Ranger Reliability

Update Aug 09: I am really happy with this truck. The difference between a Ranger and a Toy is the ability to haul a load. The Toy is used basically for commuting because it is more like a car. The way you find out is when you haul a load. I got 2 shed kits at one of the local pep boys, which weigh 490 pounds each. When I told them I had a Ranger, they laughed and said it probably couldn't haul the shed. I told them to load one on anyhow. So they did, and the Ranger looked just fine. I told them I would like to try the second one, and they laughed again because they thought I was kidding. The second one was loaded and the tuck was kinda low, so I told them I'd try it anyhow. I then drove the 2 sheds out to the desert, 130 miles, and the Ranger just did fine. It even rides nice when it is loaded down. Since then, I have hauled other big loads, and I don't have to worry. The Ranger is a tough truck, don't be fooled.

Update Feb 8, 2006: This Ranger gives the impression of it being a much bigger truck. Perhaps it is the way it is higher up from the ground. Maybe it is the "power dome" hood. It just seems like it is much bigger than my 89 Ranger. The combination of the V-6 and the automatic transmission makes this a very smooth vehicle to drive, although it does not drive like a car, it drives like a truck. I have seen that with a pickup truck which is not just used for commuting, it will hold a big load when it is asked to do so, not like the 4n trucks which are more concerned with their "truck" riding like a car. The Ranger has a frame beneath it, which helps it keep together for many, many miles. No squeaks. It just seems like a very powerful truck. Glad we bought it. Next step is to get a bedliner at Pep Boys and put some heavy stuff in it, so we can move things from Orange County to our cabin in the desert in Landers. This truck is going to go to work!
Feb 1, 2006: I have always said that when you buy a car, you are giving someone a job (building it). If you buy a 4n car, you are giving a Japanese guy a job. If you get an American car, you are giving an American a job. If you don’t, you may be putting yourself out of a job. Right now, a lot of Americans are obsessed with buying 4n cars, and are willing to give their jobs away. I’m not.
This Ranger is really well made and really nice. It has an extended cab, V-6 engine, automatic overdrive trans, power steering, power brakes, AM-FM stereo which really pulls in K-Rock, Air Conditioner, really nice interior. We paid the ad price of $13,888 which is almost $6000 off the sticker price. Not sure how we did that.
It is meant to accent my 1989 Ranger with 256,000 miles on it, which runs just fine and just passed CA smog inspection again. I’m retiring it, and saving it as “my old truck”. I’ll be using it for the next 20 years, which is what you do with an old American truck. A Toyota or Nissan goes to the crusher because you cannot afford to buy parts for an old Toyota.
Maintenance on my 89 Ranger so far cost me an oil sensor for $24 and a timing belt for $50. Oh, and tires. And wax. I used Mobil 1, which is my secret. It runs just fine, with lots of power, and has passed smog every time with no work (oh yes, I did replace the muffler for $120).
So my experience, as a rocket scientist working at a major defense plant is that a Ranger is cheap to keep. I’ve worked it hard, and it keeps asking for more.

I will run a reliability test and will update this as we progress.