Ford Ranger help..
Discussion
I'm considering a Ranger for my next car. It will be a private vehicle used for general family duties and also carrying mountain bikes. I'm looking around 2020/21 but having never driven one before I would like to know a couple of things:
1) Is it worth spending a bit more to get the 3.2TDCi? I imagine the 4 pots are a bit underpowered but there are many more of these to choose from. A 3.2 would probably mean me having to travel quite a distance to view one (I don't mind this if it's worth it).
2) Are there any common faults with these? I'm a complete newbie to anything pickup. I've had 4WD cars before but never anything commercially orientated.
3) Any must-have options? I'm aware the infotainment system will probably be a bit outdated on a vehicle of this age but I'm happy to add an aftermarket one so this isn't a massive issue really.
Any tips / pointers gratefully received!
1) Is it worth spending a bit more to get the 3.2TDCi? I imagine the 4 pots are a bit underpowered but there are many more of these to choose from. A 3.2 would probably mean me having to travel quite a distance to view one (I don't mind this if it's worth it).
2) Are there any common faults with these? I'm a complete newbie to anything pickup. I've had 4WD cars before but never anything commercially orientated.
3) Any must-have options? I'm aware the infotainment system will probably be a bit outdated on a vehicle of this age but I'm happy to add an aftermarket one so this isn't a massive issue really.
Any tips / pointers gratefully received!
If you want a bigger engine, if you went for a year or so older there are masses of 3.2 litres.
As said, make sure the bed is long enough for what you want.
They do drive nicely, but clearly you need to test drive to see if it suits.
You'll get used to parking in certain places in certain ways...but multi storeys can be a challenge.
With regards to issues I've had a few minor electrical gremlins, but nothing that's over bothered me.
I love mine!
As said, make sure the bed is long enough for what you want.
They do drive nicely, but clearly you need to test drive to see if it suits.
You'll get used to parking in certain places in certain ways...but multi storeys can be a challenge.
With regards to issues I've had a few minor electrical gremlins, but nothing that's over bothered me.
I love mine!
I had a 2.0 BiTurbo for a year or so. It wasn't lacking in power at all, but the wet belt was a worry. Far more of a worry was the issues with the DPF which was a f**king nightmare.
The consensus from the specialist I was talking to is that the materials in the DPF are not really up to the job unless it it basically lives on the motorway. It's exceptionally fussy about regen conditions and will tell you when it's starting a regen, but not when its successfully completed so you are always guessing if its finished.
Once it fails to regen enough times, it will have put so much diesel in the oil that the oil quality sensors go nuts and it goes into limp mode. This was despite me putting it on the motorway for a minimum of 30 minutes at least once a week.
The consensus from the specialist I was talking to is that the materials in the DPF are not really up to the job unless it it basically lives on the motorway. It's exceptionally fussy about regen conditions and will tell you when it's starting a regen, but not when its successfully completed so you are always guessing if its finished.
Once it fails to regen enough times, it will have put so much diesel in the oil that the oil quality sensors go nuts and it goes into limp mode. This was despite me putting it on the motorway for a minimum of 30 minutes at least once a week.
Thanks all! It's completely new territory for me as I've always had normal 'cars'. I also thought avoiding the 4 pots will more than likely weed out a lot of the work vehicles. I would assume employers wouldn't be opting for the 3.2's.
I wouldn't mind going to view one but they all appear to be absolutely miles away!
The mountain bikes will have the front wheels off and be locked to the tailgate. Oddly, what inspired me to look at these (other than being sick of crashing into potholes) was I recently bought a new MTB and the guy delivering it fetched it on one of these.
I wouldn't mind going to view one but they all appear to be absolutely miles away!
The mountain bikes will have the front wheels off and be locked to the tailgate. Oddly, what inspired me to look at these (other than being sick of crashing into potholes) was I recently bought a new MTB and the guy delivering it fetched it on one of these.
For clarity I have never owned one of these but have always fancied one for the exact same usage you are talking about.
However, I then bumped into The Car Edition and their YouTube channel where the cover the wet belt replacement on these engines.
https://youtu.be/DdF-9yYpphQ?si=JH-dWfapUtC-hlNs
That stopped me having any thoughts about owning one of these when I'm paying for maintenance!!
ETA: sorry, didn’t read the full thread, I see the 3.2 has a timing chain not a wet belt. Even so they just look a massive ball ache to work on!!
https://youtu.be/p_R_85SaLtI?si=wM1Z8zpGg7kgfRDl
However, I then bumped into The Car Edition and their YouTube channel where the cover the wet belt replacement on these engines.
https://youtu.be/DdF-9yYpphQ?si=JH-dWfapUtC-hlNs
That stopped me having any thoughts about owning one of these when I'm paying for maintenance!!
ETA: sorry, didn’t read the full thread, I see the 3.2 has a timing chain not a wet belt. Even so they just look a massive ball ache to work on!!
https://youtu.be/p_R_85SaLtI?si=wM1Z8zpGg7kgfRDl
Edited by Shooter McGavin on Wednesday 4th February 13:02
I ran 2 as company vehicles 100k miles over 4 years & the only problem (renewables aside) was a couple of blown lights.
1st was a 2l (2.2??) limited, 2nd was the 5cyl wildtrack. 5 cyl is definitely punchier & smoother, but bizarrely the limited had a better (dsp equipped) sound system.
But of a shipping hazard on the supermarket run, but really good long distance cruisers. We did a holiday in La Rochelle/isle de Re with MiL and 2 dogs. Can’t remember fuel figures I’m afraid but possibly mid 20’s?
1st was a 2l (2.2??) limited, 2nd was the 5cyl wildtrack. 5 cyl is definitely punchier & smoother, but bizarrely the limited had a better (dsp equipped) sound system.
But of a shipping hazard on the supermarket run, but really good long distance cruisers. We did a holiday in La Rochelle/isle de Re with MiL and 2 dogs. Can’t remember fuel figures I’m afraid but possibly mid 20’s?
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