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Toyota Tacoma vs. Ford Ranger, Part XII - READ ONLY

1840 messages,  Last post on Oct 02, 2002 at 4:10 PM

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What is this discussion about? Toyota Tacoma, Ford Ranger

Messages Page 133 of 185

#1319 of 1840 tbunder by frey44

Jul 03, 2002 (10:16 pm)

I agree: the Ford SOHC 4.o is a nice motor for a V6. The mosts amazing engine I have ever experienced is the inline 6 alloy GMC that is in the new Trailblazer. An incredible engine. What amazed me is how smooth and powerful, over a huge range of RPM, that motor was on a test drive. Honest to God it feels like a Tundra V8 or small Ford V8.
When Chevy releases that mid-size "Colorado" truck in 2003, they will have trouble making enough to meet demand. That motor will sell trucks !! I am not putting down Ford. Rumor is, they might be coming out with a "little diesel" for the F 150. that would also be a hot seller. I also suspect the next Ranger will be closer to the size of a Dakota. I regret buying a Ranger, but that is still not a diss on Ford; I simply got a "lemon". Lemons can be had with any brand, of course. Thanks for ideas on tires. I am listening. I have had great luck with Michelins on my Honda Civics over the years; they will run 70 or 80 thousand miles on those cars, and usually will run without shaking. But, the truck LTX's are literally unable to be balanced...(CORRECTION...they are not ROUND or laterally true).

#1320 of 1840 To each his own by saddaddy

Jul 05, 2002 (6:23 am)

but I have heard that the 260 hp rating that the trailblazer gets is a crock. I don't know though. What I do know is that they don't last six months. Once again, GM has really screwed up on quality issues, and they want to expand this motor to more vehicles. LOOK OUT! When will some people see that initial quality isn't what really matters?
 
Tbunder--> I would really like to drive a Ranger with that engine. I could never complain about more power, but I don't know if I could make a switch from such a silky smooth power plant/tranny combo. Do you feel differently on that point after having driven a Taco. I drive my dads brand new silverado, and then step into my truck - its like driving a benz, honestly. Is the 4.0 known as a pretty smooth engine, I just have never heard it labeled as such.
And while things are slow here I'd like to say for the record that I actually like Rangers a good bit, and would consider buying one should I need a truck. My main reason for being here is to defend Tacomas against the uninformed ones who see them as nothing more than weak rice burners. They are so much more. So no hard feelings no matter what has taken place.

#1321 of 1840 sadaddy by frey44

Jul 05, 2002 (7:16 am)

You'd buy a Ranger instead of a Taco ? Wow. I'd be careful before doing that. Rangers cost 3 or 4 grand less so the new owner can spend 2 years trouble shooting the truck himself.
 Then, you'll get whacked again on depreciation: with a capital D. Check the Blue Book prices on Rangers that are, say, 3 or 4 years old (relative to their new prices). Do the same for the Taco: case closed. Also, cruise you truck dealers and check the prices on used Rangers vs. used Tacos (with similar age and miles). Case closed again. I still think that the new Chevy inline is a great engine; the new Colorado will sell out. (I also like the old 4.0 pushrod engine in my Ranger that sounds like it has marbles rolling around in the oil pan !) Wait and see if I am not right about the Chevy [I wouldn't buy one...I am done with American made trucks..but a lot of other guys will !]. If I am wrong, you are welcome to ridicule me on this comment.
Later, dude.

#1322 of 1840 I wouldn't ridicule you by saddaddy

Jul 05, 2002 (7:26 am)

I have always loved chevy trucks. Even after I constantly talk about longevity and quality being so important, I still like Chevies a whole lot. Its just in my blood maybe. In fact, my dad keeps saying that I will have to trade trucks with him when I get out of college, and I kinda have mixed feelings. He has an '02 z71. If I could have any truck out there, it would be a new Chevy HD with the Duramax, as unreliable as they are reported to be. But that would mean that money wasn't too much of an object and I could replace it in 4 years when it was worn out. You are probably right about the new Colorados, I just think its kinda of stupid the way the majority of car buyers seem to act sometimes.

#1323 of 1840 daddy.. by frey44

Jul 05, 2002 (10:21 am)

My next truck will be a Tundra. Can't wait ! I have learned lessons about quality control. I think the Yankees know how to design nice vehicles; they just seem to fall short on assembling them. i don't know if that is the workers fault, the prduction protocols used, the robotics, or all of the above. I just know after reading the posts about engine knock and shakes with Chevy trucks, trannies with the Dodges, and varies body sheetmetal cracks and head gasket problems with F 150's, and my own travils with my Ranger, I am done with Yankee trucks. However, one could argue that the Tundra is essentially an "American" truck now anyways, as are Nissans and Hondas. I enjoy reading your posts; you seem a little less emotional, and a little more objective, than some of the other cats on here.
Peace, bro.

#1324 of 1840 Yeah man, same to you by saddaddy

Jul 05, 2002 (11:07 am)

I have said here b4 that I don't like Tundras, but I was thinking just a couple of days ago that it would probably the perfect truck for me right now. I mean, it has the sportiest "full size" truck engine on the planet, which I love. It is almost full size but not too big, which I also love. Its alot roomier than the compacts. I just don't know - I mean I don't need a really heavy duty truck right now, but I have seen them squat very badly under barely marginal loads. And that would really bug me. I would almost certainly replace the rear leaves. Still a very, very nice truck - and if Yota would run the rebates like Chevy and Ford do, you could find one very cheap. My dad got his $32k Z71 for about $22k with just over $2k worth of trade in on his old truck. Not bad. Good luck to you man. Im sure you'll love it. Any time frame on when you might be making a purchase?

#1325 of 1840 You out there Scorpio? by saddaddy

Jul 05, 2002 (12:32 pm)

Where've ya been man? You never gave a report on how the takeover went. Im sure it was pretty sorry since and I quote scape "Tacomas can't rock crawl, LOL." Gimme a break. I heard of one Texas guy who had some damage - that wasn't you was it? Wish I could have ridden up with someone, I gotta feeling that the MS chapter wasn't represented very well, hehe. You need to jump in here and liven things up a bit bud!

#1326 of 1840 ill just say this...... by tbunder

Jul 05, 2002 (2:22 pm)

all trucks can be lemons. probably the reason ford or domestics have more is because of the production margin they have over toyota. it is HUGE! the more stuff you make, the more problems you'll have. that's the reason lexus kicks ass on the luxury side. they don't make near the number that lincoln of cadillac do. i do love those lexus' though. an IS300 would be perfect. but i may settle for a new liberty sport.
 
as far as full-size trucks go right now, it's hard to beat the new ford FX4 F150. it is downright cool and can be had pretty cheap with rebates and such. along with a still available manual t/c and the torquey 5.4 engine along with the super-crew option, it wins in my book. tundra's just look wimpy, and that's my god's honest truth. small tires and wheels, i love the front end look though. the engine ive heard is good too.
 
SOHC 4.0- sad, yes, this engine is smooth. mash it at about 60 mph, and it honestly feels like a turbo just kicked in. it runs hard and revs eaglerly. the older ones are iffy with the camshaft stuff, but ford is still warrantying them up to 75K, so they'll fix them if they're problematic. and you will know when they are, they make a nice little rattle after warmed up and re-started. later
 
ps. keep your pre-runner right now, its a nice truck. the trd pkg. is awesome looking.

#1327 of 1840 Came back to see by scape2

Jul 05, 2002 (9:08 pm)

if anything new.. Nope the Toyota crowd is still preaching the reliability garbage that I kept hearing back in 1998 when I bought my Ranger. I never stopped hearing... "your Ranger will fall apart" "The Ranger is garbage" "The Ranger cannot offroad"... Yada, Yada, Yada.... Well, my Ranger that was supposed to fall apart and breakdown hasn't.. it now has almost 72,000 miles on it. Miles spent on MT Hood, in the Tillamook National Forest, in Three Sisters/Bend area, MT St Helens. Your arguemnent of Toyota is just plain better because it has the Toyota name on it doesn't fly with me.. I spent at least 3K less for a like optioned Ranger in 1998.... And am sure glad I did..
I would sure love to see a Tacoma rock climb.. In all my years I have yet to see a truck with its long wheelbase rock climb.. You Toyota boys take it way too far..

#1328 of 1840 Ok scape, by saddaddy

Jul 07, 2002 (12:16 pm)

I'll try and get some pics up for ya. Just b/c you don't have a locker in your long wheelbase truck doesn't mean all long wheelbase vehicles can't crawl. I might even dig up the pic of the SAS'ed Ranger - an awesome truck.
 
How about this -- we'll make a little bet. I bet you I can come up with more tacoma rock crawling pics in the next 24 hours than you can find of Rangers crawling. If I win you owe me a set of BF goodies. Ready - GO! L8r man.

Messages Page 133 of 185

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