Hey guys, I've been looking into rangers for a while now, It's been very hard to find one that hasn't had the hell beaten out of it or used as some drunks rusted out "work truck", here in the north east we got a real bad problem with rust. After going a cross a few crapboxes I've found a 1994 2.3 4x4 5 speed ranger, in real clean shape frame and body wise, and It ran pretty decent from what I could tell. The catch? It's got 274,000 Miles on the odometer with the current owner having put about 30k on it in a year. I've gone over the usual, check the oil, coolant, take it for a good test ride, listen to how it sounds starting cold, check for blowby out the exhaust, Clutch feels good, 4x4 works, and the Current owner installed new manual locking hubs & rotors and pads. Everything on the truck is stock and not screwed with, The owner being ~60 years old. So it's got no CAI, 44" Big Boi tires, or fart cans. The guy is firm at $1900

Now I'm not new to high mile cars, I've had a 3.8 stang that's pushing 185,000 and I'd drive the damn thing to California and back, Same with a friends ex taxi crown vic that had 476,000 and ran until it was wrecked.

but how is the 2.3 in terms of relativity? What are some common issues with that engine, and how long do they typically last. I think it's pretty cool to find a 4x4 4 banger, But, at 260,000 miles how many more can be squeezed out of that motor? also, anybody have any experience in rebuilding 2.3's? How much does it run for a rebuild? and are they simple to rebuild yourself?

Look forward to some helpful replies!

As long as the truck has been taken care of and has had routine maintenance done to it, it could last another 260,000 miles or more probably.

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-Link-

Depends on your use and what you expect outta the truck.
Sure it will last, my 94xl did no problem.
I just got tired of the manual interior and underpowered on the hyway with my foot mashed down squeezing every ounce out of that 4cyl.
If you want a really cool reliable little truck as your second or third vehicle then I think you found it. But If you want a DD then pass or get ready to baby it along. We're both 60 and pretty sure he wanted something comfy.
My .02

Edit: I never had to rebuild that 2.3 after putting on 250k~ but the O2 sensors and cats need replacing so did the front end so I cut my loss.

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2008 FX4 Ranger. Black/ Black
Undid the full size Mod.
Kept the power rear window
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=82y5AyI5eEY

Ask if he changed the timing belt. If not ask him to lower price by 250.

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My 2010 2.3 has 155k miles. I'm the original owner. Runs like a champ. I've done lots of maintenance on it. Changed alll fluids at least twice, new plugs, fuel filter, brakes front and back, front bearings, new radiator, clean maf map and iac, new tires twice, hit undercarriage with spray can to prevent rust, that's maintenance! !

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Just don't expect a lot out of a tired 270k miles engine.

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2010 Ranger XL Reg. Cab 4 cyl... 5 speed manual... W/reverse.

Mods: 5% tint on rear window, JVC KDHDR40 Headunit, Kicker KS-68 speakers, Kicker TCVT102 (10TCVT102) Sub, JVC DRVN KSAX3102 Amp, JVC DRVN KSAX3101D mono amp, Ford black rubber mat, White LED license plate lights. Added 6000k HID Fogs, 6000k Digital HID Heads.

This isn't gramhar skool so dont cry and whine about spelling.

My old 2.3 had 210k truck got totaled in a accident motor was still good and strong though

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95 Ranger XLT 4x2 2.3 I4 5 speed 206,000 *dead*
96 Ranger XLT 4x4 4.0 V6 5 speed 173,000 *alive*
D35 front, 8.8 rear, 3.73 gears, limited slip rear diff

Its not unusual to see 300k out of those 2.3 motors. It really will come down to maintenance though. It sounds like the current owner did well, but what about the owners before him? Id still say $1900 is a bit high for a truck of that mileage, however, if it is as good as you suggest, it might not be a horrible deal.

After doing a quick search of Rangers near you, it looks like everything around there is overpriced and pretty mucked up in general. Taking that into consideration, it might not be so bad.

Post some pics for us too! :thumbup:

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2003 Ford Ranger Extended Cab w/ Value Package
4.0 SOHC, 4x4, Stick Shift, 146xxx mi, Some Mods...

Build Thread >>> http://www.fordrangerforum.com/proje...ml#post2172639

I think 1900 is way too much.

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2017 Ford Fiesta ST
2014 Ford Escape Titanium Ecoboost AWD

Snap it up that is a steal for a 4x4

A guy near me has over 600k on his and still drives it everyday to work.

alright guys, So here's what happened, Went out there, Checked it out agaiin, drove it some more, Found out that he was the second owner, With the first putting 270,000 on it initially, and had all the original maintenance records, and an Obsessive compulsive log of oil changes. So I said screw it, I'll give you 1600 take it or leave it, and took it home for $1600
its a fun little truck with the 5 speed, also my first time driving any long distance with a manual car, Drove it about 60 miles home with no issues with the occasional embarrassing stall getting up a hill with someone riding my ass.

it ran very well, except for an intermittent ABS light on the dash and the heat gauge showing the motor is constantly "cold" or near cold despite the fact that the heater blows nice and hot.
any ideas what those issues could be caused by?

I'll be Installing new plugs, thermostat, and some shocks on this thing an ride it till the wheels fall off...slowly.... cause this thing tops out at like 75mph, but eh, a truck for the price of a quad.... lol.

You came up dude. Nice little score. If I recall there may be 2 sensors for the temp. One for the gauge and one for the PCM. Could be the one for the gauge is bad.

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2011 Ranger XL Extended cab, 2x4, 2.3 L Duratec, Automatic, Mis-colored Leer camper shell, Ultragauge, LED plate bulbs, DDM "cree" reverse lights. Staying as stock as possible

They run cold. Mine does the same thing.

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Install a 195 degree thermostat, the little 2.3 like to run warmer than most engines. I would clean the fuel injects before you change plugs. Mine had the same "no power" issue too. Clean the fuel injectors and it can hit the speed limiter easy now. Also search the forum for throttle cable mod. That maybe your issue for lack of power and speed. Good luck

That truck is a rare find. The rest of the truck will rot away before that engine budges. ----------

Also, the thermostat is most likely fubar. The dash gauge, from my understanding, doesn't cover a large range of temperature. So the needle can be at C, and still give you hot air.

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Dude. You stole it!...

http://bayimg.com/fagkiaAfD
http://bayimg.com/fagKkaAfd ]Here's some photos,
http://bayimg.com/fagKcAAFD
http://bayimg.com/FAgkLaAfD
and there's the beater