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Ford Ranger III
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Comments
Front wheel drives make it with no problem. Even my sister's little 12 year old 4cyl Camry made it up in the rain - it wasn't HAPPY when it got to the top, and probably wouldn't have lasted more than 10 trips, but it was still a trooper A 2002 Maxima I rented just zoomed up with zero effort. Had I not needed the truck, I would have bought the Maxima
Thanks again for the info!
I am considering a 1999 Ranger Xtracab 4x2 but have some concerns regarding the handling issues in wet weather noted on this forum.
This '99 ranger has 3.0 V-6, Auto, A/C, cruise/tilt, AM-FM/Casette/CD, sliding rear window, bed liner and Alloy wheels. The truck is in excellent condition with 39,600 miles and is going for $8,500.00. This truck is to suppliment my new car for general use and light duty hauling. I consider this to be a good deal but the issue of handling in wet weather concerns me.
My driving style is generally smooth but I am unsure of the Rangers reactions when the pavement is wet.
Thanks for any comments current Ranger owners can provide.
Regards -
M. J. McCloskey
Good luck. A great truck, and a great engine...easily getting 200 000 miles with regular oil changes..IMHO.
1busman covered it in his post, trucks are light in the rear.
Wet weather doesn't mean they will just jump off the road, but you should not drive a truck like a sports car. You actually shouldn't drive it like most cars, THEY ARE LIGHT IN THE BACK!
Now in snow conditions, a truck will definitely have much less traction than the usual front wheel drive car.
When snow time comes, put weight in the back. I recommend AT LEAST 250 pounds. Get bags of sand or gravel from the local home improvement outlet. When spring comes, take them out, save for next year.
Thanks to all for your input regarding my inquiries about the 1999 Ranger XLT ExtraCab that I eventually bought. It's got 39,670 miles, auto, 3.0 V6, A/C, alloy wheels, cruise/tilt, AM-FM/Casette/CD (Premium Sound), sliding rear window and bed liner. It's in super shape and runs like new. I paid $8,500.00 which I think is a good deal since the truck is just getting broken in. I drove it on the highway at 55-60mph and didn't notice any 'shake' that someone described in a previous post. This truck will allow me to keep my new car 'new' longer and provide more versatility in doing things my car can't.
The only thing I don't like are those dinky 'flag' mirrors which vibrate and don't provide enough of a view. Are there 'sport' mirrors that I can replace the flag mirrors with? I don't have the power package (windows, doors, mirrors) so they would have to be manually adjusted but bigger.
Thanks -
M. J. McCloskey
Anyway, I was wondering if any of you Ranger owners with the manual windows know how to remove the regulator/crank. I want to replace those dinky 'flag' mirrors with the larger OEM mirrors and I need to remove the window crank to get the door panel off. I don't have the power pkg but will use these mirrors and tuck in the cable and adjust the mirror manually as necessary for a better view.
Thanks to all for any input/tips.
Regards -
M.J. McCloskey - '99 Ranger xtracab
Keep in mind, this is a 30-something couple from her description basically making a fool of themselves in public, and she being a 19 year old teenager has the maturity to not respond in kind. Plus she also could care less about Chevy vs. Ford, a truck's a truck to her, my parents' car was tied up so she just took my wheels cause they were free.
So anyway cross light turns yellow. The S10 revs that little 2.2 like crazy. My sister stares straight ahead and says absolutely nothing but gives it just a tiny rev to get the S10 driver even more worked up. Light turns green. S10 lays about 10 feet of rubber and wastes 2 gallons of gas before it is forced to slow suddenly behind a slow moving truck. My sister immediately turns right, which she had been planning to do all along and goes on her merry way.
My son drives into the Atlanta suburbs for school - I wonder how long it will take someone to steal the "package" - and be in for a huge surprise when they find out they lugged out 200 pounds of sand ))
Thanks for everyone's advice - it helped!!
Why the low weight?
Veh. App. Listing Approved For SAE 5W-20 Motor Oil
^ 1993-1996 1.9L Escort/Tracer
^ 1995-2000 2.0L Zetec Contour/Mystique
^ 1999-2002 2.0L Cougar
^ 1997-2002 2.0L Escort/Tracer
^ 1998-2002 2.0L Escort ZX2
^ 2000-2002 2.0L Focus
^ 2001-2002 2.0L Escape
^ 1993-1997 2.3L Ranger
^ 1993-1994 2.3L Mustang
^ 1993-1994 2.3L Tempo/Topaz
^ 1998-2001 2.5L Ranger
^ 1995-2000 2.5L Contour/Mystique
^ 1999-2002 2.5L Cougar
^ 2001-2002 3.0L 4V Escape
^ 1996-2001 3.0L 4V Taurus/Sable
^ 1993-2002 3.0L (Vulcan) Aerostar/Ranger,
^ Taurus/Sable (Flexible Fuel and Gas)
^ 1995-2000 3.0L (Vulcan) Windstar
^ 1993-1994 3.0L (Vulcan) Tempo/Topaz
^ 2000-2002 3.0L 4V Lincoln LS
^ 1995-2002 3.8L Windstar
^ 1993-1997 3.8L Taurus/Sable,
^ Thunderbird/Cougar, Continental
^ 1994-2002 3.8L Mustang
^ 2002-2002 3.9L 4V Lincoln LS
^ 1997-2002 4.2L (SPI) F-150 (under 8500 GVW
only), E-Series
^ 1996-2002 4.6L 2V Mustang
^ 1992-2002 4.6L Crown Victoria/Grand Marquis
^ 1991-2002 4.6L Town Car
^ 1994-1997 4.6L 2V Thunderbird/Cougar
^ 1996-2002 4.6L 4V Mustang Cobra
^ 1995-2002 4.6L 4V Continental
^ 1993-1998 4.6L 4V Mark VIII
^ 1997-2002 4.6L 2V Triton F-150/250 (under 8500
GVW only), E-Series, Expedition
^ 1993-1999 4.9L E-Series, F-Series
^ 1993-1995 5.0L Mustang/Mustang Cobra
^ 1993-1993 5.0L Thunderbird/Cougar
^ 1997-2001 5.0L Explorer/Mountaineer
^ 1993-1996 5.0L E-Series, F-Series, Bronco
^ 2000-2002 5.4L Excursion
^ 1998-2002 5.4L 2V/4V Navigator
^ 1997-2002 5.4L 2V F-1501250 (under 8500
GVW only), Expedition, E-Series, E-350
Chassis/RV/Cutaway
^ 1993-1997 5.8L F-Series, Bronco
^ 1993-1996 5.8L E-Series
^ 2000-2002 6.8L Excursion
^ 1997-2002 6.8L E-Series, E-350
Chassis/RV/Cutaway
^ 1999-2002 6.8L Super Duty F-Series 250
HD/350/450/550 Motorhome
^ 1993-1998 7.5L All Vehicles
NOTE FOR 1993 THROUGH 1998 MODEL YEAR FFV USE XO-10W30-FFV.
NOTE THE "EXCEPTION 2001-2002 VEHICLES" SHOULD BE SERVICED WITH SAE 5W-30 MOTOR OIL
Engine Oil - Oil Recommendations/Applications
Article No.
02-1-9
01/21/02
ENGINE - ENGINE OIL - RECOMMENDED
APPLICATIONS FOR SAE 5W-20 AND SAE 5W-30
MOTOR OILS - GASOLINE AND FLEXIBLE FUEL
VEHICLES ONLY
FORD:
1992-2002 CROWN VICTORIA
1993-1994 TEMPO
1993-1997 THUNDERBIRD
1993-2002 ESCORT, MUSTANG, TAURUS
1995-2000 CONTOUR
1998-2002 ESCORT ZX2
2000-2002 FOCUS
1993-1996 BRONCO
1993-1997 AEROSTAR
1993-2002 E SERIES, F-150, RANGER
1995-2002 WINDSTAR
1997-1999 F-250 LD
1997-2001 EXPLORER
1997-2002 EXPEDITION
1999-2002 SUPER DUTY F SERIES, SUPER DUTY F-53 STRIPPED CHAS.
2000-2002 EXCURSION
2001-2002 ESCAPE
LINCOLN:
1991-2002 TOWN CAR
1993-1998 MARK VIII
1993-2002 CONTINENTAL
2000-2002 LS
1998-2002 NAVIGATOR
MERCURY:
1992-2002 GRAND MARQUIS
1993-1994 TOPAZ
1993-1997 COUGAR
1993-1999 TRACER
1993-2002 SABLE
1995-2000 MYSTIQUE
1999-2002 COUGAR
1997-2001 MOUNTAINEER
This article is being republished in its entirety to update the vehicle models, engines and years affected.
NOTE PLEASE REFER TO THE VEHICLE APPLICATION LIST LATER IN THIS TSB FOR A COMPLETE LIST OF VEHICLES AFFECTED BY THIS TSB.
ISSUE
Ford Motor Company now recommends SAE 5W-20 viscosity grade for servicing most gasoline and flexible fueled vehicles.
ACTION
All 2001 and 2002 vehicles where SAE 5W-20 is specified should be serviced at the recommended oil change intervals using SAE 5W-20. This oil is an improved formulation to improve fuel economy.
Testing has validated this viscosity grade can be used in many previous model year vehicles. It is recommended ALL vehicles on the following Vehicle Application Listing be service with SAE 5W-20.
All 2001-2002 vehicles other than those listed in the "Exception 2001 Vehicles" or "Exception 2002 Vehicles" chart are being filled with SAE 5W-20 motor oil at the factory and should also be serviced with SAE 5W-20 oil.
WARRANTY STATUS: INFORMATION ONLY
OASIS CODES: 401000, 490000, 497000, 499000
Copyright © 2002 ALLDATA LLC
Terms of Use
Sincerely,
Paul
never a problem, just routine maintenance/upkeep.
campout.. get the 4.0 SOHC.. the power diff/towing ability is better, mpg difference is not much either.. you won't be sorry.
I have had Rangers with the 2.9 and the 3.0 and never had problems with either of them. However, the SOHC 4.0 is a big step forward, IMHO. It is nearly as smooth as my Lincoln LS V8 and has good low end torque as well as plenty of punch at higher speeds.
I was wondering if any of you Ranger owners could suggest replacement shocks. Should he go with Bilstein, Rancho, Edelbrock? Or some other type/brand? Any thoughts/opinions would be appreciated.
Thanks in advance,
Jim
How important is it to use a time interval for oil changes? In the past, I've had vehicles with less than 3,000 miles at six months and have put off the change. Does oil actually breakdown significantly over time when there is very little mileage accumulated?
http://www.xs11.com/stories/croil96.shtml
I've had my 1999 Ranger S/C 4x2 (3.0, auto, premium sound, etc.) for almost 8 weeks and really like it - I bought it used. I'm getting 22mpg (90% highway driving) and have no problems/issues with the truck. The tires, Firestone Wilderness (225-70R15 on alloy wheels) are original (41.5K miles) and look to go quite awhile longer. The truck rides fine and handles good (for a truck) and the tires seem to grip rather well in wet and dry conditions.
In getting replacement tires, should I stay with the OEM type-tire or get more of a passenger car type tire of the same size. As this is only a 4x2 driven on paved roads, I see no need to get big truck tires but I don't want to alter the driving characteristics.
Thanks in advance for any info/advice -
M.J. McCloskey
Oil changes have been mostly 5K except for when I got back from study abroad and learned it mostly sat still from September to late December, so I figured it might not be a bad idea to put new oil in early. Since then at 77K it's been 3 thousand mile interval just because I didnt want to waste money doing it too soon again or leave old oil in for over 7K to get back on the normal schedule. After changing the oil and fuel filters tomorrow Im gonna go back to the normal 5 thousand mile intervals and plan how to celebrate when it rolls over 100K.
The Firestone Wilderness is a passenger car tire. You should stick with another P225 tire to maintain the good handling and ride in your Ranger.
Payload - 1/2 ton = 1000 pounds. The payload on a stock Ranger 4x2 is 1260 pounds. 1560 pounds on a 4x4 SuperCab. The Ranger payload rating is actually almost the same a full-size 1500 trucks.
Happy Motoring!
There are 2 main negatives things to consider:
1) It's a truck. The milage will be terrible.
2) The 3L engine is known, for a large percentage of them, to ping. About the only solution is to use higher octane fuel.
Other than this, with good care, a Ranger 3L should give you very good service for 175,000 miles.
Any help would make my move that much smoother. Thanks!
And you should need the rest before the Ranger ever will. Just keep an eye on the guages here and there, and check fluids on your pit stops for any changes.