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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 142 of 185

#1407 of 1840 this..... by tbunder1

Aug 06, 2002 (8:00 am)

obi one k-knownothing is hilarious. he speaks with such intelligence i can't even get through his messages. it's like he knows all about trucks and is teaching us something with each and every worthwhile post. i wished my 2001 "off-road" "207 HORSE SOHC 4.0" "5-SPD AUTO'D EXT. CAB 4-DOOR" ranger was as tight and built as well as my previous two S10 ZR2's in which the back seal leaked all the oil out on one and the other sat for three days in freezing temps for not starting. i also wished my SOHC 4.0 wouldn't have rattled so hard it broke my steering column right off. if only ford could build them like gm. who knows, if ford still used the original ranger chassis that was born back in '83, it MIGHT be as good as the awesome S10 with re-circulating ball steering and ten speed cable operated caliper feel brakes. but the frame on the S10 that dates back to '82 is the thing that puts the S10 trucks ahead of the ranger and everything else in durability and strength.
if ford would just keep their 207 horse butter smooth SOHC 4.0 out of the ranger and all its technical advancements out of the way, it may outsell the dakota and frontier and maybe someone will show some respect for it. but until it goes to the front in sales, towing capability, power and torque, and price, everyone knows the ranger just can't compete in the compact segment. obi, thanks for the posts. you have taught everyone so much here at edmunds. it's a pleasure to have you post your knowledge. it has enlightened me so much that i await each and every post that starts with OBI.

#1408 of 1840 huh? by saddaddy

Aug 06, 2002 (8:08 am)

I'll have to go back and dig up the post where you said that you liked your ZR2s better than the Ranger. I distinctly remember your saying that you had no problems with them. What is it? I like em both, but Chevys quality in my mind, shrinks everyday.

#1409 of 1840 Consumer Reports by 01taco

Aug 06, 2002 (10:54 am)

I'm surprised there has not been hardly any reference to the Consumer Reports data. I would think that their data would be reliable. I purchased a 2001 Toyota Tacoma Xtra Cab 4wd, V6 w/manual. I compared my choices of the other similar small trucks with the Tacoma based on Consumer Reports. According to them, the Tacoma has a very good reliable record as it ages. It appears that the Fords and Chevys are less reliable as they age. Of course, I know there are people who are on both sides of the spectrum with the issues of quality vs manufacturer. But I think its hard to dispute Consumer Reports data.

#1410 of 1840 Could you please by saddaddy

Aug 06, 2002 (1:38 pm)

give us a link to that data. I know that it would be very helpful to us in our never ending struggle to prove the Tacoma's worthiness of its higher pricetag to the Ford and Chevy guys, thanx alot.

#1411 of 1840 01taco by sc0rpi0

Aug 06, 2002 (4:02 pm)

We've been up and down that alley already.....we cite the 4wheeler mag competition where Tacoma wins, Ranger boys say that "That magazine is a sellout, it's got a big Toyota ad in it". We cite CR, we are told that they don't know jack about trucks.
Although, if I were you, I'd not allow any "awards" influence your decision when buying a vehicle: Trailblazer won a "best truck award" of some kind, and 6 month down the road was stalling and had to be recalled.

#1412 of 1840 do you........ by tbunder1

Aug 07, 2002 (7:43 am)

really think that the military reads about airplanes in magazines and then buys whatever one they say is the best?
this magazine quote thing here at edmunds doesn't prove anything. it's real world use that matters. and i'd bet that there are a ton more rangers on the road still working than any toyota truck.
 
01taco- just peruse the toyota tacoma problems board here at edmunds, and then tell me that CR is telling the truth. seems the initial quality and even long term quality isn't all what it's cracked up to be in toyota land. for $2-3000 more at initial investment and still not getting as much equipment on your tacoma, the ranger is the better choice for any buyer. it will go anywhere a tacoma will go and do it for less money. it's as simple as that. plus, it has more power and torque, more towing capability, more doo-dads (abs, security system, cd player, cruise, aluminum wheels, etc) standard.
 
sad- i never said i liked my ZR2's better, i said i like them and they were stout off-road. but i never said they were as tight or as well built as the ranger. they rattle like crazy. however, they take abuse your trd would never dream of taking, and that's the honest truth. go look under a ZR2, and then look under your trd. the ZR2 has full-size pinnings underneath it everywhere. it is very stout. they just need to refine it. who knows, they may have done that since mine. i had a '97 and a '95. the sonoma won jd powers last year for small truck, so it must be the best right? after all, jd powers is just like CR and we all know what they say is rule.

#1413 of 1840 All that is news to me by saddaddy

Aug 07, 2002 (8:43 am)

Except for the fact that you are going back on some things you have said - thats old hat. I could care less, I just was trying to get the story straight. I probably just misread some stuff. I like em both a good bit.
 
And I think it would make as much sense to discount the sales numbers as it does to discount what magazines say. I will, from this point on, blow every problem in the Ranger Problems thread 200% out of proportion just like you. You'll see how much sense it makes. And just remember, what I say is what RULES. Have a good one.

#1414 of 1840 EVERYONE PLEASE READ by saddaddy

Aug 07, 2002 (8:47 am)

Tbunder was exactly right in what he said about the military and airplanes. The military knows what is best and only uses that, right tbunder.

This fact is extremely apparent in the fact that the ARMY is buying Tacomas buy the hundreds to send to special forces in Afghanistan. Thanx for bringing that extremely relevant point to our attention.

Be sure to tell us when any Rangers get outfitted with .50 cal machine gun turrets. Everyone have a look to refresh you memories as to what the military deems the only compact truck worthy of service.
http://www.picturetrail.com/gallery/view?p=999&gid=1033245&uid=484006
 
Jees this is getting easier everyday.

#1415 of 1840 tbunder by sc0rpi0

Aug 07, 2002 (9:59 am)

I have no idea how military selects their equipment. Well, I do, sort of: number of companies in a field compete for government contract to develop and produce X type of a weapon. The military makes their decision based on the price tag and how good the equipment is, given the specifications.
So no, they don't read CR. Instead, military personnel engages in field testing of prototypes.
 
So while I don't take CR too seriously, I would pay attention to other magazines. FourWheeler, for one.
And yes, nobody will dispute your statement about "i'd bet that there are a ton more rangers on the road still working than any toyota truck": It is true, but the wrong reasons. Seeing how Ford flooded the market with Rangers, yes, there are more Rangers out there than Tacomas. It's simple numbers. What would be more interesting to see is ratio of units sold say....7 years from now, to units still on the road (and rust buckets don't count). But since we can't get these numbers, we'll just have to say that "Yes, tbunder, you are correct, there are more Rangers on the road".
 
You think Ford is so much better. I disagree. Seeing the string of "accidents" happening to Ford, one can only wonder: why is it happening? Toyota doesn't make tires for their trucks and cars.
Why is it that when I look at recall info for 2002 Tacoma vs 2002 Ranger (4WD top of the line engine), I see two serious TSBs for Tacoma: off-center steering wheel and a pull to one side (And no, TSB that says "seat belt extender" is not "your seat belts don't work" that you've tried to say before), and for Ranger I see:
timing chain rattle.
fluid leaking from front axle vent.
vacuum leak
shift interlock, inadvertent disabling (whoopsie)
heater core: repeated failures.
 
This is 2002 models: Both Ranger and Tacoma came off a slight redesign in 2000. Who's got more problems?

#1416 of 1840 Yay for Tbunder! by obiwankenobi1

Aug 07, 2002 (6:01 pm)

He actually got a Ranger that is not falling apart!
 
What is that? Like 1/50?? Good job, dude.
 
And by the way, I never said I HATED Ford, just Rangers. Oh, and I don't like you very much because you know about as much as me when it comes to trucks....
 
NOTHING!

Messages Page 142 of 185

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