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Ford Ranger Maintenance and Repair

2991 messages,  Last post on Jun 05, 2013 at 2:00 AM

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What is this discussion about? Ford Ranger, Truck

Messages Page 88 of 300

#865 of 2991 re:liman1 by p100

Jun 15, 2004 (6:16 pm)

It so happens that I bought a new 2 wheel drive Ford Ranger XLT supercab in 1989. I paid $8700 for this truck: 2.9 liter V6, 5 speed manual, cruise and tilt. Had no problems with the truck except with lousy Firestone tires that it came with. The transmission in this truck was made by Mazda and the shifter felt a lot better that the one in the 04 Mazda. Also, the seat cloth was much better in my opinion. The 2.9 liter engine was a gem - never had any problems.
 
A friend of mine has a 2.3 liter Ranger supercab with a 5 speed manual and so far has had no problems with the truck.
 
I guess I was not impressed with the 2004 4.0 liter 4X4 Mazda as compared to my 89 Ranger or the 95 Nissan.

#866 of 2991 re: my 2000 Ranger (vibration problems) by p100

Jun 16, 2004 (9:34 am)

Michelin LTX M/S are probably the best truck/SUV tires you can buy. I had a set on my 95 Nissan and they lasted over 75K miles while delivering a nice smooth ride (when properly balanced of course). I would like to point out that one source of annoying vibration on your truck could be a bad driveshaft support bearing, which is encased in rubber. If the rubber sleeve gets damaged or torn, the driveshaft will move up and down and vibrate. This happened to my 95 Nissan truck but I found it rather quickly. This is a common problem on Nissans. The bearing itself was not damaged, only the rubber sleeve was torn. Something worth checking on your truck.

#867 of 2991 p100 by frieberg44

Jun 18, 2004 (7:37 am)

Thanks for your response, but there IS no support bearing on the one piece aluminum driveshaft (Ironically, this driveshaft was installed via a TSB that addressed issues of "thump, clunk, lash and vibration". It worked for a few thousand miles...back again. I am ready to get rid of the truck. One simply reaches a point where enough is enough. I'll get killed on depreciation (Rangers don't do well in that area !), but such is life. My mistake in buying it in the ifrst place. Four wheel drive Rangers, with the pushrod 4.0 liter, are "shakers". It seems to be an inherent characteristic of the truck (the old Explorer type "aftervibration"). So, if you test drive any used ones, MAKE SURE you get it out on the highway for a period of time to monitor the shakes; be forwarned.

#868 of 2991 driveshaft woes/solution by brucelinc

Jun 21, 2004 (5:51 am)

I, too, had the new aluminum shaft installed on my '01 Ranger while it was under warranty. About a year later, the symptoms returned. It was out of warranty so I took the driveshaft out myself and coated the splines with the Ford recommended teflon grease. That completely eliminated the problem. I am not saying that is a permanent "fix." It may need greased again every year or two, but at least that problem is fixable. Otherwise, my Ranger has been flawless.

#869 of 2991 High mounted brake light by footpounds

Jun 26, 2004 (9:01 am)

For all of you Ford Ranger owners, here is an observation I've made but haven't seen addressed here. Probably 90% of the Rangers I see on the road have an inoperable high mounted brake light. Maybe you guys are unaware of it but have someone step on the brakes and go take a look. Chances are, YOURS is not working! It has become a pasttime of mine while driving now. I see a Ranger and tell my wife, "watch, his brake light will not work when he comes to that redlight". I am usually right.

#870 of 2991 question by justin

Jun 28, 2004 (1:46 pm)

i read about transmission problems on this board. but it seems that is related to V6 models.
 
for 2004, are the 4 cyl/5 speed auto troublesome? looking at basic trucks, 4 cylinders with automatics. are the Ranger/Mazdas really that much worse than a Tacoma base model?

#871 of 2991 JUST NOTICED...FOOTPOUNDS IS RIGHT! by edwardn1

Jul 01, 2004 (12:31 am)

...THAT MOST RANGERS I SEE ALSO HAVE INOP HIGH MOUNT STOP LIGHTS INCLUDING MY 99. I will replace the bulb(s) but I noticed ford says to use a #906 in the owners manual and all the aftermarket sources recommend a #912 (sylvania and ge) Any idea as to which should be better or last longer?

#872 of 2991 frieberg44: Sorry about your continuing problems by rickc5

Jul 14, 2004 (6:38 pm)

My 2002 Ranger XLT is now about 2.5 years old, with just a hair over 30K miles on it. So far, only one trip to the dealer for a new sensor of some sort, as the check engine light came on.
 
No vibration, no poor tracking, etc. However, I do have a persisting rattle in the drivers door that "can't be reproduced". Yeah, sure.
 
Not a bad truck, but it is starting to squeak, groan & rattle more than I like, and I don't drive it hard.
 
I had an opportunity to drive the F150, Tundra & Titan (& Chevy & Dodge) back-to-back about 6 months ago a part of a consumer survey. The Titan came up #1 in my book, with the Tundra waaayy back on my list. The Tundra just felt dated & slow. Slower than any of the others. The F150 was my #2 pick, but the Titan was really a hot rod, with a great ride and a comfortable interior. Affordable too. Good luck with whatever new truck you decide on. You need some.

#873 of 2991 Manual Transmissions by youwho

Jul 15, 2004 (5:15 pm)

I see a great price on a Ranger 4 by with manual tranny. I seem to recollect that there are some problems with both the 4-by and the manual. Does anyone recall specifics of these problems? I think the ball joints are the issue with the four by's, not sure what the tranny issue was.

#874 of 2991 third brake light by clintonjohn

Jul 17, 2004 (10:51 pm)

after reading the post, i checked mine, and sure enough it was out. i bought the ge 912, which the little computer at walmart indicated. i don't know about its longevity, but it fit, and fixed the problem-old bulb was burned out.

Messages Page 88 of 300

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