Links please. I was under the impression 98-00 was the last years for 4 cylinder xcabs.

 

If your going to go for the big motor in the Ranger, you should just as well enjoy the extra room of a ful size truck. There isn't much if any gas mileage difference. I had a 93 ranger 5 speed with a 4 banger and got 28-30 mpg on summer blended gas. When gas switched over to winter blend i got 24-27mpg. All milage stated above was a mix between Hwy and City. But now I have a 96 same motor, smae tran, and at best i get 22mpg in summer, usually 19-20. People here have told me that's usual. Seems weird to me. I don't know what I'll get this winter (sorry I got rid of my 93--miss her). Even the rated MPG shows the 96 is supposed to get less mpg, go figure. My firend has a 2003 with the mid size motor, and it only gets 16-18 mpg. Ford needs to up the MPG. However, the 4 bangers are bullet proof, wish the same could be said of the 5 speed.

 

its a TRUCK...its gonna be hard on gas

 

DJ,
Then please tell me what was magical about my 93 ranger getting 28-30 mpg? "It's a truck...its [should] be hard on gas"
Clayton

 

well when did you have your 93? im willing to bet that was before 10% ethonol gas came out...i get between 13-15MPG city/18.5MPG hwy on e10 gas...if i go and get ethonol free gas(15 minute drive...not really worth it IMO) i get 15-16 city and 20-23 highway(and im being dead serious)

 

well i found quite a few on autotrader, but none of them showed a picture of the engine bay so its not even worth posting links. ill take your word on it. they probably dont know either lol.

so i am now hunting down a low-ish milage xcab 3.0 manual. i was looking for an XL, but i need cruise control so it looks like im gonna have to look into an xlt.

thanks to everybody for all the info. i used to know pretty much all this stuff when i had a ranger and was on here all the time, but i've forgotten almost everything. feels good to be back on the ranger scene. now just gotta sell the 150 and find that perfect ranger.

 

Sure you can...
http://bp3.ford.com/2011-Ford-Ranger...d.com#/Models/

 

so realistically, with a xl/xlt 2wd factory size tires(or close to) 3.0 manual i should get lower to mid 20's mpg? i think i can deal with that

 

i think that be a pretty safe bet

 

alright cool, makes me feel better. im not really worried about city mpg's, just highway. my DD corolla is starting to close in on me. been driving it 6 out of 7 days for the last year in a half. i need something else i can commute in when i wanna give the corolla the finger lmao

 

No, I got my 93 in 2003, it had 80k on it. I got rid of it by giving it to my son-in-law in May of 2011 with 203k on it, and have checked the gas mileage every time I buy gas, as I have been doing since 1990 with all my vehicles. In DE where we spent 4 years all we had available was E-10. Sumer blend gave me 20% better mileage than the winter blend did. No joke, just math.

 

Well checked the vin on the xcab 01-03 rangers claiming to have a 2.3 and it's true. 8th vin "D". That's what I would like

 

You can get a '01+ extended cab 4 banger. Even with a 5 speed. Just have to take time and look.

Like here is one. They do exist
http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.js...e&rdpage=thumb

 

wrong spot

 

i drive a 99 b2500 with a 4 banger and get between 25 and 27 combined mileage. Id like 30 but you know what they say about people in he double toothpicks!