Faults:

Replaced the engine three times, and one rebuilt set of cylinder heads.

Rebuilt the alternator 4 times.

Replaced the fuel pump.

Rebuilt passenger side power window motor.

Replaced headlight assembly due to the mirror coating deteriorating.

Replaced upper and lower ball joints after 400000km, and they were the maintenance free factory originals.

Replaced the tie rods at 250000km.

General Comments:

A real work horse and daily driver. Ford should be proud. Everything still works, and it still drives like a new truck.

Faults:

Replaced brakes.

Power Steering pump at 89,000.

Water pump at 110,000.

Drivers seat worn on the outer portion from sliding across it.

General Comments:

I own a 1990 Ranger XLT Super cab 4X4. I bought it new and have had great luck with it ever since. I’ve tinkered with it over the years and got the gas mileage up to about 21 mpg on the highway.

I keep it in excellent shape and plan on keeping it forever. The only problem is there are not too many people talking about performance enhancements. Hope the reliability continues. I have a new Explorer, but many days I prefer to drive the Ranger. It drives that good.

Faults:

The 4 wheel drive hubs went out at 97000 miles.

After fixing the 4 wheel drive hubs the front axle snapped. (150 miles after replacing the hubs)

Motor always had a ticking sound when started cold.

The master cylinder for the brakes went out at 106000.

Back brakes went out at the same time as the master cylinder.

The rear axle went out at 106000.

General Comments:

It's a great little truck that never got stuck or broke down in the middle of nowhere. It gets about 22 miles a gallon. Its the funnest little truck to drive when its working. it still starts up every time even in -10 bellow 0.

Faults:

I was told that the engine was replaced when the truck had 287000 miles.

Transmissions 3rd gear gets kind of sloppy, but what do you expect after 526000 miles on it.

The engines valve cover gaskets tend to leak on the exhaust manifold making a bad smell. I have been told that the 2.9L valve cover gaskets were designed too close to the ehxaust and wear out fast. Go with rubber gaskets if you replace them. They last much longer.

Seats sag to the side making back pain.

Electrical system had problems in cold (I live in Minnesota where cold is not good for cars).

For being such a small engine I would expect better gas mileage from it. Right now it get 18/20mpg and was hoping for 20/25.

General Comments:

My uncle gave me this car from his NAPA auto-parts store. It was a dilivery truck and thankgoodness he didn't put the big hat on the top. It made a good highschool car for me to drive back and forth.

So if people are wondering if I said that right, yes it has 526000 miles. The Napa store took really good care of it and whatever part it needed it was put in. However the person driving the truck wanted something bigger and so then it was passed to me.

It didn't have a lot of the problems that I mentioned up there when I first got it, except 3rd gear and the seat. The reason that stuff is breaking now is because I haven't been keeping up with the mantenince.

In Minnesota I would say that having the manual transmission is kind of dangerous with the truck unless you are experienced driver. My brothers took it out in the winter and had it spun around on them when they shifted gears on the highway. The one wheel spins in back and you loose traction.

It has been a handy truck to drive. It is small and fuel efficient compared to a full size truck. When you don't want to deal with a big full size truck, but still want something useful to carry stuff, this little truck is perfect.

The cab is kind of small and don't recommend having over two people in it unless it is the extended cab.

If you are the type who like to fix things yourself, the engine bay is really tight and hard to work in. It is Manageable to the experienced mechanic.