Overview & Reviews

They say that in the event of Armageddon, the only thing to survive will be cockroaches. Well, there's a good chance you'd see some old Ford Rangers cruising around, too. This compact pickup truck soldiered on with relatively few revisions for nearly three decades. Of course, there were styling and interior overhauls over the decades, but the platform and most mechanicals underneath it all were practically Jurassic. Even those styling and interior updates dated back to the 1990s.

Older Rangers aren't quite as out of date compared to competitors of similar age. And given its wide choice of trim styles and lower pricing than comparable Japanese rivals, a well-maintained late-model Ford Ranger could be a good choice for a used pickup, provided you don't need a lot of passenger capacity or horsepower. But if you're looking for a relatively new used compact or midsize pickup, the Ford Ranger pales in comparison to other trucks with their more powerful engines, roomier crew-cab body styles and greater overall refinement.

Used Ford Ranger Models
The most recent generation of the Ford Ranger was produced from 2001 through 2011 and typically came in four different flavors: XL, XLT, Sport, and the off-road-oriented FX4. Depending on the year, there were also the monochromatic Edge, sporty STX and sound system-centered Tremor. Only standard and extended cab body styles were offered, as there was still no crew cab version.

Engine selection consisted of a 2.3-liter four-cylinder, a 3.0-liter V6 (until 2009) and a 4.0-liter V6. Output of the smaller engines varied slightly depending on year, with the 2.3 making 135-143 horsepower and the 3.0 making 148-154 hp. The 4.0 made 207 hp. Transmission choices included a five-speed manual and a five-speed automatic for all engines, though initially the 4.0-liter V6 came only with the automatic.

Although nimble on- and off-road due to its true compact size, even this latest version of the Ranger was seriously dated in terms of features and available body styles. While its midsize rivals offered roomy crew-cab (four-door) models, more modern features and much more powerful V6 engines, the Ranger made do with standard and extended-cab configurations only, and relatively low-tech power plants.

The second generation of the Ranger ran from 1993 through 2000. Styling was less blocky than the first-gen truck and the cabin was likewise updated with less angular forms. Standard and extended cab body styles were offered, but they were joined by a stylish, flareside bed version dubbed the Splash. Under the hood was the expected choice of a four- or six-cylinder engine. Notable changes throughout this generation are the availability of four-wheel antilock brakes in 1995, a five-speed automatic transmission (versus four-speed) for V6 models in '97 and freshened styling for '98.

Introduced for 1983, the Ford Ranger started life as a standard-cab, four-cylinder compact pickup truck with a choice of two bed lengths. The mid-'80s saw the introduction of the extended-cab body style known as the "SuperCab," which offered jump seats that were best left to kids. The Ranger continued through the early '90s with minor upgrades to the powertrains and small cosmetic changes.

User Reviews:

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  love it - 2002 Ford Ranger
  By AbyssmalPlain - March 30 - 10:00 am

  i bought my ranger in late august. i got it with about $2,100 in options (hard bed cover w/ bed liner, 4.10 rear diff., sport seats, running boards, power everything). its awesome. im always at the beach with it i love it. i would highly recommend it to someone

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  ford - 1992 Ford Ranger
  By ronald - March 29 - 2:00 am

  love my ranger

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  Fords New SUX - 1998 Ford Ranger
  By storm - March 26 - 2:00 am

  This is the last Ranger I will ever buy mine has been in the shop more times than I care to remember, there has been numerous problems with the transmission and drive line but Ford refuses to fix the problem even going so far as to say it is not a problem that it is supposed to act that way, I have changed u-joints in it every 6 months, and the value of the truck is dropping so fast there is no way to get back what you have invested in the thing

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  98 Ford Ranger XLT Stepside 4X2 - 1998 Ford Ranger
  By JasMan1249 - March 25 - 2:00 am

  A great running vehicle. I drive it into the mountians 4 times a week and has not given me any mechanical problems. Dealership repair/service is terrible and overpriced.

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  a good buy 4 a small truck - 2000 Ford Ranger
  By paulh - March 25 - 2:00 am

  When I retired I was looking for a small truck to use for house hold errands and light hauling (mulch,hobby equip. etc) I wanted to get good milage and a comfortable cab ride ( I didnt want to feel I was crammed inside a small compartment) and with this truck I got all i wished for. I like the utility the long wheelbase offers me without a big fuel bill. 22mpg avg.

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  I wont get another - 1998 Ford Ranger
  By Jo - March 24 - 2:00 am

  We bought the truck used from a local dealer, it only had 24,000 miles on it when we purchased it. Since about a week after we bought it we have had problems with the idle, it idles very high when you put in the clutch. I cant even remember how many times it was in the shop, and it still is not fixed. We are currently having problems with the electrical (dome lights staying on), and the newest problem with it is the brake lights dont work. Im looking to get rid of it, and I wont be buying another.

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  Best buy for the money - 2003 Ford Ranger
  By MyFirstFord - March 23 - 2:00 am

  I have only had this truck 3 months, but I have put almost 10Kmiles on it already, and no problems. I was looking for some cheap transportation, and I needed a truck. I got a good deal on a brand new Base Ranger XL (no options) for $8,890. For what I paid for this truck, it has so far out performed all my expectations. Great gas mileage with the 4cylinder, not fast, but goes pretty good. I really have nothing bad to say yet. If I had paid $20K for this truck I would be a little upset, but I would say this is the best Bang for the buck I could have gotten as long as I dont have future problems down the line.

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  Fantastic Truck - Sad Former Owner - 1993 Ford Ranger
  By Mayhem - March 15 - 8:47 pm

  This review is actually a post ownership review. I owned my Ranger from 1993 to 2000 (87,000 miles), and I must say that it was the best vehicle Ive owned to date. The only reason I parted ways with it was because of the birth of my first child, and we needed a more practical second vehicle. I cant say enough about this truck. All that it requires from you as an owner is routine maintenance. I put my truck through nearly every imaginable combination of use and weather and it never once failed me. Never needed a major repair... actually it never needed a repair of any kind, just replacement of wear and tear parts like brakes. I miss this truck.

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  Great truck, bad gas mileage - 1996 Ford Ranger
  By Johnny - March 15 - 1:03 am

  I love this truck. Its my first vehicle, and I find that it has fantastic performance (mild during regular use and aggressive in those "stoplight excursions" with other cars), decent stereo, good ride, looks awesome, s like it, and its never broken down. only thing that i dont like is the cupholders. big aftermarket for lowrider or off-road markets. i love this truck, it does everything i want it to and more.

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  Good vehicle - 1998 Ford Ranger
  By monkeyman - March 14 - 8:42 pm

  This was my first vehicle (I bought it in grad school) Its been very dependable!