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Ford Ranger III - READ ONLY
1143 messages, Last post on Mar 19, 2004 at 8:54 AM
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What is this discussion about? Ford Ranger, Exterior, Tires, Engine, Interior, Transmission, Fuel Efficiency (MPG), Truck
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#844 of 1143 2002 Mazda B4000 Owner by nerd
Apr 13, 2002 (4:20 pm)
Please excuse my barging in, but I can't find a topic dealing with Mazda trucks. Since mine was built by Ford in Edison, NJ, I guess it is essentially the same as your Rangers.My truck is a 2002 B4000 dual sport (2WD) with the 4.0 liter engine and auto trans. I really like the truck, having dumped by 2000 GMC Sierra. Are their any maintenance or reliability issues that I should watch out for? I have had two concerns so far:
- sometimes I feel a bump just as I am starting from a dead stop. I don't hear any noise. The dealer said that this is a characteristic of the drivetrain and suspension.
- the gearshift lever encounters some resistance shifting into Park. The dealer said it was normal.
Have any of you had these situations arise?
If I should be on another string, please let me know. Otherwise I'll tag along with you guys.
#845 of 1143 new old ranger!! by mkstf
Apr 21, 2002 (9:19 am)
just bought a 94 4x4 3.0 with 41k miles my first truck!! had it 3 days and love it !!!!#846 of 1143 Mazda went good for a full size spare and rim by lizzy55
Apr 21, 2002 (8:05 pm)
I posted earlier this year about my spare tire on my B4000 4 wheel drive with a posi rear end .I explained to the service department my concerns over running two sizes of tires on a posi differential and they agreed with my concerns and bought me a steel rim and a 16 inch spare which was covered on the tire recall .The 16 inch tire fits on the same holder as the 15 inch tire did you just have to be carefull to centre the tire as you pull it up into place .#847 of 1143 Rim Swap Suggestions Wanted by tone2tone
Apr 27, 2002 (3:50 pm)
I am hoping that some Ranger owners might be able to help me out on this. I'd like to go to a larger rim/tire size on my '97 B2300 X-Cab (4 cyl/5 spd) to replace the stock 14" spoke rims. I am wanting to do this on the cheap so my target is stock 15" or 16" rims/mags from another vehicle that would bolt on. Anyone done something similar or recommend something that will work?It is also time to replace shocks etc. Any recommendations on that? Thanks much
#848 of 1143 Shopping by jackka
May 05, 2002 (1:42 pm)
I'm considering buying a new Ranger (or B4000) with 4.0L engine, manual tranny, 2WD. Can I have an owner report please (reliability, mileage, etc.).Thanks.
#849 of 1143 Nerd...the infamous "drive line bump" by frey44
May 05, 2002 (6:55 pm)
I have posted the TSB on this problem. Go to "Ford Ranger Problems" post # 438. You likely need the new alloy 4 inch driveshaft.#850 of 1143 XLT 4.0L 2wd Tow questions by quark99
May 06, 2002 (11:53 am)
Hi all,As a previous Ranger owner (1993 4.0L RC Longbed 5-speed and 1996 4.0L SC Auto) I'm fully aware of the quality and reliability of this truck. I'm having a 3000lb (includes trailer weight) boat delivered in about 2 weeks, and now must again purchase a suitable tow vehicle. I've also owned a Dakota QuadCab 4.7L Auto, and although I didn't have too many (weatherstrips falling off doors) problems in the 12K miles I owned the Dodge, I'm thinking the cheaper, "known quantity" Ranger might be the wiser choice (not to mention the $2500 rebate). I've had a lot of experience towing, and I insist on "safety first", which to me means having a "safety factor" in the tow capacity of my vehicle. The SC Ranger 4.0L Auto is rated at 5800+ lbs (I assume with either a 3:55 or 3:73 axle ratio); so capacity isn't a problem. I do NOT have any experience with the new 4.0L motor. The old 160HP 4.0L had plenty of grunt, developing 225 lbs of torque at low RPM.
Can any of you out there relate how the new 205HP 4.0L pulls a heavy load? Slippery and steep boat ramps, including launching/retrieving into the Pacific is what this truck will be used for.
Any U.S. coastal fisherman out there that can relate?
Sorry for the long and wordy post.
Thanks.
#851 of 1143 quark99..TOWING by frey44
May 06, 2002 (8:44 pm)
I too own a Ranger (4.0 4x4 5 speed auto) and tow extensively (about 1800 lbs. max). If I had it all to do again, I'd buy either a small V8 F-150 auto with LSD 2x4, or a Tundra of the same specs (the Dodge Ram won't fit into my garage and I don't like the GM piston slap issues). The new Ranger tows well from buddies of mine that own them (HOWEVER, they are 4x4's). I like the idea of towing with a heavier vehicle. The lonly real scare I get occasionally is on wet roads and the tendency for the boat to push the rearend of that ittle Ranger around when braking...that gets the heart rate going !! Also, the gas mileage of the Rangers is NOT that much better than the F-150. In the 4x4's, it is WORSE than the F-150 2x4's. Just my OPINION. Good luck.#852 of 1143 the 4.6l by midnight_stang
May 06, 2002 (8:54 pm)
Get's pretty amazing gas milage. A coworker has a 99 GT Mustang with just about every bolt on power adder you can think of (even 150 shot of nitrous). It still gets over 20 MPG in the city, and over 25 highway.The F-150 is a bit aerodynamically handicapped compared to the Mustang, but you should still see over 20 MPG regularly.
#853 of 1143 Thanks Frey by quark99
May 08, 2002 (10:16 am)
I'm guessing you don't have (need) trailer brakes on your 1800# trailer.....but if you did you might notice that the back end doesn't get "pushed around" as much. I tend to insist on surge or electric brakes on my trailers so I have some control on braking the trailer's weight, and also save my truck's rotor's and drums. The boat I'll be pulling weighs 2250#, plus 650# single-axle trailer (total dry weight 2900#), but in reality the total weight will be around 3300-3500#with gas, gear, ice chests, skis, etc. Surge brakes will greatly help slow that weight down, and unlike an F-150 or other full-size truck, the Ranger's low vehicle weight can use all the help it can get when it comes to controlling equal or greater weight trailers.
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