I'm starting this thread to get opinions from Ranger owners. I'm going to replace my old gas guzzling GMC 4X4 with a smaller truck. I'm going to a 4X2 as I only used the 4WD to haul my boat up the ramp (I sold the boat) and for the tiny amount of snow we have in Delaware. I've been looking at 2 different trucks: 1998 - 2001 Nissan Frontier and Ranger.

I need a truck that is reliable (please don't yell, but I have had bad luck with domestic vehicles) and gets reasonable gas milage. All of my money is now going to college for my 2 kids. I am considering an 4x2 extended cab with the 3.0. I haven't decided between a 5 speed manual or automatic. I drive about 15 miles a day (city) for work, will take trips to Virginia Beach 5 or 6 times a year (500 miles round trip). The rest of the time is driving my dog to the pond or puttering around. I cut firewood and will need to haul that occasionaly.

Edmunds and Consumerguide both give the Ranger high marks (Best Buy), but I really wanted to hear from folks who own them. Are there any issues that I should look for when shopping around? How long would you expect a 3.0 L to last (how long between engine rebuilds). If I choose a Ranger, anything that I should consider replacing to get more life out of the truck (I tend to buy and keep for a long time, that why I focus on reliability). Also, does anyone know the tow rating for a 4x2 ext cab with a 3.0 L?

I guess it is kind of silly asking Ranger owners whether they would choose another truck, but I figured it is worth a shot.

Thanks!

i have a 98 3.0 xlt. just rolled 135,000 miles, transmisson is giving me troubles(just wear and tear from a few owners). owned three rangers loved them all. Id get the manny tranny. great trucks, id get a 4.0 if you can find one though.

I've had my ranger for about 3.5 years and the only thing that's gone wrong was the ABS sensor went out. Oh, and the sticky throttle body(but that's only on some of the 2.5Ls). It's been a great truck and I love it! I'll definately be buying another after I run this one into the ground(hopefully not for a very long time).

I love my Ranger. Much better than the Dakota I used to have. They will take a beating and keep on ticking. Just take care of them and they'll run practically forever. I have the 4.0 and it's a nice little motor. Haven't found anything I can't tackle yet. Mine is currently have a slight tranny issue, but it also has 142k miles on it (original tranny) and it was a fleet/company vehicle before I got it with 125k miles.

Ranger :thumbsup: my second one and no problems!!!

ranger are the way to go. my girl friends has a 92 with 250,000 and i just bought my 2007. she has the 2.9 i have the 3.0 but i would really opt for the 4.0 if you can find one. but the 3.0 is still good in my views

I have an 01 Ranger xlt with the 3.0 and auto tranny, Extended cab with the 4 doors. i have about 90,000 miles on it and it is running fine had it for about 2 years and have not had to do any work to it yet other then your normal fluid changes. My step father has a 03 Nissan Frontier not sure of the engine but i know it is a v6 with a auto it is the 4 door version. He has not really had any problems he has had it for about 3 years not sure of the mileage. I have drove it some and i have noticed that you get more road noise inside the Nissan they you do the ranger and he says that the truck rattles alot (door panles, dash, ect.) and also it does not have as much get up and go as my ranger. Gas milage mine gets about 2-3 more per gallon then his but also his is the crew cab mine is just an Extended cab. Also i use to have a 95 Ranger xlt with the 2.3 4cyl and 5sp man. It ran great. I even hit a deer in it took out the whole front grill, Headlight, ac coils, and someother things but the truck keep on going. Had 170,000 miles on it when i sold it to buy a new one the only thing i had to do to it was replace water pump one time, and the clutch one time at 130,000 and repair the deer damage.

If you get one for the long haul, get a 5speed. However the 5 speed can not tow as much. Don't know the specifics, just know that it is rated at quite a bit less. Probably not because of the transmission, but specifically the clutch.
Have the front end checked by a shop if at all possible before purchasing. As for the 3.0's reliability of the engine itself is above average. The engine itself should go around 250k between rebuilds if not abused or starved for oil. But the CPS Synchro gear(Yell at me someone if this is incorrect.) should be replaced around 100k.(400 dollar job) If it becomes stripped the oil pump stops...worse case scenario engine rebuild or transplant.

My dads got an 89 Ranger that he bought brand new in 88. He has driven all over the place, and it has about 300K on the truck itself. He has taken care of the truck, and right now, the tranny is starting to go. Other then that, everything is original on it.

He has the 3.0, so that just tells you how far it can really go. 300k is quite a bit.

In my opinion, both engines are good. I happen to like the 4.0 myself because it has a little more power, but if given the chance, I wouldn't mind having either one.

Just remember the maintenance on an engine. If it has the maintenance, they can outlast any import. My 4Runner that I used to have had 280K on it, with little maintenance, and was about shot (I was the 4th owner). Any engine can last, you just have to take care of it.

Ive see lots of rangers with over 200k . But i would recommend the 4.0 , it has a little more power and it gets about the same mileage.

I hate to say it, unless your dad did an engine swap, he cant have a 3.0 in an 89. 3.0's were only available starting in 1990. All that was available in 89 were 2.3's & 2.9's.

My dads got an 89 Ranger that he bought brand new in 88. He has driven all over the place, and it has about 300K on the truck itself. He has taken care of the truck, and right now, the tranny is starting to go. Other then that, everything is original on it.

He has the 3.0, so that just tells you how far it can really go. 300k is quite a bit.

In my opinion, both engines are good. I happen to like the 4.0 myself because it has a little more power, but if given the chance, I wouldn't mind having either one.

Just remember the maintenance on an engine. If it has the maintenance, they can outlast any import. My 4Runner that I used to have had 280K on it, with little maintenance, and was about shot (I was the 4th owner). Any engine can last, you just have to take care of it.

Nissan makes a good truck. But when the time for maintainence and repair comes you'll be much happier with the Ranger. Quality used parts are readily available and I beleive always will be because of the Rangers popularity. 3.0 is a good motor but for hauling a 4.0 is better and economy is very similar. Opt for the 5spd. Clutch jobs are alot cheaper than Auto rebuilds and in time you'll do one or the other regardless.Manuals are a bit better on fuel. Be sure and get one that is E85 fuel ready because it is coming and I think it will become a must in time.
Nissan is a good looking but very "plastic" truck and I don't see owning one for the length of time you intend to own a truck.
Chevys are not holding up well and Toyotas are just plain expensive!! I've never cared for a Dodge in any form of truck as they all ahve tranny, rearend , or electrical bugs...

Personally, if it were me, and your not worried about hauling a bunch of weight, I'd look into hte 2.3/2.5 4 cylinder engines. They make excellent gas mileage. A lot of people seem to get in excess of 25 mpg on a regular basis w/ those engines.

I have 72,000 miles on my 04 and it has not giving me even the slightest bit of a problem besides regular tune-up and wear items.

I always loved how solid my Ranger felt, also the ranger comes at a pretty good price, I got my 04 Edge, 4.0 5-speed Supercab, for right around $17,000 after TT&L. I would recommend looking at something like an XLT, 3.0 or 4.0 auto, with a few power options, like windows and locks. But I have got 48,000 miles on it, and only had to replace the clutch, because I drove, hence drove, the mother ***king hell out of it. So if you don't beat it up and give it good maintenance, you will definitely get your money's worth. Plus when your done, people on here are always looking to buy a new project.

I owned a '91 ford aerostar - same 3.0L, tranny as the ranger. I beat the piss out of it and hardly kept up on mainance. With no rebuilds on tranny or engine I got 235,000 miles on it. I have no doubt that if I would have kept up with mainance and not reved the piss out of it, it would would have lasted 300k

I hate to say it, unless your dad did an engine swap, he cant have a 3.0 in an 89. 3.0's were only available starting in 1990. All that was available in 89 were 2.3's & 2.9's.

Well, you are right about one thing: They were indeed not in the Rangers in 1989.

However, they were not put into Rangers until 1991.

I guess the 2.9 is still a pretty good engine :D.

i had the 2.9 in my ranger, and it was nothin but good luck and worry free for me

i sold the truck with 235 thousand kms and there was barely any tick on that motor, hard to believe? ya, i know, me 2!

I kept up with regualar maintence, i changed my oil( with GOOD oil, not the 5 dollar's per litre oil) every 4000 kms, with a new oil filter, and i greased it all as well,

and, just remeber, preventative maintance includes washing the vehicle, the underside, and engine bay (no pressure washers please) inspecting and cleaning your air filter regularly (i did mine every oil change) and just, always a good check over whenever you do a tune up or small repair job on it.

The Ranger is a great mid sized truck, I am currently in the process of trading my car in on a 1997 ranger 4x4 with the 4.0 litre automatic, i hope it pans out for me.

Curtis

I had a 2001 3.0 2 wheel stick XLT. never got less than 20mpg beating on it and as high as 27 mpg on a trip. one set of front breaks and rotors was all I ever did to that truck. I would buy another one in a heart beat.

I have a 96 with 140,000 on the engine (trans had the same but ran out of fluid some how and blew up but ran great before that) and its running good. I have the 3.0L and its fun to drive gets pretty good gas milage and I beat on it daily and its running great.

:welcome:Taking into consideration all that you said.

I would go for the 2x4 3.0L auto.
Make sure you get the limited slip rear end.

I kinda agree with Adam the 2.3ltr Auto with 4:10 limited slip is a good choice too, I also cring on how it would move with a bed full of logs?

Then again crazy me did that with my 4.0 with 1100lbs of locust logs piled to the roof line and it was kinda not fun either.


Here is what you need to know.

Do your regular maintenace, no shortcuts.

Pay someone to have the bands in the auto transmission re-adjusted every 50k. (Few people do this, but the $100 ranger service manual suggests it.) Also at the first signs of a tranny problem most likely either a slight slipping in 2nd or the infamous 3rd gear yogurt shift. Get the 2 TSB parts installed along with a new tranny filter.



Or alternatively you can have the Transgo transmission reprogram kit installed that also fixes what ford did wrong from the get go.

That should enable the truck to make it to 150K mitigating any possible issues before they happen.

Removing and replacing the radiator fan and installing an electric radiator fan should be one of the first performance mods you do. This one will pay for itself within a few months.

I've got my 3.0 auto for a year and a few months. I Love my truck, and I have no problem with a bed full of logs, especially on a dirt/gravel crappy road up hills and whatever. I feel that my truck actually had better traction with my bed full of logs. I like it's get up and go effect, and very dependable. I just had to have my engine replaced because i was 1.5 quarts of oil low for a month and a half or so because of a leaky oil filter. Even then it still ran, when other vehicles would have seized. Ford took care of the repair for me, and all was fine. My dad has a 2000 4 banger reg cab. He just replaced his tires after 80k, and he drives a good 50-100 miles just to work a day. Of course he ignores his pining, when I tell him to research and fix it... Just pay attention to her and she will repay you in serviceability.

edit: some people say ford's have no traction without some bed weight, and that's right. I once couldn't get up a stup!d drit hill without losing traction, but I just pushed it up while my buddy pressed the gas. I felt strong.