Ford Ranger Pickup Truck Second Generation 1993–1997

Ranger Pickup Truck Second Generation 1993–1997 Featured Image
Second Generation
97Vermillion.jpg
Overview
Also called Mazda B-Series
Production August 1992 – July 1997
Model years 1993–1997
Assembly Louisville, Kentucky, United States
St. Paul, Minnesota, United States
Edison, New Jersey, United States
General Pacheco, Argentina
Body and chassis
Body style 2-door compact
2-door extended
Powertrain
Engine 2.3 L OHC I4
3.0 L Vulcan V6
4.0 L Cologne V6
Transmission Manual
5-speed Mazda M5OD-R1
Automatic
4-speed A4LD
4-speed 4R44E
4-speed 4R55E
5-speed 5R55E
Dimensions
Wheelbase 107.9 in (2,741 mm)
113.9 in (2,893 mm)
125.2 in (3,180 mm)
Length 184.3 in (4,681 mm)
196.3 in (4,986 mm)
198.2 in (5,034 mm)
Width 69.4 in (1,763 mm)

The redesign in 1992 for 1993 featured mild restyling, flush-mounted door glass, wider doors, and slight fender flares.

The 1989-style dashboard remained, but the seats and door panels were new. The 2.9-liter engine was discontinued. The engines offered were offered in displacements of 2.3, 3.0 and 4.0 liters. A new "Splash" model was introduced, which had a flare side bed, unique chrome wheels, 1-inch (25 mm) lowered rear suspension and a 2-inch (51 mm) lowered front suspension (on 4x2 models), and special vinyl "Splash" decals on the sides and the tailgate.

The 1993 Splash trim level was offered with regular cab in arctic white, gloss black, red orange, and sky blue. The Mazda B-Series became a re-badged Ranger for the 1994 model year, but the Mazda B-Series did not offer an equivalent to the Splash model. While 1993 Rangers used R-12 Freon, 1994 model year saw the transition to CFC-free air-conditioning systems in compliance with the Clean Air Act. For the 1994 model year, the Splash trim had options which all included; a 1-inch (25 mm) lowered rear suspension and 2-inch (51 mm) lowered front suspension (on 4x2 models), flare side bed, an extended cab, and unique chrome wheels. The decals also underwent subtle changes. While the 1993–1994 models sported red, yellow and blue stripes, the 1995 to 1996 models had lime green stripes. Additionally, the available colors for the Splash model changed from the 1993–1994 models to the 1995–1997 models. The latter were offered in maroon, gloss black, white, and canary yellow.

Fall 1994 production (1995 model year) included a steering wheel modified to include a driver's side airbag and a redesigned dashboard which included a double DIN radio head unit. Also for 1995 (model year), SuperCab trucks could have a power driver's seat. The A4LD transmission was updated. 2.3- and 3.0-liter models got the 4R44E, while 4.0-liter trucks got the 4R55E. The front brakes were changed to use the same two-piston brake calipers as the second-generation Explorer, and four-wheel anti-lock brakes were added as standard on 4x4 and 4.0-liter models. From October 1995 (1996 model year), an optional passenger airbag (the first compact truck to offer one) became available, with a key-operated cutoff switch that allowed the airbag to be turned off for smaller passengers riding in the front seat. In October 1996, the 1997 model year brought in the first ever five-speed automatic transmission to be used by an American manufacturer. The 4.0-liter models were equipped with the 5R55E, while the 3.0-liter was still mated to the 4R44E.

Powertrain
  • 1994 – 2.3 L (2311 cc) OHC I4, 98 hp (73 kW), 133 lb·ft (180 N·m)
  • 1995–1997 – 2.3 L (2311 cc) OHC I4, 112 hp (84 kW), 135 lb·ft (183 N·m)
  • 1994–1996 – 3.0 L (2957 cc) Vulcan V6, 145 hp (108 kW), 165 lb·ft (224 N·m)
  • 1994–1997 – 4.0 L (4016 cc) Cologne V6, 160 hp (119 kW), 225 lb·ft (305 N·m)

Mazda B-Series

 
Mazda B2300 extended cab (US)

For 1994, the third-generation Mazda B-Series was introduced. While the company continued to manufacture its own trucks in Japan and internationally, the North American version of the B-Series was now a badge-engineered version of the Ranger. The new B3000 and B4000 boasted Ford V6 engines, and the M5OD-R1 manual transmission returning to the options sheet. Extended cab models were available, as was four-wheel drive; Mazda made the B-Series available in two trim lines, LE and SE. The 3.0-liter B3000 was dropped for 1997.