of power
leaks about 1qt ~ 3,000 mi or 3 months
Very good motor, would crack the he** out of the heads if you overheated it, but as stated above, the key to longevity in any engine is regular oil changes with a quality oil and easy in/easy out of the throttle. This truck racked up many of its early miles at high speed for long distances with many of its last miles stop and go city driving.