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Older Rangers aren't quite as out of date compared to competitors of similar age.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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  Great truck - 2003 Ford Ranger
  By SteelCandy - January 25 - 11:46 am

  I have driven many trucks in all sizes and the 2003 Ranger Supercab XLT is one of the best small trucks I have been in. When I had it in for tires, oil change and inspection, they gave me a loaner truck, a Nissan Frontier. It was a few years newer and had 80,000 less miles on it, but I still thought my old Ranger was so much better that I drove back to the dealer and waited for mine. Only 2 small trucks I have driven have come close to my 2003 Ranger, the 1st was almost as good and was my 94 Ranger. The other was a 2002 S10. None of the import trucks I have been in have been anywhere near as good.

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  I show mine in car shows - 2006 Ford Ranger
  By ghost ranger - January 24 - 3:49 pm

  I love my truck I have been showing in car shows for three years. It is fun to drive and runs good.I think that Ford is wrong for stopping production on them. I have had six new cars since 1999. This is the only one I would buy over again but I cant because there not going to make it anymore. I am sure I am not the only one.

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  Old Dog, New Tricks - 2008 Ford Ranger
  By brettsgirl - January 22 - 6:52 pm

  There seems to be a lot of poor reviews out there for this aging little truck. My questions may be: What is the best selling compact pickup ever? What is the most "bang for the buck" that you can get out of a compact pickup? Believe me when I say that Ford Motor company is not without its reasons for keeping this little truck around. Money, and lots of it! I love my brawny little workhorse! After driving some of the competitors overpirced products, I found myself with Ford again. People complain about the ride: well, it is actually a truck, not a thimbly little car, with a box, and cab! I can go places with my untouched Ranger that most big trucks wouldnt dare!

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  Ford Ranger XLT LB 4WD - 2004 Ford Ranger
  By Dale Gould - January 21 - 2:00 am

  I really like this truck I have owned it for ver a year, I cant find anyting really wrong with it. To pick it apart I would recomand anyone to buy the 4.0 it gets the same gas milage as the 3.0, I would also add an extra 2 inches of leg room. However I have been very saticfied and it had convinced me that my next purchase will be a F 150

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  Awesome Vehicle! - 2006 Ford Ranger
  By aj - January 20 - 8:38 pm

  This is a wonderful truck. The 4X4 system works great. Great gas mileage. we had a 2003 Mazda B3000 prior to purchacing this truck. The Mazda had a 3.0L V6 and the Ford has a 4.0L V6, so we were expecting to lose some gas milage, but no we did not. The Ford is just as easy on gas as the Mazda was. The 4.0L V6 has lots and lots and lots of power. The air conditioner works great.

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  How I out smartad the Mother Nature - 2002 Ford Ranger
  By Kay Jay - January 19 - 10:00 am

  I owned a 97 ranger (2wd) and it was a great car.So I Sold my old Ranger to my boss and pechased a new one ,well I love it. It gose through snow ,rain,mud, gravle and ice greatly and fast.

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  Solid compact truck - 2009 Ford Ranger
  By nick - January 19 - 12:13 am

  Have put 600 miles on the truck after purchasing new. So far, very satisfied with purchase. Put to work on day 1, but only light duty hauling. Build quality, road manners, handling, and road noise all better than one might expect for this basic truck. Fuel efficiency has been on target to EPA estimates with mostly normal driving. I rated performance very high - but not based on unladen driving. Power is not "excellent" but instead basically as good as expected. However, power under load is excellent - with 1/2 ton of lumber and other materials driving manners (handling, clutch performance, braking) did not significantly decrease and power was great. Will update once Ive put more miles on it

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  My second Ranger - 1999 Ford Ranger
  By Robert - January 14 - 5:58 pm

  Just bought this used truck, a 1999 Ford Ranger, having looked around at most other brands. I liked the size and build quality of the Rangers. This truck was very clean with low mileage and quite appealing to look at. However the 3.0 with auto trans is no performer and fuel consumption seems quite high so far. However I didnt buy it for performance and it suits my needs very well. Having read many reports on compact trucks I liked the Rangers score the best.

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  OK, but I got a Lemon - 2008 Ford Ranger
  By Zolar1 - January 12 - 5:08 pm

  I barely get 14-15MPG in the city in the wintertime. Summertime, I can scrape the 18MPG if the A/C isnt on. I have never got anything above 20.5 MPG. I drive with a very very light foot. If I can get 24MPG out of a 4.3L 6cyl GMC pickup, I should be able to do the same with this truck. Vehicle keeps getting leaves in the ductwork, Seriously lacks power, and the A/C is on when you use any setting other than off or vent. Dealer claims it was designed that way. Vehicle still missing a flap in the drivers side fender well. Dealer says its not supposed to have one. Vehicle has peeling painted masking tape on support in front of the radiator.

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  Never again - 2006 Ford Ranger
  By Pat - January 10 - 2:28 pm

  Bought my truck used 1 year ago with 12,000 miles on it. Just got back from my 5th visit to the dealer to have it repaired. Once for 4X4 transfer switch breaking, 3 times for transmission leak, and once for blown shock (the truck hauls air and has never pulled a trailer) and a clogged fuel filter. All with less than 24,000 miles. Oh, I have to go back next week to have the shock installed. The dealer had to order it. Whats sad is that I really like the style and size of the truck. Its perfect for my needs, but Im not going to have it spend as much time in my garage as it does as the dealers.