1991 Ford Ranger XLT SXT from North America - Comments

Immediately after purchasing the truck in February 2005, the truck suffered an oil leak. I talked with the previous owner, and he reported no such incident. Next, I took it to the local Ford dealer, they wanted $825 for the repair because they said they had to remove the 4.0 L engine. Hold the phone! My truck's engine is not a 4.0, but a 3.0. I caught the Ford in a lie, probably trying to burn more of a hole in my wallet. How could I trust them with a repair of my truck, when they can't keep their facts straight?!? My other mechanic did the job efficiently for half the cost, and there's been no problem.

Replaced a faulty water pump with the oil gasket, 142K miles.

Steering wheel has a loose feel.

Otherwise, that's basically it.

I love Rangers. It took a while to find a good first truck, and the Rangers were right up my alley.

I like the STX trim, the cloth interior seats are in great shape, and are very comfortable. All upholstery is also very good shape, considering this truck is 13 years old.

I learned how to drive a manual in this truck. I love driving the stick. This five-speed shifts rather smoothly in the higher gears.

Top speed is only 85 mph, but I don't think that my parents want me going that fast, even on the Interstate. It cruises tranquilly at 65-70 mph in overdrive gear.

For a truck of this size, it possesses some muscle. I carry a few-hundred pounds worth of building material in the back occasionally.

For a truck of this size, or any truck whatsoever, I'm impressed with the fuel economy. I can go about 420 miles with a 19 gallon tank. That's about 22 mpg average.

Usually starts right up, even when left outside for the night in below zero Montana weather.

Cool red paint job. Since it's red externally and internally, I've named the truck "Red Fury."

Extended cab is really nice to have. I can fit four people comfortably in the truck, with two getting the fold out seats.

The truck is a 2WD, rear wheel. It comes with street tires. It's HELL driving it when it's icy. You can feel the rear end slide.

As I save up more money, I plan to give this truck a lift kit, new all-season tires, a new aftermarket stereo, off road lights, a winch, and other off-roading gear. I plan to use this truck for a lot of camping and recreational activities.

Best of all, it fits in my garage.

In general, I love Rangers. I love the one I currently have. I'll never get rid of it anytime soon. I am considering restoring a first-generation Ranger standard cab, (1983-1988) when I graduate. That should be a very fun project to complete. I almost got sold on a 92 Dakota with an automatic for the same price, but the Ranger was my final answer.

Update:

This truck is simply the best. I have put 4000 miles on it sicne I posted. There have been no problems since then. I have done a series of modifications on my Ranger STX. Those new parts include:

-a new bed liner

-a new JVC CD/MP3 player

-stylish Lund tail light covers.

And this is just a beginning of future modifications. I plan to keep this reliable piece of American technology for many more happy years.

How about another update?

Anyway, I'm getting up to 200,000 miles real soon. Nothing has happened mechanically at all. I have taken it on a lot of hiking trips this past summer--and it's still cruises at 80 @ about 2900 rpm on the interstate.

I put some new bright Halogen lights on a brand new black grille guard, so now it is very bright at night when I have to drive on the highway on the way home from work or school.

Great truck. When the current engine craps out in it, I'll throw in a identical, but more modern 3.0 liter that runs on E85. I also might get another Supercab just like it for doing some serious offroading.

Rangers, the best looking and best mechanically.

Not to burst you bubble, but that "Ford tough" Ranger is made by Mazda which is why it is so durable:)

Ford owns Mazda.

I was much of a ford man. untill my mom bought me a 93 ford explorer 4x4 with 3inchs of lift. 4 $400 from a friend of hers. it was kept in great shape. it had 317000 miles on it when I got it and it still would smoke the wheels off. it had a 4.0 and it would hold it down at more the 85mph. it had a 18 gallon tank bone dry. and would do about 450miles if I kept my foot out of the gas pedal. I regreat ever getting read of it.

Responding to the comment about the Ranger being a Mazda: The only part of a Ford Ranger this age that is Mazda-sourced is the manual transmission, the M5OD-R1. The A4LD automatic in Rangers/Explorers/Bronco II's is sourced from Ford in Bordeaux, France. My sheets on the Ranger from 1991 say it is 80% US/Canadian. Compare that to the 70% US/Canadian found in the 2008 Ranger. In terms of the engines of 1991, two of the four offered were made in a Ford plant in Cologne, Germany: 2.9 and 4.0. The other two (2.3 and 3.0) are built in a Ford casting plant in Lima, Ohio. Therefore, the Ranger is very much a Ford product, but depending on it's configuration had some foreign parts.

Actually, the import fans have it backwards. The Mazda truck is simply a Ranger with a different grille. Up until 1992 Mazda made its own trucks. They were very cheap, poor riding and not overly reliable. When they became Rangers the ride, quality and reliability went way UP. Our family uses Rangers as company vehicles and they are some of the most reliable, tough vehicles on Earth. Some date back to 1993 and have 300,000+ miles on them.