I have an '87 Ranger 2.9L five speed that I bought new in October 86 that now has 160K on it. I have gotten my moneys worth about three time over. A family member is in need of a truck and I think a late model Ranger with a manual tranny would be a good fit. Any comments on which year model would be the best from a reliability or features standpoint? Thanks in advance.

cds

 

I'm partial to the 95 - 97 model year. The 2.3l is pretty reliable ,heck almost bullet proof, and the extended cabs have a pretty smooth ride for a little p/u truck. I've already put 310k on my 96 with no major problems (knock on wood).

 

No suggestions on years, as I've had a 93 and now have a 96. Both 4.0 manuals. Extended cabs. My 93 had 165,000 when I traded it in on the 96. The only thing I have done to either was a new clutch on the 93. But I didn't figure 130,000 on the original to be too bad. I've got 102,000 on the 96 with no signs of trouble yet. And I pull a horse trailer with it. So I'd recomend the 4.0 if you're really going to work it hard.

 

I have a '97, and it's a great truck. As far as years go, I'd let the budget guide you, more than anything. I don't think you can go too far wrong, beyond not matching the needs of the person with the equipment on the truck.

If you're looking for budget transportation, the 2.3/5 speed is the way to go. Great mileage, and they run forever with good maintenence.

As far as features, there are some little luxuries that disappeared over the years (cargo lights, etc.) but basically, the XL's don't have much of anything, and the XLT's range (depending on what option boxes were checked) from comfortable but spartan (like mine- cloth seats, but crank windows and no A/C) to pretty well loaded for a truck (p/w. p/l, p/mirrors, CD player, etc.)

I also recommend the extended cab. I'm a little under 6', and I can't get the seat back as far as I'd like in my friend's regular cab. Not to mention, the extra enclosed, lockable space comes in very handy. The jumpseats are pretty useless, though.

 

The 97 & up, Rangers had more interior cab room in all models.

I really like my 4dr super cab, the extra room behind the seats is very useful & the extra doors make it even more so.

Ford also replaced the rough riding & difficult to keep aligned, front twin "I" beam suspension, with smoother riding upper & lower "A" arms, which are nice IMHO.

They also offered a 5 speed auto tranny which I really like.

It's well matched to the 160 hp pushrod 4.0L engine, such that you get the most lug & tug out of it!!!!

I ordered my 99 XLT 4 dr SC 4.0L 5 speed auto loaded, with everything but a CD player, block heater, or 4X4, all of which I didn't need or want.

So as has been said, you can probably find one tricked out with as little or much, or just about any way/combnation, you can imagine.
The regular cab also had a LWB model with a 7 foot bed, if you need the room to haul!!!

I use all the extras I opted for & so far they've been very reliable & all still work 6 years later.

Any extras you need but it doesn't have, you can likely find in a salvage yard for a fair price & they'll likely bolt right up.

So, 97 up, had cab, suspension, & tranny changes that IMHO were worth waiting for, check them out, they may appeal to you too!!!

Also 96 & up had computer changes (OBD-2) that make it easier to diagnose problems, as the computer has sensors to monitor more things,

BUT it now requires a scan tool, or code reader to get the information out of the computer, where as you could extract that information on older OBD-1 models, with a jumper lead & read the codes on the flashing check engine light, by counting it's flashes .

Just some information for consieration.

 

Thanks to all for the replies.

cds

 

I think you're off by one year. I'm pretty sure all that was for '98 and up.
My '97 has TTB, and the Haynes manual I have covers '94-'97.

 

Yup your right john112deer, my gray matter laid dowm on me again!!!!

The 97 had the 5 speed auto tranny option for the 4.0L in 97.

Most of the other changes apparently came in 98.

cds, look over this site for the year/model you're interested in.

The year by year changes & reliability comments are outlined there & easy to read. http://auto.consumerguide.com/auto/used/reviews/full/index.cfm/id/2306

 

Let the budget decide. You really can't go wrong with a newer Ranger. From the 2.3L economy vehicle to the loaded 4.0L, all will serve you well for a long time.

 

Well the "redirect" didn't up date the URL spelling corretion I made above, so I'll try posting it again.
For a year by year listing of Ranger changes, check out.....
http://auto.consumerguide.com/auto/u...ex.cfm/id/2306

 

Hey good link pawpaw, that one's goin' in my favorites. Just wish it covered all the years and not just '98-'04.

That's what I think I might do, put together a list of all the changes.

 

Look again, they have other model years grouped together, just click on the range of years you want, like 93-97, ect.

 

For what I need I'm very happy with my '04 Edge extended cab 4x4 with 4.0 and five speed. It's hauled a 5,000# car on a car trailer over the mountains with no problem, taken several long trips, very comfortable.

It pretty much depends on what you use it for. For me that extra cab space really comes in handy, even if you just want to recline the seat.

--van

 

Oh VERY cool. Thank you very much for that now!

 

I have a 97 SuperCab with 2.3 and 5 speed. It's a very solid truck, and I feel that at 100k miles, it's barely broken in.

The only thing I'd like to have that I don't is third door access to the back. It's somewhat difficult getting anything bulky or heavy behind the front seats. For example, I wish I could put my 2 ball bowling ball bag behind the seat, but you have to lift it way up high to get it in the back.

Hope that helps.