27th Oct 2010, 20:31
I have had 4 Rangers and all of them have gotten decent gas mileage.
I now have a 2009 Ranger Sport with a 4 litre standard shift. My last trip was 660 kms and I used 66 litres of gas so here in Canada that is 28 miles to a gallon. My 07 3 litre standard shift gave me 29 miles to a gallon on the highway. The 4 litre has way more power and is a better engine.
I will keep this truck for many years. Thanks.
14th Nov 2010, 21:50
I have a 2000 Ranger 4 wheel drive with 3.0. I have had tranny problems since 35000 miles. The dealer has worked on it 3 times and never fixed it right. Also had the valves go bad and a head crack.
Needless to say I will not buy another Ranger.
26th Apr 2011, 07:04
I have a 2000 XLT Stepside with the 4.0. I have had the 4WD problem you have described. There is a vacuum sensor in the hub that moves in and out to engage/disengage the 4WD. Mine cost less than $100.
I have also had the ABS light on the dashboard illuminated for the last 6 months. It is also a sensor that is in the front wheel bearing. My mechanic states the brakes/ABS are working. The sensor is just bad. I have never noticed a problem with the wheels locking up, so I have to agree with my mechanic.
I have 234K on the truck; I bought it new. I replaced the transmission at 223K after I blew a front seal. The truck still gets the same mileage it did when I drove it off the lot new.
The only complaint I have is that my frame cracked behind the rear shock supports. I don't know what that was all about. It did take a hit to the rear under 10 mph, but that shouldn't have cracked a frame. I welded plates on both sides of the frame crack on each side for $800.
I'm driving it until it blows a head gasket. I haven't replaced that yet like others I'm reading have.
3rd May 2011, 10:12
I'm writing to reply that replacing an oil pan gasket is not that hard. The only reason why they are charging so much is labor. The only thing you have to do is look up the steps online and they will walk you through the process to change your oil pan gasket.
19th May 2011, 14:45
I have a 2003 4X4 XLT 4.0L, and I'm getting 18-20 per Gl, and that 50% city, 50% hwy and flat land.
27th May 2011, 14:18
I own a 4.0 litre 2000 Ford Ranger XLT 4X4 with an auto transmission, and I average around 17.5 mpg -- sometimes lower, around 15mpg, & the highest I ever got was 19.5mpg. I typically go 5-10 over the speed limit, say 70-75 on the freeway. I am surprised at some of the posts here who get such good miles per gallon.
While under warranty, I had to replace the compressor for the air conditioner, and the Gem module for the wipers (no cost to me).
At 4 years old I had an alternator harness (wires) that melted, so that & the alternator were replaced ($700.00).
Now my ABS is acting funky; at less than 5 mph when stopping, the brake pedal sinks to the floor and does not brake? Also, the wipers are acting up again, and the engine at 92,000 miles is a bit sluggish, perhaps needs a tune up?
Not sure how I feel about the truck, as I feel I baby it most of the time?
11th Nov 2011, 22:32
I just purchased a 2000 Ranger XLT 4.0 Supercab 4x4 5spd last Friday. The truck has 154k on it, but I can tell it was well maintained. It has A/C and a CD player, that rounds out the options, which is fine by me.
So far getting only 16 MPG, but it's OK because I will use my 95 Altima (207k and counting) for my regular commute, as it gets 30mpg overall, despite 85mph on the highway and 60 on back roads. I decided on the Ranger due to resale value, the well placed controls, the solid yet compliant ride, and the surprisingly good handling (it's the best handling 4wd I've ever owned). Hopefully I don't experience the head gasket problems that I've read about...
I am a mechanic (forklifts) and can do this work myself (I also have a custom 240SX with an rb that I did all myself) but I hope not... that's why I bought a newer vehicle... LOL.
I would recommend a Ford to anyone due to my previous Ford experience (1988 Town Car)... they are good products that hold their value. (As long as you can keep the rust monster away LOL... Fords are particularly susceptible for some reason).
1st Mar 2015, 18:03
Dear Sir, I have a 2000 extended cab Ranger XLT 4.0L 4x4. I have just blown a head gasket and I can't afford to have someone fix it. Also I live so far out in the rural area of W.Va. that it would still cost plenty just to get it towed somewhere. Right now it's sitting in my yard, worthless. I was hoping that you could give me a little advice and things to look out for when I go to repair it. I have never done a head gasket before, but I'm pretty good at mechanics.
I anxiously await your reply. Thank you.
Michael Fay, 304-577-6155, mfay@hotmail.com
1st May 2010, 15:02
My Father bought his 1998 Ranger XLT with a 4 banger RWD in 1998 brand new, and drove it very gingerly. Put maybe 65k on it, driving local non highway roads 20 miles daily to work, and they would use my Mother's car on the weekends. He probably never drove it above 65mph and treated it very well, regular maintenance and fluid changes, new tires when they were needed etc.
Long story short, I now own the truck, I'll have rolled over 100k sometime this year, keep on his regiment of good maintenance and it has had one repair in either of our ownerships, and that was my fault.
So basically, Ranger is the most solid small truck you could own; the seats are comfortable, gas mileage is great, gives you peace of mind because it never has trouble getting started, and it heats up ridiculously quick in the winter with such a small cab. The only thing negative I have to say about it is the acceleration is hilariously slow, but that's what the 6 banger is for.