It seems like alot of people have problems with automatics in the rengers, I just wondered if I should stay away from them. I will be looking for a 2wd extended cab Ranger in the 95-2000 range. Is it worth it to get a 4cyl for mileage or should I go with a v6? Any opinions or hindsight out there?
TIA
John

 

Well if you get a 4cyl do NOT get an automatic.

 

Don't make the same mistake I did an settle for an automatic. It's gay imo!

 

Either get the 4cyl or the 4.0... As for the trans; if you dont mind the stick then get it for sure!

 

I've broken both. I'm an equal breaker of trannies.

 

Go for the 4.0... trust the guy who's running with a 4 banger...

Manual trans + 4.0 = sexy

 

Depends on what your doing with it. Just a DD, thats it. Get a 4 cycl for mileage and get a stick to help with it.

If your wanting to go fast get a 4.0 6cycl. Ether Auto or stick. I never hear of anyproblems with them. almost 60k on my auto and 0 problems

 

I've done one $300 repair on my transmission in 111,000 miles with my 3.0 l, automatic. I think with most vehicles it is about preventive maintenance.

 

i have a 4.0 stick and it is the best.

 

I do too, but the slave is a b*tch. If you aren't mechanically inclined, it will cost you when they go, and they WILL go.....

 

Thanks for all the replies, I am just tired of shifting because my last 4 trucks have all been 5 speeds. 3 of them were rangers. 2 of them were 4 cylinders and I agree that a 4 has to have the 5 speed to have enough power. My current ranger is a 4.0 5 speed and it runs great and I think an automatic would due fine behind the 4.0 but I was concerned about reliability. One thing I've noticed is that nobody recommends a 3.0, are they a problem motor?
Thanks John

 

the 3.0L isnt a problem motor, just doesnt have as much pep out of the box as a 4.0L SOHC, but still has more power than the 2.3L DOHC.. A lot of guys complain, but a few simple power adders will make the 3.0L a peppy motor. If you get the 3.0L i'd get a stick, 4 cylinder i'd get a stick.. even the 4.0L I test drove wasnt that peppy with the auto.. I was in the same boat when i traded my truck, thought hard about going for a GTI 1.8T manual but ended up saying no to shifting gears this time around, im a lot happier. Good luck with your decision.

 

3.0 is a great motor and has a long.....LONG history of running for 200+ thousand miles, it will get better mileage than the 4.0 (according to Ford) and has more power than the 4 cylinder. If you want a V6 and don't need/want the extra power, a 3.0 is an excellent choice as well....

 

I love my 3.oL auto... I mean I'd only by stick if i wanted a fast lil sports car... in our trucks you shift so much in traffic, its just a pain...

 

Thanks, It seems like the choices are definately a stick with the 4 cyl and either with the v6 as long as not into heavy hauling or going fast. I think the v6 auto will be my decision and engine will depend upon the deal and what I find. BTW I am just looking for a DD 2wd ext cab with as many options as I can get...lol I want mileage and comfort with the convienence of a truck for occasional hauling(mostly light stuff).
John

 

Stick is the choice for speed, auto is the choice for hauling and and ease of driving. I have a stick and haul allot more than its rated for with no problems but I am not going to say this is ok. I don't mid a stick in traffic because to me it isn't hard. I also like the stick for gas mileage. The auto, is great too as long as you know its limits and take care of it.

I would say that for you, a 3.0 with the auto trans would be best. You will have decent power and decent mileage as well. Plus, as I said before, 3.0 are know to last a long time. My buddy has one in his 97 taurus with over 300,000 miles on it....

 

I have a manual 4.0 2002 ranger. I cant stand automatic cars, I would rather shift even if its stop and go. before that I had a 94 4.0 ranger. My 2002 ranger had what I feel like twice the power... I think their engines got more efficient with more power and better gas mileage. So I would say it depends on what year ranger you buy for the power, but I am a manual guy.

 

i love my auto... i do a lot of hunting and i hated picking a gear at the bottom of the hill and hpoe it was enough to get you to the top

 

If you shift fast enough, you don't need to worry about it....

 

My old truck was a 2000 3.0 auto. That motor is a great motor but around that time they just came out with the (i can't remember which one) but the tranny's that were used at that time. It was horrible. Had it fixed twice under warrenty and finally traded it in because it went out again like a year later.

The guys at ford told me that they were having a lot of problems with the auto tranny in 2000(but not enough for a recall...of course) but he said they were almost recalled.

Now I have a 2003 4.0 auto and I love it and haven't had any problems. I'm with Steve on the whole hunting thing and I love not having to mess with the stick in those situations.

So if you are looking for a ranger in the 2000 range, I would go with manual because the auto tranny has a lot of bugs they worked out later.

 

i got an auto and it shifts so smoothly and no problems, and mind you i have a 94.. so for 13 years old i am happy.. although sometimes i wish i had the 4.0. 3.0 is ok though too.

 

get a stick and the slave hard to change not really just time consuming i changed mine and it wasnt that bad.

 

x2

The 4.0 has tons of low end grunt... iv pulled up stumps, post, and drug an elk up an incline w/ no problem. I was surprised at the low end power this v6 has

 

i have a truck with a 3.0 and 4.0 and i love the power the 4.0 has but there is something about the 3.0 that il like or maybe it was the 4.56s and 32s

 

I have a 4.0/Auto and in my 2wd lowered street truck it is a blast. I recently got the trans fluid changed at the dealer (they charged $150) but doing that every couple of years at least will hopefully keep mine healthy for a long time to come. ALot of people negelect to change this and wonder why their trans messes up down the road. I don't abuse mine (no power-braking) and have a Bama programmer that firms up the shifts and that is supposed to also extend tranny life. To be honest, I would have rather had a 5-speed stick but in '03 they weren't availible in a 2wd 4.0. I'm not disappointed though and at least my wife can drive when I don't feel like it as she can't and won't learn how to drive a stick. As for your engine choice, get the 4.0 with either trans or a 4-cyl 5-speed manual. The 3.0 is ok (I've owned one) but the newer 4-cyl is almost right there with power ratings and obviously will deliver better mileage. Remember that Ford brought back the option of a new 4x2 Supercab with the 4-cyl/5-speed stick option. That was not availible for a couple of years. And, you can also now get (unlike in '03 when I bought mine) a 2wd 4.0/5-speed stick option on the XL/XLT if you don't want a 4x4 or 4x4 looking truck (Like a Sport)