4x4 Ranger--what years to buy...
 

I have gotten great advice here in the past for my 99, so I'm interested in what you have to say on picking up a 4x4.

My 99 4 cylinder 5 speed has proven to be the ideal dirt-bike hauler, except that I have gotten stuck on a few occasions, so I'm thinking about looking for a 4x4 version. This truck will only be used to haul dirt bikes so I think 4 cylinders is enough power, but if the 6 is better for some reason I would like to hear about it. I will never buy a vehicle with an automatic--manual is a must. I would also like the truck to be 93 or earlier so I can avoid emissions hassles. Any particular years/models I should be looking for? Thanks!

P.S Also, any other trucks I should be looking at besides Rangers?

4x4 Rangers didn't have 4cyl option after about 1997, and they were rare before that

Best bet would be to get Limited Slip rear axle, good traction tires, and a portable winch if funds allow, and bolt some hooks to the frame for hooking winch cables to.

4x4 works better because its better to PULL a load than PUSH a load, which is why Front Wheel Drive cars work well in the snow.
4x4's and FWD cars have OPEN front axles, so only 1 wheel ever gets power.

L/S, limited slip, powers BOTH wheels equally, problem with pickups is the bed is light unless loaded, so rear wheels have little weight holding them to the road, making them easy to spin, and a spinning wheel gets ALL the power in a OPEN axle setup.
L/S axle gives you twice the chance to get traction on loose surfaces.
Motorcycle and gear in the bed is weight so even better.

You can use a 1993 to 2009 Ranger L/S rear axle in your 1999, 7.5" or 8.8" doesn't matter, they just bolt in, not a hard swap, heavy but not mechanically hard

Look on drivers door sticker to see what you have now, read here: Ford 7.5 & 8.8 Inch Axle Tag & Door Codes : The Ranger Station

With 1998-2000 you don't have to match ratio for speedometer, so you could get a 4.10 rear axle for more lower end torque

Toyota Tacoma's(Tacos) have a good rep and came with 4cyl(2.7L) in 4x4, but expensive because of the good rep

2005 and up Ranger 4.0l SOHC would be best 4x4 but V6 engine so MPG will be less than 4cyl

Great information. Thank you!

You might consider adding a detroit true trac diff to your existing truck. They are excellent in distributing TQ to the non-slipping wheel. (I've had three in different cars/trucks)