1986 Ford Ranger regular cab 4x4 review from North America

Transmission leaked, and would pop out of gear over a bump in the road.

Rear differential locked up two different times.

V-6 burned a lot of oil.

I replaced at least four different sensors on the motor.

Gas gauge stuck about half the time.

Body rusted badly even with weekly or bi-weekly washing.

Wheel bearings needed replaced twice in same rear wheel.

Heater never really worked right.

Windshield leaked due to rust around it.

U-joint needed replaced.

Speedometer stuck sometimes.

Fuel pump went bad; truck left me stranded for probably the fifth time.

This was my first Ford, and it was the last one I will ever buy. I probably put half as much money in repairs in it as it cost to buy the truck in the first place. I don't know what kind of treatment it received before I had it, but there is no excuse for the amount of money it cost me to keep it running. I have owned chevy's, dodges, and toyota's, and the ford was by far the worst in every way. The four wheel drive always worked pretty well, but that did me no good when the truck didn't run. I would not recommend buying this year of ranger when there are a few foreign models of truck of the same year that will no doubt outlast and outperform the ranger, and with far fewer problems.