Attn all ranger owners past and present, noob needs help

i am considering buying an '01 ranger and i am looking for all the reviews that i can get. if you own or owned onethen your input would be greatly appreciated. i really want to know about the ground clearence, major/typical problems, MPG, and whatever else you care to add.

Thanks much,

Mandh2010

'04 Edge, 3L auto, 89,000Km's, 22 CAN MPG 95% highway driving. Handles like a top, sticks to the road like s**t to a blanket. Underpowered is my only complaint.....Mike

engine type? can it switch between 2 and 4 wheel drive?

3L Mazda engine, 2WD and the ground clearance is great, being an Edge it has a higher suspension over conventional....Mike

2000 ranger trail head,3.0/5sp, 32"s stock wheels brush guard, It now has about 175,000 miles, I bought with about 45,000 on it. Love it, crank up the torsion bars and she will fit 33's no rubbing.

98 3.0 4x4 with 106k on it. It's taken some work since it rolled 100k but evreything was very easy to do myself and I'm no mechanic, just a guy with some tools. I've had the truck for almost 6 years now and it still runs great. Never had any issues with the 4x4 or anything for that matter, just routine parts wear.


Hope that helps,

JP

I have a 2001 Extended Cab, 4x4, 4.0 liter V6 with 78,600 miles. The only problem I have ever had was a leak in the thermostat housing. Not sure that this is common, but the mechanic told me that this is a weak area for Fords as the housing is made of plastic. I think it is an isolated incident and probably not a common failure for the Ranger. This is the 4th Ranger I have owned and I highly recommend the truck. It is cheap and easy to maintain - if you don't mind doing some of the work yourself. My gas mileage is 19 mpg on the hwy, I average 17 mpg overall. If you get the 2.3 liter 4 cylinder engine - they are rock solid, get 26-28 mpg on the hwy. I've seen many of these truck with 225,000 and even one with 300,000 miles on it.