2004 Ford Ranger XLT from North America - Comments

I bought my 2004 FX4 with 12k on it, it now has 22k, I've had no problems what so ever. I love this truck, I added a K&N filter and a Tornado induction piece, along with a full synthetic oil night and day difference. I get around 22mpg on the highway and 17 in the city. I don't know if I agree with the comment that using 87 octane is better than 89, but it all comes down to opinion I prefer 89 myself. This truck has probably one of the best 4x4 systems out there, I can't even feel it switching into 4 hi. I've taken it through some horse paths with ease. I traded a V8 cougar for this and I think the 4.0 with the 5 speed auto trans is just as powerful. I hope to drive it until the wheels fall off! lol.

To the above commentor you should go by your car owner manuel. If it says 87 octane go with that it all depends on combustion of the engine.

2004 Ford Ranger regular cab with 2.3L 4 cylinder. At 32,200 miles the engine started pinging while cruising, some pinging while accelerating. After 30 seconds of sitting at idle (regardless of a/c on or off) rpm's dropped to 300-500 and engine began hunting badly. Sometimes died during the next 5 stoplights it took to get to Service Center. Ford Service center ran diagnostics, all cleared, including sensors, computer, and fuel pump pressure/volume. They replaced air and fuel filters, flushed fuel system, cleaned intake and MAS (air flow sensor). Also disconnected battery to reset engine computer. For the next 200 miles I've driven pinging still occurs, some at cruise at 70mph down freeway, also some especially after accelerating for several seconds. Spark plugs were replaced 5,000 ago. Drive roughly 60 miles half freeway half city daily. Until now have not had any problems, but this may become a large issue. Fuel mileage in the last 1,000 miles has also degraded from 30 to 22. Engine certainly isn't friendly enough to register any fault codes. I'm hoping the ford dealer service center can find the problem next week, otherwise I suppose I'll have to spend as much as I paid for the truck on all sorts of diagnostic stuff and plug it all in and monitor everything while driving down the road, or convert the thing to a stand alone fuel management system with all new sensors to make sure I never get credit cards paid off. Also had a 1994 v6 4x4 which I drove regularly, and never had any problems with. Love these simple little trucks which can do most anything while still fitting in a normal parking space and sipping fuel.

Helpful information about Rangers... AFTER the fact! My buddy just left the navy here in the Persian Gulf. I bought his 2001 Ranger 2.4 liter, 5-speed imported from Maine. Great truck, but now I see unfortunate details: I also have the ping problem at 60mph (now I will try low-grade gas after the previous recommendation). I also have an occasional complete drop of power for no more than 3 seconds. Finally, in crawling traffic, the throttle seems to be either ON or OFF making my truck appear to be a bucking bronco! (I though Ford discontinued the Bronco, lol!). I took it to the local dealer for a diagnostic test and complete tuneup, supposedly no problem. I specifically requested an EGR valve test. But I think these Arabs don't know crap about Fords. Anyone have similar experiences?

PS: Oh yeah... the front rotors can't stay smooth. I am awaiting delivery of high performance rotors from JC Whitney to replace the old warped ones.

If you drive it til the wheels fall off, you'll have it a VERY long time!! I'm currently driving my 4th Ranger (my personal vehicle) and my family's 2 companies use Rangers as commercial vehicles. Some of them date back to 1993 and have around 300,000 miles on them. These things are TOUGH.

2004 Ford Ranger Supercab 4x4 a few minor problems covered by Ford, arm rest underneath is all cracked causing arm rest to pop off. Had this problem with my Bronco II and Ford came up with a fix, don't understand why it was re-engineer to fail again. Things just got worse at 44,000 miles and all service done by Ford while idling at a light my engine dropped a valve. My Bronco went 217,000 miles, I traded it away for some work and its still going strong. I'm shocked that at 44K I'm into a big repair bill.

I have a 2004 Ranger Edge (2wd) 3.0 Liter Auto.. and the best mpg I am getting now is about 14, has been to the dealer countless times and they say noting is wrong. Had a 1999 4wd 4.0 Liter Auto and could get as much as 26mpg on the highway... what is wrong with my new truck? This started at about 25k miles.. now has 47k.. any suggestions are appreciated.. Thnx.

14:10 That kind of mileage is what you get out of a Ford. A friend of mine bought a new Sporttrac (with a v-8, granted), but still, it gets barely over TEN miles to the gallon. Sell it and don't look back.

Hey guys, just thought I'd throw in my two cents... I have a 2001 Ranger 3.0L V6, 468,000 miles on it, original engine, (I know, its hard to believe), I get 22mpg on the highway, uses no oil, runs and looks like new ;-)

I owned a 92 ford. It was like a toothless barbrawler... not many things worked on it but it kept going and going. The parts kept on breaking and breaking until I said enough is enough. I gave it to the junk yard and I do miss it. I got great gas mileage on that car 500km for $55.

I have a 2004 Ranger 4.0 Edge with stick. The truck runs great and have no major complaints about the truck.

Hit a guardrail with it last winter after falling asleep at the wheel; held up like a tank, just a line down the drivers side of the truck where rubbed the rail, dent in the rear of the bed near the bumper.

My only question is that it tops out at 90mph, know I am not supposed to go this fast, but does not seem right for it to do; the driveline seems to shimmy when this occurs, and the stick shakes.

Any ideas of what is going on? Dealers of course are not going to test the truck up to 90 mph, but seems that something is not right if this happens. Any ideas, send them this way. Also the gas mileage is horrible, around 11-13 mixed driving...

Mike.

If you own a pickup, by putting your tailgate down, you will get worse gas mileage, (by keeping the tale gate up) the air inside your bed pushes up, allowing air coming down to leave more quickly, with less drag. Doesn't anybody watch Mythbusters?