ok, heres the breakup

Gen 1: 83-88

gen 1 to gen 2, different hood, fenders? grille, lights, bumper, dash

Gen 2: 89-92
Engine: 2.3 OHC I4, 2.9 OHV V6, 3.0 OHV V6, 4.0 OHV V6

gen 2 to gen 3, totally different body style, same frame and suspension (few changes suspension wize)

Gen 3: 93-97
1995: changed from single piston calipers to dual piston
1995: changed style of dash
Engine: 2.3 OHC I4, 3.0 OHV V6, 4.0 OHV V6

gen 3 to gen 4, new fenders, grille, lights, new tails (00), bumper, changed suspenion from ibeams to control arms,

Gen 4: 98-00
Engine: 2.5 OHC I4, 3.0 OHV V6, 4.0 OHV V6

gen 4 to gen 5, new hood (edge and 4x4), new tails, grille, lights, bumpers, same suspenion


Gen 5: 01-0?
Engine: 2.3 DOHC I4(2001.5), 2.5 OHC I4, 3.0 OHV V6, 4.0 SOHC V6

changes from 01-03 to 04
new hood, new grille, new bumper, new interior styling

 

ok, now anyone have anything else to add to the list?

 

hmm only thing i can think of is the tail lights from 93-97 were smooth 3 bulb, 98-99 were contoured 3 bulb, and 00 was contoured 2 bulb. the 04s also have square foglights and different gauge clusters. im sure ill think of some other stuff later

 

For 2004 there is a change to the air box and MAF on the 4.0 SOHC.
Changes to the instrument panel gauges and now an LCD odometer.
The fuse panel has been relocated to the passenger side kick panel.
There were also changes to the wire harness.

 

oh yes, the maf is the same on the 3.0 too, its built into the upper air box, stupid....

 

04 is basically the same truck, with a few little tweaks...

 

Gen 1 engines were 2.0L carb (S models only), 2.2L diesel, 2.3L diesel, 2.3L carb, 2.8L carb, 2.3L EFI and 2.9L EFI.

 

I would say the 2004 has "new interior styling" they put a crease in the Air Bag, and changed the gagues, but everything else is still the same.

 

They updated the seats too, and I think the steering wheel is different.

 

doesnt 04 have like a preimium sound and leather as an option

 

what about the trailhead package that was available for 1998-2000?

 

I thought the trailhead was only in 2000...???

 

Honestly in my opinion there are 2 generations of rangers: 83-92, and 93-04. By my criteria, any models that you can interchange body parts with are the same generation. When the fenders and sheetmetal change, then its a new generation. I know not everyone accepts this, but it seems like splitting hairs to say that the 04 is a "new generation" just because its got a different grille, bumper, and gauge cluster.

 

The fenders are not the same on a 83-88 as they are on a 89-93, and the cab got 3" longer on the 98+.

 

OK, how about this one.... I have a '79 Ford Ranger F250 sitting in my yard. Doesn't that count as a Ranger?

 

Everytime I try to do a MOD there is some silly difference in the truck that prevents me using parts that work on models prior to 2004. I don't think the 2004 MAF and air box changes are stupid as they address the issues that modding the MAF by truck owners solved. All the images below are stock items so I think the interior changes are more than just a crease in the drivers air bag cover. I don't care if this makes the 2004 a new generation or not but dislike the usual put downs that accompany any discussion of the 2004 models. I have had mine since Christmas 2003 and think it is the greatest Ranger ever built. I have abused it and cared for it to the best of my ability. It keeps on ticking and doesn't care about the negative comments on its hood, grill, bumper or fog lights. It likes to play with Rangers of any generation and looks forward to seeing new mods and relishes the pride that all owners have in their own respective vehicles.

Leather seats - very comfortable


Console holds 2 amps and a down firing sub woofer






290 watt 6 CD MP3 player

 

hey the 93-97 and 98-04 fedners are different too... the 93-97 have a lip that goes under the corner light while the 98-04 does not, because the grille raps around...

as the core support changes from 93-97, 98-00, and 01-04?