Throwing in the towel... maybe.

[Gims04]

A little background, when Ford killed the Ranger in '11 I was begging for them to bring it back. I had a '94 that was the best truck I owned, and I loved it. In Jan '20 my eldest passed and we recieved life insurance money. It enabled me to purchase my '19 XLT. I love it and like to think that my daughter bought it for me. But now here I am...

with 111k on the truck, in the last year I have replaced the alternator (expensive), transmission, and had to put a new motor in it. While driving yesterday - Oct 12th - with my kids on a four hour trip, my compressor just went out. Highway driving, windows down and or cracked, rain outside in Houston, and two kids and a dog. I was over it. I have already put 13k into the truck and I haven't even started my dream build. I am feeling down about my truck because I have sentimental ties to it but just want it to be as good as my 4.0 back in the day. Talk me off the ledge - or push me off the cliff.

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[Dr3wDrop]

The alternator was expensive but motor and trans was not?!

 

[Gims04]

The alternator was expensive but motor and trans was not?!

For just being an alternator, yes. The trans and motor were expected to be expensive. The alternator was $220 by itself just for the part. And that was through a salvage yard.

 

[a6m5]

New trucks are expensive, but I consider 111k miles to be a lot too. I suppose putting into consideration that truck already has new engine & tranny I'd keep it.

 

[TJC]

250K is a good average life for a normally maintained truck. 111K needing new drive train, not so much. I expect 300K from my vehicles.

 

[Dr3wDrop]

I want to hear more about this engine failure? That’s pretty extreme.

 

[Dereku]

I would cut my losses immediately after all that. The transmission is over $7k and the engine has to be north of that too. After someone touched everything there are bound to be issues. A failed compressor is probably directly related to the mechanical work that was done on it. Most people, including mechanics do not properly fill HVAC systems. I fix them all the time for friends and family. Its temperature dependent, not just pressure.

I have 144k on mine for context. Outside of 1 sensor, and a warranty transmission, everything else was maintenance. Alternators and compressors should last 150k plus. We do want some more background on this vehicle too.

 

[Frenchy]

I can understand the reasoning for wanting to look at something else. In a way I miss my 2019butat the same time I don't because of the known Potential problems.

That said being back in a D40 Frontier I spoke with another that had an engine failure just after 700,000 miles. I told him he should go bitch to Nissan about not making750,000 miles

 

[SigOris]

A little background, when Ford killed the Ranger in '11 I was begging for them to bring it back. I had a '94 that was the best truck I owned, and I loved it. In Jan '20 my eldest passed and we recieved life insurance money. It enabled me to purchase my '19 XLT. I love it and like to think that my daughter bought it for me. But now here I am...

with 111k on the truck, in the last year I have replaced the alternator (expensive), transmission, and had to put a new motor in it. While driving yesterday - Oct 12th - with my kids on a four hour trip, my compressor just went out. Highway driving, windows down and or cracked, rain outside in Houston, and two kids and a dog. I was over it. I have already put 13k into the truck and I haven't even started my dream build. I am feeling down about my truck because I have sentimental ties to it but just want it to be as good as my 4.0 back in the day. Talk me off the ledge - or push me off the cliff.

Although I never had kids, I can respect the sentiments for the Ranger.

When I lose confidence it something it’s replaced.

i think your daughter would be happy to know you have peace of mind

Your new whatever will still have connection to your daughter as she helped fund the replacement.

 

[Jason B]

For just being an alternator, yes. The trans and motor were expected to be expensive. The alternator was $220 by itself just for the part. And that was through a salvage yard.

OOF! $220 for a used alternator, when you could have had a new one for $290.

Anyway, I'm happy for my 8yr 125K ESP that cost $1600.

 

[NotBudule2]

"Throwing in the towel " isn't always a good idea ... Rocky yeeted in the towel but Apollo still went down and out for good... and ive personally thrown enough towels at the wifey to sink a battleship and that problem still remains , so... GET BACK IN THERE MAN ! Ranger up ! We all driving time bombs anyway...

 

[Jamie Jack]

American "Quality". Buy something new from a non American manufacturer.

 

[OCL]

Details about why you had to replace the motor please.

The 2.3 EB is known to be reliable (not perfect). It is however, a very complex engine like all EB's Ford builds. It is also turbocharged so it lives and dies on quality oil with regular and short oil changes, as well as consistent operating temps throughout its useful life. But turbos will fail and EB's are prone to carbon deposits. You have the early 10 speeds that are known to have early failures too until they got upgraded in '22.

If this Ranger was "gifted" to you by your eldest (truly sorry for your loss), I understand its meaning to you. By all means this truck will last you another 100k with its new motor and transmission if you care for it well. However, your eldest were still with you she will probably be ok if you decided to get another Ranger because what she got you helped you step up to a newer model. And that's ok.

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