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Older Rangers aren't quite as out of date compared to competitors of similar age.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

• 

  Awesome Truck! - 2002 Ford Ranger
  By Eric - March 31 - 7:51 pm

  I bought this truck about a year ago and I love it. It has the 4.0 liter sohc V6 engine which has plenty of power and is very reliable (except the alternator goes a little wacky sometimes - the plug going to the voltage regulator goes bad sometimes). But I still wish Ford would make the 4.6 liter v8 available for the Ranger.

• 

  Great Basic Truck - 2006 Ford Ranger
  By Chris - March 26 - 2:29 am

  My reason for buying this vehicle was the sudden death of an older vehicle and my frequent need to borrow one of my friends trucks. I was expecting a very unrefined vehicle that I could load a bunch of stuff in and get mediocre fuel economy (my other working vehicle is a diesel Jetta). This truck still in break in but gets about 34 real world mpg if driven/shifted in a manner that keeps the engine between 2k-3k rpms (torque band). Thats about 70% city driving. The power could be better but for what it is Im not complaining. I got this truck new for about $13500 with 100k extended warranty.

• 

  American vehicle thats fine by me - 2002 Ford Ranger
  By john/sun - March 23 - 7:27 am

  After having an 84 Ranger and getting over 200,000 miles on it, I went back for more. Mileage could be better getting 18-19 average. Not a SINGLE problem with this truck.

• 

  Former Ford Employee - 2006 Ford Ranger
  By Mike - March 17 - 8:57 pm

  Some minor dashboard build issues, especially the cover for the passenger airbag and the instrument panel -- only stopped getting loose via lock-tite. Seats are basic in the XLT model, but this is a small pickup sufficient though. Initially I turned the cigarette lighter thinking it was the volume, several times switched it to 4X4 high trying to increase the volume as well, took a little getting used to. Base stereo is very good, no issues with any CDs. When I worked for Ford as a Service Writer people complained that it would not play certain CDs must say Ive had no problems, even going over good sized bumps in the road -- no skipping.

• 

  Ford Ranger - 2005 Ford Ranger
  By kyler - March 17 - 11:45 am

  It is good truck but i think that it needs more power in order to compete with the Toyota Tacoma.

• 

  good crosscountry - 2004 Ford Ranger
  By adamcolorado - March 10 - 7:12 pm

  I bought this truck in Tampa Florida and drove it to Atlanta every weekend for six months, I now live in Denver, co. and have driven back to Atlanta twice. No problems yet and it towed a eight foot U-Haul loaded down along with the truck bed loaded down at 75 mph across the country no problem. It is a little sluggish at altitude from 7000ft and higher. Does really well in deep snow for a two wheel drive truck, and the heater is great!

• 

  Upset in Oregon - 1999 Ford Ranger
  By Domestic? - March 7 - 10:41 pm

  I lived in a small town with big weather. Two weeks after I purchased the truck it snowed a lot. Ive had nothing but problems with the four wheel drive since and the 5 star dealership couldnt care less. This is not the first Ford Ive ever owned but Ive had about as much luck with all. Like a lot of people I know Im going to try a Dodge and if that doesnt work out Ill begin looking in the foreign markets. I hear Toyotas doing interesting things with their 4x4s.

• 

  My Ranger - 2006 Ford Ranger
  By Doug - March 6 - 9:27 pm

  I bought my Ranger only because it was the best deal at the time. I have kind of lost the "look at me" appeal of a vehicle to the more practical side of things. I have owned just about every make of pickup on the market. Without a doubt so far my favorite has to be the one I have been driving for the last eight months. I go out of my way to compare my truck to any Toyota. Gas mileage could be better.

• 

  Great truck - 2002 Ford Ranger
  By leafsfan - March 2 - 10:00 am

  Great style, great power, great overall truck.

• 

  93 Ford Ranger - 1993 Ford Ranger
  By RShearn - February 22 - 6:27 pm

  Purchased new Nov. 1993, it has 226,000 miles on the original engine. Wished I could find a new truck as reliable. My sons have learned to drive a manual shift with this vehicle and have put many miles on it themselves. Besides tires, brakes, exhaust, starter, belts, hoses, water pump, and 3 carrier bearings - everything else is original from the factory. It doesnt use a drop of oil - changed every 3000 - 4000 miles.