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Older Rangers aren't quite as out of date compared to competitors of similar age.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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  Drove my truck for 12 years, now it needs a clutch - 2002 Ford Ranger
  By 4wdona2wd - July 10 - 6:09 am

  My truck had not been in a shop for mechanical repairs till this year, it is 12 years old, it has over 150,000 miles. Took it to the shop, to get a clutch, and the mechanic said it didnt give him any trouble, however, it is starting to jam when I am shifting gears, so I will have to take it back. It has been on dirt mountain roads where only 4wd jeeps were spotted, and it has seen a lot of beautiful country all along the Blue Ridge, Smokies, and other great mountain terrain. This is one of the best vehicles I have ever owned.. If not the best.

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  Rangers...they run, no matter how ugly it gets. - 1990 Ford Ranger
  By stevec81 - June 19 - 4:16 am

  I bought this Ranger as an used vehicle in 2003 since then Ive put just under 100,000 miles on it. Its a XLT regular cab with a long bed and the 4.0 V6/automatic. While not necessarily in the market for a truck, I needed a vehicle to drive, and it was the right price. For the most part, it is true that these things last forever and that these things are hard to kill. However, unless they are taken care of better than perfectly, they have a tendency to attract dents and rust like a magnet.

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  Am I the only negative review? - 2000 Ford Ranger
  By jetsfever01 - May 14 - 9:52 pm

  With four star reviews across the board, what was the reason not to buy the truck? Oh wait, I forgot to read the reviews were based on people who had less than 80,000 miles on the stupid thing. WARNING TO BUYER! IF OVER 120,000 miles, your wallet is in for a treat! i ended up purchasing this thing for 5,000 back in may 2011 with 134,000 miles. (thought it was a good buy, right?) After barely 3 years of service in May 2014 and 173,xxx as the final tick on the odometer, Im on to another car. Ive spent 4,700 in misc. repairs the last three years thinking money well spent. The head gasket has just went and refuse to pay more for what I paid for. just remember: under 120,000 good, over = bad

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  Good choice for first truck - 2001 Ford Ranger
  By fluffy500 - March 26 - 8:55 am

  I bought an 01 Ranger 3.0 XLT 2wd and love it. After I bought it, I let my dad drive it to Springfield from Tulsa, and he floored it the whole way- blowing the head gasket, radiator, and water pump... so dont drive it like a race car. But after replacing the motor, cooling system, and other things, it runs like a dream. I put a lot of performance parts in the engine when I had to replace it, chipped it and put dual straights on it with glasspacks and this improves the mileage 22city 37 highway!. The only problem is the delayed shifting in the aut trans. Looking for a new one that can handle the added torque and power. What kind of trans should I install? Im thinkin an F150 trans...

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  not a good truck to own - 1999 Ford Ranger
  By truck_man1 - March 14 - 11:01 pm

  I had a 99 ford ranger 4.0 liter and they are such gas hogs and the breakes they put on were not good at all and dont want another ranger at all

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  150K+ miles and It was WONDERFUL! - 1999 Ford Ranger
  By buldog60 - November 21 - 9:47 am

  I got my 99 Ranger with 11K miles on it. I drove it till it was totaled with ~150,000 miles on it. I was ever so sad to loose my truck. It was fun to drive, got decent enough gas mileage, was super reliable. It never had a hard time starting, AC was still ice cold, and never had anything more than oil changes done to it. It is also VERY safe. My mom and 2 year old niece were in the truck when it was totaled, it slid over 200 on the roof after a tire blew on the HWY. Both my mom and niece walked away with out injury. If you are considering a Ranger, GET IT! You will not be disappointed.

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  Amazing Truck, Why Ford stopped making them for Americans I dont know... - 1993 Ford Ranger
  By countrydriven - October 8 - 1:40 am

  I purchased this vehicle as my 1st the summer of last year. The truck itself is truly one of a kind (rare with 4x4, automatic, flare-side & 3.0) and I was really amazed when it popped up at a dealer a mile from home. Initially there were a host of issues but Fords engineering made the problems easy to fix. The previous owner had installed the rear shoes out of order causing the truck to not have rear brakes or emergency brakes. This also warped the front brakes in the process. Because of these issues I was able to haggle the truck down to 3200$. The brake job cost me 80$ for everything via rockauto and a tune up was another 80$ too. Truck has 220k miles, on org. Eng&trans w/10k on tune/brak

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  Never getting rid of it!!! - 2001 Ford Ranger
  By xelaciraptor - August 22 - 11:43 pm

  I bought this Ranger two and a half years ago with 146000 miles on it. Now it has 162000 miles on it and it still hasnt had any major or even moderate problems its entire life. The acceleration on the vehicle is outstanding with the 4.0L and it feels like I have a V8. The only lacking thing on the vehicle is the lack of room for people in the back and also the comfort of the back seats.

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  One of the best vehicles we have ever owned. - 2002 Ford Ranger
  By jammerx1 - August 2 - 5:23 pm

  Purchased new in 2002, for about $12k. Currently has 130k miles on it. Outside of tires, brakes, a clutch ( taught a teenage girl how to drive a stick ) plugs and a heater control valve, this has been a great vehicle. The best vehicle we have ever owned. I used it to commute, then my wife used it to commute, then we gave it to our teenage daughter. My daughter has hit or been hit more than once and it keeps trucking. Drove home this past weekend with coolant steaming all over. Dad somethings wrong with my truck. A new 17 dollar HCV and out she went. Admittedly she beats the crap out of it, but it has made thru highschool and 1/2 thru college. A really great truck.

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  just wow for a small truck ford ranger 4x4 sport automatic - 2009 Ford Ranger
  By onthebrook - July 28 - 2:40 pm

  well i went to buy a small chevy S10 pickup truck at the time i was looking i passed a local used care dealer .. on the lot was a 2009 ford ranger 4x4 sport so i desided to buy ... i could not be more happy with the truck she pulls a lot of fire wood i put the truck in over cut overs where some people wont even put there 4x4 atvs ... i put a cap on the truck and i must say i have had the truck packed full of green fire wood ... the truck has been in the rough spots and proven to be a work hourse .... i say go for a for ranger if looking for a small truck with big guts ....