Hello Everyone,

I need to purchase a pick up truck for home use (bringing firewood home, home depot runs, etc..). I have looked at several 4x4 trucks, but I can justify the gas mileage. The Ranger 4x2 4 cylinder gets great mileage, but I'm concerned about driving it in the snow. I know the new Rangers have AdvanceTrac and RSC which I believe will help in the bad weather. I was hoping to hear from a 4x2 Ranger owner and get their perspective on driving in the bad weather.

Thanks so much.
Pete

You would have to get the shitty 2.3 motor. Sure its great on gas mileage, but what other good is it. you cant tow anything. I say just go for the dough and get the 4.0L 4x4. I get 15-18 which I'm perfectly happy with, its not a camry...lol.

As far as snow driving, I had a 94 2.3 4 banger rag cab that got stuck in wet grass. You can put weight in the back, but there is no substitute for a transfer case. I went though 11" of snow this past winter no problems in my 4x4

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i'm from Michigan, had my 4x2 '97 4cyl for about a year and a half. Last winter it handled better than I expected. I just tossed some weight in the back and drove sensible. As long as your not driving like an idiot with it, and put some weight in the ass end I think it'll be alright.

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1997 Ford Ranger XLT, 2.3L I4, Auto, 2wd, Regular Cab, 91k miles. 7.5in 4.10 Open Rear Axle

Keep the air in the spare, and the bag in the wheel - Adam Carolla

i agree with dixie yes gas is great in that one. but u said haul wood and well sir thats a no go in that one. u need a 4.0

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2003 FX4 LEVEL II

Sure he can haul wood with it, but say bye bye to the gas mileage haha

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lol well yes but to much weight in the winter and u aint going no where in the snow lol i guess all i am saying is i am glad i own a 4wd

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2003 FX4 LEVEL II

Engine horsepower is just like boats and TVs you always want bigger.

I'm huge on saving money, saving on gas, gas mileage etc. Lets estimate a bit, say you drive 10,000 mile a year and avg 25 mpg in a 4 banger Ranger, at an avg of $3 per gallon that is $1200 in fuel cost a year.
If you drove a 4.0 - 6 cly and average 19 mpg your avg cost $1575 rounded, so it cost $375 more per year, or about $31 a month or about 10 gallons of gas extra per month, or a little over $1.00 per day. I'm not sure if you can get 19 mpg in a 4x4 but I definitely get it in my 4.0 2wd.

Hell we all blow more than a buck a day on average we easily could avoid, so blow it on the 4.0 and not on something foolish.

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2002 Ranger Edge 4.0, 2wd, M/T purchased Oct/2010 - 52,046mi

best I got was 18 highway that I have seen

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Actually you would be surprised what a 4cyl Ranger will lug. My boss's 95 has lugged over a ton in the box on several occasions this year alone. The 2.3L Duratec has an extra 60hp over that he should be fine loading the box with wood a couple times a year, the rest of the year he'll be able to pocket the money for beer rather then donate to the oil companies for no reason. My father has the truck I wanted(2010 FEL), but because of a 3500Lb Sailboat I can't have, he averaging 38-40IMPG, I averaging about 22 IMPG right now. However twice a year I can haul my boat. Big difference in operating cost though for that priveldge.

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2010 Ranger XL 2.3L 5 Spd 3.73:1 Bone Stock
2013 Scion FR-S 2.0L/H-4, 6spd, 4.11:1 Fast Enough Stock

damn scott, no need for name calling there, i think your jealous, you can still tow with the 2.3, here is my 06 loaded doew with wood, and one loaded down with camping equip
[IMG][/IMG]




i hauled loaded down with wood, ez-up, firepit, all kinds of camping gear over 200 miles, and my mileage never dipped below 26MPG

see post above


as far as the snow, you get yourself a good quality snow tire with studs if your state will allow it, and just SLOW DOWN!!! alot of people don't relize the dangers out there, but if you go slow, anticipate your next move out there, you will be just fine out there

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2012 mustang premium v6 pony package
702 crew
XBGT:IKONIK MOPAR

haha guys. Im just talking from experience with my 94 2.3. The new 2.3s are probably a lot better engine like Maritime said.

Also, Im talking from a 4.0 owner's perspective. Having owned both a 4 banger ranger and a 4.0, I could NEVER go to a 4 banger ranger even if it got 40 mpg. I need the power of the 4.0.

Yeah I pulled a jon boat, a big ass trailer with my 2.3, and it pulle dit fine, it just wasnt practical. The clutch and rearend didnt like it either.

I love ya'lls trrucks though, so nothing personal haha.

But as far as the OP is cincerned, Just go for the gold and get a 4.0V6 4x4 that will actually go in the snow without the hassle of having to put weight in the back or having to get out and shovel or worrying about getting stuck period.

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after about 2k miles ive already put on my 03 4x4 4.0 5speed, ive averaged about 19.

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2017 Ford Fiesta ST
2014 Ford Escape Titanium Ecoboost AWD

This is the reason I had to have a 4.0L.

Attached Images

IMG_0187.jpg (96.9 KB, 42 views)

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2010 Ranger XL 2.3L 5 Spd 3.73:1 Bone Stock
2013 Scion FR-S 2.0L/H-4, 6spd, 4.11:1 Fast Enough Stock

A 4 cylinder Ranger is more than enough to haul firewood around. I guess no one has a clue how much firewood actually weighs.
I have had 1000 lbs in the bed and my 2.3 had no problem with it.
You probably want to use chains though.

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I like the 4 cyl. on my 2010 XLT. I got almost 29 mpg's on my last trip to GA and the truck only had 1,500 miles, so it will get even better. I don't tow, so I don't care to have a gas guzzling 4.0. My previous truck was a Nissan Frontier with a 4.0. Powerful? Oh yes, but 14-15 mpg's to drive an empty truck most of the time in the city was a big waste.
Thanks, but I'll keep my 2.3 - 4 banger. Don't know about the older 4 cyl, but this one is plenty fast for me.