1986 Ford Ranger regular cab 4x4 from North America - Comments

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.

You have no right to complain when you yourself say you don't know how the previous owner treated it. This happens with all used cars and you have to do your homework and be smart when buying. You evidently, were not.

It's a 1986 for gawd sakes...

This was my review originally, and on the contrary, I did do my homework. I was all around and underneath this truck, and all the problems that I had with it could not have been predicted even though I carefully looked at it. My only mistake was buying a Ford, which won't happen again. Why do you think that Ford and Chevy are losing tons of money today, when manufacturers like Toyota and Honda are raking it in? I'll tell you: it is because Ford/Chevy have been making substandard vehicles for a long time, and now it is catching up with them, and they know it. Which, to me, explains why this truck fell apart around me when these foreign makes would not have.

You may have checked the truck out before buying it, but with used vehicles of any kind you have to be extra careful and also look into the engine/drive train packages that are known to be reliable or not, same for severe rusting problems and also expensive parts replacements. you also can't condemn all fords, all manufacturers have lemons and yours sounds like it was abused as well by previous owners. I've heard these little ford rangers with the four cylinders are amazing reliable!!