Ethanol in a 2000 Ranger?

I have the 4.0 Liter if it matters....

I've always put ethanol blend (10%) in my beaters because it's cheaper here in Iowa. When I got this truck I was getting some really crappy gas mileage. It was suggested to me to switch to regular gas, but I later found out the big culprit was the oversized tires on it. I kept using regular unleaded though because my Dad and his associated band of random rednecks (including one former ford mechanic supposedly) said using ethanol would kill the engine.

Anyone really know? Ethanol is publicly stated to cause about a 10% loss in mileage, but now it's 10 cents cheaper/gal then regular, so I was thinking of trying it.... unless it'd make my truck explode. Opinions?

that engine should be fine with it, if you had an FFV it would actually be made to run on part ethanol.

ethanol is not as clean as straight gas. any vehicle will run fine on a ethanol blend as long as you change fuel filter regularly. i haul gas so i know!!!

Ethanol will 'absorb' water & will clean/stir up sediment in your fuel system which is why you'll want to r/r fuel filters on hi mile & older vehicles. Any newer vehcile will barely notice 10% ethanol blends, however it will reduce your MPG's a bit. It's hard to get away from 10% ethanol in my area. That's all most stations carry anymore :disappoin .
G/luck
Joel