1991 Ford Ranger XLT 2WD xtra cab 4.0 OHV from North America
Summary:
Ford screwed up discontinuing the 4.0 OHV engine
Faults:
Rear end pinion bearing. Warranty repair.
Power steering pump. Had well over 200000 miles at the time.
One front brake rotor.
General Comments:
The Ranger 4.0 OHV engine is the best and most reliable engine I have ever owned. This truck was the best and most reliable vehicle I have ever owned.
Another car pulled out in front of me, and truck got totaled. Was planning on driving it to 500000 miles and have no doubts it would have made it.
In 3000 miles it would go through about 1/2 to 3/4 of a qt of oil. Didn't leak oil either. Was getting a slight oil seep at the rear main. Wouldn't leak to the ground except I drop here and there. But could tell by slight film on the under carriage that it did have a slight seep. Never any auto tranny problems. Everything worked fine. Still had original alternator.
Did routine maintenance (myself). Oh, I did replace one front brake rotor.
I drove 100 freeway miles a day for all those years. 1992 (when purchased) to 2007 (when totaled). My freeway drive was pretty much low traffic. Park it in cruise and go. Had a couple of steep grades, but easy sailing.
About 9 months ago I saw a 1999 OHV Ranger that I wanted to buy. It had 70000 miles on it. The problem was that they wanted $9000.00 for it. A lot for a 16 or 17 year old vehicle.
Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes
Review Date: 20th February, 2017
20th Feb 2017, 21:54
$9000 for a '99 Ranger is laughable. Even if it only had 7 miles on it.
22nd Feb 2017, 18:45
These are great little trucks! My friend bought a Ford Explorer with the same engine for $500 a few years go; it's still his daily driver with over 200k on it now!
I do agree though, the newer Ford Rangers are quite overpriced in the used market; not as much as the Tacoma, but close still.
20th Feb 2017, 16:53
Hmmmmfff. The Ford 4.0 was not bad, but not great either. Some engines live for decades (Chevy 250 I-6, Dodge Slant 6, Buick 3.8 V6/3800, Ford 300 I-6, Chevy 350...) even great engines eventually outlive their usefulness; the reality is that engine was laughable when Ford still had the nerve to stick it in the Mustang less than a decade ago, and for all practical purposes it's a boat anchor today.