question on models

Discussion in '1998 - 2011 Ford Ranger' started by brandon151, Dec 1, 2011.

  1. brandon151

    brandon151 New Member

    ok so im new here my names brandon, i AM a toyota guy and prolly gonna buy a ford ranger sometime soon here..

    prolly dumb questions but i already googled it an everything, but didnt get a true answer.

    anyways, im looking at basically anything in the 2000's and up 4x4 and such..
    -is the vulcan v6 really as reliable as some say?
    - does the fx4 package offer a 5 speed? and what year did they start the fx4 package?

    thanks!
     
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  3. klinger86

    klinger86 Moderator

    first off welcome and not sure about the 3.0 i have heard some on here say it's not got that much power but dont know for sure.... and the fx4 does come in a manual.... as well as the highly sought after twin stick level II and not really sure the year that ford came out with the fx4... i'm gonn guess and say 01.....
     
  4. OP
    brandon151

    brandon151 New Member

    yeah i kinda figured the power was gonna be sought upon but i come from the toyota world and my current truck has 115hp.. 22re :( thanks for the info though
     
  5. djfllmn

    djfllmn ^^^ I am Mr. Clean!

    the fx4 first came out in 02 and that became the fx4 level 2 in 03...also in 03 the FX4 off road package became available...and the fx4 ran until 08 IIRC
     
  6. Hurley

    Hurley Superultramegalurker

    3.0s do lack a little power but are are very simple motors that will run forever. If you can get an fx4 its worth it.
     
  7. Brinker88

    Brinker88 Black sheep o' the family

    I prefer the 4.0 OHV any day of the week (in ranger's until 2000) Very straighforward motor easy to get at almost any part of it, and run forever if taken care of. Some of the earlier models had weak heads on them (til around 1995).

    The hubs on the 98-2000 models are extremely expensive and difficult for some people to work on (internal snap rings which take "special" tools). If I were you, I'd look for a 2001-2003 or a 1995-1997 ranger with the 4.0 and a 5 speed.
     
  8. Captured Time

    Captured Time watch this and hold on

    i like my 3.0 it dose the job i put it to
     
    Last edited: Dec 2, 2011
  9. Hurley

    Hurley Superultramegalurker

    98-00 can swap to manual 4x4 hubs in about five minutes
     
  10. OP
    brandon151

    brandon151 New Member


    so whats different about the 4.0 before 2000?
    i like the body style of 98-2000 and then the one right after it.... those are the years im looking at
     
  11. klinger86

    klinger86 Moderator

    the prior than 2000 engines were set up like an older style engine with the cam in the center of the engine.... 2000+ engines are the SOHC and they have had some problems with the timing chains.....
     
  12. OP
    brandon151

    brandon151 New Member

    oh ok.. it sounds like both v6s are still good motors though...
     
  13. Captured Time

    Captured Time watch this and hold on

    just one thing bou the 3.0 v6 is that some of the heads are known to go bad and crack put if they are up to date your fine
     

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