1988 Ford Ranger XLT 2.9

Summary:

It’s a beast of a truck and there isn’t anything like it

Faults:

I’ve had a few issues with the vehicle, all very minor and fixed within a week of happening.

I’ve replaced the radiator when I first got it and had to replace a ground to the battery and a few other things.

General Comments:

I’ve had it for over 3 years now and it’s always gotten me where I need to go on the dirt or on the road. I lived out of mine for close to a year and it broke down on me in the desert a couple of times, but I was always able to get it going again within 30 minutes and it never happened twice the same day.

It’s gotten me up some of the steepest hills I’ve ever seen, and I love the truck 100%; will never sell it, it’s easy to work on and the thing just won’t stop running. I’ve jumped it, I’ve sunk it down till the windshield was half way under water and got through every last obstacle.

I could recommend this truck to anyone looking to get around the toughest places; it’s a skinny truck with a lot of off-road power

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 25th October, 2019

26th Oct 2019, 13:52

You drove this truck through water halfway up the windshield?

Yeah, that's believable alright, even if you had a snorkel, which is unlikely.

10th Jun 2021, 02:43

I picked up my 1988 Ranger about a year ago; still has the 2.9 5 speed manual in it for now. Has 9 inches total suspension lift, 35×12.50×16s Dana 44 front/rear with 4.56 gears, regular cab long bed. It takes all of my abuse; I just hauled a Honda Fit using my buddy's car trailer the other day to help out my other buddy who's Honda just gave up on life and it did just fine. It takes all the overland abuse I throw at it...

However whenever that rebuilt 2.9 gives up on its life, she's getting a 3.9L 4bt Cummins swap build that to get 200hp 500tq with a 5 speed... she'll be real nice then... In the works of fully restoring this rig, making an all-purpose overland rig out of it and I can't wait to get the finished product... As of right now it's my daily driver so I can't complain. Gets good gas mileage even with the lift and tires... Only issue I have as of now is the driver's floor pan is rusting through, but I'm getting that fixed here in the next week or two. Being my size it doesn't have the most room by any means, but it's not the worst. I'm 6ft 5 300lbs so definitely not a little guy.

In reply to 26th Oct 2019, 13:52

7th Feb 2023, 04:17

I've put a 2008 F450 through a flood over the hood and it handled it like a boss. Ford knows what's good.

1988 Ford Ranger XLT 2.9L

Summary:

This one's lasted almost 30 years; treat it right and it'll love you back

Faults:

Brakes, clutch, muffler, starter, alternator, water pump, rear main seal, timing chain cover seal, power steering pump, electrical wire in dash, EGI valve, throttle cable, rear view mirror (passenger/driver's side), replaced several feet of corroded brake lines, brake booster, fuel pressure regulator, and valve cover seals.

General Comments:

Great truck. I've held on to it, learned how to work on vehicles, bought really nice tools to do the work.

It has consistently given me around 23.5 MPG. Only burns about 1qt of oil every 6000 miles. Everything major is still original. Although it's sadly losing the battle to rust and corrosion, the interior vinyl and cloth look amazingly good considering it's always been parked outside in the heat and sun.

At this point I'm expecting it will lose the battle to rust before it mechanically fails.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Don't Know

Review Date: 17th September, 2017

1988 Ford Ranger XLT 4x4 2.9 V6

Summary:

The most reliable truck for the money ever built

Faults:

I've wanted a Ranger since I was a kid. I found mine for cheap, and I don't baby it at all.

I've had to replace valve cover gaskets, water pump, plugs, wires, distributor cap, and do a basic service.

The master cylinder blew its seal; that sucked, but beyond that this truck has been reliable and has gotten me through some tough spots, mostly at the mud holes. There's no greater feeling in the world than crawling through a mud pit after watching lifted Jeeps getting stuck.

I love my Ranger. These things were built like tanks.

The only other issue I have is the tank selector valve is 350 bucks, and you can only get it from Ford. Besides that, it's a beast.

General Comments:

I'm a larger guy, so the cab could be bigger, but it's not too bad for space.

Once again, it's a beast, and I've had very minor issues with it, and I beat the hell out of mine.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 16th April, 2013

22nd Jun 2013, 00:37

I 100% agree with this. My Ranger has the same engine, but is only rear wheel drive, but I beat the hell out of it over and over again. For example, I drove it through a canyon with up to 12% uphill grades for 135 miles with a bad oil pan gasket, 2 exhaust leaks and a transmission in very bad need of a power flush, and it made it no problem.