I'm looking at getting a Ranger 4x4 as a work truck but will be driving a considerable distance to and from the job site every 3 weeks and hence, need a reliable vehicle.

I'm look at 2005-2007's, only 4x4 which tend to have between 80,000-130,000km (roughly 50,000-80,000 miles). How do these engines hold up and are the manuals more reliable than the automatics? I have no preference, which ever will last longer. Any common issues people find with these whether it be electrical, mechanical, drivetrain etc?

90% of the driving will be highway. One way is about 950km (~600 miles!)

Thanks!

-M

 

manual wins every time.
and the only issue ive seen time and time again is timing chain slips and thus causes worse problems.

 

With those years most of the bugs are sorted out, check all the vacuum lines, there is one vacuum elbow in particular on the passenger side of the throttle body that likes to develop a hole and will cause the engine to throw a lean code, but its an easy fix.

As far as trannys go they are both fairly solid, slave cylinders tend to be go out on the manuals but it depends on driving style and use. I have had 2 auto 4.0s with a combined 150,000 on them and they have been perfect.

hope this helps ya!

 

the only problem with the 4.0L i have found is it makes me want to mod it. however, i think that is a common problem all together....

 

i think the slave cylinder issue was fixed before 2004, but im not positive

 

The slave cylinder issue is still around. Im starting to get the symptoms of it on my 07. I have put 65k miles on my 07 and havent had a single issue. *knocks on wood*

 

72k no problems. Just did my first fuel filter change and usually forget about my oil till the 4-5000 mark. She keeps chuggin along though.

 

i put, on average, 100-200miles on my truck a day for work. i had my trans rebuilt in Feb. 2011 @150k. the reason being that (from what the transmission shop told me) was me exceeding the tow limit. 35kmiles prior to the trans going i successfully executed pulling a 11,000lbs S280 bobcat skid-steer. i had burnt up the planetary gear set, clutch material almost didnt exist, metal shavings through out the valve body, servos were fried, and i burnt up the out-put shaft.

i say the bobcat played a good role in the death of my trans but im sure running 35's with factory 4:10 gears is going to be the main reason.

since then, the trans received a shift kit, heavy duty trans cooler, heavy duty torque converter, and 4:56's.

other than that i use my truck for work(and i mean WORK) and i put alot of miles on it everyday. i have 161,500miles on it and it doesnt let me down.