Someone offered me a trade recently.

[Big John Hance]

A friend of mine said he would flat out trade his 1992 Ranger for my 1982 F-150. Mine truck is 4x4, 4 speed, 300 straight 6. I don't know much about his Ranger other than it's an automatic, and has a 3.0 liter V6. I'll get some more info about it tommorrow, but do you guys think it's a fair trade? I'm installing a new clutch in my truck tommorrow btw.

[eti engineer]

My experience with the 3.0- V-6 is that it is so underpowered that you will be hating life. Our company used several Rangers in a "cost cutting" move which ended up costing us more in the long run for several reasons. We went back to the 150's and 250's and even though because they are Fords, they have their inherent problems, they are 400% better than the Rangers. I would never make the trade. That in-line 300 you have will run forever. That is one thing that Ford did right...

Later..

eti engineer

[Big John Hance]

The thing is, I'm using the F-150 as my primary vehicle right now. I'm only in high school so I can't really afford to buy a new car at the moment. I only drive to school, work, and the girlfriend's house. I never pull or haul anything at all. I see what you're saying about the V6 being underpowered though, because my dad has a 96 Ranger with the 3.0 liter and it's horrible. Acceleration is terrible, and it doesn't pull very good at all. My main concern is gas mileage right now. I drive a good 30 miles a day and the 300 is killing me. Would you make the trade based on gas alone?
The odometer on my 300 says 5,000 miles. I don't know if it has rolled over 2 or 3 times though. Many people have told me it's probably 305,000.

[Rpg0]

I don't see the ranger getting that much more MPG to make up for the loss in power or truck.

I had a 94 ranger with the same 3.0L and auto and I could only tweak 15.7mpg in the city and 22mpg on the hwy.
Wouldn't hardly tow a small boat or camper.

The 300 six was a pretty reliable motor, had one in a 76 F series that went well over 200,000miles.

Tune up the 4x4 and keep your foot out of it.


Good Luck,

[Rpg0]

By the way, you can check mileage here:

http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/findacar.htm

It only goes back to 1985 though...

[Big John Hance]

I noticed last night that the Ranger is an extended cab and has brand new tires on it. I'm probably going to talk to the owner of it today.

[Big John Hance]

I looked at the truck today. It's in great condition. I found out that the current owner put the new engine in it, and it only has 56k miles on it. It has a very nice sound system too. I am bringing my truck to him tommorrow so we can test drive them.

[e.sedgwick]

I have a 1986 4.9 six in a short bed f-150. It gets about sixteen miles to the gallon and has a fuel tank that holds a little better than eleven gallons. It is a three speed automatic with power steering and air. The only way I am going to improve this situation is to install an AOD four speed auto. If you really wanted to keep this truck,I would look for a late model five speed to go in it. That being said You are a young man and disposable income is hard to come by. Don't put your money in the gas tank. Make the trade.

[Big John Hance]

I really don't want to put any more parts or labour into my truck. I HATE mechanicing with a passion because I have OCD for clean hands lol.
But the only problem I've had so far is convincing my parents that it isn't too good to be true.