Faults:

The heads cracked at 98,000 miles. After much inquiry and research, I found out that this is a common problem with Rangers/Broncos around this year, and that there are aftermarket heads available with thicker castings. I located a set from a company in northern West Virginia and bought them for around $480, and had them installed for around $400. There are noticeable differences in the mating surfaces of the heads that make it easy to verify that you have the thicker castings. Engine has ran fine ever since.

I just noticed that after a hard rain there was a good bit of water in the driver floorboard. After removing the window trim, using a small blade screwdriver to lever the molding away from the mounting clips, I noticed that the seam sealer had cracked and the cab seams were letting water in. I was glad the front glass didn't need removing. By the way, this is not covered under comprehensive insurance claims. I went to O'Reilly Auto Parts and purchased a $9 tube of seam sealer and ran a bead down the drip rail and fingered it into the upper corner of the windshield opening, smoothing all with a fingertip. Also filled the seams that run from the drip rails back to the rear window.

General Comments:

Interestingly, both power window motors and passenger door lock actuator quit within 3 weeks of each other. I can live with that since they are all 22 years old. I am replacing the drivers window motor this weekend.

The 4x4 still works great and the interior is in good shape except for the dash pad in one small place.

I paint it every five years or so and have no rust and no wrecks.

Faults:

Tail lights and signals went out a couple times.

Seats have started to wear.

Muffler rusted out.

General Comments:

I love my Ranger, it's the best thing that I could've stumbled upon.

It's been the most reliable vehicle I've ever come across. That little truck took everything I threw at it and asked for more!

I am currently buying another one, just 4x4 and V6, and not an in-line 4.

I had some small electrical gremlins at first, but after a bit they stopped. Unfortunately the transmission didn't last as long, and my engine and decided to break catastrophically. But I plan on putting another 5-speed in it.

Faults:

Everything. I'll try and list everything I can remember:

- V-6 burned more than a quart of oil a week

- Transmission was hard to get into any gear at all, and loved to pop out of gear over bumps

- Rear differential seized up TWICE

- I replaced every single sensor under the hood; each went bad one at a time

- The truck started in one try about half the time, then would overheat the other half of the time

- Windshield leaked right into my lap every time it rained

- Throwout bearing in clutch assembly squealed all the time

- Clutch slipped and went bad completely

- THREE out of 4 wheels needed wheel bearings replaced during the time I owned this nightmare of a truck

- Emergency brake and hood release stuck in cold weather

- Factory radio worked great, but only if it wasn't raining, then, it didn't work at all

- Manual lock-in hubs for 4 wheel drive never worked right unless I moved the truck back and forth

- Fuel system always clogged up, despite using fuel additives to clean it

- Tailgate fell open occasionally

- I'm sure I'm forgetting some things, but I'm tired of listing this stuff

General Comments:

This Ford piece of junk is a prime example of why they are nearly out of business today. I was 18 and a little naive when I bought this pile of junk. It even failed to start when I tried to test drive it; I should have walked away right then. Actually, I would have been further ahead to have bought either a bicycle, or a good pair of running shoes, because I walked home, or some of the way home, at least 6 or 7 times in a couple of years.

Finally, I wrecked this truck, which was the best thing that could have happened to it. A blessing in disguise. I bought a Toyota truck that same year, and have never had ONE thing go wrong. I wouldn't buy a Ford if they dropped the price of everything they make to $10 per vehicle, which is still more than they're worth.