1998 ranger versus 2024 ranger

[novascotia]

On December 5, 2024 an O‘reilly Auto parts 18 wheeler had yellow blinking left turn signal, while me and my 1998 Ford Ranger XLT that has 588,132 original miles, (original engine-no overhaul, original 5 speed transmission-no overhaul) had a green light. The rig blocked my entire path and my ranger hit it. Destroyed the ranger that I had for 23 years. I bought it used with 52000 miles in 2001. On December 7, 2024, I bought a 2024 Ford Ranger XL STX. The newer ranger has been reliable for the last 11 months. Do ya’ll think the 2024 ranger truck can outlast the 1998.

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[bigb]

Doubtful, especially that kind of mileage, that's a lot of miles for any light duty truck. I still have second thoughts about selling my 2002 Powerstroke which was perfect, but just too big. But I'm at the age now where I don't need a vehicle to last 20 years and half a million miles! I'll be lucky to put 50,000 miles on mine in 10 years!

 

[embedded rock]

You had a great run with the '98 Ranger.

Built in a time period to run 500k miles and those days are over. Now, "longevity" has been quietly replace with "obsolescence." This comes from my experience with my former '17 F150 Scab, 5.0, 4x4, in Blue Jeans where at 92k miles and six years, my truck tossed a CEL and six codes. Needed a new intake manifold assembly to fix the broken IRCM (left bank). 1,400 on national back-order and no timeline. This manifold was used on the 2015-17 5.0 v8's only and there is a long history of these manifolds failing. Ford knew this and changed the manifold design in '18, and apparently killed the supplier contract to build spares. I traded the F150 within a month; so, I don't know the rest of the intake manifold availability story.

So "obsolescence." From a manufacturer's point of view, wouldn't it be great if everyone bought a new vehicle every five years? And, aged-out vehicles were forced into the scrap/recycle yards? Watch this scenario develop over the next decade. Then, when vehicles are too expensive to replace every five years, the masses will be forced into subscription-use vehicles. No ownership. Just monthly fees by the user and an income stream for the manufacturers. Maintenance/repair data collected by the manufacture will determine model end of life cycle which sends the vehicle to the scrap/recycle yards.

Anyway, I'm not confident there are 500k mile vehicles being built today.

 

[BtheCarGuy]

Wow, that ol’ Ranger had quite the run! I’ve owned 4 of them and just sold my ‘04 FX4 LII for about a 30% profit after 6 years, definitely a solid investment. I’d say each of the prior ones was similar, however as you know well, the ‘25 is a different animal altogether. Will the new one match the reliability of the prior 4? Doubtful. That’s not my expectation though either. The driving experience is night & day improved with class leading NVH levels; there’s a 50% fuel efficiency gain; and also technology (incl. safety) that makes our old trucks seem like Conestoga wagons. We do have a couple of F150s in the family with the same 2.7L V6 and they have been bulletproof for 200k+ miles so that gives me optimism. I’d add that YT is full of videos testing midsize trucks and the Toyota and GM products have fared consistently worse in every objective measurement, reliability included. It’s a crapshoot with these tech-laden modern vehicles, and my plan is 10 yrs max, at which point I will have 50k or so miles. I wish you success with this newer model; but that former one was remarkable for sure.

 

[MK8.5 Golf R]

I don't think new gen Rangers will outcast the old ones, I currently own a 98, in addition to the 25, V6 with 314K miles, original motor, replaced the transmission, clutch twice and a bunch of radiators but runs like a champ and I keep it in top shape. A true work horse.

 

[purdyd]

The problem with my 2023 Toyota was eventually some of the pollution control stuff had to be replaced and with some of the plastic parts falling apart.

I don't see that as being any different on the new rangers

But I can imagine the engineer and transmission running for a long time.

I think if you are putting 25K per year on a car it might be easier to go 500K than for example me, who puts on 8K per year.

crawling around under and around the ranger I am somewhat pleased by what I see

And I think Ford has sort of taken something out of the Toyota playbook at least on the ranger where they just keep making the same thing every year and allows them to get their process down

My one hesitation would be the electronics. I worry what will happen to the displays after a decade. Will the software still be supported? Parts?

 

[superj]

My 03 ranger edge with 5 speed has 325k and still running strong. I would not be scared to drive it coast to coast.


I think the transmission will be our undoing in the new rangers. The ecoboost engines are fine but the trans has to many gears

 

[novascotia]

Thank ya'll so much for the replys!! I plan on using a lot of the same maintenance schedules and repairs on the 2024 ranger that I did on the 1998 ranger. I might be fortunate enough to get at least my moneys worth for the 2024 ranger but maybe not quite 23 years and 588132 odometer miles.

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