Ford Ranger 4x4?

[WS6]

I don't want to join a Ranger forum just to ask simple questions so I thought I'd start here. I'm thinking about getting an early 2000's model. Not 100% sure on the year but my price range dictates that range. Are there years I should stay away from? Does anyone have one and how do you like it? I'm wanting a 4wd model so I can go on some trails but nothing serious. I just want to not be that guy that thinks his 2wd truck can go anywhere a 4wd can. Auto or manual? Is the 5speed auto any good? Is lifting a 4wd model difficult or expensive? I'd only want a few inches and nothing hardcore just quality. Like I said, I'd just be taking it on trails really no rock crawling or anything like that. Mainly I want an open bed truck so I can haul my Duc around but also go on trails. How's the fuel economy on the V6 models?

Thanks

[Zachalanche]

I currently have an 89 and if I had to buy another one, I would probably get a 97 4.0 5 speed. its the last year they used the TTB front end. I think the majority of the population dislikes that suspension because of tire wear issues, but Ive had pretty good luck with it. Its cheap to lift, and you can get a reasonable amount of travel out of it (probably the most available travel out of any ifs, and on 33" mud tires I can go around 50k miles on a set of mud tires.) mileage is probably going to be 17-20, or 15-17 lifted. if you ger a 4x4 super cab, I doubt you will get much better mileage with the smaller engines. The body styling is a bit bland, but that year would be a cheap reliable very off road capable truck.

[SS PUNISHER]

I would be lookin for a 4.0 5 speed, ford automatics suck donkey ba--s unless its a c4 or c6....

[Twentyover]

Might want to stay away from early year 4.0 SOHC, timing chain issues. The OHV's are not a problem.

I'm on my third 2wd. Live in Detroit, fly back to Cali every 3-4 years and get a 10-12 YO Explorer. Spend $2500-3500, drive it a couple years, part it out.

What model Duc? I have an old Cagiva Ala Azurra (built during the two weeks or so in '86 when the Castiglioni's felt it would be good to market a Pantah under the Family name. CA = Castiglioni, GI = Giovani = Dad, VA = Varese, the city of assembly)

[WS6]

Thanks guys. I honestly can't believe I'm even looking at a Ford. I've always been GM. However, the Ranger is a better truck than the S10/Sonoma, and the 98+ extended cabs have four doors which is huge to me. I'm also highly considering the manual trans which GM again doesn't have compared to the number of Rangers with the manual. So it's looking like that's the truck for me. I just have to decide what I want and how much to spend. One thing that does help me feel better is they hold their value even though I'm finding the cost a little high still compared to a full size truck. I just don't want to deal with a full size truck. I like the size of my Trailblazer which this truck would replace and I have no family to haul around.

Greg, I have an 09 Monster 1100s. So far I love it. I just need to find more time to ride and better locations to ride. SW Kansas is flat!

[DartorDemon]

My work gives me work trucks/cars do to my job and right now i have a single cab ranger and my only advice is: pick another truck. This ranger is without a doubt the worst vehicle i've ever driven.

The ride sucks, the power is nonexistant(4cyl), the seats are uncomfortable, and it just barely fits someone over 6ft.

[WS6]

I'll be getting a V6 extended cab with the higher trim level ie way better than a work truck. How's the build quality?