Hey all,
I've been looking at moving from an 05 F150 4x4 to an 08 Ranger 4x4.
Would lower my payment considerably and I'm thinking it would be a nice improvement in gas mileage.

Anyone else make this switch? Any thoughts, comments, smart remarks??

Thanks in advance
-Rich

 

You wont gain milage... what do you use your current truck for and how will you use your ranger

 

So is the 150 paid off? What will your trade in value be? So whatever you owe on the 150 minus the trade-in will be added to your Ranger payments.
If you are doing it just to save gas money think about how many miles you have to drive to pay the difference before you start saving. To me, my '06 Ranger 4.0 4x4 is way under powered but Chevy doesn't put a V-6 in the small trucks anymore (my bad should have test drove an I-5). I am saying this in case you do towing or heavy loads a lot. You won't see gas savings cause you need more gas to get the same amount of power.

 

Mainly for running around at work and doing bids. On the weekends I'm up in the mountains fishing, biking or skiing depending on the season.
I'm averaging about 12-14mpg in the F150 now

 

Stock rangers can see 20mpg easy.

 

No, it's not paid off. I have a 0% loan. I owe about 14 and kbb says 22 so I'm thinking I can probably sell and pick up about 6K to put down.
Interesting that the 4.0 is underpowered. I don't do any hauling but also don't want a gutless wonder. I think the 5.4 seems gutless but figured with a lighter truck and the V6 I'd be fine....

 

You'll definately get better MPG in the Ranger then.

A lot of people here are self-deprecating. As long as your in it for a small pickup that gets good to great gas mileage(depending on engine size) and has a pickup bed, you'll be happy.

You should already know the differences there will be with a smaller pickup, so drive one, and if its comfortable to you, you'll enjoy it!

Plus the 4.0 SOHC is a really nice engine.

 

The 4.0 isn't underpowered. It's a pretty damn fast truck. It's not a V8, but our trucks aren't fullsize either. I couldn't be happier with my engine. Before I lifted and got big tires, my truck moved faast.

 

Good to hear - I'm not a fast driver, but don't want a tugboat either.
Any specific issues with the ranger I should keep an eye on?

 

i love mine but my neighbors getting better milage out of his newer 150... i just need a compact so rangers till i die!

 

Abusing... just remember its a compact, dont try to push it, its not a full size

 

Get a 4.0L... if you dont you will hate it. LOL

 

Auto transmissions like to run hot so adding an external heavy duty trans cooler is certainly a good idea. The manuals get better mileage (mine is a stick and I can average 24 going up north towing my row boat).

 

you can get a programmer that will reprogram your truck and it will be like driving a whole new beast and help with gas milage- so ive heard anyways, but im gonna try one

 

Don`t get anything less than the 4.0L.

 

4.0 has good power. my 07 fx4 moves pretty good off the line. i blow doors off all the time with this thing at a light.

 

Honestly, wait. More than likely a new Ranger will be coming in '09 as well as a new F150.

 

Mass Airflow Sensors (MAF) get dirty and cause pinging. Ranger manual transmissions are slick, but they mount the slave cylinder inside the bellhousing. When they start leaking, they take out the clutch as well. They are prone to failure. I've read of members on here having theirs go out as early as 12K miles. Mine went at 38K. Mine is an '03. The troubles i've had are: MAF: 36,200K. Hydraulic clutch slave cylinder: 38K. Fuel pump pressure switch/regulator: around 40K. Otherwise, trouble-free, w/ around 63K on the truck. I wouldn't want an auto tranny myself, but that's just my preference. The 4.0 is a smooth, strong engine. I really like it. They are pretty comfortable trucks too. Much more than my girlfriends Jeep Liberty. If you are a large person, you probably wouldn't be happy in a Ranger. If you are normal sized, it will fit you well.

 

I'm 6'1 and have fine room in my Ranger. Nothing has gone wrong in 50K miles so far.

Reminds me! I need an oil change. Stupid warranty.

 

I didn't really mean "large" height-wise. Also, I wouln't hold my breathe for an all new Ranger in '09. It's possible, but i'd be more inclined to look for a redesign in 2010 or 2011.

 

Hah, well I'm skinny.

 

I wouldn't buy a new Ranger.....find one that is a year old or is a demo. These things depreciate faster than Enron stock

 

That's not going to happen.

 

I recently sold my '90 F150 4x4, 302, AOD, 3.55. I am a very happy Ranger owner now. I'm 6'2" (skinny) and I'm comfortable in the supercab. I agree with the rest about getting a 4.0L V6. A stick would be more fun, but the little wife needed the auto and I like it better when backing my trailer uphill into my carport.
...Terry '08 Ranger 4x4 Sport, 4door supercab, 4.0L, auto, 4.10LS

 

i went from an f250 to a ranger and the biggest problem i had was the lack of cargo area. I haul building supplies for my business to job sites and the ranger doesnt have the capicity. Once i got used to that i love the ranger more than i did the 250. I wound up getting more trucks for my company and have added a couple of the 150s and a c10 to haul stuff but the ranger works for most things just when i have alot of sheetrock or stuff i need the larger truck
If youre a bigger guy ( over 6 ft tall) the reg cab ranger is kinda tight