New Ford Ranger prototype hits the road

My 00 Sierra has around a quarter million miles on it.

But they certainly weren’t problem-free.

I will say that the LS series engine is a good one. I have yet to have to open up the engine, other than a few water pumps over the years.

The 4L60E trans - I’m on my 3rd rebuild. The first one I had done “professionally”. The next two I taught myself how to do it and they lasted 2x as long as the original or the first rebuild.

I’ve had to patch the frame multiple times due to rusting from the inside out. The body rotted from the inside out long ago, at about 125k. The brake lines rusted away, the ABS system rusted apart (I relocated out of the spray from the front wheels when I had to redo all the brake lines), multiple modules have been replaced or fixed by me (usually poor solder joints). I’ve had the dreaded driveline clunk for the entire time I’ve owned it (since about 75k) despite going through three revisions of slip yokes, rebuilding the rear end, rebuilding the transfer case, and the previous-mentioned trans rebuilds. Last summer, I noticed I had a cracked leaf when one of the spring shackles rusted away and almost came through the bottom of the bed.

Honestly, it’s hard to believe the truck was built by a company that had built trucks for almost a century prior.

If the rest of the truck had held up, I’d be considering pulling the engine for a mild rebuild, rings, bearings, etc. but it’s just not worth the effort. Wish I had something else to put the engine into.

I’m about due for a replacement truck but I can’t say I’d buy another GM. Maybe a Ford is in my future...

Frankly, I have half a mind to pick something up from the 60s, 70s or early 80s and drop the engine out of my Sierra into it. I’d be money ahead in cost, insurance, and future maintenance costs, but I just don’t have the time right now.

Great job on learning the rebuild. I used to do minor tinkering and repairs, but these days I'm short on time. 250 runs pretty well, had a small fuel filter issue, but mechanically the truck runs ok. It's the plastic interior parts that are breaking and some of the body.

FWIW, a friend owns an HVAC business. He bought one each Chevy, ford, and a dodge 3/4ton diesel brand new for his fleet. Ford is the only one that has lasted. As a result every new truck in his fleet is a ford.

The thread is about rangers; another friend had a v6 4x2 ranger for years. When it bit the dust, he found a Nissan (frontier) and says its holding up much better than the ranger.

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