Thoughts on my Ranger XLT FX4 after 7 months, 8800 miles

[Border411]

Thanks for sharing. I test drove a brand new Ranger XL 3 months ago to replace my tiny Miata as my daily driver. It was good but for 35K it was pricey. Then I had to add a $600 bed liner on top of that. (My wife and I like base vehicles- tend to like bare bones to be specific- we like performance and power. Comfort counts too though). End up going with a 2023 Chevy Colorado the Ford dealer had used on the lot for 30K. It had only 12K miles on it. My mistake it has the low output L2R engine instead of the L3B. Its features are great as it is an LT but underpowered with only 237 HP and 260 torque. But gets an impressive 35 MPG as my daily commuter.

I know what you mean about the transmission in the Ranger- I have a 2022 Bronco, 2.7 with the 10 speed. It can be "choppy" at times but we love the Bronco. I only get 22.7 MPG in it though- not good enough to be my daily driver.

I am very interested in a Raptor. 400 HP and 405 torque is sweet and will keep up with most traffic around where I live. But if I get 19 MPG it will cost me too much for gas. A trade off MPG for power. I still would love one and have not dismissed it entirely.

I also know what you mean about the seats in vehicles. I am thin and tall with long legs. My way around it is to fabricate custom seat spacers to raise the front of the seats for more thigh support. Electric seats I don't have to do this but with base vehicles and manual seats this is what I often must do, then I am very comfortable

I actually bought one the the seat lift kits off of amazon (had to get longer M10 bolts as the ones they provided seemed to soft). They have worked amazingly. Provided about a 1" lift in the front which helps support my thighs and relieves pressure on my ankle for the gas. Night and day.

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[dfritz]

3) wind noise at highway speed (50 mph and up) right outside the driver window, maybe coming over the pillar. window visors might help, or they might not.

I thought the window visors would help. They don't.

And agree about the bed reinforcements. The cost is one thing, installing them is a whole deeper level of insult.

But mostly, I really love the truck, also here in Colorado.

 

[RangerDangerStranger]

Any Vehicle is gonna have quirks. I Love My Ranger ~~!

The 2 Quirks that bother me the most are, That off idle stumble, i know it's a factor with the 2.3, my '19 had it as well. Solved by the install of a Banks Pedal Monster and 2, Seat is foam is either wearing out or it was alway low where you sit- Soon to be solved with a custom piece of cut foam install, and a real pump bag lumbar from Carbeau https://corbeau.com/inflatable-lumbar-support/ /for my lower back. The one in the seat basically doesn't exist. Installed them in my mustang seats, work great! Installed a Rival Tank plate and Trans skidder as well, IDK what Ford though that piece of plastic was gonna protect you from, Plastic Rocks?

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