My sister has been one of the better members of my family, she is always the one to remember everyone's birthday and takes the time to call just to say hi every once in awhile.

She always thinks of others before doing anything for herself, yet this caring attitude always has her broke.

Now that she is caring for my Mother and was in need of a vehicle I decided to give her my 2002 Ford Ranger.

Except for the Engine and Transmission nearly everything on that truck was new and put back to what I consider excellent shape.

She picked up the truck on Monday and drove it back to Central Florida with no problems.

Now this leaves me wanting to start all over again.

I have learned a lot while working on that Ranger and I think I know what I do not want in my next Ranger.

I am hoping some of you can help me decide what to start with next.

What I think I want is a Standard cab Ranger 2WD with a 4.0 and manual transmission, a 8.8 inch rear end and seats that do not suck.

Does a Ranger with what I think I want exist from the factory?

The 2002 seats with the leather I installed were comfortable yet the foam padding was worn out and unavailable.

Many of the parts for the 2002 were unavailable from Ford.

The 2.3 Duratec is off my radar because of the non keyed crankshaft and Intake design.

I like the look of the Edge grill and hood, I could take or leave the fender flares.

I do not mind working on the truck when I get it, but because of my back like my last Ranger anything I do will take much longer than normal and there is some work I will just have to get done by a shop.

I need a standard cab Ranger because a extended cab Ranger will not fit in my garage with the garage door closed.

The short length is because of my work bench and tool boxes.

This is important for repairs taking longer than a day.

Thanks for any suggestions and tips you may have when selecting my next ranger.

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2002 Ford Ranger 2 Dr Standard cab 2.3 5 SPD 7.5 373 gears

The 4.0 ohv. Can't go wrong with it. Easier to work on than the sohc

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Yes, easier to work on, but.....less power. The SOHC will give you many many years of trouble free service if you just change your oil a lot. I change my oil every 1500-2000 miles with a Motorcraft filter and at 153K it is amazing how quiet that engine is and how well it runs. And guess what? I have never changed a thing in the ignition system including the plugs!!! I know what the book says, but she runs so damn well and trouble free I just let her go and put my 5k a year on her and enjoy it.

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2005 Ranger FX/4 4.0 Auto. 160K.

Ceramic Pads, Energy Suspension Polyurethane Sway links and bushings. OHC. Third Brake Light Directionals. KYB Shocks. Dipped and Blacked Out.

Acme Projectors with Morimoto XB35 Ballast and Morimoto XB35 5500K Bulbs.

Thanks guys that gives me more to consider.

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2002 Ford Ranger 2 Dr Standard cab 2.3 5 SPD 7.5 373 gears

Yeah the sohc has a lot more HP. I had that in my 99 explorer, I think there is comfort in knowing I can work on the ohv without pulling the motor. Lol. It is very easy today to do 5.0 swap or what I'm considering, procharged 4.0 ohv.

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I know the ohv has 160. (4.0) I believe I read the sohc has 210

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exist? Yes.. rare? extremely

IIRC, you can only find that combo on a few years 01+ and I think 02 and 05 were two of them.

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2017 Ford Fiesta ST
2014 Ford Escape Titanium Ecoboost AWD

Thanks guys knowing what years to look for will help a lot with the search.

I would love the 4.0 with the over head cam set up and higher power yet anything that I could find and afford would have high enough mileage to worry about the timing chain.

Maybe I will get lucky and find one with a well done 5.0 conversion.

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2002 Ford Ranger 2 Dr Standard cab 2.3 5 SPD 7.5 373 gears