Ford Ranger Forum - Forums for Ford Ranger enthusiasts!

Go Back   Ford Ranger Forum - Forums for Ford Ranger enthusiasts! > >
Forgot Password? Join Us!

Welcome to Ford Ranger Forum

Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread

  #1  
Old 07-10-2015, 07:34 PM
michael_jpm michael_jpm is offline
Learning to use the forums
 
Join Date: Jul 2015
Posts: 1
Default Is a Ranger cheap to fix

I am looking to buy a 1995 Ford Ranger. I have a very small budget so any ranger I do get will need to be fixed up. As i said I have a very small budget so are parts cheap and easy to find or expensive and hard to find. Also when looking for Rangers are there years I should not buy or a certain model or version.

Thanks,
Michael
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 07-10-2015, 07:58 PM
MdubG MdubG is offline
Here we go again!
 
Join Date: Apr 2013
Posts: 1,107
Default

As far as parts it depends on where you get them:
Junkyard
Craiglists- parting out a ranger

Online:
Tasca
Rockauto
Lmc truck
Autoanything
Stylintruck

The price will also vary on name brand. Being that it is a 95 you'll need to check all fluids to be safe: transmission, oil, rear differential. If you're unsure on some things check Chrisfix on youtube. He's got a madza b3000 and has a bunch of how to videos to fix up your truck. If I've missed anything I'm sure a forum vet will chime in on it and add in the missing details
__________________
2003 Red Danger Ranger extended cab
3.0L V6 2WD w/ Overdrive
Pioneer Radio
Sound Ordinance Amp
Diamond Audio 10" Sub
Air Box Mod
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 07-11-2015, 12:38 AM
Tyler46 Tyler46 is offline
Ford Ranger Dismantler
 
Join Date: Nov 2014
Posts: 7,008
Default

A 2.3 or 3.0 from any year will be great and reliable. The 2.3 gets great gas mileage, in fact, the best mileage in a mid-size truck for its era.

The 1983 Ranger was equipped with a 2.0L 4 cylinder rated for 34 mpg.

For reliability, find a 1993-1997 with a 2.3L and manual transmission. That truck will NOT die.

For 1998-2005, try to avoid the V6's. (3.0 and 4.0) since they had a cam synchronizer issue (3.0) and a timing chain issue (4.0) both were in the early 2000's. They had a stroked version of the 2.3 for 1998-2001.5 at 2.5L SOHC and is also pretty reliable as well.

For 2006+ any Ranger for any drivetrain will be reliable but not necessarily cheap to buy the truck. The 4 cylinder is great because it has the same cooling power, same intake and drivetrain as the V6 brothers.

As far as repairing and putting lifts on, very cheap.
__________________
2007 Regular Cab - 2.3 DOHC - 5 Speed Auto - 4.10 Gears - Maxtrac 7" Lift - Fiberwerx 3" Fenders - Bilstein 5100 Series - 15x10 Ultra 164's - 35x12.50x15 Red Letters - Custom dents

Quote:
Originally Posted by guell View Post
People like him make me believe that birth control needs to be put in the public water supply
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 07-11-2015, 02:00 AM
GLH GLH is offline
Ford Ranger Driver
 
Join Date: Oct 2011
Posts: 8,818
Default

There is no cam sync issue. It is a preventive maintenance part. Replace every 80000 with Motorcraft, no issue.
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 07-11-2015, 10:01 AM
Tyler46 Tyler46 is offline
Ford Ranger Dismantler
 
Join Date: Nov 2014
Posts: 7,008
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by GLH View Post
There is no cam sync issue. It is a preventive maintenance part. Replace every 80000 with Motorcraft, no issue.
Don't replace every 80,000, then lose oil pressure = engine blown

Cam sync issue.
__________________
2007 Regular Cab - 2.3 DOHC - 5 Speed Auto - 4.10 Gears - Maxtrac 7" Lift - Fiberwerx 3" Fenders - Bilstein 5100 Series - 15x10 Ultra 164's - 35x12.50x15 Red Letters - Custom dents

Quote:
Originally Posted by guell View Post
People like him make me believe that birth control needs to be put in the public water supply
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 07-11-2015, 12:04 PM
MotorStuff MotorStuff is offline
Ford Ranger Driver
 
Join Date: Jul 2012
Posts: 809
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Tyler46 View Post
A 2.3 or 3.0 from any year will be great and reliable. The 2.3 gets great gas mileage, in fact, the best mileage in a mid-size truck for its era. The 1983 Ranger was equipped with a 2.0L 4 cylinder rated for 34 mpg. For reliability, find a 1993-1997 with a 2.3L and manual transmission. That truck will NOT die. For 1998-2005, try to avoid the V6's. (3.0 and 4.0) since they had a cam synchronizer issue (3.0) and a timing chain issue (4.0) both were in the early 2000's. They had a stroked version of the 2.3 for 1998-2001.5 at 2.5L SOHC and is also pretty reliable as well. For 2006+ any Ranger for any drivetrain will be reliable but not necessarily cheap to buy the truck. The 4 cylinder is great because it has the same cooling power, same intake and drivetrain as the V6 brothers. As far as repairing and putting lifts on, very cheap.
4.0 SOHC is safe from late 2002 on.
__________________
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
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 07-11-2015, 12:43 PM
dangerranger94 dangerranger94 is offline
Ford Ranger Driver
 
Join Date: May 2012
Posts: 1,313
Default

I've owned 5 rangers, one 4.0(1994) 3, 2.3l(93-95). And on 3.0(2002) the 2.3 Is a very very gutless motor, but will always make the trip and never fail you, they run forever! My 2002 3.0 has been reliable so far I put 7k miles on it and has yet to fail me, my 4.0 had some issues but never left me stranded and had great power, I vote for the 93-97 2.3l and a 5 speed, parts are cheap and easy to find, and there easily a 300k motor, slow but they will get you there. Just my 2 cents
__________________
1996 f150 4x4 ext cab, Eddie Bauer edition, 5.8l auto, 3.55 gears and 31/10.5/15
My babe/DD-1995 2.3l 5speed 4x4, long bed, 4.10 open dif, "red rocket" 31/10.5/15s good years
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 07-11-2015, 07:57 PM
Jaybones Jaybones is offline
Banned
 
Join Date: Feb 2015
Posts: 195
Default Re: Is a Ranger cheap to fix

I bought a well used '95 2.3 with 145,000 miles on it. Had been a painter's or dry waller's work truck- metal cap with ladder racks, and steering wheel had some white paint or primer smudges on it (cleaned up with a plastic scrubber pad for dishes).

And it was totally GUTLESS! Could floor it and pray I'd get up to merging speed coming from an on ramp. Never got more than 22 MPG highway, which I suppose is pretty good for a truck (not better than my 1978 VW Westfalia camper bus, which got 23 highway with cooler plugs in it).

Also had an '85 with the 2.0, 4+ OD manual, with a ton of miles on it (odometer read 90K, but had probable been roller over). Had been a stripper model, had a heater, 2 speed wipers and rubber floor mat (not mats, I large piece of rubber that went across the floor)- did have an XLT radio and tape deck though. It was worse, truck burned a quart of oil with every tank of gas- never saw any smoke, just an oily film on the back of the truck. Cost me $90, and other than putting piece of plywood under the driver's seat between the door sill and the tranny it was OK. Rustoleum red, and had so many dents and so much rust that I didn't really worry about it when I blew a brake line taking a corner a little fast and side swipped a telephone pole, leaving my right tail light at the scene and curving out the bumper pretty badly.

Got 22-23 MPG on the highway also.
Reply With Quote
Reply

Tags
cheap parts, fix up, new ranger

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
fix that ranger wheeler Introduce Yourself 1 01-28-2013 10:56 AM
ARMREST FIX Nice and Super Cheap Rangeronimo Interior Tech 4 09-01-2012 04:46 PM
(Tech) Cheap fix for autozone green and black oil drain pan broken cap misfitJason 4.0 SOHC / 4.0 OHV Tech 4 11-07-2011 06:47 PM
Craigslist / eBay Find: 06+ tails cheap cheap cheap Demon-FX4 Exterior Parts 1 11-12-2010 03:11 PM