Guess I'll start with what drove me to this site. Would Ford please hire some engineers who have actually worked on cars before letting them design them? The heater core failed on my Ranger. No big deal, the fluid was black when I bought the truck so I'll chock that up to the previous owner, although using aluminum for a heat exchanger is just asking for trouble, they really should be using brass. So I go to change it out, should be a quick 15 minute job just like my 86 BRONCO II and 91 RANGER, Wrong! Instead, Ford took a good design and mucked it up. In order to change the heater core the ENTIRE dash has to be removed as well as the heater box. If that were not bad enough, they HID nuts between the fire wall and the blower fan case under the hood! I just cannot believe that they took such a great design and fouled it up this bad.
After looking at this site I've been reminded of other problems.
The coating on the radio surround is peeling off, exposing the shiniest cheap plastic I've ever seen.
I had a big problem with a belt squeak. I replaced the belt which fixed the problem for about 15,000 miles. Based on the reviews on this board it looks like it may be the tensioner.
The truck is making a loud rattling sound underneath, most likely a loose heat shield.
My driver's side seat back has lost most of its cushion and now jams a metal rod in my back. If I keep the truck, new seats are a must.
Does this truck have a bet light? The bulb is there, but I can't figure out how to turn it on. I asked at a ranger web site and no one else knew either.
Top speed of 92 mph? Why put a 120 MPH speedo on it if you are going to electronically limit the speed at 92?
The bed light is on the dimmer switch. That is the wheel next to the light switch. Spin it until it clicks and the cargo lights will turn on.
It's called airbags. Dashboards have to be designed to accommodate them. Your 86 Bronco II and 91 Ranger did not have them. The 2001 Ranger does. Get used to it.
You have no doubt since replaced the Ranger with something else by now. Unless you got some old clunker from the '80's or before, heater core replacement is likely to be just as complicated as it was on the Ranger.
"Top speed of 92 mph? Why put a 120 MPH speedo on it if you are going to electronically limit the speed at 92?"
No small pickup is stable or safe at over 90mph. They simply aren't designed with high speed in mind, especially those with high suspensions, such as the 4X4's and Ranger Sports. Loss of control is easy and roll-overs are the result at higher speeds. If you want speed, get a car.
Ford (and other makers) wisely put limiters on their vehicles for a couple of reasons:
1) To protect the engines from damage
2) To protect the manufacturer from lawsuits from parents whose kids drive way too fast.
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