I picked up a 1995 Ranger in December and really only wanted it as a winter beater, but I'm really beginning to like this truck...


Finding out I have the usual problems but they were pretty easy to overcome.


New windshield
New Tailgate latch
New rear shackles & shackle brackets
New armrest latch


Still in all, I've only spent $285 on all of that...


Plasti-dipped the grille already so its a nice black...

 

Welcome to the forum

1995 was first model year with the EEC-V OBD2 computer, 1994 and earlier had EEC-IV OBD1 computer

3.0l Vulcan engine is very reliable, although not a powerhouse
Ford used the Vulcan engine from 1986 to 2008, Rangers got them in 1991
1991 to 1994 3.0ls used distributors
1995 and up were distributorless and used Crank sensor and Coil Pack, Ford's Waste Spark system

The Cam Sensor and synchro tower were put in the old distributor hole.
The synchro tower has bushings that would wear out and start to squeak/squeal
These usually need to be changed every 100k miles, if you hear the squeal do it sooner than later because the synchro tower also drives the oil pump, a bad thing to stop working while engine is running.

1995 was also the first year of the electronic speedometer, no speedo cable
But it still used the speedo gear setup on transmission tail shaft thru 1997 model year, so speedometer can be adjusted for tire size with different gear

1983 to 1992 is considered 1st generation Ranger
1989-1992 is often referred to as 1.5 generation, body got a make over but size remained the same

1993 to 1997 is 2nd generation, slightly larger than 1st

1998 to 2012 is 3rd gen, and slightly larger again

 

I've got 201,000 miles on it, and just noticed that squeak, but only when it's really cold. How big of a deal is the replacement?

 

Not a big deal to replace, but if there is just normal side to side play, I would just take the sensor off (it only bolts on one way) and spray some tri-flow down there and wipe off the over-spray.
I do this every 6 months, or I will be when my truck is back on the road.
You don't need the fancy metal tool in the tutorial, there are plastic ones that get the job done just fine.

https://www.ranger-forums.com/engine...9-3-0v-114186/

https://www.amazon.com/Spectra-Premi...chronizer+tool

 

Yeah... they kind of grow on you, don't they?

 

greeting(s) to the show ....