1998 Ford Ranger 4x4
01/01/1998
Erick Loven
The 1998 Ford Ranger 4x4 has been revamped to increase its power, durability, and styling. Both the exterior styling and the driving force underneath have received new features and options. Ford is attempting to reach a broader audience by creating a more rugged and versatile pickup.
The Ranger is coming up against strong competition from all directions. This competition includes the old mainstays, the Chevy S-10 and Toyota 4x4. Ford is also attempting to compete with the Dodge Dakota by offering a brawnier 4.0L V-6.
Buyers can choose from a mix and match type of body selection. The options given include regular cab verses a Super Cab, short wheel base verses long wheel base, and Styleside box verses the Splash. The only limitations are that the Super Cab and Splash require the shorter box configuration (71.8in long).
Three trim packages are offered on the 4x4 Ranger: XL, XLT and Splash. The standard XL is available with all the above body types. Aside from the flare-side box and Splash decal, the Splash package is the same as the XLT. The XLT option will buy you fog lamps, 16in polished aluminum wheels, P235/70Rx16 all-terrain tires, 4x4 Off-Road decal, and tuned shocks.
The 1998 Ranger 4x4 starts around $17,000. Loaded it will cost you just over $19,000. Our test vehicle, an XLT stickered at $17,590.
Ford's 3.0L Vulcan V-6 is now standard on the 4x4 Ranger. It has a new upper intake manifold which has boosted the torque to 185 ft. lbs. on the 150 hp V-6. The 4.0L V-6 is only offered with the XLT or Splash trim. The more powerful 4.0L turns out 160 hp and an impressive 225 ft. lbs. of torque.
Three different transmissions are available, two per engine choice. The 3.0L comes with your choice of 5-speed manual overdrive or 4-speed automatic overdrive. The new 4.0L has the same 5-speed manual overdrive transmission, but offers a new 5-speed automatic overdrive. The extra gear helps the 4.0L automatic to get the identical gas mileage to the smaller 3.0L.
The 1998 Ranger 4x4 has a new short-long arm (SLA) front suspension. This new style of double wish-bone allows the use of coil springs and torsion bars from the 4x2 model, but with the 4x4 powertrains. This will improve the ride and handling of the 4x4 Ranger.
Ford has also installed a new patented front hub called the Pulse Vacuum Hublock system. This new system allows you to switch from 2WD to 4WD and back at nearly any speed. There is an extremely short lag in shifting.
The new body of the Ranger 4x4 has a larger, more open grille. Fender/wheel moldings have been added which curve down into mud flaps. Two large tow hooks which are directly attached to the chassis appear in the front bumper. One more tow hook has been placed in the rear.
The front seat is a 60/40 split bench with three seat belts. The Super Cab option provides two more fold-up seats which face inward. The front split bench may also be changed to dual buckets and a center console. The front passengers are protected by dual air-bags which come standard. A passenger-side deactivation switch is provided for child safety.
The new look of the 1998 Ranger is not that far off from the old look of the 1997 Ranger. The hood, which is now made of aluminum, is more rounded than last year. The curves of the hood fall into the grille. The grille has also been opened up to give it a more menacing appearance. Just below the grille, you see the two tow hooks, which seem to give the Ranger a hint of strength. Even the fender/wheel moldings over the wheels add to the tough appearance of the 1998 Ranger. The best changes come as part of the Off-Road package available with the XLT or Splash trims: the fog lamps shining from out of the bumper add to the versatility, and the 16 inch, polished aluminum rims and off-road tires give the Ranger a great rugged look.
Under the hood of the 4x4 Ranger you will find one of the two V-6 engines. The engine itself fits tightly between the fender walls and above the front axles. However, Ford has arranged all of the fluid checks and fill points to be in convenient locations near the top of the engine compartment. With Ford's 100,000 mile first scheduled tune-up, the Ranger should be a low maintenance vehicle.
The interior of the 1998 Ranger is comfortable and not overly lavish. The front seats can move back an extra three inches from previous models for more legroom. The 60/40 split bench in front has seating for three, but you would not want to drive all the way down Route 66 that way. The two bucket seat option looks the same as the bench seat, except the fold down arm rest has been replaced with a permanent console. If you choose the Super Cab option, there are two additional seats in the back, but the two extra fold up rear seats should not be occupied by any person. Perhaps a "Tickle-Me-Elmo" or a couple of "Beanie-Babies" could sit back there. The Ranger is designed to be very comfortable for two passengers, and uncomfortable for any more.
The hauling capabilities of the Ranger are minimal at best. Although the 4x2 Ranger offers a LWB version with nearly 400 lbs. payload capacity, the 4x4 Ranger does not. The 4x4 model has only a 250 lb. payload capacity. This is mainly due to the ride-tuned shocks which are designed for Off-Road driving. The 4x4 Ranger does have some more impressive numbers for towing. Specifically the 4.0L V-6 model can haul 5,000 lb trailers. Of course the Splash package does not allow such heavy loads.
The controls inside the 1998 Ranger are well positioned. The majority of the controls are large dials with pictograms describing their function. The most noticeable of the controls to me is the 2WD / 4WD High / 4WD Low switch. With the new Hublock system, you can switch into 4WD on the fly. A light is illuminated on the instrument panel once the front wheels are engaged. Just below the dash board is the passenger-side airbag switch. Ford allows the passenger's airbag to be deactivated and will not deploy during an accident. This will help to protect infants and small children who are often harmed more by the airbag than the accident itself. This is a must for any single seat vehicle and Ford should be applauded for installing it.
The overall noise factor inside the Ranger was more than I would have liked. The V-6 engine can easily be heard within the passenger compartment. This may be due to a lack of thickness in the firewall. It may also be due to the urge Ford feels to show off its new powerful V-6's. When you punch the gas and feel the surge of the engine, you will also hear the rush of pistons as the air-gas mixture flows through the manifolds satisfying your thrill and need for power.
The 150 hp Ford 3.0L V-6 has enough power to drive the 4x4 Ranger. The 185 ft. lbs. of torque is a must to turn the 4 wheels through mud or snow. Ford finally realized the old 2.3L does not have the juice to do this, and has made the 3.0L standard on the 4x4 models. If you plan on towing trailers or just feel you need that extra surge of power, the 4.0L V-6 is recommended. Although it only has an extra 10 hp (160 hp), it is noticeable on the highway. But the real difference comes with the 225 ft. lbs. of torque. That torque will guide the 4 wheels through any amount of mud or snow. It also provides the power needed to tow larger trailers without wheezing up hills.
The automatic transmission shifts surprisingly smoothly for a 4x4 pickup. Even the change from 2WD to 4WD is hardly noticeable. A very slight click can be heard as the transfer case engages the front drive wheels.
The steering performed as expected for a 4x4 pickup. The wheel turned hard and did not return as quickly as desired. But considering that there are two extra drive shafts and CV-joints to turn, it was not too bad. The truck responded well to control inputs. The tuned shocks, which are included in the Off-Road package, gave a soft ride. They also smoothed out rocks and pot-holes in the road. Although it still is a bumpy ride, even true off-roading should be smoothed slightly by the Ranger's suspension.
Specifications
General
4WD, Front engined Pickup
2 door, 3 / 5 passengers
Super Cab/Regular cab
Styleside LWB/Styleside SWB/
Splash SWB
$17,000 - $19,000 ($17,590 tested)
Engine
V-6 Over Head Cam 3.0L / 4.0L
9.14:1 / 9.0:1
EFI
150@5000 / 160@4200
185@3750 / 225@2750
Drivetrain
5-spd man OD / 4-spd auto OD (3.0L)
/ 5-spd auto OD (4.0L)
Interior
Head Room: 39.2 in
Leg Room: 42.2 in (Max)
Hip Room: 52.7 in
Shoulder Room: 53.8 in
Fuel Economy
city: 17 mpg (3.0L man) / 16 mpg (all others)
highway: 22 mpg (3.0L man) / 20 mpg (all others)
Measurements
Weight: 4760 lbs - 4960 lbs (body style)
Width: 70.3 in
Pickup Box Dimensions:
Inside length: 71.8 in SWB / 83.8 in LWB
Max width at floor: 52.0 in
Max width btwn whlhsg: 40.4 in
Suspension
Front Suspension: Short-Long Arm (SLA) double wish-bone w/powertrain
Rear Suspension: Single Axle
Steering
Rack and Pinion
Brakes
Front: Disk
Rear: Drum
Power Assist Type: ABS Power Brakes
Wheels & Tires:
Tires: P205/75R-15
P235/70Rx16 OWL
Wheel Size & Type: Steel Rims Polished Aluminum Rims (opt)
Summary
The 1998 Ford Ranger 4x4 is a fun little truck. It has some great looks and power to back it up. The 4.0L V-6 is a high torque engine needed to turn the 4 wheels through mud and snow. The now standard 3.0L V-6 is a vast improvement over last year's 2.3L 4-cylinder. The extra options that come with the Off-Road package help to dress up the truck and are well worth the price. And the sticker is relatively low depending on how many options you need. We got our 3.0L XLT with the Off-Road package for only $17,590.
The only real downside of the 1998 Ranger is its lack of hauling capability. The payload capacity of the 4x4 is truly pitiful. Ford should invest some effort in at least keeping the same payload in the 4x4 as in the 4x2 models.
If you want a good looking pickup with the power needed to do some off-roading, the 1998 Ranger 4x4 is worth a look. Just sit down and think about how much you want to use the truck for fun and how much you want to use the truck for hauling. Maybe the truck you've been looking for is the Ranger.
Sidebar:
Pros: Sporty looking off-road package. Smooth 2WD <-> 4WD shifting.
Cons: Pitiful payload capacity.
Surprises: The 4.0L V-6's torque