I spent some time driving the Ford Ranger and discovered it has some striking similarities to another vehicle I quite enjoy! But is the Ranger to the truck world the same as the Mazda Miata to the car world?
This describes me perfectly - "Non-materialistic single person...Don't have much stuff with them...Can pack it to go camping with two people but have to plan for it...I don't need a big vehicle so I didn't buy one...You don't buy a ranger to be cool, you buy it because it fits what you need it to do." Great review sir! Can't wait to find one I'm ready to pull the trigger on!
Had a 2010 Ranger XLT 4x4 super cab. Put just over 200,000 miles on the clock. Never gave me a minutes trouble. Sold it to my friend who uses it for a work truck and it's still rolling along at over 300,000 miles.
“The Ranger is the pickup truck world’s Miata.” Love that quote. Have a 2009 Ranger and a 1995 NA Miata. Pretty perfect “budget” combo if you don’t have to haul kids or your buddies around. Cost me less than $7k for the both of them and they’re both cheap and easy to maintain. Great video!
That's a car I'd really like to get my hands on! I drove a Miata in holland years ago and really didn't have enough time to get a good opinion on it, so I want to get back behind the wheel and do a proper drive! Great pair! Thanks for watching!
I've never been a Ford guy but last year I inherited a 2008 Ranger Sport 4x4 with the 4.0 and it's got the 8.8 limited slip from the factory. It's got less than 50k miles and looks almost new. I love it and will be keeping it for sure.
I just inherited my Dads 2011 Ranger XL super-cab. 2.3L -4 with 5sp manual. I'm actually excited that it doesn't have the bigger engine with what gas is costing now. Perfect for two people and taking fun stuff to places like the lakes or mountains, plus handy to have for hauling. I liked your review and recognized the locations
@@garybaugh8302 that’s a great question I’m not really sure. The truck would have to be ordered as a Fx4 manual then optional manual t-case. I’ve seen a few online but never in person.
My old man had 2 rangers when I was little, and I knew how they were like a tank and I love the simplicity. So, I got one 20 years later same Gen as he had. Nostalgic. It's a tank, it won't quit.
We are on our 4th Ranger. Our current one is a 2011 XLT super cab, 4.0 V6 and auto transmission, LSD rear differential, tow pkg. I’ve had some mods done for the intake and exhaust. I added adjustable air shocks for the rear, Line-X spray in bed liner, custom 2 tone paint and interior, skid plates, etc. It’s mainly a work truck for around our property and getting to my local fishing hole. It’s almost 12 years old and only has 35K original miles. My wife and I are in our 50s and plan on letting our relatives fight over it when we’re dead and gone
2011 sport 4wd, put 130k km on it so far. In western Canada I have actually taken a quote a bit of trash talk from massive truck owners, but this video hits the nail on the head. I've driven my ranger through blizzards with shin deep snow on the highway, up mountains, etc etc etc. It's just a basic 4wd that hauls people and things from a to b and doesn't have too many things that can fail. It's great.
I have an '04 FX4 and I didn't buy it with any ethos in mind, I just bought it because I needed a truck and it was $2,500 with 78k miles on it, lol. I wasn't too enamored with my Ranger when I first got it, but over the 3 years I've had it I've come to appreciate it more - particularly during the Colorado winter snowstorms. I've seen so many gigantic compensator trucks getting stuck or sliding about in the snow and ice, but the Ranger is so light and nimble it just glides up and over the snow. You definitely have to accept that you have to fit yourself to a Ranger if you're a taller person, though. I'm 6'2" and I need to have the seat slid as far back as it can go, and I still have to slouch or my head constantly rubs against the liner, and I'm constantly shifting my legs about while driving because there just isn't enough legroom and the seat depth is too short.
@@johndoe-zb8bm limb segment ratios can vary greatly person to person. a person with long femurs and torso will have much more trouble fitting than a person with taller shins and smaller torso etc.
They kind of did. Today's Ranger is the Maverick. But of course in today's world, nothing can be simple. So it has to be a hybrid or at least have gadgets galore.
Lol I've always wanted a ranger actually but then again Ive always wanted one because I've always been able to appreciate the reliability and simpleness of them and am actually buying one today in the exact spec I've always wanted Edit: got the truck and absolutely fell in love with it she's a 94 splash, single cab, short bed, 3.0, five speed and yeah its the miata of trucks even made by mazda in the earlier days mines gonna be a daily driver with 70s era muscle car mods (ansen sprint wheels, side exit exhaust, cowl induction hood and slight rake with it higher in the rear than it already is)
Just this week picked up an ‘11 4.0 2wd Sport supercab with 102k miles (always driven in the West, no rust) almost-flawless exterior in red for $9200 (negotiated down from 10K). Older couple who didn’t know the market value. I put some new shocks on, replaced the tires, and I feel like I made a deal. I camped out on craigslist for two months, learning lots about Rangers, and jumped at this the minute after the ad was live. I also got a ‘93 Miata 5 years ago before prices blew up in a similar manner (knowing *exactly* what I wanted and pouncing as soon as something was available). This video feels just about right. The Ranger does share characteristics with the Miata.
Unfortunately, like Miatas, the market has completely blown up. We're entering a weird phase of history where there just aren't any fun and "cheap" vehicles.
They are out there, though. Just picked up an ‘11 4.0 2wd with 102k miles (always driven in the West, no rust) almost-flawless exterior in red for $9200 , talked down from 10K. Older couple who didn’t know the market rate just put some new shocks on, Replace the tires, and I feel like I made a deal. I camped out on craigslist for two months, learning all about Rangers, and jumped at this minute after the ad was live. I also got a ‘93 Miata five years ago before it blew up (in a similar manner), so this video felt just about right.
@@superluminal51893 actually I just showed two exceptions to his point, right? His point is spot on for the majority of people who are lazy mofos. I got these deals by focusing and being patient. It took a lot of attention and learning and time. In most of my life I can’t manage this, but when it comes to vehicles, because they’re so expensive and I’m so poor, I managed to score through my efforts and through a whole lot of luck.I got two fun and cheap vehicles that are reliable, so it is possible.
@@superluminal51893lol nothing of good value is cheap anymore tho? The mfers that would love to have a nice Tacoma but don't want to overpay are going for rangers (me) You can still find one cheap tho that's not 4x4 pre 2010 and especially one thats not in good shape
I have a 2000 Ford ranger XLT single cab 2.5L Inline 4, 5 speed manual converted (by me), I love the darn thing, it does what it needs to do and it's super fun because of the transmission I put on.
Inherited my dads 04 Ranger Tremor v6 4L with 49k on the odometer. Thank you for the review. Been thinking about some easy off road trails, nothing extreme and hopefully finding a little camping spot.
I’ve never heard of this package before. Apparently it’s the “Tremor” package for its audio system. It’s actually a pretty rare truck too. I’d keep it on the hard ball. Keep it clean. It’s got a good value to it. Is it 4x4?
@@Ornelas11B pretty much the highest trim they made on rangers besides the fx4 alone the tremor was the nicest and most came with a full center console and buckets better gears in the axles.
bought a regular cab 2.3 2006 with 215k, a straight up beater but hey, she's going strong! also has a 4.10 diff and i love it, upgrading here and there don't think i'll ever sell
I searched for quite awhile for a level ii fx4. I couldn't find any that had low mileage. I ended up going with a 2011 4x4 sport with 17,000 miles. These trucks kick ass and parts are cheap and plentiful. These things can get into some pretty heavy snow and pull thru with good tires. I flushed all fluids, new belts, plugs, wires, thermostat. I will drive it until it won't go anymore. The only thing I don't like is the 2011's come with traction control which is useless and annoying.
Ford could’ve sold them for so many more years if they gave em a v8 or even just a bigger v6 like a 4.5 and if they made them 4 door or just gave this truck a better back seat
Right? I was even thinking this generation came in crew cab in other markets which would have sold great! It was the stupid chicken tax making them too expensive.
The single overhead cam 4 l engine makes about 220 at the crank . If you need more than that in a 3000 lb truck there's something wrong with your way of thinking . Hell that's more than what the fox body Mustang made with the 302 V8 .
@@Shadowband72 . You also start hitting other limits once you add more power. The V6 makes sense, the V8 is not really necessary. At some point you’d need to start upgrading the the frame, transmission, brakes. Feels like if you NEED V8 power then you’d be better off getting a F150
I just bought a 2002 ranger and looking around at videos of them to see what im gonna break first and saw this lmfao, i bought my 96 miata 3 years ago. I got both chillen in the driveway next to each other. you are 100% correct.
I have a 1999 Ranger ....... it came with rear fusion locker and I put in a front Lock Right lunch box ........ it ain't as beloved and sexy as a Taco ...... but it has a great work ethic 😄
Bro sick Ranger.. my 2011 only 33978 miles on it .. today may 10 2024 😂.. same color.. but you grill was black my was chrome .. it's just like new every time I drive ..
They put a 4.0L V6 in the F150? Where? When? The 4.0 in the ranger dates back to the German made Cologne V6, which was generally a car engine. The earliest offered in the American Ranger and Bronco2 was a 2.8 in the mid 80s. Then came the 2.9 EFI, then 4.0 OHV, then finally the 4.0 SOHC. All based on the same Cologne V6 design. The only real weakness of the later SOHC engines is the milti-chain timing set suffering premature failures that require engine removal to repair. The most reliable of the lot is generally considered to be the 4.0 OHV, but is under powered by today's standards. Other then that, the ranger is excellent. Tough axles, tough frame, and generally simple layout that is easy to maintain. And yes, they're great off road.
Yea that’s my bad, I confused the 4.2 and the 4.0, someone else pointed that out as well. Great little trucks though! Thanks for watching and I’ll double check my stats next time! Cheers
Yes. Its a SOHC engine. But its design is derived from an OHV V6 that goes back to the seventies and used with German Fords, and prior to that, an OHV V4. The SOHC V6 is the final member of a long V6 family.
Love my 08 fx4. Sure the bed is rotting, the fenders are falling off and it's odo has 330k km on it but the frame still has the original paint and looks like it's 3 maybe 4 years old with almost no rust. It's small enough I can cram it down some atv trails but big enough it doesn't feel like a death trap.
I love love love my B4000. No modern electronics, no electric windows or seats. Just base stock reliable go anywhere pickup. Tows a 1ton trailer with no probs and is easy to use and drive. You can have your Toyota. I'll keep my money and drive a better truck🤠
I have a 02 fx4 with 4 in suspension lift 285/75/16 with 280k and a 04 xlt 4x4 with 4 in body lift 33/12.5/15 and 75k. Bought the 02 new got the 04 a year ago. I think the body lift is better and much cheaper by like 800$.. don't have quite the suspension travel with the body lift but have the same clearance..
@@mikefromoh2925 2003 body step side box with 2011 fx4 frame and engine. Manual transmission. Disk brake rear end and technically supercharged. But it’s not tuned yet and no methonal injection yet. So still work in progress. Eventually sas but I currently have 35/14r16 boggers on it.
First truck I ever owned was an 05 ranger fx4 level 2. 3 inch lift on 32’s. Up here in Canada it was an ice fishing/off roading beast. I miss that truck. Looking for another one.
Love the video but the automatics in the 2008 are 5 speeds. Also the 4.0 SOHC was the LAST engine they used. The top of the line engines started as 2.8 carb'd Cologne V6s. Then a slightly bored out 2.9 MPFI V6 (*cough* dog shit *cough*). Then they introduced the 3.0 Vulcan V6 as a mid tier engine with the Cologne coming back as a 4.0 OHV. Then the last engine they brought out was the SOHC 4.0 V6.
Yea I'm not as big of a fan of the new Ranger in terms of styling, but I haven't driven it so I don't want to cast my judgements yet until I'm behind the wheel.
Dude the only 6 cylinder engine they used in all f150's were the 4.9 300 straight 6 or the 4.2 v6 never used the 4.v6 they should have instead of the weak ass 4.2v6 I've had a 91 ranger 2wd 4.0 v6 and I drive a 2008 ranger 4x4 5 speed 4.0 v6 it has 207hp and I think around 215 220 torque it's a beast it's got the same power as the 4.2 v6 they put them in everything the v6 mustang explores that spot track thing alot if stuff buy not f150 atlwast to my knowledge if I'm wrong prove me wrong
HA! That's hilarious! I started out with a '91, drove it several years, loved it. Only wish it had four wheel drive. So I bought an '08 with 4WD, love it even more. Both are 4L automatics.
None of this push button start or rotary dial shifter nonsense The shifter on the steering column where it belongs. The shift on the column gave it alot more leg room.
The fact that they call it a single overhead cam is possibly the dumbest thing about it . What they do call a dual overhead cam has four cams . The SOHC engine has a cam on one Bank of the engine and another on the other bank , that's two cams . Last time I checked dual meant two , And single meant one . I have the same engine in my 2003 Ranger Edge .
I see where you're coming from, but isn't it also only a Single cam over each head? Thus the SIngle Overhead cam. While it has two, it doesn't have more than one per head. But I get where you're coming from, my own car is a "SOHC" with two cams aha
Should be a locking rear though an lsd does sound right, I have the level just below this and I’m only jealous of the rear end that Fx4 has… but I prefer my manual
Fx4 got a better rear axle (8.8 ring gear, 31 spline axle shafts, limited slip) bilstein suspension, skid plates for the front diff, transfer case, and fuel tank, and red cloth seats. I think the Fx4 trim was the only ones that got the 2 tone paint job like shown in the video. Also had 4:10 gears but I don’t think that was specific to fx4’s.
I've got three Mustang V8 gt cars and i have a 2004 gto t56 6spd v8 car and i also have the 2007 fx4 off road.. With the Adjustable bolstein shocks factory.. Is 410 gears front and rear.. And a 5 speed manual...4.0..and i have laid down somr really nice.. Posi..track...smoke shows... It's not real fast... But I can shift 1st and 2nd gear dumping the Clutch... And drift up the street.. Is on bear tar... My buddies laugh their butts off... They are like leave the Mustang.. at home.. Bring your ranger... We want to get a video of you doing a Mustang smoke show.. Is with your Ford Ranger... L o l...
Damn never got stuck in a 4 speed ranger getting wood crossing a arroyo the heavy duty dodge Cummins too much horse power or toque couldn’t even make it through with out cuz of awful wheel hop had to throw it in 4 high to get out
I'm pretty close to buying a used ranger but it just doesnt have 4x4. Other than that it's perfect. Is 4x4 really that big of a deal? I go camping occassionally but I'm not driving verticle up any mountains like in this video lol.
For cruising around in the woods you’d be fine, it’s really just the snow where you’d want to throw a lot of weight in the bed. But you could make do with good tires!
@@200degrees Ya that's the other thing, I live in central Canada where there can be snow on the ground 6 months a year. Been looking last 3 months and haven't seen one decent 4x4 so might not have a choice. Appreciate the info!
@@tfriesen7872 yea I live in bc Canada and the only thing I drive in the winter is my rwd crown Vic. Nokian Hakkabilita r3’s. Probably spelled wrong but hands down the greatest winter tires, I’ve never been more impressed with what a rwd can do!
In my experience the 4x4 makes a world of difference in the snow and ice, but you could also get a Shurtrax bladder for the bed and that'll help a ton.
My name is Mark, I have 08 ford ranger I got up no start no click no dash light. Replaced batt,starter and s .tested all fuses replaced relays,the day it no start in bulb cluster no lights to dash but I have head l,blinkers,tail lights everywhere.but no dash or chimeing what am I missing here
Hello. I have a 2010 Ranger and I want to paint it black like yours. I have looked everywhere for the black and gray color code and have had no success. Could you give me the codes for both colors, black and grey? It would be of great help to me. Thank you
