If you are looking for a reliable and durable midsize pickup truck, you may have considered the Ford Ranger.
The Ranger is a popular choice among truck enthusiasts, as it offers a powerful engine, a spacious cabin, and impressive off-road capabilities.
But how long does Ford Ranger last?
How many miles can you expect to get out of this truck?
And what are some tips to keep it running smoothly for years to come?
In this article, we will answer these questions and more, based on the latest information and expert reviews.
Courtesy: (Alimurat Üral)
How Many Miles Can a Ford Ranger Last?
The answer to this question depends on several factors, such as how well you maintain your truck, how often you drive it, and what kind of driving conditions you encounter.
However, based on the average lifespan of similar vehicles and the feedback from owners, we can estimate that a Ford Ranger can last for around 300,000 miles.
This means that if you drive about 15,000 miles per year, which is the national average, you can expect your Ranger to last for about 20 years.
Of course, this is not a guarantee, and some Rangers may last longer or shorter than others.
Some owners have reported that their Rangers have reached over 400,000 miles or even 500,000 miles with proper care and maintenance.
On the other hand, some owners have experienced major problems with their Rangers before hitting 200,000 miles or even 100,000 miles.
Therefore, it is important to take into account the individual history and condition of your truck when estimating its longevity.
What Factors Affect the Lifespan of a Ford Ranger?
As mentioned above, there are many factors that can influence how long your Ford Ranger will last. Some of these factors are:
- Maintenance: This is perhaps the most important factor that affects the lifespan of any vehicle. Regular maintenance can help prevent or detect potential problems before they become serious and costly. Maintenance tasks include changing the oil and filter, checking the fluid levels and tire pressure, replacing the air filter and spark plugs, inspecting the brakes and suspension, and more.
- Driving habits: How you drive your Ford Ranger can also affect its longevity. Driving habits that can shorten the lifespan of your truck include speeding, hard braking, rapid acceleration, towing or hauling heavy loads, driving on rough roads or in extreme weather conditions, and idling for long periods. These habits can cause excessive wear and tear on the engine, transmission, drivetrain, and other components.
- Quality: The quality of your Ford Ranger can also play a role in its lifespan. Quality refers to how well the truck was designed, engineered, manufactured, and assembled. A high-quality truck will have fewer defects, malfunctions, recalls, or complaints than a low-quality one. Quality can vary depending on the model year, trim level, options package, and production location of your truck.
- Environment: The environment where you drive and store your Ford Ranger can also have an impact on its lifespan. Environmental factors that can shorten the lifespan of your truck include high humidity, saltwater exposure, extreme temperatures, dust, dirt, mud, snow, ice, rain, and sun exposure. These factors can cause corrosion, rust, fading, cracking, warping, or other damage to the exterior and interior of your truck.
How to Make Your Ford Ranger Last Longer?
Now that you know how long a Ford Ranger can last and what factors affect its lifespan, you may be wondering how to make your truck last longer. Here are some tips to help you extend the life of your Ford Ranger:
- Follow the maintenance schedule: As mentioned earlier, regular maintenance is crucial for keeping your truck in good shape and preventing major problems. You should follow the maintenance schedule for your Ford Ranger, which is based on the mileage and time intervals. You can find the maintenance schedule in your owner’s manual or online.
- Use quality parts and fluids: When you need to replace any parts or fluids on your truck, you should use quality products that meet or exceed the specifications of your vehicle. Using cheap or incompatible parts or fluids can cause damage, performance issues, or warranty voids.
- Drive responsibly: As mentioned earlier, how you drive your Ford Ranger can also affect its longevity. You should drive responsibly and safely, avoiding habits that can cause excessive wear and tear on your truck. You should also use the appropriate driving mode for different situations, such as normal, sport, tow/haul, eco, grass/gravel/snow, mud/ruts, or sand modes.
- Protect your truck from the environment: As mentioned earlier, the environment where you drive and store your Ford Ranger can also have an impact on its lifespan. You should protect your truck from environmental damage by washing and waxing it regularly, parking it in a shaded or covered area, using a car cover if necessary, and avoiding driving in harsh conditions as much as possible.
Tips to Prolong the Life of your Ford Ranger
- Keep your truck clean. Washing your Ranger regularly will keep off foreign materials that may make your truck rust faster.
- Park your truck indoors, especially during the winter. This will also delay rust on your vehicle.
- Immediately after you purchase your truck, spray it with undercoating and wax.
- Inspect and refill engine and transmission fluids regularly
- Rotate your tires every month and keep them inflated.
- Avoid excessive stomping on your brakes. Your brake pads may overheat.
- Don’t go bumping into difficult terrain just because the Ranger is built for tough conditions. In the long run, harsh driving will make the vehicle fall apart faster.
- Take your truck for repair as soon as it develops faults. Procrastinating on repairs might translate to a shorter life for the vehicle.
How Long Does the Ford Ranger Last Compared to Similar Vehicles?
When pitted against comparable pickup trucks, the Ford Ranger showcases remarkable durability.
It presents appealing attributes such as roomy interiors, impressive off-road prowess, and potent engines.
While a handful of other pickups may also showcase these qualities individually or collectively, the probability of any of them outlasting the Ford Ranger appears to be quite low.
Ford Ranger vs. Chevrolet Colorado
Both the Ford Ranger and Chevrolet Colorado exhibit common traits such as robust turbocharged engines and ample cabin space.
Both vehicles are prone to experiencing mechanical failures simultaneously.
Similar to the Ford Ranger, the Chevrolet Colorado has the potential to endure for more than 300,000 miles.
Ford Ranger vs. Toyota Tundra
These trucks share robust turbo engines as a common trait.
Simultaneously, they present comparable durability levels.
The Toyota Tundra typically maintains its functionality for an average distance of 300,000 miles.
Additionally, former Ford Ranger owners assert that their vehicles experienced significant deterioration approximately at the 300,000-mile threshold.
Ford Ranger vs. Nissan Frontier
Similar to the Ford Ranger, the Nissan Frontier incorporates a robust V-6 engine into its construction.
Nonetheless, Ford Rangers frequently demonstrate greater longevity compared to Nissan Frontiers.
While it is likely that a Ranger will endure beyond the 300,000-mile mark, Nissan Frontiers might encounter mechanical issues once they surpass 200,000 miles.
Conclusion
The Ford Ranger is a reliable and durable midsize pickup truck that can last for around 300,000 miles or 20 years with proper care and maintenance.
However, the lifespan of your truck can vary depending on several factors, such as how well you maintain it, how often you drive it, what kind of driving conditions you encounter, how good the quality of your truck is, and what kind of environment you expose it to.
By following the tips we have provided in this article, you can extend the life of your Ranger and enjoy its benefits for longer.