Things to look for on 96 Ranger?

[russtyk]

I am looking at buying a 96 Ranger XLT, automatic, 2wd, ext. cab, V6 with 119K miles. What are some typical problems to look for?

Thanks,
Russ

[Martsy]

typical is exactly the word to use here, everything you would normally look for, oil leaks, things like that.. i have a 93 with the 4 litre v6 in it, just rolled over 246,000 km's on it and it doesnt leak one kind of fluid. now i am 19 and i take care of everything i own, but the v6's are good engines and just like everything else, they will last a long time if you take care of them..
not sure if i answerd your question to what you expected, but the v6's are good engines.

[russtyk]

Is there much difference between the 3 and 4L V6 motors as far as power, milage, maintenance? How about the 4cyl motors? What kind of milage can I expect?

[bloodyprice]

about 30 miles to the gallon, in a 4 cyl manual.

[tjr1000]

Originally Posted by russtyk

Is there much difference between the 3 and 4L V6 motors as far as power, milage, maintenance? How about the 4cyl motors? What kind of milage can I expect?

I had a 95 with the 4L, standard transmission. Highway mileage was about 25In town around 20. I now have a 2004 3L, which gets about 28 on the highway, 22-23 in town. There is a big difference in power/smoothness at highway speeds. The 3.0 seems to be laboring at any speed over 65 MPH, while my old 4L seemed fine up to about 75-80. I don't notice much difference around town. The 3.0 is geared to run faster which probably helps it perform in city driving. But on the highway the higher revs cause it to start making noise.

The 95 4.0 seemed to be a pretty reliable engine. I never had any problems with it. But at around 130k I started getting nickeled and dimed to death by various routine problems. The windshield wiper stalk failed ($150 replacement) The clutch was about done, and I understand this is an expensive fix on a Ranger. Leakage around the windshield was causing a rust problem. Various other little things which added up to big expense.

I sure miss the 4.0 when I'm out on the highway, but I remind myself I'd be spending a couple hundred $ extra per year on gas. I believe the newer 4L's burn more gas, because they have upped the horsepower quite a bit since the 90's.