Downsizing from F150
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Elder User
Joined: Jan 2004
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Downsizing from F150
Well a few years ago, I went from a 96 Ranger to a 2000 F150. I love the full size truck, however I've been promoted at work and now drive an average of 70miles per day. The 11mpg my 5.4 F150 4x4 just isn't going to cut it. So I'm going to downsize back to a midsized truck. My last Ranger seemed a bit under powered w/the 3.slowwwww, is there a big enough gas mileage difference to warrant NOT going w/the 4.0? I'm going to buy a used ranger so my real question is this. Are there any years to watch out for as far as problematic issues? For example: the F150's (years 99-02) have a spark plug "blowout" issue. Any major issues/years to be aware of? I really liked the old 96 Ranger I had, that thing was a beast, but that's just a bit too old for the midwest. You have to be concerned about rust around the saltbelt here. So I'm leaning toward year ranges of 01-03. Any input would be helpful.
Posting Guru
Joined: Apr 2003
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98-00 is PVH, avoid.
11mpg, sounds like you have a problem, if that is highway you absolutely have a problem
My 4L Ranger only gets 15-16 around town. Even if you really get 11, its gonna take a while for it to be worth the hassle of switching trucks.
11mpg, sounds like you have a problem, if that is highway you absolutely have a problem
My 4L Ranger only gets 15-16 around town. Even if you really get 11, its gonna take a while for it to be worth the hassle of switching trucks.
Elder User
Joined: Oct 2007
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From: Ishpeming Mi.
I downsized from a '75 F-250 Ranger 2x4 w/390cid 4bbl [I know, not the same truck] down to my '94 Mazda [aka ranger] B4000 and I get a combo of 21mpg. 7-8mpg to 21mpg is an eye opener, to put it mildly. Easier to park, being a 4x4 I can go where the old truck couldn't, and has a better ride. The auto lock-out hubs were replaced before it was given to me. Having read these forum's it suites me just fine. My first Ranger an '86' , that I drove to Texas and back was an old 2.9 longbed auto 4x4 and it gave me 19/21 mpg. The mains were about gone but with 3 cans of STP it not only made it there and back but still averaged 19mpg fully loaded. We filled it up every other time I filled up the dual tank F-250. Got several years more out of it until the compression made it next to impossible to start in freezing weather. Sold it in the summer... running.
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From: IL
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Sep 2003
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From: central ohio
my '93 4.0 4x4 with 3.73's and 235/15s gets 17-18 pretty consistantly, 110k on the clock and still as depedable as the day i brought it home,
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Elder User
Joined: Jan 2004
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The 11mpg is mixed driving. Pure hghwy is roughly 15mgp, purely in town is about 10mpg. I consistently get 250-260 miles per tank since the day I bought it. With the few exceptions of driving it long distances (most ever was 312 miles on a tank). Needless to say, it's not very wallet friendly with the ever rising gas prices. I do have to consider what the trade off will be as far as towing/hauling. My old Ranger seemed to handle everything I threw at it, but the extra space of the F150 will be hard to replace. I'm at a loss...maybe I should go test drive a few before I make a concrete decision.
"bcjim" what does PVH stand for? Power vacuum hubs...??? Are they prone to failure?
"bcjim" what does PVH stand for? Power vacuum hubs...??? Are they prone to failure?
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 1,344
Likes: 12
From: Sioux Falls SD
I know what you mean about the space. Since 1988 I have had 3 Rangers and 3 F150's, I started with a Ranger and just keep coming back to them. They fit me well, are comfortable, handel very good, easy to navigate in traffic and can haul any thing I throw at them.
The 4.0 can actually get better MPG than the 3.0 but the slush box really drags them down compared to 5speed both in power and MPG.
The 4.0 can actually get better MPG than the 3.0 but the slush box really drags them down compared to 5speed both in power and MPG.
Fleet Owner
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 24,724
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From: Blue Hill Township
The 4.0 is a nice motor. I wouldn't say that the auto gets that much worse mileage. I've gotten 25 in my 92 Explorer (cinderblock on wheels) with a visor on top and I have a 4.0 OHV, 4x4, A4LD.
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Elder User
Joined: Jan 2004
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Wish me luck, I'm off to the dealer. They have an '05 Ranger Extended cab 4x4 XLT auto w/just 27k on the ticker. I'm gonna see what they'll give me on trade.... The asking price at the moment is 16,900 (kinda steep), so I doubt it will be economically feasible for me, but it's worth a shot.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 1,344
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From: Sioux Falls SD
Rangers are high priced all over. the local Ford dealer hear is a one price store and they are selling used 2005 models for what they sold them for new at the same price you mentioned. evidently people don't mind as they don' t sit on the lot and matter of fact the used Ranger inventory around hear is real scarce at any dealer. I can't believe that Ford wants to can such a popular truck.