2001 Ford Ranger Review and Specs

Summary

What Edmunds.com says

Despite its substantial age, the 2001 Ford Ranger is still one of the wiser choices in the compact truck market.

Pros

Four-door extended cab, besides Mazda B-Series twin it's the only compact pickup with five-speed automatic, functional interior, impressive towing capacity.

Cons

Room in back of extended-cab area isn't enough for adults, lousy seat comfort, questionable reliability of five-speed automatic, still no V8.

What's New for 2001

Most notable for the 2001 Ford Ranger is the availability of the Explorer's 207-horsepower, 4.0-liter SOHC V6. In other engine news, the flexible-fuel feature on the 3.0-liter V6 has been dropped and there will also be a new base 2.3-liter four-cylinder coming soon after the model-year introduction. ABS is now standard on all models. A new Edge trim level has a monochromatic appearance, which includes color-keyed bumpers and wheel lip moldings. Exterior changes are numerous. All models get a new grille, bumpers, and headlamps, while the XLT 4x4 and Edge get a new hood and wheel lip moldings. Four colors are new as well as an optional in-dash, six-disc CD changer.

Consumer Ratings & Reviews

Not Flashy But Gets The Job Done

Written by: joncman on 09/22/2009

Detailed Ratings

Overall Rating


Performance:	9	Fun-to-Drive:	9	Build Quality:	10
Comfort:	7	Interior Design:	8	Reliability:	10
Fuel Economy:	4	Exterior Design:	9

Vehicle

2001 Ford Ranger 4dr SuperCab Edge Plus 4WD Styleside SB (4.0L 6cyl 5A)

Review

I've had this car since new and it's not the flashiest beast out there, but man it does what it needs to do. I've had lots of cars in my lifetime with lots of fancy features so I decided to buy a truck for once in my life. Got the Ranger because I didn't need a super powerful truck. I have not regretted it once. This thing goes and goes and goes. The only mechanical that has ever gone wrong with it was the wiper motor conked out on me. I drove a 2008 F-150 the other day and it had about every bell and whistle you could get on it, but, $42,000....YIKES....I'll stick with the little'ol'Ranger thank you very much.

Favorite Features

4 wheel drive! Nice looks and build quality.

Suggested Improvements

Gas mileage, but still not to bad for a Truck with 4.0 in it. I've gotten around 19 overall throughout it's lifetime.

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Bought used at 35k miles, cant tell tho

Written by: Michael Lubawski on 09/19/2009


Performance:	10	Fun-to-Drive:	9	Build Quality:	9
Comfort:	8	Interior Design:	8	Reliability:	9
Fuel Economy:	5	Exterior Design:	9

2001 Ford Ranger 4dr SuperCab Edge Plus 4WD Flareside SB (4.0L 6cyl 5A)

Purchased this truck used from a dealer. Have had nothing but good luck other than normal wear and tear. The 6-disc player and speakers finally went south (I wonder why?) after 97k miles. Transmission seems to skip a beat at stop signs when brake is pressed hard. Stiff ride, 4x4 typical, fun, looks good with chrome wheels (color is black). Plenty of power and punch. Never been the shop for major repairs.

The whole truck. For me it's a nice size, handles good, looks good and gets a lot of attention.

Sturdier armrest box and cup holders closer to the seat.

2001 Ford Ranger 4x4 SuperCab

Written by: 2001 Ranger on 08/03/2009


Performance:	5	Fun-to-Drive:	5	Build Quality:	5
Comfort:	6	Interior Design:	5	Reliability:	5
Fuel Economy:	3	Exterior Design:	6

2001 Ford Ranger 4 Dr XL 4WD Extended Cab SB

Purchased vehicle new, had virtually no problems until 115K miles. In last 8 months, I have had to replace the fuel pump, cost $700 w/Labor, and both front wheel bearings about 3 months apart, cost $450 each w/labor. Had to buy a complete assembly just to replace the wheel bearings. So much for Ford's "better ideas". Gas mileage is crappy, averages 15-17 mpg in daily commutes. Although it has gotten 21 mpg on trips, with a bed cover in place. A 4.0 litre engine in a mid-sized truck should get better mileage. A neighbor had a 1980 full- sized model F-100, with a 4th gear o/d manual tranny that got 29 mpg on the highway. Now the transmission at nearly 119K is giving signs of needing a rebuild.

Red exterior color, ergonomics of interior is good. Styling ages gracefully.

Gas mileage, gas mileage, gas mileage. Auto transmission should not need a rebuild at 119K miles, since nothing I towed weighed over 1500 pounds, including the trailer. Have been to 3 different transmission places. All admit transmission does not act right, yet no dummy codes show up on diagnostics

164000 miles and still kickin

Written by: Ncbmxpro on 06/02/2009


Performance:	9	Fun-to-Drive:	8	Build Quality:	10
Comfort:	8	Interior Design:	9	Reliability:	10
Fuel Economy:	7	Exterior Design:	9

2001 Ford Ranger 2dr SuperCab Edge Plus 2WD Styleside SB (4.0L 6cyl 5A)

I bought my truck new in 2001. I have 164,000 miles on it and it still runs like a champ. Besides oil changes, tires, fuel and air filters, and some light bulbs I have only needed to replace the spark plugs and wires, and distribution cap. Not too bad for an 8 year old truck. And I havent babied this thing either. I have had body damage repaired three times and replaced a rim after hitting a curb at 50mph when the truck was only 2 years old.

The interior is breaking down on me. Couple cracks and tears in the seats but that is expected I suppose.

2001 Ranger XLT 2WD Short Bed Standard C

Written by: mugrb on 02/06/2009


Performance:	9	Fun-to-Drive:	10	Build Quality:	9
Comfort:	10	Interior Design:	10	Reliability:	9
Fuel Economy:	10	Exterior Design:	10

2001 Ford Ranger 2dr Regular Cab XLT 2WD Styleside SB (2.5L 4cyl 5M)

Bought this truck used. It has been a good runner - so far. Awesome on gas mileage. During this winter I've been getting easily 24 mpg with 400 lbs of sand over the rear axle. Summer I've been getting very close to 30 mpg, 28 to 29 is common for me. Tricky in the winter months being rear wheel drive. The rear end always goes to the right sending me heading into oncoming traffic driving up an icy slope. The 3.0 liter Vulcan V-6 is starting to get a bit noisy with being almost 110k miles. It rides quiet for a small pickup. Cruise control button on the left side is loose. The EGR system could be upgraded too a more reliable system.

5-speed manual overdrive versus the auto. Seats are exceptionally comfortable. Instrumentation.

Doesn't matter, Ford is dropping the Ranger. But a limited slip differential as standard equipment on all pickups. Better EGR system that replaces the DPFE sensor. Considerable larger fuel tank. Mine completely empty is only 13.2 gallons. A real working oil press gauge.

2001 Ford Ranger Consumer Ratings & Reviews