I have been looking a Rangers and I really like them, but I'm not sure if it fit's my needs.

I want to be able to pull sedans out of a ditch in winter.
I want to be able to drive in deep snow or very bad weather conditions.
I would like to put a small plow on it
The heaviest thing I would like to do is help friends move.

I don't want to tow anything for a long distance. I do not ever plan on hooking up a trailer.
I don't want a big truck I would like to stick with a V6 and 4x4

Am I being reasonable?

 

I think a ranger would be a good option for you. Ive got a i would look for an fx4 offroad since they come with skidplates and a limited slip differential(witch will be real nice in the deep snow). Ive pulled out a dodge ram 1500 up a hill so i think a sedan would bo no problem. Not sure about the plow but i wouldnet think it would be a problem. Hope that helps.

 

some people put plows on them. You will get mixed reviews on plows on rangers, but a ranger sounds like a good fit. I generally pull out full size trucks with my ranger in the winter. I drove in 23" of fresh snow last year and I have used my truck to move numerous times.

 

lol. well plowed on ranger not good idea but ist doable...will kill your truck in no time.as for pulling people oout of the ditch, they really need to be not 2 deep.the ranger doesnt have much weight to pull load on ice but it can be done.and just for fun,why do you want to buy a truck just to get people out of the ditch?lol as for deep snow tires are your best bud.from my point of view i cant justify you buying a v6 4x4 if you wont even tow something, you wont plow commercially or if your just buying it just to look cool.sorry ist my opinion i never buy and do things just to look cool.to do propely want to want. you need a truck like my dodge or bigger...trust me plow with a ranger is gona cost 3000k each winter in repair minimum. dont forget 2 thats ist illegal to pull some 1 out of the ditch, and if something happen will doing it your at fault at 100% , i can understand you never really own a truck from what your saying..the gas consumption in a v6 is reallly high 2....

 

there is a thread from July that someone (^^^^^) revived that has some good plowing info in it. One of the members one the thread who plows with his Ranger said that a small composite plow would be a good option. they are light so it won't wear out the front end to much. just have to be careful with it and make sure you don't smash into any rocks or concrete dividers.

@OP, what is your price range? we can give you a better idea of what years and models you should look into if we know what you will pay

 

I'm looking to spend about $12,000

 

Look for an 06+ fx4/sport 4x4... just my 0.02

 

yea a plyester plow like a said would be the best option...ist not just driving down the road who hurts the truck...ist the weight applied by the snow when pushing or ramming a pile...suspension is gona sit low 2.... and reminber again maybe you have a guy who plowed with them .. but where lol? if ist down in the state where they get 2-3 inch snow fall 10 time a years...then yea a ranger is perfect..geez a sedan with homemade plow could get truh:) but the guy lives in sherbrooke...where they can get between 100-400 inch a year...not good for a light truck with light frame...rangers are 1 of the best truck out there..just not good for plowing

 

For $12,000 he won't find many 06+s with less than 100k. I see 70k-100k 04 and 05 4x4 Rangers all the time around here for $12k.

So here is what you need to look for:

03-05 4x4 4.0 SOHC
less than 100,000k
power options
EDGE or XLT or FX4

 

if you have to ask, then no

 

I got my 06 with less than 100k miles for 12, but yeah prob a lil older of a ranger is a better option for him.

 

look for an 03 level2 5speed.

 

what does the XLT mean, as opposed to the XL. I've read that the XLT was the same as the XL just with a few more option items.

 

I dont think they make XL 4x4s

But yeah Ranger sounds like a good fit to me

 

I believe I saw 08's or 09 xl 4x4's once at the dealer. It was very strange to say the least. haha

 

XLs are like base line fleet trucks. Like the Autozone and NAPA Rangers. Some came in 4x4 because some companies (like Electric and Cable companies) need 4x4 trucks for there guys to get around in the winter or off road.

XLs are optionless. They are also de-chromed opposed to the XLT. No power options and they come with vinyl bench seats.

XLTs are the normal Ranger. Most Rangers you see are XLTs. You can spot them by the chrome bumpers, cloth 60,40 bench seats, A/C. They can come with or without power options.

 

You're an idiot. Give your stupid opinion somewhere else.


As to OP,

There are plows for rangers. They have a blade that is "trippable" so when yu push too much weight or hit a curb it will just fold backwards saving damage to the truck. Not the best towing vehicle but not the worst either, especially if you're just doing around your house and not big public lots.


Additionally, I bought my 04 Ranger FX4(basic offroading package with nice options and 4wd) with 38K in 2006 for 13K. So as you can tell, additionally everyone in this thread is giving you bad information on prices. Also, I have had no problem towing people out of ditches or wherever. They can be stuck as much as they want. If they are in a mud pit..well that isn't pulling a sedan out of a ditch is it haha.

And umm last thing, if you plan on moving peoples **** a lot get a fleetside(flat besides) as compared to a stepside, just because I'm pretty sure it has more room in the bed.

 

I should point out, someone is going to say "prices are different in my area, more expensive". Probably not since I'm in Alaska. Rangers lose value at a good rate so you can find a great deal.

 

Sounds like a Ranger would fit your needs well. Is it going to be big enough for you though? You might want to also consider a 4x4 or AWD SUV. The downside is that an SUV obviously doesn't have a bed so you'll need a small trailer if you do any hauling.

 

Id go with a fullsize for room, rides 10x better and better mpg's but thats just me.

 

EGDE's were based off of the XL, FX4's eres based off of the XLT. I've seen XL's with 4x4 and even one with 4 doors!! They're out there, just rare, I believe in order to get a 4x4 XL it also had to have the long bed and the 4.0. Long box Rangers had the 3.0 standard, I'm not sure if all years but I know that's the case for 2003's. I have an 03 XL with the long bed, auto trans and cloth seats, so yes they do come with options! XL regular cabs were the only Rangers to came with vinyl seats, ext cab XL's had cloth seats standard. Also, I never understood why but A/S was standard with auto trans and optional with manual trans.

 

All good info except that no 02-05 standard cabs came with 4.0s and no extended cabs came with long beds.

 

Thanks for the info!, BTW, I meant A/C, lol

 

Yes they do, I own one..07 3.0 v6 5 speed manual 4x4, reg cab, has a/c cruise, tilt and cloth split bench seat, just purchased about 2 months ago with 12k miles on it.....and it is work truck white