1998-2011 Ford Ranger Buyer's Guide (Common Problems, Options, Specs) 

*OTHER REVIEWS TO WATCH* Ford: Ranger Camshaft Synchronizer Replacement: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-dQE35B3ppwo.html Ranger PCV Valve Replacement: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-PcxTgI3xZGE.html Ranger Idle Air Control Valve Cleaning: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-FdZ91wIEBn4.html 2009-2014 F-150 Buyer's Guide: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-3IpC-mHY0xM.html 2004-2008 F-150 Buyer's Guide: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-duNWJA7m63s.html Toyota: 1995-2004 1st Gen Tacoma Buyer's Guide: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-WtyhiOD8Jm4.html 2005-2015 2nd Gen Tacoma Buyer's Guide: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-9ZOhD0KU_gA.html Mercedes: W211 Buyer's Guide: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-QpplQTp2DSQ.html W212 Buyer's Guide: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-IYZSnLzdNp8.html W204 Buyer's Guide: www.youtube.com/watch?v=BtCbbrsQQ Porsche: 2010-2016 Panamera Buyer's Guide: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-3giueysuXdU.html 1999-2005 911 996 Buyer's guide: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-rvdMzS8XdXk.html

Too bad nobody makes a small pickup anymore. The new Ranger and Tacomas are huge and expensive!

After a nuclear war the only survivors would be cockroaches and ford rangers!

I have a 03 with over 600,000 miles on it 4.0 and still running strong ....

93 ranger 2wd 5sp 2.3l my daily work ride. 478,000 miles and still running strong! I bought it ten years ago. Needed something with a bed yet easy on gas. Had 200000 on it when bought it and have changed the timing belt and water pump twice now. Most reliable vehicle I've ever owned!!

I recently bought a 1999 Ranger 4x4 with the 4.0l. It has 218,000 miles on it and had to swap out the leaky and poorly maintained original engine. We dropped another 4.0l with 80,000 miles. After doing some minor repairs and a sound system upgrade, my son (15 yrs) and I have turned this truck into a sweet ride. He's really proud of his future Ranger.

I've had two Rangers , damn good little trucks.

I have one of the last Rangers.It's Just the right size.Everything is getting too big in my opinion!

Have a 2010 with the 4.0 litre v6, 200k miles with no problems, just maintenance, wish I could by a new one

Good little truck. Given that I live in a brutal 4 season climate, this truck has served me rather well with no major issues for about 125,000km (bought it at 160,000km.) Everything from mountain excursions, getting to my job sites, and going to different schools, she's always been there. Although the 3.0 is quite the slug, it does make for the perfect trade off in reliability. You can tell it's got that old fashioned American engineering behind it, made with the intention to put in work for a long time.

I’m a Chevy guy but man these 3rd gen ford rangers look awesome

Just bought a 2011 Ranger with 45,000 miles in pristine condition. Absolutely excited & can’t wait to pick it up from the dealer tomorrow!

Love these trucks I had 5 and even the Mazda version they are so easy to work on

I have a 2007 Ranger XL 4X4 Regular cab with the 4.0 SOHC 207 horsepower V6 and a 5-Speed manual. Best truck ever. Simple, easy, powerful. Many desert vacations and back road visits to ghost towns in it. The only difficulties are not having interior space for many things and it doesn't have cruise control. But I wanted the shortest cab/wheelbase and got it :) I can attest to the 18 MPG highway mileage on 4X4 tires. On regular street all seasons it gets 19.5 or so.

Have an 03 EDGE. Had it for 15 years. Fixed a lot. Ball joints, fluids, new radiator and water pump. Plugs tires brakes and suspension. Runs like a top. Paid 3 grand in 2012. this truck won't die.

I just got one, 2008 and only 59k miles. It's a beast. 💪🏾

I had a 2008 fx4 ranger. She was tougher than a $2 steak! I miss her, awesome little truck !

You missed the fact that in 98 they went from twin I beam front suspension to an A arm design with either coil springs or torsion bars

i have a 2010 ranger sport 4.0 i bought new and it has never burned a quart of oil in 92,000 miles its been the best truck i ever owned , its 11 years old and never had a issue or problem even the a\c still freezes ice cold its a really good truck for sure

I primarily drive an 04 with nearly 140,000 miles. It has a 2.3L engine with an auto transmission, and it hasn’t let me down.

Picking up a 2WD 2011 2.3L 5 speed manual ranger soon! It was owned by a 60 year old fisherman who was very very proud of his little ranger since it was his first ever new vehicle. He got it custom built straight from the factory, no carpet, no suicide seats, with heavier suspension, and running boards since he was a lil guy. He babied the hell outta it, oiled it, drove it easy, hardly in the winter time and only ended up clicking 90KM on the thing before he got cancer and died 6 months later. Before he bit the bullet he took it back to the dealership to get it all fixed up for his wife so she could sell it at a mint. Anyways, she ended up selling it to my buddies friends wife who owns a fish store, it was gonna be her business partners vehicle but he refuses to learn manual. I heard about it down the grape vine, I'm one of few people who knows of her. Gonna get her lifted up soon, she's already all certified and safety but just to be safe yknow. As long as she passes and doesn't have any major issues, she's mine for 10k. Fairest price i could ask for, she just wants to get rid of the thing. I see rangers being sold online for 10k and they've got 200km on them!

Bought a used 2010 Ranger Sport extended cab back last May. 48,000 miles. Original tires. Replaced the tires, transmission cooling lines rusted and failed, but fix wasn’t too expensive. I’m enjoying the hell out of it. Nice little pickup. Nice for hauling materials for my house. Love it.

Traded in my 2000 at 279000 all I replaced was tie rod ends carrier bearings upper and lower ball joints best truck I ever owned Ford all the way

I love that camper someone created to go on top of the Ranger! You don't have to tow one just put it on the top.

i got a new ranger in 94 and it still runs grate

+1 to the transmission valve body gaskets going out. Around 130k mine was having shift issues going into gear, slipping out of park, and engaging 3rd gear. I did some research and pinpointed it to the VB gaskets and a few springs. I took a weekend pulling off the valve body, putting in a Trans-Go shift kit, and replacing the gaskets and properly torquing the bolts back. All of the issues have been fixed and its been great for over a year now. Also the throttle cable will become loose over time. Look up the chris-fix video for how to fix this with a few zip-ties, its very cheap and easy.

My 2006 3.0 Vulcan 5 speed manual Ranger is still going strong @ 150,000 miles. minimal maintenance. I'm 6'4 240lbs & I don't need a "big truck" the 3rd gen Ranger suits me well.

I have a 96 that I have had for 20 plus years. It's probably around 300000 miles (odometer quit around 200000 ten years ago). It has only ever broken down one in all of these years. Changed timing belt and tensioner a couple of years ago. Other than oil changes, and the occasional battery change, and one radiator, and a couple of brake jobs, I have never done anything to it. I would drive it on the highway anywhere. They are great trucks!

I have a 2010 XLT 2.3 Regular Cab 127,000 fuel pump just went out. Gonna fix it and keep driving it. Love it.

my 2011 fx4 4.0L ranger is an absolute beast. I've done nearly 200,000kms and 100k of those have been what i would consider serious off roading..... Service forests roads, camping in the bush, work, you name it... that ranger Hasn't skipped a beat. It's modestly lifted with mudders. You guys don't realize the places that truck has gotten me. places where there are no roads in or out.. It's been in accidents, its been in rivers, its been stuck, all 4 wheels off the ground, it's had rocks thrown at it by sasquatch on 2 occasions.. All across BC baby. Cheers ✌️

bought a 2010 mazda b2300 two wheel, the last year for mazda trucks, awesome , not one problem at all , love it .!!

I’ve had the original, a ‘97 and now I have a ‘19. All were/are great and meet my needs perfectly.

I had a 1990 and 1996 Ranger. Best little truck ever made!!

Good video! I have owned three Ford Rangers that I purchased new, a 1986, 2004 and a 2000. I used them for work and they all held up well. I really like the size of the Ranger with a seven-foot box. I am now on my fourth Ranger which I expect to last a long time. I have replaced three rear spring perches and shackles. I did not have to use a welder to replace them.

Got a 97 2.3l 4 cylinder 5 speed and I love it best truck I every had

Just found this video after having rebuilt my 99 4L ohv motor with new heads and performance valve train. Worked on it on and off for past 1.5 years. Haven't had it on a dyno but supposedly a gain of ~50 more horse and torque over the stock motor. I bought the truck brand new in 99 and some years later got cracks in the heads between the intake and exhaust valves. It would go thru coolant and foul spark plugs pretty regularly. Had a "mechanic" give me a botched head replacement job that sucked the power out of it and go thru enough motor oil not to have to worry about oil changes.... After doing the new build myself and adding some performance 1.8 Harland sharps rockers, shorty headers, hydraulic lifters, and a dual catback, I suspect I'm going to have an even better truck than before...

I bought my new Ford Ranger in 2002 FX4 (top of the line all options) still using it today.

I love these little trucks ... You could get these in so many different configurations but I think I have the rarest and most unique config. I have a 2007 white Ford Ranger Sport regular cab with the 4.0 S.O.H.C. mated to a 5-speed manual transmission. I think the only way you could get this version was to have it special ordered by a dealer. The other ones that became very unique in 2004-2011 is the regular cab with the 7' long bed. I also noticed that staring in 2004 you could not get the 4.0. S.O.H.C. in a 2WD regular cab. I have mainly seen that config. in the 2001 EDGE Rangers.

I have a 2006 sport 4x4. I love it

Wow! Great video. Thank you for all the info

Still driving 93 XLT 5 speed 4 CLY has never left me stranded....

Shame on Ford for tacking away out dependable little ranger this will cost Ford and the consumer

You nailed it mentioning that FMC goal for Affordability and decent fuel Milage in a compact p/u truck. The current model does NOT meet any of those criteria. e

I've got a 98 Chevy S10 I bought new 3 hundred thousand miles and still is running great

LOVED my ‘93 XLT Ranger which was my first self purchased auto when I was a teen and sadly and stupidly traded it in when I moved to DE in 2004 but found a 2010 XLT in 2020 and am never letting go of it again. I looked at the new Ranger and it’s a very nice truck but just too big for my needs-auto makers are missing out to buyers who want a nice compact truck which is why I think the used market for these trucks is very hot now(also the smaller Toyota Tacoma and the Ranger’s cousin the Mazda B series are equally great compact trucks). Took me almost a year to find a low mileage,great condition Ranger but made it ‘mine’ with some mods to capture the old school look I was after.

Our 11 Ranger is our 4th one since 88. They’re very durable and reliable. The 2.3L is bulletproof. Our 88 4X4 super cab XLT, 5spd stick was still going strong after 370K miles, but sadly the electrical system fried and the truck caught fire 😢.

Still loving my 1989 2.3 5 speed, 302k miles.

I have a 2011 with the 4cyl . Bought it new now has 150,000 never had an issue. Did have one recall with the air bags and turn signal . But it has been a truble free truck. Love it.

I still have the 98 XLT 2.5 L, manual 5 spd. Transmission. Still runs great and looks good at 290k miles. Replaced the clutch slave cylinder 4 times!

In 1984 I got our 78 Ranger F100 (pre compact ranger) stuck in the mud and that spring the river flooded and dragged it dep in the river. That summer we were able to drag it out with a tow truck. Blew out the water through the spark plugs and changed all the fluids and fuel, changed the distributor, plugs and wires and she fired right back up. Even the gauges still worked.

I loved mine was a 99 with the 4.0 of road package but hated 12 mpg blew 3 radiators in 150 miles and a head at 200 miles lol can’t wait to get one again. Yes mine was step sides😍

I have 2 Rangers and I have had great luck with them. They run with little problems. 👍

I’ve had three. They are the most reliable vehicles I’ve ever owned. Great trucks and the very athletic in the snow up here in Montana.

I had a 93 ranger. I still cry when I see pictures of her. She was at 760 thousand miles. Got sideswiped while parked. I got 4 grand from there insurance company. I went bought a 97 for 300 dollars fixed her up to alleviate my grief. Rip bluetruck

I own a 2007 2.3L. Tip for fellow owners......change the transmission fulid ASAP!!! (and get a new pan with a drain plug in it). Keep the transmission fluid changed.

My dad had a 1988 Ranger XLT 4x4. Refurbished and sold it in 2003. Bought a 2003 Supercab Edge brand new in 2003. Still has it to this day.

One of these is gonna be my first vehicle

Great video, I own a Bronco II with newer Explorer / Ranger running gear and engine... The common problem segment was quite factual and very helpful. Thanks again. Looking forward to the 2020 Bronco.

With my 2011 2.3 I get 34 miles to the gallon at 50 miles an hour 30 miles to the gallon at 60 miles an hour and 22 miles to the gallon at 70 miles an hour. It's been a good truck and a good motor.

1:11 Man, that's a good looking truck right there.

Just picked up a nice little 2002 single cab 2.3 manual with only 49k miles on it! Looking forward to it.

I have 2008 ranger XLT.. still a beast!

Those were excellent trucks, wish I had one now!

Have a 2001 all original drive train with 337,000 miles still runs strong daily driver plus long trips from Florida to upstate N.Y. every year🐺

I had a 1986 silver 4x4 ranger with a 6" -inch lift kit and 33" Boggers. I had to beef up the driveshaft, a racing company fabricated and balanced for me, and I had a high-performance clutch. This truck was my daily driver and I won championships at local mud bogs against modified class trucks. You could not kill the 1st gen and they were a breeze to work on and parts were cheap.

Just bought a red 09 ranger yesterday with 77k original miles, pretty stoked as I’m only 19 and it was my first real purchase from a dealership😁

I have been driving rangers since they first came out in the 1980's. I was working in a Ford dealership at that time. As far as I am concerned, I have a extremely reliable vehicle that is second to none. I have owned 2.3, 3.0, and 4.0.

I will say after inheriting a 2011 FFR that the left most driver side air condition vent doesnt kick out air well even with it open fully and it drinks gas faster than im used to but overall, its a solid ride! Being an extended cab, I need to plant some speakers in there to make it boom but thats just cosmetics. It has a great 4 way view of the road(unlike my 2011 Eclipse where I cant see anything) so that is a welcome change. I drove an S10 and S10 extreme in my youth and they have better pickup when you hit the gas but this is a smoother ride.

I had a 99 Ford ranger that I beat black and blue for 2 years straight. Only think that finally “killed” it was when I sunk the truck over the hood (was 2wd). Got pulled out and the ranger was hydro locked, pulled the plugs, fired it up. Terrible rod knock from where I had bent the number 4 connecting rod. Still drove it home 23 miles. It’s still running to this day with a new rod. See it around then after selling it 2 years ago.

Bought a 96 2.3 5speed with over 200,000 miles and it’s never left me stranded

229k on my 2010 2.3 manual king cab. The left cupholder is a great foot rest when in cruise on long drives.

Interesting video. I always thought the Ford Ranger was born from the Ford Ranchero. Great video!😀👍

This vid was very useful.

I have owned a 1993 and 2004. Both were great little trucks

Back in the early and late 90's, the huge things were the full-sized family vans, Bronco, F350, Blazer, Suburbans. Those were arguably the big big civilian vehicles you would see in the streets, and the sedand were HUUUUUGE The Ranger is perfect in size, and not too big not too small Today everything is gigantic, the Colorado, Ranger, Tacoma, Ridgeline look as big as an old 1998 F-250 give or take The full sized pickups today make even those family vans look like shrimps Hope they make small trucks again

Good video for anyone like me that has a 4.0 4x4 ranger. Pay no attention to the 80 dummies with thumbs down . The ugh are missing something. Thanks

My first vehicle was the 2002 long bed ranger 4cl. Bought it with 201k miles back in 2015 and now has 264k. It was my daily for 2 and a half years until I bought a miata and a f150. I'm going to start driving it again this summer and hit 300k miles by the end of the year. The engine itself is solid and the transmission has been slipping since the day bought it but neither have giving me problems other than maintenance. Im going to drive it till the wheels fall off.

Drove a 99 ranger for 17 years just sold it last week. Only has 124k miles on it and runs perfect today.

It has a 60/40 bench something that is awesome for smaller trucks. That I miss.

I have a 1999 Ranger king cab XLT 3.0 with two hundred thousand miles still runs great with a few minor repairs here and there

I still miss that era of small trucks that are actually small. I traded my Dakota for a car when I needed something better on gas and I miss it so bad

I've owned a 2004 Edge 4.0 4X2 and now a 2011 4.0 FX4. Best vehicles I've ever owned !!

I have a 2011 ranger whit a 2.3 on it and 116000 miles and still running ok nice little truck

Im 16 and my first car is a Blue 2011 Ford Ranger, 4x4 extended cab. its nice to know the history of the design

I had an 01 2wd 3.0l v6. That thing was immortal. It was my first ever ride. The day I got it I was on top of the world. People joked with me about it being a small little ranger, but those same people went through four different trucks or cars while I still had mine. I even drove by a few of those people on the side of the road with their Chevys or dodges. I only sold it for my wife and I having a daughter. I miss it daily. Awesome vehicles. If you don’t want a vehicle that you’ll keep forever, don’t get a Ranger. Things won’t die.

I’m on my 4th Ranger - a 2011 4DR 4.0L Sport. Best Ranger Ford made so far.

Bought my Mazda B2300 new in 2004...still have it...love it. It has been thru 2 starters due to the corroded braided strap from the motor to solenoid....removed defective driveshaft balancer...replaced exhaust catback twice....lower ball joints 2 years ago...new rotors, calipers this year...has had 3 sets of brake pads....rear pinion seal and clutch this year....and an alternator and distributor cap w/wires this year......hopefully it will be good for another 10 years......I do see the rear shackles are starting to get thin....maybe 5 years for them...damn road salt...

My Ranger is the balls! 2000, 5-Speed, 2wd, 2.5, 120,000 miles. Gets great gas mileage, handles everything I put in the bed and the paint still looks good.

We have a 2011 Ranger XLT super cab with a 4.0 V6 and an automatic transmission. It’s a 4X4 LSD, tow pkg. I’ve added a K&N intake, FlowMaster exhaust, spray in bed liner, adjustable air shocks in the rear. Custom 2 tone paint (factory silver over red metallic), custom upholstery to match the exterior, running boards, custom wheels. It’s almost 12 years old and I only have 35K miles on it, as we use it for work around our property. After adding the intake and exhaust, I consistently get 25mpg on the freeway with the cruise set on 75mph. This is our 4th Ranger. Most Ranger’s can haul 1/2 a yard of dirt, but bc of the air shocks, I can haul a full yard. We work our pickup, but we don’t abuse it. The oil is changed every 4K miles with Mobile 1 full synthetic and the front and rear differential, transfer case and transmission fluids are changed every 30K miles. I’m taking it to my mechanic next week to have new belts and hoses replaced along with a radiator flush and new anti freeze. I should have done it last year but the pandemic put everything off kilter for a year or so.

I have a 98 ranger 4.0 ohv 5 speed just change iacv and o2 sensor, this ranger is by far the best vehicle I’ve owned and it’s pretty fast she does burnouts without hesitating hahah

I got a 03 ranger fx4 xlt with 230k miles and still going. Love my work truck

I’m getting a ranger as a A-B vehicle/project and I’m using my Crown Vic as my family car :)

I've got 85 chevy 4x4 s10 & 97 ranger xlt super cab 4x4 & 86 AMC CJ7 jeep... Love em All.

Love my 2011 XLT!

I bought a "Teenager abused" 2000 Ranger 2wd/2.5L/5spd, with 135k for under $500. I restored & rebuilt the truck in one year. Spent less than $5k total, & have a truck that will last another 20yrs. Beats spending $55k for a new one!

I traded in my original 2002 for a 2011 love this truck looking to buy a 2012 very clean low mileage to keep for future

I've got a 2011 ford ranger with 87k plus miles on it. Nice little trucks i tell ya!

I had a used '10 for three years. Mint, 2WD ext cab, 2.3L Auto. I have always had Japanese trucks til I bought that one. I must say thatit was the best small truck I ever drove. Probably the best fleet truck ever built. getting in and out was a bit tight because of where I had the seat set, but once seated, that thing was super comfortable on long trips. I only replaced it with a full size because I wanted a camper worthy truck. But, I do miss that Ranger. Nice ones are going for premium prices and they all now have high miles on them.

My Grandpas got a 2004 ranger with 380,000 miles just got the motor rebuilt. Awesome little trucks.

Great video!! You should do one on the 2nd gen ranger.