Hi folks I am in SW Washington and looking on behalf of my son for a 97 and newer ranger. He had a wreck on the freeway down in Southern California, which totaled his car, so now he's got $2500 and wants a ranger. He's learning to repair as issues come up from Youtube, he just doesn't have much experience, so I thought with a '97 or newer, he could use that auto parts store scanner.

My oldest has a '99 super cab with the 2.5L and a manual tranny, so we are somewhat familiar with that one.

I would steer him towards something newer than 2001 if I could, And for this time in his life maybe the 4 cylinder... If I understand posts right, the 3.0L gets bad gas milage and doesn't have the power to justify it...so that would leave me with 2.3L/2.5L or the 4.0L. He's open to either a standard or super cab and can drive a manual or automatic...

So, what I'm wondering is if there are reasons to avoid a model year engine, transmission type, whatever, given the higher mileage he'll have to be looking at.

Thanks for the help...

 

Welcome to the forum

1983-1992 1st generation Rangers and smaller than 1993 and up
1993-1997 are 2nd generation Rangers
1998-2011 are 3rd gen
2nd and 3rd gen are same size and most parts are interchangeable

1995 and up have the newer OBD2 computers(PCMs), so current scanners work on these
The 1998 generation change was a change in front suspension and fuel system

2.3l SOHC Lima engine was used from 1983 to 1997 in Rangers(1989 and up used dual spark plugs)
2.5l SOHC Lima was used from 1998 to mid-2001
These Lima engines do use a timing belt which needs to be change every 100k miles, 80k is recommended

In later half of 2001 Lima engine was dropped and Rangers got the 2.3l DOHC Duratec engine, totally different engine from the SOHC Lima, much more power

Any of these 4cyl engines have a good track record, Lima or Duratec

Yes many find the 3.0l Vulcan engine under powered, its a high RPM engine so needs to be driven with RPMs above 3,000 which most don't do so............no power
It is a reliable engine, used in Ford cars from 1986 to 2008(1991-2008 in Rangers)

4.0l OHV has the power and very reliable, 1990-2000 Rangers, MPG in mid to high teens, 16-18MPG, not great but does have more power

4.0l SOHC engine 2001 to 2011 had timing chain issues from 2001 to 2004, engine needs to be pulled out to correct the problem

Manual transmission is best for less problems, but does require new clutch every so often
Ranger Automatics are OK, but when there is a problem it tends to cost more to repair because people don't do DIY on these, buying a used vehicle with an automatic is a roll of the dice since you don't have a reliable service history
But a used vehicle is like that for any parts, lol

As a heads up, look at the Mazda B-series, 1994 and up, these were made at the Ranger factory and are just rebadged Rangers
1994-1997 B2300 is a Ranger 2.3l
1997-2001 B2500 is a Ranger 2.5l
B3000 = 3.0l engine
B4000 = 4.0l engine

These will be less expensive but the same reliability as Ranger

 

Wow, that's great info, thanks. and yes, I've been searching the Mazda B series as well.