ok, so my father bought me a gen 3 and it has 207k miles on it. after he dented it driving in the snow, he said he was gonna quit driving it. now he drives it everyday and so before long its gonna have very high miles. knowing me, i need a truck with lower miles because my truck needs to be driven like a grandpa. i am just curious what you guys think of when its time for me to buy a different truck. i really like the older gen 1 and gen 2 styles, but i also like gen 3 and newer. what are your guy's preferences towards performance and durability of different rangers?

 

Find a gen 2 with the 4.0 my old gen 2 felt like a tank compared to what i have now. I never could break it.

 

Generally speaking the older you go the more durable it is... They don't build trucks now the way they used to... but if you're looking for miles and any hope for replacement parts then obviously the newer you go the easier it will be...

 

true but i am always on craigslist and see 1984 to 1992 rangers with only 80,000 miles. how well do the 2.9l perform? i have they have lifter ticks, and valve problems, i would love on with a 4.0 in it

 

What you're asking is mostly matter of opinion. 83-97' used essentially the same suspension/frames, minus small upgrades in later years. The 93-current' body is essentially the same, minus small upgrades in later years as well. The biggest differences are mainly changes in motors and transmissions.

I don't have experience with anything 98'+ but any of the older years are reliable, if you/the previous owner know how to maintain and take care of a vehicle.

 

thanks snipe

 

i would get a 98 or up with the 4.0 in it. ive owned a 95, 97, and now a 2000 and my current one deff hass more power and is more reliable. but i dont drive off road or anything with it. but i know after 98 they did some changes to the suspention on it.

 

I had a 96 from 2001 to 2007. Loved it... My 05 I LOVE... I would never go back to a gen 3.. IMO.. and I like the SOHC more than the OHV.. And the 5speed auto.. and the 4.10's..

 

I have a 2001. What gen is this?

 

Ford Ranger - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

 

is it true that the ohv lasts longer than sohc? i have heard that several times

 

I have a 1991 that has the 2.9 that has 207k that runs like new yet. The lifter tap is factory for the 2.9's they are relieable but they did make 91's with the 4.0's

 

hta is what i want to find, classic looks with big power lol