Perhaps the most prolific compact pickup truck is the infamous Ford Ranger. First produced in 1984 these trucks didn't take long to become the most popular vehicle ever from the segment they belong to. Ford boasts that they have sold more of these pickups than any other manufacturer over its 30 year history. One of the most amazing facts is that not much has really been changed in regards to body styling and power trains over their long history either. The 1994 Ford Ranger looks very similar to the original model with a few curves added to make it appear a little more modern.
The quality engineering that Ford put into making the original 84' Ranger was very impressive and the pickup remains one of the most trusted and reliable offered from any manufacturer. Competitors like the Toyota Tacoma, and Chevy S10 try to emulate the success of the Ranger yet cost more and still haven't obtained the same level of popularity. Another great highlight of these vehicles is the fact that they a plethora of body styles, power trains, and accessories available which make them highly customizable. As long as you don't need a full size pickup for hauling and towing extreme loads it seems as though there must be a Ranger model available to fit anybody's needs.
Under the hood there a few different options for consumers to choose from. The smaller engine is a 2.3 liter 4 cylinder, next there is a 3.0 liter V6 and finally the largest engine is a 4.0 liter V6. Most of the basic trim packages that are only 2 wheel drive come equipped with the 4 cylinder engine. Most mid-level trim packages that have either 2 or 4 wheel drive are offered with the 3.0 liter V6. Upper level packages and the special themed Fx4 and Sport models come with the larger V6 engine as standard equipment. The standard transmission for a 1994 Ford Ranger is a 5 speed manual with a 4 speed automatic offered for an additional price. The 4.0 liter V6 engines are only offered with the automatic transmission.
Trim packages available include the XL, XLT, Sport and Fx4. The basic XL package doesn't come with a lot of accessories but is still a more than capable truck. Expect an XL to not have power windows or locks, a tilt steering wheel, no AC, and manually adjustable driver and passenger seats. XLT models offer owners a lot more in terms of refinement. Offered for these models are a better selection of interior fabrics, AC, power windows, and many additional items. Sport models come with a specially tweaked suspension and the larger V6 engine for optimal highway performance. Fx4 models have raised bodies, custom Bilstein shocks, and can be outfitted with many accessories.
Fuel economy ranges from very nice on some models, to a little less than expected on others. The 2.3 liter 4 cylinder gives the best overall mileage with numbers in the mid to high 20 mpg range. The larger V6 however is only able to offer mileage a little better than most V6 equipped full size pickups. Overall the Ranger is a very impressive truck in terms of capabilities but doesn't offer a lot in terms of interior refinement. Buyers looking for a reliable compact pickup with a history of quality engineering seriously need to consider a Ranger.
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