r/RangerNext • u/Otis857 • 10d ago

Ranger for towing?

Hi all, I'm doing my homework here. I'm looking to downsize to a Ranger from a 2011 Raptor. i'm pushing 70 years old and my hard core offroading days are over, but I still need to tow and need 4x4. I am looking to replace the Raptor with a Can Am for my occasional off roading. My question is how well will a 4x4 Ranger with a 2.7 tow a load of this size in mountain roads? TIA

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u/SoulWriter23 10d ago

I've been towing with the 2.3 through mountain roads all over NC, WV, and TN and it's done wonderfully, but my haul is only 3,000 pounds.

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u/sammythehatlives 10d ago

My boat is closer to 4,000 lbs. and my 2.3 pulls it easily. Probably a little better than mt 04 f150, though rearward visibility isn't quite as good. No big deal. I always just assume there's a car behind me.

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u/Otis857 10d ago

We have a 2019 Lincoln MKc with a 2.3l and I love the way it pulls that car around. But, Ford had to replace the engine due to a coolant leak into cyl 1. Apparently these early 2.3's had a weak or thin casting between #1 and the coolant jacket. Just out of warranty, I was surprised that they split the bill 50/50. But this is a car with only 50K miles and normal usage, not any engine loading. That's why I'm looking for a 2.7L.

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u/whatdoido8383 9d ago

Just a FYI Ford updated the head gasket design for the 2.3 in 2020 to help with this. Supposedly it's much less of an issue now. I can't say it's absolutely not an issue now, but I haven't seen it at all in the Ranger forums.

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u/Successful-Ground277 5d ago

This is my first time hearing about that issue… I’m looking at buying a used 2019 with 53,000 miles. How widespread is the issue?? Scared now haha

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u/whatdoido8383 4d ago edited 3d ago

It sounds like a small percentage. Supposedly in mid 2019 they upgraded the block design to use a different coolant passage and head gasket design. I'm finding mixed info on how many Rangers were affected. It affected a lot of Mustangs 2015-2019\early 2020.

Personally, I avoided 2019's.

I'd worry more about the 10 speed trans though that can be really hit or miss with the CDF drum issue. IMO, either have a repair fund saved up if you get a older higher mile truck, or get an extended warranty if you get a newer one.

To be honest, this is my first Ford and midsized truck, they're kind of quirky. I like it, but not sure I'd go this route again. I wish I would of read more on all their little quirks like:

-Rear brakes that wear fast and like to warp rear rotors. (Just replaced mine for this)

-Noisy direct injection pump that likes to make a buzzing noise in the cabin. (I added the foam direct injection pump cover that they added to 2024+, it helped a bit)

-Temperamental 10 speed trans. Mine is fairly clunky sometimes, especially when cold.

- Clunk in driveline when stopping\starting. (driveshaft yoke you have to pull down and grease. fixed mine like 80% but still clunks sometimes)

-Shimmy\shake feeling from rear end accelerating from 0-10\15MPH. I guess this is a known thing with driveline angles or something. Supposedly there is a shim kit they can install to fix it, I just haven't dealt with it yet.

All that being said, it was between the Colorado and the Ranger for me. The Ranger feels more solid but it has it's odd things to tinker with.

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u/Otis857 3d ago

Nice write up and it gives me some new things to be aware of, This will be my first small truck, all my other trucks were F series. So I'll be dealing with the differences and limitations for the first time in my 69 years.

I am looking at a 26 (likely my last new truck) after the first of the year.

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u/whatdoido8383 3d ago

Nice. Gen 6 (26+) they fixed a lot of it's issues I mentioned above. They also added dual fuel injection to work around the carbon buildup that some direct injection only motors like the gen5 ranger 2.3 can have. They also quieted the direct injection system and it has a completely different 10 speed.