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2000 Ford Ranger Full Review
Date Published: 2/20/08
Also in the 2000 Ford Ranger Review:
2000 Ford Ranger Review
America's best-selling compact pickup adds a 4x4-look 2-wheel-drive model and a base-trim 4-door cab for 2000. Ranger offers regular-cab or extended SuperCab bodies in base XL and uplevel XLT trim. All SuperCabs have a pair of fold-down rear jump seats and are available with two rear doors hinged at the back to open in conjunction with the front doors. The rear doors had been an XLT exclusive. Regular-cabs get a 6- or 7-foot cargo bed, SuperCabs the 6-foot box. A flare-fender Flareside short-bed is optional.
Two-wheel-drive Rangers come with a 4-cylinder engine. A 3.0-liter V6 is optional on 2WD models, standard on 4x4s. A 4.0-liter V6 is optional for XLT models. Manual transmission is standard. The 4-cylinder and 3.0 V6 offer a 4-speed automatic option, the 4.0 a 5-speed automatic.
A new Trailhead option gives 2WD regular-cab XL shortbeds the raised suspension, 16-inch wheels, and exterior trim used by 4WD Rangers. Also for 2000, front bucket seats are available on 2WD XLT models; they had been limited to 4WD XLTs. Mazda's B-Series pickups are built by Ford to the basic Ranger design but have slightly different styling. Due in early fall, the 2001 Ranger will feature appearance and suspension changes and replace the current 160-horsepower overhead-valve 4.0 with a 205-hp overhead-cam version.
Two-wheel-drive Rangers come with a 4-cylinder engine. A 3.0-liter V6 is optional on 2WD models, standard on 4x4s. A 4.0-liter V6 is optional for XLT models. Manual transmission is standard. The 4-cylinder and 3.0 V6 offer a 4-speed automatic option, the 4.0 a 5-speed automatic.
A new Trailhead option gives 2WD regular-cab XL shortbeds the raised suspension, 16-inch wheels, and exterior trim used by 4WD Rangers. Also for 2000, front bucket seats are available on 2WD XLT models; they had been limited to 4WD XLTs. Mazda's B-Series pickups are built by Ford to the basic Ranger design but have slightly different styling. Due in early fall, the 2001 Ranger will feature appearance and suspension changes and replace the current 160-horsepower overhead-valve 4.0 with a 205-hp overhead-cam version.
Competition
Among compact pickups two vehicles really stand out. The Dodge Dakota and the Ford Ranger (and clone Mazda B-Series). Dakota is the only one to offer a V8 engine and near-full-size cargo and towing capacity. Ranger is the most refined and probably the best daily use vehicle.
Among the Recommended choices we really like the Nissan Frontier and Toyota Tacoma for their drivability and comfort. General Motors' compacts (the Chevy S-10 and GMC Sonoma) are getting a bit long in the tooth. But they still offer class-leading ride quality and a strong V6 engine.
Among the Recommended choices we really like the Nissan Frontier and Toyota Tacoma for their drivability and comfort. General Motors' compacts (the Chevy S-10 and GMC Sonoma) are getting a bit long in the tooth. But they still offer class-leading ride quality and a strong V6 engine.
News
The 2001 versions of America's most popular compact pickup are slated to go on sale this spring. Highlights include new front-end sheetmetal, standard 4-wheel antilock brakes for all models, and a new Edge appearance package that gives base 4x2s a 4x4 look. The Edge option replaces Ranger's 2000 Trailhead package, but will be available on extended SuperCabs as well as regulars. These and other spruce-up measures will tide over Ranger until the full redesign planned for 2002.
2000 Ford Ranger Road Test
| Pros | Cons |
| Acceleration (4.0-liter V6) | Rear-seat comfort |
| Build quality | Acceleration (4-cylinder) |
| 4-door extended-cab | Interior room (regular cab) |
| Ride | |
| Rear-seat entry/exit (extended cab) | |
Consumer Guide® Road Test Ratings
Acceleration
Unladen 4-cylinder Rangers and B-Series Mazdas perform adequately, but the 4.0-liter V6 is the most-sensible choice in a vehicle of this sort and doesn't cost much more than the 3.0.
| reg. cab 2WD, 4 cyl man. | ext. cab 4WD, 4.0 V6 auto. | Class Average |
| 3 | 5 | 4 |
Unladen 4-cylinder Rangers and B-Series Mazdas perform adequately, but the 4.0-liter V6 is the most-sensible choice in a vehicle of this sort and doesn't cost much more than the 3.0.
Fuel Economy
Over 7371 miles, our extended-use-test 4.0/automatic SuperCab 4x4 averaged 15.9 mpg. The 4-cylinder is gruffer but thriftier than the sixes, our Mazda averaging 20.1 mpg.
| reg. cab 2WD, 4 cyl man. | ext. cab 4WD, 4.0 V6 auto. | Class Average |
| 5 | 5 | 4.6 |
Over 7371 miles, our extended-use-test 4.0/automatic SuperCab 4x4 averaged 15.9 mpg. The 4-cylinder is gruffer but thriftier than the sixes, our Mazda averaging 20.1 mpg.
Ride Quality
Regardless of engine or brand name, these little haulers have admirable ride qualities. They jiggle more on rough roads than most cars, but absorb big bumps well.
| reg. cab 2WD, 4 cyl man. | ext. cab 4WD, 4.0 V6 auto. | Class Average |
| 2 | 4 | 3.3 |
Regardless of engine or brand name, these little haulers have admirable ride qualities. They jiggle more on rough roads than most cars, but absorb big bumps well.
Steering/Handling/Braking
Stable in corners with moderate body lean, nicely weighted steering, and good directional stability.
| reg. cab 2WD, 4 cyl man. | ext. cab 4WD, 4.0 V6 auto. | Class Average |
| 3 | 3 | 3.3 |
Stable in corners with moderate body lean, nicely weighted steering, and good directional stability.
Quietness
Not quite as carlike as the Dakota, but better isolation from engine, wind, and road noise than most compact pickups.
| reg. cab 2WD, 4 cyl man. | ext. cab 4WD, 4.0 V6 auto. | Class Average |
| 3 | 4 | 3.4 |
Not quite as carlike as the Dakota, but better isolation from engine, wind, and road noise than most compact pickups.
Controls
Ranger and B-Series offer a convenient carlike dashboard, solid overall assembly, and better-quality interior materials than most rivals.
| reg. cab 2WD, 4 cyl man. | ext. cab 4WD, 4.0 V6 auto. | Class Average |
| 7 | 7 | 5.9 |
Ranger and B-Series offer a convenient carlike dashboard, solid overall assembly, and better-quality interior materials than most rivals.
Room/Comfort/Driver Seating (front)
Good head and leg room, but three adults are a tight squeeze, and entry/exit borders on awkward in the higher-riding 4x4s.
| reg. cab 2WD, 4 cyl man. | ext. cab 4WD, 4.0 V6 auto. | Class Average |
| 3 | 4 | 3.8 |
Good head and leg room, but three adults are a tight squeeze, and entry/exit borders on awkward in the higher-riding 4x4s.
Room/Comfort (rear)
Two doors or four, the extended-cab's child-size rear-seat area is better used for cargo. However, unlike the GM versions, Ford and Mazda retain two rear jump seats even with the rear doors.
| reg. cab 2WD, 4 cyl man. | ext. cab 4WD, 4.0 V6 auto. | Class Average |
| 0 | 1 | .9 |
Two doors or four, the extended-cab's child-size rear-seat area is better used for cargo. However, unlike the GM versions, Ford and Mazda retain two rear jump seats even with the rear doors.
Cargo Room
Better-than-average behind-seat regular-cab space. Extended cabs carry lots of stuff. Dual rear doors are nice, but don't open independently of the fronts, making loading difficult in confined spaces.
| reg. cab 2WD, 4 cyl man. | ext. cab 4WD, 4.0 V6 auto. | Class Average |
| 1 | 3 | 2.3 |
Better-than-average behind-seat regular-cab space. Extended cabs carry lots of stuff. Dual rear doors are nice, but don't open independently of the fronts, making loading difficult in confined spaces.
Value within Class
Dodge's larger Dakota offers brawny V8s and full-time 4WD, but these Ford-built trucks have plenty of assets and are without glaring faults. Ranger is justifiably a best-seller, but the functionally interchangeable but less-popular B-Series is likely to carry deeper discounts.
| reg. cab 2WD, 4 cyl man. | ext. cab 4WD, 4.0 V6 auto. | Class Average |
| 5 | 7 | 4.6 |
Dodge's larger Dakota offers brawny V8s and full-time 4WD, but these Ford-built trucks have plenty of assets and are without glaring faults. Ranger is justifiably a best-seller, but the functionally interchangeable but less-popular B-Series is likely to carry deeper discounts.
Total Score
| reg. cab 2WD, 4 cyl man. | ext. cab 4WD, 4.0 V6 auto. | Class Average |
| 32 | 43 | 36.1 |
Scores for all Compact Pickup Trucks
| Low Score | 27 | |
| Average Score | 36 | |
| High Score | 48 |
2000 Ford Ranger Prices & Equipment
Model Prices
Prices Updated: 05/24/2000
| Trim Name | Retail Price | Dealer Invoice | Destination Charge |
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| XL 2WD regular cab, short bed | $11,580 | $10,999 | $560 |
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| XL 2WD regular cab, long bed | $12,050 | $11,432 | $560 |
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| XL 4WD regular cab, short bed | $15,920 | $14,992 | $560 |
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| XL 4WD regular cab, long bed | $16,390 | $15,425 | $560 |
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| XL 2WD SuperCab extended cab | $15,240 | $13,756 | $560 |
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| XL 4WD SuperCab extended cab | $17,530 | $15,772 | $560 |
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| XLT 2WD regular cab, short bed | $13,655 | $12,362 | $560 |
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| XLT 2WD regular cab, long bed | $14,205 | $12,845 | $560 |
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| XLT 4WD regular cab, short bed | $18,070 | $16,247 | $560 |
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| XLT 4WD regular cab, long bed | $18,640 | $16,748 | $560 |
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| XLT 2WD SuperCab extended cab | $15,890 | $14,328 | $560 |
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| XLT 4WD SuperCab extended cab | $19,785 | $17,756 | $560 |
Pricing Key: Retail prices listed with each report are set by the vehicle's
manufacturer. These figures appear on each car's federally mandated window sticker.
Most price lists also include dealer-invoice prices. Dealer-invoice prices are
what the dealer pays the manufacturer for the car and its factory-installed options.
The destination charge is not included in the suggested-retail or dealer-invoice price
and must be added to the cost of the vehicle. Car companies change prices frequently
throughout the year. If the prices published do not match those on the vehicle's
window sticker, the manufacturer has probably altered the price recently.
NA = price note available, NC = no charge.
Rebates and Incentives
There are no rebates or incentives at this time.
Consumer Guide®'s Rebates and Incentives represent a summary of national
manufacturer programs available. Regional restrictions may apply, and offerings
may vary by model. For a complete list of Rebate & Incentive programs click here.
Standard Equipment
XL
Powertrain
2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine, 5-speed manual transmission.
Safety
Antilock rear brakes, dual front airbags.
Comfort and Convenience Features
Power steering, vinyl split bench seat, cloth split bench seat and rear jump seats (SuperCab), floor console, cupholders, AM/FM radio, digital clock, black vinyl floor covering, intermittent wipers.
Appearance and Miscellaneous
Styleside bed, painted bumpers, dual outside mirrors.
Special Purpose, Wheels and Tires
Trailer tow wire harness, full-size spare tire, 225/70R15SL tires, styled steel wheels, 4WD models add: part-time 4-wheel drive, 3.0-liter V6 engine, tachometer, wheel flares, heavy-duty gas shock absorbers, front tow hooks, 215/75R15SL all-terrain white-letter tires.
XLT adds to XL:
Comfort and Convenience Features
Cloth split bench seat, carpeting, AM/FM/CD player, cargo box and map lights, passenger-side visor mirror, behind-seat storage tray.
Appearance and Miscellaneous
Chrome bumpers.
Special Purpose, Wheels and Tires
4WD models add: part-time 4-wheel drive, 3.0-liter V6 engine, front and rear antilock brakes, tachometer, theft-deterrent system, fog lights, wheel flares, heavy-duty gas shock absorbers, front tow hooks, 235/75R15SL white-letter all-terrain tires, alloy wheels.
Optional Equipment
Major Packages |
Retail Price |
Invoice Price |
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XL Sport Appearance Pkg.
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XL 2WD
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$395
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$336
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Color-keyed grille and bumpers, 225/70R15SL white-letter tires, sliver styled steel wheels.
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Trailhead Group
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XL 2WD regular cab shortbed
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$1,595
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$1,356
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Argent grille and bumpers, tachometer, fog lights, special axle ratio, front tow hooks, Payload Pkg. 2, heavy-duty front springs, 245/75R16SL all-terrain white-letter tires, alloy wheels. NA w/flareside bed.
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Trailhead Sport Group
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XL 2WD regular cab
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$1,895
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$1,611
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Trailhead Group with color-keyed grille and bumpers. NA w/flareside bed.
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XLT Series Code 846A
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XLT
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$805
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$695
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Air conditioning.
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XLT Sport Appearance Pkg.
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XLT 2WD w/4-cylinder engine
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$435
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$370
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XLT 2WD w/V6 engine
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$495
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$421
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XLT 4WD
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$395
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$336
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Color-keyed grille and bumpers, tachometer (2WD), fog lights (V6), 225/70R15SL white-letter tires (2WD), 245/75R16SL all-terrain white-letter tires (4WD), chrome styled steel wheels (2WD).
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Tremor Pkg.
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XLT 2WD SuperCab
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$1,195
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$1,016
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Pioneer AM/FM/cassette/CD player, 3-band spectrum analyzer, remote control, encased subwoofer, amplifier, special seat inserts, white gauge faces, 225/70R15 white-letter tires, chrome styled steel wheels. Requires 3.0-liter V6 engine. Deletes rear jump seats. NA w/rear doors, Sport Appearance Group, sport bucket seats.
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Power Equipment Group
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XLT
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$535
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$455
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Power mirrors, power windows and door locks, remote keyless entry.
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4x4 Off-Road Pkg.
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XLT 4WD
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$395
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$336
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4.10 axle ratio, off-road shock absorbers, skid plates, "4x4 Off-road" decal, 245/75R16SL all-terrain white-letter tires, 5-spoke alloy wheels.
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Optional Payload Pkg. 2
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XL, XLT
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$75
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$64
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Wheel and Tire Group
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XLT 2WD SuperCab
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$325
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$277
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Chrome styled steel wheels, 225/70R15SL white-letter tires.
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Powertrain |
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3.0-liter V6
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2WD
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$395
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$336
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4.0-liter V6
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2WD XLT
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$1,295
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$1,101
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4WD XLT
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$695
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$592
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4-speed automatic transmission
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XL, XLT
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$1,095
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$931
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NA with 4.0-liter engine.
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5-speed automatic transmission
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XLT
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$1,145
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$973
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Requires 4.0-liter engine.
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Limited-slip rear axle
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XL, XLT
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$295
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$251
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Requires V6 engine. Includes auxiliary transmission-oil cooler.
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Special axle ratio
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XLT 4WD
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$50
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$43
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Safety |
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4-wheel antilock brakes
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XL, XLT 2WD
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$300
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$255
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Comfort and Convenience Features |
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Two rear doors
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XLT SuperCab
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$695
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$591
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XL SuperCab
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$575
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$488
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Requires V6 engine. XL deletes jumps seat.
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Air conditioning
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XL
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$805
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$684
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Cruise control and tilt leather-wrapped steering wheel
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XL, XLT
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$395
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$336
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XLT 4WD SuperCab
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$395
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$336
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Power mirrors
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XLT
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$140
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$119
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Cloth split bench seat
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XL regular cab
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$295
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$251
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Cloth sport bucket seats
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XLT
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$360
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$306
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AM/FM/cassette
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XL
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$140
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$119
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AM/FM/CD player
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XL
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$240
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$204
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AM/FM/cassette/CD player
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XLT
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$130
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$111
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Appearance and Miscellaneous |
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Flareside bed
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XL, XLT
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$495
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$421
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XL 2WD SuperCab, XLT SuperCab
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$0
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$0
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NA regular cab long bed. NA with Trailhead Group.
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Sliding rear window
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XL, XLT
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$125
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$107
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Includes rear privacy glass.
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Side step bars
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XL/XLT 2WD regular cab short bed, XLT 4WD, XLT SuperCab
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$295
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$250
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XL requires Trailhead Group. XLT 2WD regular cab short bed require XLT Sport Appearance Pkg.
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Engine block heater
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XL, XLT
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$30
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$26
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w/3.0-liter engine
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$15
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$12
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Special Purpose, Wheels and Tires |
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Class III trailer hitch
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ordered w/V6 engine
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$215
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$182
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2000 Ford Ranger Specs & Safety
Vehicle Dimensions
| Specification | Ford Ranger reg. cab short bed | Ford Ranger reg. cab long bed | Ford Ranger ext. cab |
| Wheelbase, in. | 111.6 | 117.5 | 125.7 |
| Overall Length, in. | 187.5 | 200.7 | 202.9 |
| Overall Width, in. | 69.4 | 69.4 | 69.4 |
| Overall Height, in. | 64.9 | 64.9 | 64.8 |
| Curb Weight, lbs. | 3080 | 3100 | 3280 |
| Cargo Volume, cu. ft. | -- | -- | -- |
| Standard Payload, lbs. | 1260 | 1260 | 1260 |
| Fuel Capacity, gals. | 16.5 | 20.0 | 20.0 |
| Seating Capacity | 3 | 3 | 5 |
| Front Head Room, in. | 39.2 | 39.2 | 39.3 |
| Max. Front Leg Room, in. | 42.2 | 42.2 | 42.2 |
| Rear Head Room, in. | -- | -- | -- |
| Max. Rear Leg Room, in. | -- | -- | -- |
Specifications Key: NA = not available; "--" = measurement does not exist.
Engines
| sohc I4 | ohv V6 | ohv V6 | |
| Size, liters/cu. in. | 2.5 /153 | 3.0 /182 | 4.0 /245 |
| Horsepower @ rpm. | 119 @ 5000 | 150 @ 4750 | 160 @ 4200 |
| Torque (lb-ft) @ rpm. | 146 @ 3000 | 190 @ 3650 | 225 @ 2750 |
| Availability | Standard | Standard | Optional |
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EPA City / highway mpg
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| 5-speed manual | 22/27 | 18/23 | 16/21 |
| 4-speed automatic | 20/25 | 17/22 | --/-- |
| 5-speed automatic | --/-- | --/-- | 17/22 |
Engine Key: l/cu in. = liters/cubic inches; ohv = overhead valve; ohc = overhead camshaft;
dohc = dual overhead camshaft; I = inline cylinders; H = horizonally opposed cylinders;
V = cylinders in a V configuration; W = cylinders in a W configuration; rpm = revolutions
per minute; CVT = continuously variable (automatic) transmission; NA = not available; "--"
= measurement does not exist.
Safety Features
Antilock Brakes
Traction Control
Antiskid System |
Front Side Airbags
Curtain Side Airbags
Rear Side Airbags |
NHTSA Crash-Test Results
| Test | Ford Ranger reg. cab short bed | Ford Ranger reg. cab long bed | Ford Ranger ext. cab |
| Collision | NA | NA | 3 |
| Collision (HLDI) | NA | NA | 90 |
| Front Impact, Driver | 4 | NA | 4 |
| Front Impact, Passenger | 4 | NA | 4 |
| Injury | NA | NA | 4 |
| Injury (HLDI) | NA | NA | 72 |
| Side Impact, Driver | 5 | NA | 4 |
| Theft | NA | NA | 3 |
| Theft (HLDI) | NA | NA | 91 |
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) tests a vehicle's
worthiness in front- and side-impact collisions and rates its resistance to
rollovers. Front-impact crash-test numbers indicate the chance of serious injury:
5 = 10% or less; 4 = 10-20%; 3 = 20-35%; 2 = 35-45%; 1 = More than 45%. Side-impact
crash-test numbers indicate: 5 = 5% or less; 4 = 6-10%; 3 = 11-20%; 2 = 21-25%;
1 = More than 26%. Rollover resistance numbers indicate the chance for rollover
when the vehicle leaves the roadway: 5 = Less than 10%; 4 = 10-20%; 3 = 20-30%;
2 = 30-40%; 1 = More than 40%.
Manufacturer's Warranty
| Class | Years/Miles | Comments |
| Powertrain | None/-- | -- |
| Bumper-to-bumper | 3/36,000 | -- |
| Corrosion | 5/unlimited | -- |
| Free roadside assistance | 3/36,000 | -- |
| Free scheduled maintenance | None/-- | -- |
Manufacturers may periodically offer additional coverage as a purchase incentive.
There offers are not reflected on this chart. The federal government requires two
other warranties. The Exhaust Emission Warranty covers corrosion-related parts for
2 years/24,000 miles, plus 8 years/80,000 miles on the catalytic converter and any
on-board diagnostic device. The Passenger Restraint Warranty covers seat belts
and airbags for 5 years/50,000 miles.
Built in:
USA
Drivewheels:
4-wheel drive, rear-wheel drive
Also in the 2000 Ford Ranger Review:
1.
2.
3.
4.
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