Ford Ranger 2007 XLT D/Cab 3Lt diesel

Hello Peter

If you do a search on here you will see that I have reported a few times that i have had a Ranger for a couple of years now and nothing has broken or fallen off. it is used as a daily driver and for weekend and weeklong camping trips for which it is well suited. I do not tow with it It has travelled some moderate remote tracks but the test comes next year when it tackles the dreaded corrugations on part of the gunbarrel highway.

There have been reports from others about clutch problems and many experienced people here regularly raise doubts about the wisdom of using any of the the 4x4 utes (hilux, navara, ranger, colorad, dmax ) to tow largish vans, even though the van may be within the rated towing range.

Obviously after three years of use you would want the vehicle checked over.

Good luck

Rocco

Hi Peter,
I am not so sure about Fords in particular but to me it seems that 3 litre engine is not quite enough to tow that heavy load. It has to work too hard all the time.
I think something with a 6 or v8 is a better towing option.

Cheers
Wooly

Peter
NSW Police, through their union, have expressed major concerns over the vehicle. A number of them have rolled over the past couple of years and they are now being used in very restricted duties. The blame has been laid on the pod they carry on the back. Personally I wouldn't be considering one if I intended to carry any sort of a load. If you google "Ford Ranger Police" there are a number of reports available.

teege

There is a new navara coming out early 2011. It has a V6 I/C T/D developing 170 Kw & 550Nm Torque. The motor will also be available in the Pathfinder. I would think the 3 ltr Motor in the Ford is like that of the Patrol....it would struggle towing a 2.5 Tonne van IMHO especially up hills.

My Uncle has been issued (local council)with a BT50 (same thing) and is on its 3rd clutch in 15000 ks.
He is happy with the vehicle overall, but thinks that its towing ability should be less than 2 ton, seems to struggle abit anymore than that.

The clutch issue was though to come from the the clutch fork not allowing the the pressure plate to fully compress, bit like riding the clutch, when empty it wasn't an issue, but loaded up, the clutch started slipping and failing soon after.

He doesn't rate them any better or worse than whats available now.

Shane

Hi Peter, we have a 2007 4x2 high body Mazda BT50 twin cab ( I understand it is the same as the Ranger) purchased new. Original clutch was replaced at about 30000 Km & this replacement clutch was stuffed at about 10000 Km later. We tow a a Jayco 18 foot Pop Top with which the compliance plate states weighs about 1500Kg, so on the road weight would probably be in the order of 1800/1900Kg. (Our 4x2 version is rated at being able to tow 2500Kg)

And by the way, within that App. 40000 Ks, somewhere about 12000 Ks would have been towing.

It has in my opinion plenty of grunt for our set up & is fuel efficient at about 13/14 litres per 100 Ks travelling at about 85/90 KPH in fourth gear.

We are very happy with the vehicle in all other respects, which realy is of not much help to us as I constantly worry when the third clutch will toss it in!!

For some reason or other I am never able to get much success on the EO search function, but there is lots of negative comment on this site ref the clutch on these vehicles, (if you can find it) but if you simply google " Mazda bt50 clutch problems" you will come up with some info that will not impress you.
Good luck in your search for a trouble free tow vehicle & be wary of this one in my opinion.