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Ford Explorer Community - Maintenance - Modifications - Performance Upgrades - Problem Solving - Off-Road - Street
Explorer Forum Covers the Explorer ST, Explorer Sport, Explorer Sport Trac, Lincoln Aviator, Mercury Mountaineer, Mazda Navajo, Ford Ranger, Mazda Pickups, and the Ford Aerostar
Although I put on the profile that I have a 2005 Ford Ranger, I have yet to buy one. I found one that I'm interested in, but I'm trying to find out if it is a good truck and everything. I test drove it and I know the 4.0L gives a great performance. I'd like to hear some opinions about its reliability, gas mileage, comfort and how effective it is going off roading.
I look forward to hear some comment about the 05' Ranger.
As far as reliability goes the first years of the 4.0 SOHC was a little sketchy, but the newer engines are very reliable (such as the 05 your looking at).
My 04 4.0 gets 16/19 MPG, but I have a heavy foot. I have squeezed as much as 22 out of it. As far as comfort goes, its a compact pickup, don't expect too much. I used to drive an 02, and I find the older seats to be much more comfortable. The new (04+) seats are stiffer and less plushy. If its a manual trans, the Ranger manuals go through slaves more often than they should. What else you want to know?
Riceman- The truck I'm looking at is manual. How is it slaving the transmission? And how do you either resolve the problem or replace it? Common problem?
Riceman- The truck I'm looking at is manual. How is it slaving the transmission? And how do you either resolve the problem or replace it? Common problem?
The Ranger manuals have a poor design and the slave cylinder will go bad and leak. Not usually a problem, but one guy over there has replaced 3 slaves in 4 years. Seeing as I have an auto (as do most Explorers), I can't give firsthand experience, but I can direct you to information on another forum. Search around on there and educate yourself.
I was trying to make a new post, but I couldn't get the droplists on 'My Posts'. I'm still new at this. Any advice? And, I bought the '05 Ranger Edge 4x4. I uploaded a pic of it and hopefully it works.
I have an 02 4.0L SOHC Ranger. I have not had the timing chain problems that some of the early 4.0 SOHC engines. I have very close to 100,000 miles on it and it runs very well. I am impressed with the towing and off-road capability. I use to own a 2.9L Ranger and enjoyed its off-road capability but like the power of the 4.0 SOHC engine much better. I think reliability of the 4.0 SOHC engine is good and gas mileage is fair. I actually get better around town and towing gas mileage than I got with my 2.9L 4WD Ranger. The normal highway mileage was a little better with the 2.9L engine.
Many people complain about the newer torsion bar suspension but I don't think it is that bad. One drawback is the torsion bar shield does hang down farther than I like.
The Ranger transmission is not a bad design but the slave cylinder does seem to be the weak link. I have not had a problem with mine but it was replaced early in the warranty period when the transmission was taken out for another problem. The dealer said it was showing signs of begining to leak so they just replaced it. Some people have a lot of problems with them, others have no problems. I would like to find a better quality slave cylinder when I do my clutch. The unfortunalte thing is, the transmission has to be removed to replace the slave cylinder.
Many people complain about the newer torsion bar suspension but I don't think it is that bad. One drawback is the torsion bar shield does hang down farther than I like.
Ever taken a ride in a coil sprung Ranger? My Grandma has a 08 2wd, and it rides like a dream compared my torsion bar Ranger. SO much smoother. I'm tolerating my torsion bars until I can do a coil over conversion (school has me busy and poor...). I really hate how Ford did the torsion bars on the Ranger. If you look at an F-150, the torsion bars are tucked up higher, and don't hang down below the frame.. Look at old Toyota Pickups (Late 85-Early 95). They had high sitting torsion bars also, covered by the frame. But... as much as I hate it, it works.
Ever taken a ride in a coil sprung Ranger? My Grandma has a 08 2wd, and it rides like a dream compared my torsion bar Ranger. SO much smoother. I'm tolerating my torsion bars until I can do a coil over conversion (school has me busy and poor...).
You are comparing the ride of a 2WD vs. a 4WD. Of course, it is going to be smoother. Yes, I took a ride in my 89 4WD Ranger with coil springs for 13 years. I think the ride of torsion spring suspension on my 02 4WD Ranger is about same as the coil spring suspension on my 89 4WD Ranger.
If you set up a 4WD Ranger suspension as soft as 2WD, you will most likely not be very happy with it if you go off-road.
Thanks man. Appreciate all the information. I bought a 05 Ranger and the 4.0L is just great. I'm looking forward to make some upgrades such as lifting and stuff. It's a Ranger Edge so the height of it is pretty good for a stock, but having it lifted would be so much better.
You are comparing the ride of a 2WD vs. a 4WD. Of course, it is going to be smoother. Yes, I took a ride in my 89 4WD Ranger with coil springs for 13 years. I think the ride of torsion spring suspension on my 02 4WD Ranger is about same as the coil spring suspension on my 89 4WD Ranger.
You are comparing an 89 which probably had worn out/shot suspension, to a truck with newer suspension. Apples and Oranges. I guarantee that your new truck would ride smoother with coil overs with the same spring rating as your t-bars. T-bars are cheaper/simpler to manufacture, that's why Ford (and other manufacturers) uses them.
Several of the IFS lifted guys are running coil overs, even really stiff coil overs ride better than torsion bars. I personally want a plushy, soft ride. My truck is lowered, it never sees more than a dirt road.
AND NOW...
I'm finished junking up this thread, if you want to continue this discussion, PM me.
You are comparing an 89 which probably had worn out/shot suspension, to a truck with newer suspension. Apples and Oranges. I guarantee that your new truck would ride smoother with coil overs with the same spring rating as your t-bars.
Wrong. I bought the 89 new and drove it for 13 years. I kept that vehicle in top condition and I would never allow the suspension to become worn out/shot. I have no desire to convert to coil over suspension. I have trusted Ford engineering since the time I was in high school in 60s. There have been a few minor things that I did not like but the major items like suspension I am satisfied with for what I do. You can bet that if I was off-road racing, I would totally modify the suspension because Ford did not design it for that. However, there are classes that race off-road with torsion bar suspension Rangers and do very well.
Congratulations Pgresham08 on the purchase of your Edge. I have never owned that Ranger model but people that do, seem to like them very much. Got to love that 4.0 SOHC power.
