I am aware there are a lot of post asking about the reliability of the Ranger. I currently own an 05 Chevy Trailblazer 4x4 and have had so many issues with it I'm ready to get a new vehicle the main problems have been a transmission and the four-wheel drive system which I use the most. I've been looking at a bunch of 4x4 and the Rangers seem to be the cheapest but I wanted to know about the reliability of the four-wheel drive systems and what years are the best. Manual or auto? I've read a bunch about the engines but I haven't seen much about the 4x4 systems if someone can let me know. Thank You!

 

I can't say anything about the manual because I have the auto but when I did a lot of research before buying my Ranger and 2 common problems always come up. The 98-00 have pulse vacuum hubs for the front wheels. These are known to fail and it's recommended to switch them out for manual locking hubs. The auto are most know for the shift motor failure. It's recommended every several months to switch into 4wd and back out just to help the motor last if it doesn't get used often and to ensure it still works. Other than that I think they are pretty reliable. Ford dropped the manual transfer case after 03 so auto is the only option on 04+ regardless of if it's an auto or manual transmission.

 

Thanks man that's some great info. So anything after 00 doesnt have the vaccum lock? But it all electronic from 04 and up? I was thinking of 03 and higher was there any specific year that was better about the motor locking tcase and hubs? I was having alot of issues with my Chevy it has all electric motors for the lockers it breaks all the damn time

 

Yes that is correct 01+ Ford switched to a live axle front end, which means no more hubs because the front wheels are always locked. Yes the 04+ were all electronic and pre-04 the manual was only available with the manual transmission. The transfer case and components remained unchanged in the years you are looking at. It really comes down to what you find and like at this point. Depending on what engine size you are looking at you might want to consider 05+. The 01-04 4.0L engines are most known for timing chain guide failures. Their is some debate on when Ford started using the new redesigned timing chain guide, to prevent the failure, but we at least know by 05 they were using the new design.

 

Right there, is the problem CHEVY.....owned an 01 blazer which I got rid of for my Ranger no regrets, other than wasting money on the Chevy.... it’s always something that needs fixed.....