1989 Ranger & 2025 Maverick - brothers separated by 36 years

[Cherokee]

We’ve turned into spoiled rotten mini truck owners.

Way I remember it, I was completely happy with my 1985 Ranger.

It had A/C and was an automatic.
The thing never had a recall and never any problems.

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[NHRider]

Nice looking Maverick and 1989 Ranger. My cousin had a 1989 Ranger Short Bed 4X4 2.9 with 5 speed manual and it was a great Truck. And believe it or not He had 100,000 miles on the Original Firestone ATX IIRC Tires. He went to get New tires and the Owner of the Tire Shop didn't believe He had that many miles on the Tires until He looked up the Date Code on them.

40 years on the original tires has to be a record of some kind.

 

[Waterick]

My '87 XLT 2.9 5 speed was really a step up from my '82 Courier. I can remember the Courier dropping a timing belt at a light during rush hour, of course no other damage on that basic 2.3. Then in the Ranger, on the same commute many months later, I had the whole shift shaft (lever) become mechanically disconnected (attached only by the boot). Fortunately, I had just shifted to second gear and was able to drive it directly to the dealer. I initially paid for the repair, but later Ford did do a recall blaming the Mazda supplied 5 speed and reimbursed me.

 

[canuckford]

.you had to give it a day's notice when you wanted to pass anything....but she was a comfy little truck for sure.

Sounds like you're describing my ex.

 

[Gray Goose]

Nice looking Maverick and 1989 Ranger. My cousin had a 1989 Ranger Short Bed 4X4 2.9 with 5 speed manual and it was a great Truck. And believe it or not He had 100,000 miles on the Original Firestone ATX IIRC Tires. He went to get New tires and the Owner of the Tire Shop didn't believe He had that many miles on the Tires until He looked up the Date Code on them.

Surprised the tires didn't explode. My brother had a Bronco II with original tires that got too old. One exploded and took a chuck out of the quarter panel. Thankfully was a rear and not front. He was able to pull over safely. Nothing left of the tire. Rim was on the ground.

 

[MCIAD]

I had a '95 Ranger XLT with the V6 that I absolutely loved but with 2 kids and those rear suicide seats - not at all practical OR safe for car seats - I traded it in on an '97 F150. If it weren't for the kids, I do not know that I ever would have. Might still have it today.

Solid truck. And yes - the Maverick is larger inside, has a nicer ride, and many many more safety features, but there was something about that truck that makes me miss it still.

 

[lajlmt]

Says a lot about what 36 years does to the definition of a small truck.

I could not comfortably drive my ‘89 Mazda B2200 (yeah, It’s a Courier) which got terminally T—Boned in ‘92. Then the ‘92 Ranger with those weird drop down seats. It was roomier, but not as good as my Maverick.

 

[NHRider]

I had a '95 Ranger XLT with the V6 that I absolutely loved but with 2 kids and those rear suicide seats - not at all practical OR safe for car seats - I traded it in on an '97 F150. If it weren't for the kids, I do not know that I ever would have. Might still have it today.

Solid truck. And yes - the Maverick is larger inside, has a nicer ride, and many many more safety features, but there was something about that truck that makes me miss it still.

so true. I'm drawn to the clean lines and the simplicity. Crank the windows down (and lean over to get the passenger side), put an arm up in the driver window and a Red Sox game on the AM/FM.

 

[NHRider]

Sounds like you're describing my ex.

That made me legit laugh out loud.

 

[NHRider]

Don't forget the sliding rear window, hard to find that on a Maverick now.

my mav does have the rear slider. they're power now. My 89 I could reach over my shoulder and slide it open or shut faster than the powered...

 

[Bob The Builder]

Three Rangers over 33 years. 88 bought used in 90. A 97 Splash 2WD bought new in 96. A 05 FX/4 bought new in 05. All told 500,000 miles. The era ended in 23 when I bought my Maverick.

A buddy once said the Rangers were the Model A for the modern day. I don't know about that, but at least it rhymed.

 

[MCIAD]

The first new vehicle I ever bought was an '87 Mazda B2200. Put a shell on it and a carpet kit (THE thing to do at the time) in the back. Had to trade it in after about 120000 miles when the tranny started acting up.

 

[b25crew]

I had a 1990 Black single cab Ranger 4x4 - V-6 5spd - loved it! Drove the crap out of it. Sold it in 99 with 185k on the clock - still ran great! Perfect size. When I got married again in 99 too many vehicles something had to go and it was the Ranger. (She let me keep the Mustang!) TheMav is a great replacement - close to the same size with more usable inside space! (I only wish there was a manual available!) I am hoping TheMav gets me close to that many miles!!!

 

[MakinDoForNow]

We’ve turned into spoiled rotten mini truck owners.

Way I remember it, I was completely happy with my 1985 Ranger.

It had A/C and was an automatic.
The thing never had a recall and never any problems.

Nothing on it to cause a recall

 

[Potatomafia]

I had a 1990 Ranger XLT in the early 2000s. It was a 2WD, single cab 5 speed long bed with the 2.3L. I bought it from someone I knew on a forum a long time ago. His dad used it for his general contractor business. If I recall correctly, it had about 120k on it. I paid a whopping $600 for it The a/c didn't work and the windshield had a crack in it but it ran flawlessly. I worked it pretty hard but it never complained:

Neanderthal traction control for the harsh Nebraska winters:

It was a great truck!

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