1993 Ford Ranger XLT Extended Cab 2WD from North America - Comments

The serpentine belt idler began making noise at about 50,000 miles, and I replaced it.

The vacuum diaphragm for the dealer-installed cruise control began leaking at about 80,000 miles, and I replaced it.

At about 80,000, the oxygen sensor began to go, causing a check engine light.

I had the brakes redone on all four wheels at 110,000. Surprisingly, the rear still had a good bit of lining left. The front rotors had gotten a bit thin, though, so they are replaced.

It now has a very slight oil leak in the differential, requiring a few spoonfuls of oil at every other oil change.

Everything else has been expendable items like shock absorbers and mufflers, and routine maintenance.

This truck is simple, rugged, dependable, and long-lived. It runs and drives about the same now as it did when I bought it.

I was looking for cheap, no-nonsense transportation and light hauling capabilities, and the truck delivered superbly.

It is, however, seriously underpowered, and the very slow acceleration takes some getting used to. Still, it's withstood hour after hour of towing a light trailer on the interstate in hot weather, throttle wide open, many times without complaint.

The ride is what you would have expected from a truck, before trucks began to get more and more car-like. It's pretty rough, with the old Ford twin I-beam suspension. But this arrangement, which is no longer in production, is simple and rugged. There are no ball joints to wear out, and it handles off-road exceptionally well. It's never been aligned in all the time I've had it, tracks straight and true, and wears the tires evenly.

None of the stuff that tends to break on an older vehicle -- air conditioning, door latches, universal joints, power steering pumps, etc. -- has given a speck of trouble. The clutch is original. No smoke, oil burning or leaks (except as noted above), pinging, body rattles, vibrations, or anything else.

In many ways, this vehicle is simple and crude. Yet the build quality, and the durability of the components, are top-notch. Only the dismal horsepower/weight ratio keeps this truck from being excellent in all regards, and that was something I knew about from day one. I bought what I could afford at the time, and I got everything I paid for.

The new Rangers, with their high-tech dual overhead cam engines and ball-joint suspensions, appear to be good machines, but I think the old-tech 1993 model was built to survive.

I was delighted to read such a positive commentary. I just bought a '93 Ranger Splash 4x2 2.3L, 5-spd for my 16 year old son. The truck has 101,000 km (63,000 miles) and appears to be in great condition. I had a dealer check it out for me and their reply was that this truck should live forever. I don't want a powerful truck for my son, so the comments about the lack of power are perfect. Thanks!!

I bought a 1993 Ranger 4x4 last year ("Splash" model with 4 liter engine, automatic) and am very pleased with it. No problems (100,050 miles), no leaks, no component failures at this point. Gas mileage and lack of power are realistic features with this model. Nice for in-town driving and off-roading, though. Should last as a second utility vehicle. Consider me a satisfied owner! P.S. This is my first Ford -always have driven foreign vehicles over the years. Not a bad littl' truck.

I agree ford rangers are the best trucks. I bought a 93 ranger with 138,000 miles on it for 1,000 bucks and all I replaced was a belt and tires. This truck has a perfect body and paint and interior.

I Have been very pleased with my Ranger. I've put it through some of the worst roads (or lack thereof) and have never gotten stuck. The only thing that has gone wrong is the head gasket blew at 123,000 miles, but I fixed it and never had another problem. thank you for a very well written review, it was informative.

How many miles do you think a 1993 Ford Ranger will last? Check me back at weareforgiven08@yahoo.com.

Hello.

My family has owned rangers for years in all shapes and sizes. Lifted, stock two wheel. The never die I mean never sure there are some maintenance items but that is it.

Here is a list of what we had and the miles.

88 4.0 liter manual regular cab xlt 4x4 280,000 miles rolled it still have the motor my brothers

89 4.0 liter manual regular cab xlt 4x4 78,000 miles sold it 18 years ago my dads

91 2.3 liter manual regular cab xlt 4x2 256,000 miles sold eight years ago still see it my dads

91 2.3 liter manual regular cab custom 380,000 miles on the body 120,000 on the current motor 40,000 on the current trans still have my brothers

92 4.0 liter auto ext. cab custom 4x2 162,000 miles still have it my moms

92 3.0 liter manual regular cab 4x4 210,000 miles sold my little brothers

93 3.0 liter auto regular cab xlt 4x2 186,000 miles sold four years ago my brothers

93 2.3 liter manual regular cab 4x2 148,000 miles still have it mine.

As you can see they do not die at all and belive me they had been abused.

Anthony T.

FoMoCo.

I have a 93 Ford Ranger. I paid $175.00 dollars for it. It has 258,000 on the motor, trans, and the body. It has a 5 speed; that thing runs like it is brand new.

I love the little truck. I use it to go back and forth to school. I'll run it till the wheels fall off. If I can't weld them back, I'll buy another one.

I too have a Ford Ranger. It's a 1993 Ranger XLT extended cab with a 4.0 liter V6. It's two tone blue and grey. My father bought it for 4.200 and it had hundred and fifty thousand miles on it. I recently put twenty-thousand miles on it. I love my little muscle Ranger, and it still runs like brand new!

I bought a 93 model with 40k back in 95. It now has 252,000 on it and it has been a great truck. Lack of power has always been disheartening. Replaced the clutch at 160k and did some work on the A/C this summer. Other than that, it's still original.

I'm tired of shifting gears after 13 years, so I'll probably go to a bigger automatic truck to meet my needs for towing. But well worth what I spent 13 years ago.

I love my 93 Ranger!! My dad had it before I did, and treated it well. I always coveted the thing, and since he gave it to me (when my Nissan truck died after 5 months) I've been driving it since. It's got OVER 300,000 miles on the original engine and transmission. It'll need some work soon, but keeps going and going. I get around 20 MPG on the highway, which is good for a truck with that wear and tear on it. I seriously plan on giving this truck to my kids. When the engine dies, I'll put a new engine and transmission in it, paint it a different color, and call it a new truck!!

It's great to hear all the good comments about the Ford Ranger. I have a 1993 Ranger 3.0 2x4 5 speed manual ext cab. This is my first truck (I'm 16). My grandfather was the 2nd owner. It had about 100,000 miles. He used it as a work truck. He traveled everywhere for work (he does tiles), and he put about another 250,000 on it! Same motor, trans, everything. He then gave it to me after he got a newer Ranger.

It runs stronger than ever. Of course has its little problems, but not too bad.

I almost forgot, its nick name is Old Green.

I love seeing these good comments about the Ranger. I've had 4 since 1992 and never had a second's trouble with any of mine.

If you want to see a really great Ranger, check out the October 2007 edition of Consumer Reports story on vehicles with very high mileage. The vehicle with the highest mileage is a Ranger (1993 I think) with 488,000 miles.

Well I bought a 93 Ford Ranger 4 cylinder XL last week. It has 190 on it. I just went from a 98 VW Golf that blew a transmission at 158 kms. All I had to replace to get it going was front ball joints.

I hope this truck lives forever. I am already having so much fun driving it.

This truck is GREAT!!! I recently bought it with 200,000 miles on it. All that was wrong with it was a little transmission fuel leak. The lack of power isn't good, but it still runs like a champ.