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Older Rangers aren't quite as out of date compared to competitors of similar age.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:

• 

  Fun - 2007 Ford Ranger
  By Matt - June 11 - 11:00 pm

  Ill be completely honest here! I have a bare bones 2007 ford Ranger no AC, no CD, no tilt, no power anything, and 5 speed. I love it! I commuted about 50-60 km a day each way so roughly 100- 120 a day km and I still only fuel up about every 5-6 days! Im not talking babying it down the road, Im talking about putting my foot down and opening it up.I do my regular oil changes and tire rotation and one year and about 25,000 kms later is has yet to fail me! Again Ill be honest, you want power and size in a small truck? Get a Dakota. If you want reliablity and wicked MPG definitely get a Ranger.

• 

  I Love It! - 2002 Ford Ranger
  By Valenzuela - June 9 - 9:16 am

  Replaced my aging Toyota of 20 years with this new Ranger. Would have bought another Toyota but the local dealership was HORRIBLE. Had an excellent buying experience with Phil Long Ford. Told them the TMV price I was willing to pay, and there was no hassles. Truck is excellent. Decent power, with a good ride. I will have to take it in for minor warranty with the rear doors, as they seem to be picky in closing securely, especially when it is extremely cold. I plan on staying with Ford.

• 

  01 Ranger - 2001 Ford Ranger
  By Juszkiewicz - June 8 - 10:01 am

  Purchased used as a daily driver for a migrant hi-tech worker. Reliable as rain in Seattle winter. Pushing 78-80K by end of 2008. No unscheduled repairs, 17.3 mpg overall in mixed driving in Chiago area including many winter days in 4x4 High Mode. Highway mileage > 21 MPG. Comfortable cab, roomy for 2 with extened cab for vacation drives. Definitely purchase another. Recommend to others. Not a sophisticated vehicle by any means but reliabale and robust.

• 

  Great Truck! - 2002 Ford Ranger
  By Jack - June 7 - 10:00 pm

  I have had this truck for 5 years and have had no problems. Runs great. The mileage could be better, but isnt bad considering the 4.0l motor.

• 

  My Ranger - 2000 Ford Ranger
  By SB - May 26 - 11:41 am

  This is my 2nd Ranger. I have 150000 miles and going strong. The only repairs I have done is emissons, clutch, and brakes. I pull a 2000 pound trailer over the pass 10 times a year. I run this truck hard and it just keeps taking it. This is built Ford tough.

• 

  Great truck - 2006 Ford Ranger
  By ed - May 25 - 5:52 am

  I bought this truck used, and so far I love it. It drives great, I get 21.7 mpg so far. Just look around and you can see all the rangers still on the road. Im a tall guy and can stretch out all the way. This one is loaded with everything so complaints.

• 

  Ill drive it until the wheels fall off. - 1993 Ford Ranger
  By Susan - May 24 - 2:34 pm

  I bought this truck brand new nearly 15 years ago and put every mile on it myself. It will turn to 00000 again for the 2nd time soon. Ive only had to do regular maintenance with one or two rare exceptions over the last 15 years. This is an amazing little truck & still looks great. My car guy tells me I should easily get another 5 years out of it, if not more. Mileage is what they are advertising for "fuel efficient" trucks & SUVs right now. My sister keeps trying to get me to buy a new car so my young niece can have this truck. That says it all.

• 

  Ford Ranger Pickup 2001 - 2001 Ford Ranger
  By Xavier - May 23 - 8:02 pm

  I bought my Ranger new in July 01 and have enjoyed putting 125k on it. some of the repairs I incured were a broken valve stem, transmition work 2X, broken drive shaft parts 2X, front ball goint, 2 batterys. As of now I have replaced the lights in the dash and repainted the grille to its original dark black color. I dont know what to do with my seet, Over time the arm rest broke and the fabric is cracking and terring, dispite the problems the engine runs very smooth and the AC is bitter cold on hot Texas summer days. I am so happy with the styling, I never get tyerd of looking at it. The paint is shiny amd their are no cracks in the rubber or plastic.

• 

  Great truck, keeps on going - 1994 Ford Ranger
  By Bill - May 22 - 12:10 pm

  I bought this truck new in 94 and I used it every day for 10 years until I got a family minivan. I have towed concrete mixers, hauled scrap and lumber, use it weekly to carry stuff to the dump. I carried the kids in the extended cab (when they were little, not a lot of room there.) The truck never let me down and today I still have it (though its semi-retired)and use it 3-4 times a month to go to the dump. It has 167,000 miles on it and now my daughter just got her lisense and she drives it daily to school and about. It still gets 22+MPG. Never did more than routine maint and replaced the clutch 2x. What a great investment in 1994!

• 

  Good truck - 1991 Ford Ranger
  By rangerman - May 20 - 5:07 pm

  I was very fortunate to get this truck from my friend that was the original owner. It was garage kept and drove only in the city. The XLT package is nice and mine has two-tone paint (light blue top/ light gray bottom).