I might be in the market for a later model Ranger, say 2006 and up. I've never had a Ranger newer than an '88 so I don't know much about the later ones. Usage would be mostly around town and back woods- maybe 5K miles a year. It needs to be able to reliably make a run of a few hundred miles to buy toys. Decent trailer towing capacity would be a plus. I have a few questions-

1) Which engine? I don't really care about fuel mileage. Must be reliable, though.

2) How are the automatic transmissions?

3) What year? Any particular years to look for (or avoid)?

4) What would you consider high mileage? What would you set for a cut-off point for a reliable truck?

5) How are the 4X4 models? Good? Bad?

6) Any other quirks to look out for?

Thanks for any input!

 

Wow are you in for an upgrade, tight steering, no bumpsteer, lots of power regardless what engine you get, rear doors, a modern interior, better brakes, smoother ride. Other than the name on the fender this last generation truck is nothing like the old ones.

I'm alergic to automotive four cylinders so I'd say either one of the V6s, but even the 4 banger makes 150hp by now so it's hard to to wrong. If you get either one of the smaller motors do make sure the truck has at least 3.73 gears.

Don't know.. .never owned a Ranger with a slushbox, but I'd bet it is responsible for the claims you will see shortly that the 3.0L is gutless. It isn't but I have seen automatics suck the life out of engines that are otherwise known as good performers in other vehicles.

From '98 to the end of production the truck was the same so get the latest model with the lowest milage you can find. The 01 and up 4.0L was upgraded to just over 200hp so that may be the the one to look for.

200k+ is pretty worn out IMO.
Less trouble then the older trucks. The front drivetrain now uses CV drive axles so there is very little drag and they never wear out as long as the boots aren't torn.

 

Thanks for the reply. I'm seeing low mileage trucks (under 100K) for $8-$10K around here. Rust generally isn't a problem here in SC, but of course I'll check it out thoroughly.

 

Like you, I have not had a Ranger since the 90's. Just bought a 2010 Ranger, auto, 4 cyl. with 60,000 miles. I have not towed anything but extremely happy with it so far. The ride is a little rougher than I thought it would be, but hay it's a truck. I spent 4 months looking, every thing had either 200,000 miles or was way over priced. Good luck on your search.

 

The four bangers aren't rated for much of a trailer. I'm trying to find a 4.0 V-6, which is rated to tow 6000 lbs. 'just in case'.

 

It has a step bed runs real good not beat up a
Extra cab and the tags are 4 mos. Out .he wants $1000 5 speed stick . The air is not blowing cold but his mechanic will fix it . Is this still a reliable unit or a problem child ? Darn surprised it runs so good .tires are 80%

 

Wait another six months and you can buy a REAL new 2019 Ranger. Supposed to be >300 hp for a four banger and lots of whiz-bang thingamajigs to play with.

 

I imagine the new Ranger will be at least double my budget. I'll pay about $10K, tops.

 

If I remember correctly, my 2001 4x4 with the 4.0V6 had 4.10 gears that were included with the Off Road package. The regular 4x4's with the 4.0V6 without the OffRoad had 3.73. I'm not 100% certain of that so someone else may be able to confirm/refute. And that may have changed for later or earlier years. I can say with certainty that it would tow anything I needed it to without any issues. I think the heaviest trailer load I had was 3200 pounds of river rock loaded on a 900 pound 6x10 trailer. So roughly 4100 pounds. It was a very reliable truck. It was an automatic. Outside of routine maintenance, I didn't have to do a thing to it besides replace the front shocks. But considering they were OEM & 16 years old at that time, I can't complain.

 

Love my 2011, had a 2003 Edge 4x2 3.0 5sp and it was a dog compared to this 4.0, and an 88 4x4 with a 2.9/auto, and that was REALLY slow . Mines a S/C 4x2 4.0 OHC and 5r55e auto, in "street" trim it's a nice truck, is pretty comfortable and drives pretty nice for a truck. That being said if you want it to be a "truck" it will need upgrades...mines about done with 500-600 pounds in it. I wouldn't want to put any more in it with our doing something to the rear suspension.

 

I'm currently looking for one as well. I am only a few miles down the road from the original poster. May the best man win.

I currently have an extremely low mile (57k) 96 Tacoma 2wd auto that I drive to work. Love the little truck, but i'm in the mood to trade and want a miniature ford to go with my superduty. Would love to find one with less than 100k, but I haven't found very many in the Greenville area. I'm assuming that is where you are looking as well. The only catch with me is that it must be manual trans. I miss driving a stick.

 

Hate to say it, but the Tacoma will outlast almost any Ranger, especially with only 57k miles.... and even with an automatic transmission. Plus, look up the resale value of the Tacoma vs other small trucks. If you do "trade out" the Tacoma for a Ranger, you should make some PROFIT.

 

Shouldn't come to a fight; I only want an automatic. I may actually wind up with a C***y; a friend of mine has one he might sell in September. Low miles, meticulously maintained, and I know the history of the truck- he bought it new. He'll sell it to me for trade-in value, which is way below retail.