I don't have a ranger right now, but I'm looking at switching from an 88 ford bronco with a 302 to an 88 ford ranger 5 speed with a 3.7 (I think is the guy said) with 4x4. I've never had a small truck before. I don't really wanna get rid of the bronco but gas is a killer.

I looked around a bit on your forums a couple times and haven't found quite the specific info I'm looking for. Mostly I'm interested in trail riding which I do a bit of with the Bronco like the Rubicon, Ballinger, and hopefully one day the Mojave. I was just curious how the Ranger handles most of these things, and what i should be looking for besides the obvious on vehicles.

Thanks for any input fellas!

 

Welcome to R-F!

 

Welcome to R-F !
I have never heard of a 3.7 in an ’88 unless he put it in.
I believe there was only one engine back then and it was a 2.9 EFI.
I owned an ’88 STX 4x, std cab short bed, 5sp, loved it until I wen to larger tire, then I did the 5.0L swap, a lot easier then than now.

Good Luck on the truck… finding and mod’g, it is easier to work on those, lifting is easier, engine swap is easier and the older boxy style look great.

I like my ’03 with the larger cab but the ’88 was a great truck, especially with the 5.0L.

 

Welcome to RF!