took Ford's popular compact pickup truck and added a four-wheel drive system—making it a great option to take along on weekend camping excursions. However, with a ground clearance of just 6.7 inches, it’s not equipped for the truly tough trails.

Pickup trucks can make great off-road vehicles—especially if you’re looking for something that can also haul camping gear, bicycles, coolers, or other supplies. But with so many great pickups on the used car market, how do you know which one to choose?

If you’re looking at the 2000 Ford Ranger XLT 4X4, check out this helpful guide from

Jerry

—the

super app

that saves you hundreds on your

car insurance

. We’ll talk about important off-road specs like ground clearance and drivetrain, and give you some alternative vehicles to consider if you’re thinking about buying this classic Ford pickup.

Can the 2000 Ford Ranger XLT 4X4 go off-road?

Yes! With 4X4 right there in its name, it’s clear the 2000

Ford Ranger XLT 4X4

was designed to leave the paved roads behind. It may not be ideal for serious off-roaders who want to tackle trails rated difficult or higher—but it’s got the chops for moderate off-road adventures.

According to Kelley Blue Book, you can expect to pay between $3,455 and $5,022 for a used Ford Ranger from the 2000 model year—making it a great pick for anyone looking for a budget-friendly off-road vehicle. For the best experience, keep an eye out for a model equipped with Ford’s optional off-road package, which offered better ground clearance, a torsion bar suspension, rear single-stage leaf springs, and towing equipment.

So what else makes the 2000 Ford Ranger XLT 4X4 good—or not so good—for off-roading? Keep reading to find out.

Ground clearance

Your vehicle’s ground clearance is one of the most important things to look at before taking it off-road—and unfortunately, it’s the one area where the 2000 Ford Ranger XLT 4X4 falls short. With just 6.7 inches of space between the lowest part of its chassis and the ground, this Ford pickup may be able to handle some moderately uneven ground—but driving it over large boulders or logs may damage its frame.

If you can find a 2000 Ford Ranger XLT 4X4 that’s equipped with the automaker’s optional off-road package, you get an improved clearance of7.5 inches instead—but that’s still not enough to meet the recommended 8.8 to10.8 inches needed for off-roading.

Compared to something like the 1996

Ford Bronco

and its massive 13.3 inches of clearance, the 2000 Ford Ranger XLT 4X4 doesn’t impress.

MORE:

What is frame damage to a car?

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Torque

If you plan to leave the paved roads behind, your car’s turning power has a bigger impact on its performance than speed—making torque another important factor to consider. When equipped with the standard 3.0-liter V6 engine, the 2000

Ford Ranger XLT 4X4

achieves a maximum torque of 190 lb-ft @ 3,650 rpm.

That’s enough power for some light off-roading, but you’ll be in a much better position if you can find a model equipped with the optional 4.0-liter V6 instead. Offering 225 lb-ft @ 2,750 rpm, this engine gives you more power and the ability to access it at lower speeds, so you’re much less likely to get stuck while driving on uneven, craggy, or muddy ground.

Tires

If equipped with the off-road package, the 2000 Ford Ranger XLT 4X4 came with a set of all-terrain tires. These

A/T tires

are ideal for off-roading, since they provide drivers with better cornering and improved traction—and they have a deeper tread depth to help prevent your vehicle from getting stuck.

On the other hand, if you’re looking at a base 2000 Ford Ranger XLT 4X4 with the standard all-season tires then you might consider visiting a garage or tire shop to have them swapped out for a set of all-terrain tires. In a pinch, all-season tires might be able to handle something like a well-maintained dirt road—but they offer poor performance on uneven terrain.

Drivetrain

Here’s where the 2000 Ford Ranger XLT 4X4 really shines. A standard 4X4 or four-wheel drive system makes it easy to maintain control of the truck on difficult terrain since it allows each tire to gain traction independently. This means that you’re much less likely to get stuck if one of your tires leaves the ground or gets caught in a hole.

Angles

If you’re going to drive your truck over large obstacles or down a steep hill or riverbank, you should know your approach angle and departure angle first. If you’ve never heard those terms before, here’s what they mean:

Approach angle: the maximum angle at which a vehicle can climb without interference

Departure angle: the maximum angle at which a vehicle can descend without interference

With approach and departure angles of 29 and 21 degrees, the 2000

Ford Ranger XLT 4X4

can handle moderate climbs and dips—but keep in mind that you may still run into trouble on trails with serious obstacles thanks to the Ranger XLT 4X4’s low ground clearance.

Key Takeaway The 2000 Ford Ranger XLT 4X4 can handle moderate off-roading, but you’ll get the best off-road experience with a model equipped with Ford’s optional 4.0-liter V6 engine and off-road package.

Off-road rating: Rough and ready

Still not sure if the 2000

Ford Ranger XLT 4X4

is the right off-road truck for you? Let

Jerry’s

super-technical DIRT rating system help you decide. Here’s how it breaks down:

Rating	Meaning	Description
D	Don’t Try It	Vehicles better suited to highway conditions
I	In a Pinch	Vehicles that can handle off-road conditions in certain circumstances
R	Rough and Ready	Vehicles designed for casual off-roading
T	Trail Boss	True off-road vehicles capable of tackling a range of terrain

We think that the 2000 Ford Ranger XLT 4X4 deserves an R rating. It's impressive torque, tires, drivetrain, and angles excel on the open trail, but a low ground clearance means it’s not a true trail boss. You’ll be fine on most easy or moderate terrain, but if you want to tackle the trails rated difficult or higher, you should look into a dedicated off-road vehicle like a

Jeep Wrangler

instead.

MORE:

The best old-school off-road vehicles

The best off-road alternatives to the 2000 Ford Ranger XLT 4X4

The 2000 Ford Ranger XLT 4X4 can be exactly what you need if you’re looking for a rugged hauler that has the chops for moderate off-road driving—but if you’re working with a different budget, or simply want something with a little more power on the backroads, here are some alternatives:

Model	Typical list price	Description
2003 Dodge Dakota	$5,309	Four-wheel drive and a powerful V8 engine options make the 2003 Dodge Dakota a contender on the backroads.
2001 Chevy Silverado	$9,465	Offering eight inches of ground clearance, the 2001 Chevy Silverado can outperform the Ranger XLT when equipped with the optional four-wheel drive.
1996 Ford Bronco	$16,422	With its massive 13.3 inches of ground clearance, the 1996 Ford Bronco can easily roll over large boulders and logs.

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How to find affordable car insurance for off-road vehicles

Off-road vehicles are great for weekend adventures and camping trips—but owning one comes with one major downside. It’s usually expensive to insure. Even if you’ve got a top-of-the-line, trail-rated SUV with the best safety mods, you’re more likely to damage your car if you bring it off-road—and more likely to file a claim with your insurance company.

But that doesn’t mean you should resign yourself to a high premium. The

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