Faults:

Rear wheel brake cylinder gave out at 70,000 miles.

Replaced bad vacuum lock front hubs with AVM manual hubs.

I purchased the truck with cracked heads and had the upper engine rebuilt at 71,000 miles.

Exhaust was rotted out at purchase (due to the coolant in the exhaust).

The transmission's (5r55e) valve body blew out at 78,000 miles and I had the valve body replaced. That didn't fix the problem with the slipping though so the transmission was rebuilt at 79,000 miles.

Replaced faulty front wheel ABS sensor.

General Comments:

After repairing what was originally wrong with this truck and correcting Ford's screw ups, this has been a great truck. It hasn't left me stranded once. It fires right up and keeps on going. I have probably put too much money into this truck but I love it.

It's a fun truck to drive and work on. The interior it nice and is spacey with the rear jump seat delete option.

The 4.0 V6 gets up and goes, and it's put down to the pavement well with the 8.8 limited slip rear axle.

I have been happy with this truck so far.

Faults:

The windshield wipers are strange. They will come on at random, and have, on occasion, paused when running.

The dome light hasn't worked properly for some time now. I just set the switch between positions to turn it off.

The oil pressure gauge will jump when the vehicle is at idle and in a drive gear. Maybe a sending unit? It has begun to leak a lot of oil. Oh well, it's old.

Seems to go through batteries too fast.

Has lost an alternator, but what old car hasn't.

CD player hates me.

General Comments:

This truck is the most reliable and durable vehicle I have ever owned, and I hope to have it for another hundred thousand miles.

This Ranger has gone through the most terrible abuse from my mother and wife. It has been run on 1/2 quart of oil for awhile, and it runs and runs. Not a straight bit of metal left on the body, but no rust. Galvanized bed is a miracle innovation.

Ford couldn't have made a truck more suitable for any situation or usage than this.

Faults:

The anti-lock brake sensor malfunctioned around 78,000 miles.

An oxygen sensor malfunctioned around 65,000 miles.

General Comments:

This truck was bought to hold me over for three years, but I've kept it for eight because it is extremely reliable, comfortable, and practical. After about 50,000 miles of driving it, the only thing wrong with it is a loose shift-pattern indicator on the gear shift knob.

Three other family members have purchased Ford Rangers, and none of us have had any problems with them, new or used.

The extended cab is okay for short trips, but excellent for storage. The area behind the front doors hinges out, making it easy to get into the seats or for placing groceries and tools. The extended cabs feel like they handle better on curves and over bumps as well.

Fuel mileage isn't a problem with this 6-cylinder vehicle. The truck averages 18 in city driving, and will reach 24 (sometimes 25) with highway driving.

Faults:

Dome light has never worked, door ajar light always on.

Power steering leak at ~120k.

Radiator leak at ~145k.

Auto tranny rebuilt at 155k.

Oil pressure sensor starting to go bad.

General Comments:

This has been an excellent truck. It was owned and maintained by my girlfriend since 80k. She just does the basic maintenance (oil every 5k, etc) and this damn thing just seems to keep on going. It still runs like a top, even with 160k it feels tight. I have never owned a vehicle with such a strong engine.

My dad had an '86 Toyota pickup with ~180k that still ran great but it leaked oil like CRAZY... this little ranger doesn't leak a drop of oil. It also has good power for a 4 cyl. Acceleration is crisp even with a dirt bike in the back, or a load headed toward the dump.

We have used this truck to do everything: Thousand mile trips, hauling cement, loading the dirt bikes up for a ride, moving, etc, etc... takes it all in stride! Never let us down!

The BAD:

There are 8 spark plugs and they are a pain to change! Took three hours and a lot of beer. Not easy like the Chevy (10 min job).

Oil pressure sensor is going out. I don't care it, it's just the gauge.

Power steering leak was a pesky bugger. Finally took it to the mechanic and it was just a hose (go figure).

The only MAIN problem we've had with the truck is that the tranny went out a few months ago and cost over $1000 to repair. This is probably due to my girlfriends neglect to do anything other than oil changes. But if I were in the market for a Ranger I would try to find a 5 speed.

I have always been a Chevy guy, but this truck has definitely changed my mind. Ford really engineered the hell out of this tight little truck.

Overall, can't beat the 2.5l or 2.3l Rangers. The 2.5l has good power and gets 20/25 mpg. The components all seem to be lasting very well too!