2025 Ranger Stx 4x4 - Info/tips

[dgm03]

New to the ranger team! Had been looking for a used truck for a couple of weeks (prices are outrageous) until a dealer near me called me up to tell me about the ranger they had on special! Was a loaner, only 4600 miles on it, was being sold as a new vehicle with all the warranty starting right at that milage. Got it all after tax/etc OTD for 31964 2025 Ford Ranger STX 4x4 in white crew cab. Pretty happy with that price in comparison to what used trucks cost everywhere.

Well came here to see if anyone had any tips or helpful information/threads to know more about upgrades/upkeep/maintence.

Auto-start stop. Is it worth keeping it on or turning it off?

is the ford app worth using? I know I can self start the truck from the app.

In terms of upgrades I’m thinking floor mats, seat covers and bed liner. Anyone have any suggestions for useful/comfort/effective upgrades. I’m not much of a cosmetic/exterior kinda person.

What kind of vehicle maintence is recommended I’m trying to keep this thing going for 5-10 years or as long as I can get it to keep kicking. I’m looking for beyond oil changes and keeping it clean from salt during winter. Of course I’m going to drive efficiently as possible with the cost of gas these days. What kind of things do I need to do for this thing

any must haves/must know information is helpful, thanks

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[ericsmr]

There’s a dongle on Amazon for 100 dollars to permanently turn off auto start stop, if not you do it manually every time. I don’t really like the feature just haven’t bought the dongle yet.

Ford app is great, I use it to turn on my car in the morning if I’m not near my keys

If you live in a rusty area get the under carriage protected

 

[NM Mike]

There’s a thread on this site called something like “favorite cheap or favorite inexpensive modifications” or something like that. It has a good list of inexpensive upgrades.

 

[Maybe]

Do synthetic oil with 5k mile changes

 

[AugPal]

The Auto-Stop-Start drove me crazy at first. As mentioned above there's a device to stop the function, but I wasn't going to spend a hundred bucks for it. I finally got to the point where I was automatically turning it off when I started the truck.

Keep in mine the Auto-Stop-Start function does save gas. There's a Mythbusters TV episode that tested the Stop-Start function and it increased gas mileage by like a few % (I think it was 5%). On the Mythbusters episode they used a car where they had to stop & start the car using the ignition key. They also had a device in the truck that accurately measured the amount of gas used.

Since I'm in Chicago and paying over $5 a gallon for gas, I've started to use the Auto-Stop-Start function. It still drives me crazy. As soon as gas prices go down I'll go back to turning it off when I start the truck.

I use the Ford app and I used the engine start function a couple of times in the winter when it was below -0- F. It also shows all your Ford service appointments, which could help selling the truck showing I changed the oil every 3000 miles.

I installed Weathertech floor mats & bed liner. I didn't like the bed liner. It's rubber and made it difficult to pull a heavy cooler across it, so I got a spray in bed liner and I really like the spray in liner.

I just found this on the net dealing with Auto-Stop-Start:

Modern Auto Start-Stop: This is exactly the logic behind modern "Start-Stop" systems. Industry tests, including those by the Society of Automotive Engineers, indicate that drivers can cut their city fuel consumption by 7% to 26%.

 

[dgm03]

There’s a dongle on Amazon for 100 dollars to permanently turn off auto start stop, if not you do it manually every time. I don’t really like the feature just haven’t bought the dongle yet.

Ford app is great, I use it to turn on my car in the morning if I’m not near my keys

If you live in a rusty area get the under carriage protected

How come you don’t like the auto start stop feature? I know that it can increase the wear and tear on the truck but does it really effect it that much? I’m no mechanic but that feature has been around for close a decade I think, is it still that bad? I just haven’t been able to get a solid answer for or against it haha thanks

 

[superj]

How come you don’t like the auto start stop feature? I know that it can increase the wear and tear on the truck but does it really effect it that much? I’m no mechanic but that feature has been around for close a decade I think, is it still that bad? I just haven’t been able to get a solid answer for or against it haha thanks

the guys at my local ford dealer said that since ford put hte auto start/stop on their vehicles, they change starters and batteries so much more than the older vehicles.



great price for a 4x4 stx. i love my stx but regret not getting 4x4

 

[Jason B]

There are other features that I like about the Ford app.
1. It's free
2. You can use to start the truck.
3. You can set schedules to when you want it to start.
4. You can monitor tire pressure and oil life.
5. You can lock/unlock the truck.
6. It will notify you of issues. I got a notification one morning that I had a low tire.
7. You can use it to check trailer lighting when you hook up.

 

[mrmike7189]

Thats a super price for an almost-new Ranger and a 4x4 too. (I got mine for $35K) Post some photos of your ride when you can. If your STX has carpeted mats, then I would get some rubber mats or the Ford OEM all-weather mats. They save the carpet from mud, sand, &snow . If you are going to use your bed for work, get a bed liner or at the very least, get a rubber bed mat. I paid $149 fro my OEM Ford mat and it saves my knees when I'm moving and sliding stuff around. The bed floor paint scratches easy, so it saves that too. I change the oil every 5k miles with Motorcraft blended oil at the dealer. I hate start/stop, hit the button at every start. I signed up for the fordpass app, but havent used it yet.

 

[josephp732]

One of if not the best value in a truck today. I have a 2025 Lariat and my son just got a 2025 STX. Here is what we did to his STX in the first two weeks:

Auto Stop/Start Disable: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0D33YLCDY?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_fed_asin_title&th=1

Key Covers: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07TBK71QF?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_fed_asin_title&th=1

Stubby Antenna: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00BU9DLBU?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_fed_asin_title&th=1

Soft Tri-Fold Bed Cover (Nice Quality for the Price): https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CMD139CN?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_fed_asin_title&th=1

Seat Covers (Really made the interior look nice - plus great for protecting the original seats) : https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FNMM68SF?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_fed_asin_title&th=1

Glass Screen Protector (Protects against screen damage): https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0D8HW3F2L?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_fed_asin_title

Floor Mats (A Must): https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DRC26D4B?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_fed_asin_title&th=1

Bed Mat: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0GDXVXZYC?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_fed_asin_title&th=1

Running Boards (For the price these look great - my son has an older dog that needed the step up): https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07VTTXF37?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_fed_asin_title&th=1

Ford OEM Splash Guards (Used Points) : https://www.ford.com/product/splash...2d6a7a53146af08b477fa983868f:G:s&gclsrc=3p.ds

Sprayed the complete undercarriage with ACF-50 Anti-Corrosion: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08TLY4JS2?ref_=ppx_hzsearch_conn_dt_b_fed_asin_title_3

Did the first oil change at ~500 miles.

 

[superj]

great factory steps that can often be found cheaper then any aftermarket are the ranger raptor steps. keep an eye on market place and you can get them for 300 and less. they are the best i have found for surface area and protection of the truck.

my son and both have them. funny, because of the post above, he has a lariat and i have the stx.

 

[specialist_k]

Running boards are a must if you come anywhere near a gravel road. I learned the hard way lol.

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