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Ford Ranger III
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Comments
Yes, I am enjoying my Tacoma much better than the Ford. I don't agree that it's a god but compared to the Ranger, it may seem that way to some. Thanks for asking.
All I have to say is cold hard facts, like Ford Ranger is the BEST SELLING COMPACT PICKUP for the last 13 years. I'm still driving a '93 2.3l, with 180k miles on it, and it's still running smooth, getting 20 city/26 highway miles. The Valve cover hasn't ever had a need to come off. All accessories are pulling great for cold original R-12 a/c, the original alternator still powers a 600 watt stereo, power steering is a bit noisy but still tight. Only the transmission had to be replaced, but at 130k miles, that's pretty acceptable. Raced on South Padre Island, beats up jeep wranglers for a living, taken through Arkansas buffalo river more times than I can count, hooked up my tow chain to help out many imports stuck on steep grades roads there too. Never been stuck, never been broke down.
It's all about how you care for your car/truck. Every scheduled maintenance was performed. Change and flush your fluids on schedule!!! Take advantage of Duralube and zMax!
Now I'm looking to upgrade to a 01 or 02 Ranger Edge Plus! 4.0l, manual, etc. Just can't find a regular cab 4.0l manual in stock!
I'm a month away from buying, replacing my 1998 Chevy S-10 4 cylinder. It was a good truck, but I'm tired of a 4 banger. These Rangers are plentiful in Phoenix at Rental Car sales centers. They have roughly 24,000 miles on them, but I'm not familiar with the 3.0L V-6. Is that much of an upgrade from my Chevy 2.2L 4-cylinder?
I'm not up on all these matters...any other comments about your Rangers will be appreciated too. You know how it is when your getting ready to by and run into an unfamiliar line of vehicle (I hadn't paid much attention to them, but really liked the vehicle and the short test drive).
Thanks in advance.
For better MPG, check out the new 2.3L OHC 4cyl, it is rated 24/28 MPG, with good HP/torque for a 4cyl. I'll be test-driving one myself in about a month, to replace my ancient V6 Ranger. The Mazda B-series is a twin of the Ranger, their web site has the MPG info for the 2.3L:
http://www.mazdausa.com/trucks/specs/default.asp?vehicle=trucks&did=50706#7
http://media.ford.com/products/presskit_display.cfm?mode=quick&item_cnt=2&display_mode=printer¤t_item=2
On the 3.0l ping thing, why not use higher octane gas/ additives? This is expensive I know, but you should also enjoy the extra power.
Or when buying, get the 4.0L for $220.00 extra!
The 2002 Ranger is supposed to be a major redesign and is supposed to be slightly larger. Talk is a new 5cylinder engine is going to be offered. A diesel in this form is also in the works. Rumors too of a small V8!
Danny, I'd expect it to take more than a few years before anything being redesigned to be ready for manufacturing. I'd expect it around 2005, give or take.
Ohh and totyota owners don't even start I've had and worked on enough toyota's to know their quirks as well. MY favorite was the 74 celica with a distributor that fried every time it rained hard or you went through a puddle. Got real good at replacing those and always carried spare points etc because of it.
Thanks in advance for the help.
BTW I got the MAZDA because owning a Ford in my family get's you out of the will.
Adam
dsdrvr01-> Fords get a bad wrap, but one I feel is undue. Most people buy fords because that's of the value of the vehicles, plus all models range from cheap base to the expensive loaded vehicles. I think some people just don't know how to care for their cars, and if it's a Ford (or any domestic car) they blame the maker. A college roomate or mine hates ford with a passion, saying his leased F-150 was a rough riding hog, with no performance or gas milage to speak of. I later found out that he never changed the oil in the 3.5 years he owned it! That's why he hated Ford, but should be hating himself. (Consequently, the Ford never blew up despite the mud for oil it was using, it's still on the road today. Ford Tough!) Driving habits, maintaining practices, etc make all the difference. Add a little Duralube or Zmax every year or so, and you'll be running for a long time.
Anybody own the new Tremor sound system yet? How does it sound?
Thanks!!
Just curious if any owners are happy with it?
try starting with the A/C or heater OFF. see if the noise goes away. I heard several do that when I was test driving b-4 I bought mine. Mine only does it with A/C on.
Any help would be appreciated here...I've owned two 4.0's in the past, but it was WAY easier to figure out the ordering options back in 1993 and 1997...is the new 4.0L available with a manual tranny?
-quark
It's only available in some areas, but it's the best as far as offering realistic and available designs.
I'm looking for a 01 or 02 regular cab ranger, with 4.0l. The catch seems to be you get the flareside for the 5 speed (manual or auto). To get styleside 4.0l, you have to go 4x4.
allen--->Thats why you always test drive before you buy. Anyways, you should be able to find some bucket seats out of an older ranger and drop them in. It'll cost a bit, unless you get lucky at a junkyard, but they'll drop in. I think mustang seats will be too low, but maybe a windstar, or f-150?
Count--->Word.
This paint circle or dot should be mounted right by the valve stem. This really helps on minimizing the balancing needed.
Most tire stores don't bother to do this, they just slap on the tires, balance them to within .50 oz, and let 'em go. INSIST on a perfect balance with 0 oz off. Sure it'll probaby be off .25 oz by the end of the week, but in the long run, you should definately not feel any vibration in the suspension or steering wheel for a long time.
If the wheels are balanced, then it has to be other rotating mass. Like I mentione before, the driveshaft is a likely cuplrit. It could just be out of balance as well, or the u-joints are out of phase meaning not mounted in parallel to each other(when looking down the shaft, the u-joint resembles a + sign, both + signs should be the same, and not like a + sign and x. )
I would like something a little taller, but don't necessarily want the width which comes with the 31 or 32" tires.
Recommendations?
On a side note does anyone if the new 2.8 I5 engine is coming in 2002 or 2003.
Thanks
http://www.bonforums.com/paukert3.htm
I'm interested in any comments on the 2.3L I4 too...
Or when buying, pay 220 extra for the 4.0l!
The bosch platinum plus plugs get pretty expensive for my four cylinder that has 2 plugs per cylinder! V8 tune up cost for a 4 banger, but at least I can still beat up on imports with coffee can exhaust pipes.
Any suggestions as to what would be a dependable tire w/ good traction on wet pavement, that wears well and is quiet on the road (almost exclusively city/highway driving), that would qualify for the $130 per tire reimbursement by Ford?
Is it your understanding like mine, that Ford dealerships are authorized to use only certain tires for the replacement, while going through a tire dealer/shop one could choose any tire manufacturer or type or size of tire and be reimbursed by Ford (up to $130 per tire), by taking the old tires and an original sales receipt to a Ford dealership?
I would appreciate any comments, input or personal experiences on this subject... Thank you.