Who owns a ranger?

[BlasterEaten250]

What kind of fuel mileage are you guys getting with your Ford rangers? I am mostly interested in 6 cylinder 4x4's. Do you have an automatic or manual? I looked it up on fueleconomy.gov and was pretty disappointed with what I found...but figured I'd get some real world answers to see what people are actually getting. I'm considering getting a truck but not if it gets crappy mpg's :o

[400exrider707]

I had a 97 auto 4x4 4.0 OHV V6. Typically averaged 16.5 with mixed driving. Towing light wasn't too bad, 13-15. I recorded 20.1 once, cruising on flat ground at 55mph and was REAL easy on the throttle taking off and slowing down.

One of my good buddies has an 02 4x4 4.0 SOHC with a manual trans and he's about the same for mileage.

Both trucks were extended cab short beds.

[finsteratv]

my soon to be 96 explorer get about the same. 4x4 4.0 auto.
i want my grandpas ram 250 with a cummins and 5spd 4x4 though!

[crlt250r]

I had a 93 4x4 with the 4 banger, got like 18.. also a 95 4x4 with 4.0 got around 16. Both were complete dogs.... Now have a 96 4x4 Burb with 350 and get 15 mpg, with the wife and kids enjoying the dvd player and dual ac... LOL I love my Burb-nali!!!:macho

[coryatver]

I got a 09 4 cylinder 2wd manual. I get 31 mpg on the interstate and 27 everywhere else even with my quad in the back:)

[BlasterEaten250]

Hmm... It seems like 4 wheel drive (v6) kills the mileage. I really wanted to stay away from 2wd, but 31 mpg on the highway is very tempting.

My price range will probably land me around the early 2000's, are these the same 4 cylinders as the 2009's? I don't know a whole lot about these.

[tbrackman84]

if you're gonna get a 4 cylinder truck get an older 4x4 toyota, they are sweet!

Also, i have a comprable pick up truck, a 1992 chevy s10 4x4 with a 4.3L v6. I gutted the cat and put a flowmaster on it. It gets about 21-22 highway, and i'd say 16-18 city... Just a little more info

[honda400ex2003]

Originally posted by 400exrider707
I had a 97 auto 4x4 4.0 OHV V6. Typically averaged 16.5 with mixed driving. Towing light wasn't too bad, 13-15.



thats typical of what i get in my 4.0 ohv in my explorer. it is pretty gutless hauling that monster around. lol

steve

[deathman53]

I had one, v6 4.0 4wd, my 97 7.3 turbo diesel f350 gets better gas mileage. I was lucky to get 16mpg on the ranger.

[smr]

Originally posted by coryatver
I got a 09 4 cylinder 2wd manual. I get 31 mpg on the interstate and 27 everywhere else even with my quad in the back:)

OK...:rolleyes:

why do people even make these claims.

My son has the 4 cylinder and he gets right at 20.

[BlasterEaten250]

These comments are making me think twice about a truck. It would be very practical for me but gas is just so darn expensive. The car I have right now will only get around 20 mpg on the highway and the gas sure adds up quickly. Maybe I'll find a car that gets better mileage and put a hitch on it :ermm:

[400exrider707]

You asked about the V6 in particular...

I had a 95 2x4 5 speed 2.3 4 banger, that truck I never got LESS than 23mpg, and I was flat footing it everywhere because of how slow it was. A few buddies had some of the newer ones with the 2.5 and got REAL close to 30. Highest was always like 29.X all the time. That was driving like a putz though.

2 wheel drive and the 4 cylinder usually get pretty good mileage.

You get into 4x4 and the 6, and you're dropping like a rock. I couldn't kill my 4.0 OHV motor though. I had the higher gearing in the STX package, so it wasn't too terribly underpowered feeling, and I offroaded with it a LOT.

[BlasterEaten250]

That's the reason I'd like to avoid the 4 cylinder. I have driven a 4 cylinder Ranger and it had aboslutely no power. Not to mention something that light in the back with 2wd would completely suck in the winter around here. The six cylinder is out of the question for me if that's what kind of mpg's it gets.

Do they make newer 4 cylinders with 4wd?

[crlt250r]

Get the older Ranger with the 2.3, make sure its a MASS AIR motor, and slap a T-Bird or SVO turbo on it!!! More eficient, and power when you need it...... My .02.......

[Pipeless416]

or get an F-Body so you can take over my group next year when i'm gone ;)

[Wheelie]

If you want a 4cyl Ranger w/decent power, get a 2002-up with the DOHC L4.

A manual trans is a must for 4cyl/3.0v6 trucks.

SOHC 4.0's had cam chain rattle issues in 01-02 and early 03 IIRC.


I drive a 99 ex-cab 4x4 XLT w/a 3.0 and 5spd, great little truck, couldn't be happier. Averages 19-20mpg mixed driving and 23-25mpg hwy on gasoline. 17 mixed, 20 highway on E-85.

[400exrider707]

Originally posted by BlasterEaten250
That's the reason I'd like to avoid the 4 cylinder. I have driven a 4 cylinder Ranger and it had aboslutely no power. Not to mention something that light in the back with 2wd would completely suck in the winter around here. The six cylinder is out of the question for me if that's what kind of mpg's it gets.

Do they make newer 4 cylinders with 4wd?

Yes they do, I saw a few go through auction back when I bought mine. Very hard to find though and they only come with a 5 speed, no autos. They seemed to be more popular in the Mazda version back then too.

Honestly, my 4 cyl 5 speed 2x4 1995 ranger was not bad in the snow at all, I put new all seasons on it and any time it snowed hard I'd just throw my snowmobile in the bed. It had so little power and all that weight in the bed, it would pretty much go anywhere. It really wasn't bad at all.

[BlasterEaten250]

I know I am bringing this thread back from the dead but I found one that I like. It's a 2.3 duratech in an '02...but it's an automatic. These engines put out a little more power than the older 2.3s, but should I hold out for a stick? I don't want it falling on its face when I try to accelerate and I've heard manual transmissions are much better for this. They also average about 3-5 mpg better...

[CJM]

Yea the 4cyls aint got much pep, but so long as you dont expect it to drive like a racecar you should be fine. A stick would be better b/c you can control it tho.

Take it for a test ride, see how it handles.

[Stickman400]

This isn't really helping you any, but I get about 17-20 mpg in my 2000 2.5 2wd manual Ranger. I flat foot it everywhere and it also has a 3" susp. lift and is on 31's. So that is pretty dang good if you ask me. It's pretty gutless, but it's a good little truck that looks good, gets decent mileage for how I drive and it can haul my wheeler. Couldn't really ask for me.

As for the truck you want, I'd see how it drives and what-not. But if you would prefer slightly better mileage I'd wait for a manual.

[BlasterEaten250]

http://www.autotrader.com/dealers/dda/detail.jsp?ct=u&address=60051&resultCar=311232393&dealership_view_name=soerensford&car_id=311232393&dealer_id=72248

That is the one I am looking at. If it was a manual I would be there this weekend to look at it. Problem is I'm at school and that is by my house, so it would be about a 5 hour drive each way to look at it.

I have pretty much convinced myself to wait for a manual after researching a little bit. I hope I can find another deal like that with a stick.

[kyleschonert]

I had a 95 Toyota Tacoma V6 5 Speed 4x4 Ext Cab and could get up to 22 on the highway and 17 in town and the thing was bullet proof!

[BlasterEaten250]

Well, I finally found the right one. Here it is. It's an '02 with the Duratec 2.3 and a manual 5 speed.

It's a little small compared to the f150 :blah:

[crlt250r]

Check the bone yards and get the SVO turbo components, and Ecoboost badges! :devil:

[BlasterEaten250]

Yeah it is definitely slow right now, I'm enjoying the gas mileage though!

[crlt250r]

Turbo helps...... That is if you can stay out of the pedal.... Nevermind LOL!

[yellowzo3]

Looks good Blaster!

I was loosely considering one of these until I did the same research on the MPG's... 4wd was a must for me if I was getting another truck and it just made no sense for me to buy a truck that small and get around 16mpg. It was a big letdown because I really like Rangers. From the browsing I did it also seems like these aren't cheap AT ALL if you want a used one that's 3 years old or newer.

[BlasterEaten250]

Yeah I'm not sure why someone would get the 4.0 with 4wd when they can get an f150 with more power and about the same mpg's. This will be getting me back and forth to school 250 miles each way so I had to get the 4 cylinder. It's like driving a car that I can put my 4 wheeler in the back :cool:

[Wheelie]

My 4wd Ranger has been averaging 22-23mpg the last couple tanks. Mostly highway driving.

[Stickman400]

I have a lifted 2.5L 2wd Ranger on 31s and with the stock gearing I was getting around 150 miles to a tank, maybe 180 if i was really easy on the pedal. I recently had to put a near rear axle in it when my stock one with 3.73s in it had the differential bearings go out. The new one has 4.10s in it and so far even when I've been having my foot to the floor everywhere I've been getting nearly 250 miles to a tank. Idk what this has to do with you since you still have stock tire sizes but if anyone reads this and has a lifted truck and is getting terrible gas mileage try lowering your ring and pinion alittle bit and see if that helps.

[crlt250r]

Originally posted by Stickman400
I have a lifted 2.5L 2wd Ranger on 31s and with the stock gearing I was getting around 150 miles to a tank, maybe 180 if i was really easy on the pedal. I recently had to put a near rear axle in it when my stock one with 3.73s in it had the differential bearings go out. The new one has 4.10s in it and so far even when I've been having my foot to the floor everywhere I've been getting nearly 250 miles to a tank. Idk what this has to do with you since you still have stock tire sizes but if anyone reads this and has a lifted truck and is getting terrible gas mileage try lowering your ring and pinion alittle bit and see if that helps.
Yeah man, by bumping that rear gear, you relieved a lot of stress from that little motor. 4 bangers tend to have their sweet spot higher in the "powerband" Lower the load on the engine, raise your MPGs. My newer 5.4 FX4 gets better mileage than my old 4.6 2 wheel drive SXT..

[backwoodsracer]

I had a 2003 Short bed single cab 2wd lifted 6inchs on 33's and i would hit 16-17city and 20 hwy. And I know this for a fact Because we tested it many times, ( I got to ECU on the weekends to party and its a 69mile drive there.) and i drive 30 miles to school everyday.

Then i put smaller tires on it one blew out and it was totaled :(

[Stickman400]

Damn that sucks to hear. That's was a nice lookin' truck.