I need a pep talk...

[hihoslvr]

Yeah, someone talk some sense into me please; I know what I should do, I just need someone to reaffirm my decision: I'm tired of my truck, I realize now, that my 3.0 is a dog. I think I want a Tacoma, with a 4-banger! What you say, yes it's true, on paper at least the Taco has more horses. Here's the catch though, I'd really like to keep the Ranger a few more years, and see what Ford pulls outta their arse to replace this heap...

Wait a minute! What the heck am I thinking? I like dogs, they're loyal, trustworthy, and brave! Yeah, I don't mind keepin' a well trained dog around; still though, when it's time to put this puppy out to pasture...

 

[Dar70]

Well the current 3.0 has just a few horses less than the Tacoma 4 cyl. The Ranger 4 cyl. has about 143 HP.(more than the old 4 cyl. pre 2001) I will tell you this, its enough for me. Unless you do heavy hauling I dont see why you would need more. Its a peppy truck. Go test drive one. I went from a 200+ hp grand Am to a 143hp Ranger and dont even know the difference. It gets me from point A to B in the same time as my old vehicle.

I live in Michigan and most people here drive American of course. I would never drive a Toyota. Besides the Ranger still looks like a pickup. For some reason the Toyota while decent looking, looks cheaper.

 

[hihoslvr]

I hear ya Dar, but man the interior on the Tacoma "Access Cab" (extra-cab), is nice, it looks roomier than my SuperCab. Plus, I was lookin' at the Prerunner pkg. I just don't like the little Rangers that much, of course when I look at the $20,000 plus price tag of a new Toyota...

 

[WhiteBroncoII2WD]

Giving your initial request for a peep talk and then taking into consideration your response I believe you want someone to give you the one special in a million reasons why you should keep your Ranger or have someone to tell you it's alright to buy a Toyota. I see myself as being very capable to lead you a helping hand in this dilemma for I and my wife are both very loyal Ford customers and I have friends you own Toyotas, pick-up to be precise. I go back to a point you yourself brought up, the 3.0 Liter (a dog) is still very loyal. Has it ever seriously let you down? The interior designs of vehicles are always going to be improving and be vastly different from one vehicle manufacturing to another. Sure, the Ranger extended cab could use a little more room if you need to haul more stuff or folks, but if we give Ford a little time a quad cab may come our way. The Toyota pick-ups, they’re not bad looking, but to me this still don’t inspire the sense of working truck; a truck that can make America tough. My advice, stay with the Ranger and look to Ford’s future.

 

[gotmudd]

ummmmmmmmm.....+1 ? if you want more ponies, build what you have[ i see people taking 140 something horse ricers and turning them into 1100hp demon monsters] or do a V8 swap, stay ford=stay loyal.

Giving your initial request for a peep talk and then taking into consideration your response I believe you want someone to give you the one special in a million reasons why you should keep your Ranger or have someone to tell you it's alright to buy a Toyota. I see myself as being very capable to lead you a helping hand in this dilemma for I and my wife are both very loyal Ford customers and I have friends you own Toyotas, pick-up to be precise. I go back to a point you yourself brought up, the 3.0 Liter (a dog) is still very loyal. Has it ever seriously let you down? The interior designs of vehicles are always going to be improving and be vastly different from one vehicle manufacturing to another. Sure, the Ranger extended cab could use a little more room if you need to haul more stuff or folks, but if we give Ford a little time a quad cab may come our way. The Toyota pick-ups, they’re not bad looking, but to me this still don’t inspire the sense of working truck; a truck that can make America tough. My advice, stay with the Ranger and look to Ford’s future.

 

[AllanD]

The usual complaint about the 3.0 being a "dog" are usually from people unwilling to drive the 3.0 the way it NEEDS to be driven.

OR unwilling to switch to "appropriate" gearing.

Your 3.0 makes it's peak torque at 3000rpm and peak power at 5000rpm.

If you want it to actually accelerate (max effort) you NEED to spin it
to 5300-5400 before you upshift.

a 2.9 gets kinda doggy well before 5000rpm. (max effort upshift on a 2.9 is
5000rpm in 1st gear 4800rpm thereafter)

Then they go and compare it to a Toyota that has even LESS low end torque, but actually came from the factory with "appropriate" gearing...

I regard this topic as another "I don't know how to properly use what
I've already got so I want something different"

Mostly people get this idea out of some combination of
ignorant/rediculous/foolish ideas that something different is better,
when infact it's just "different" and they'll have no more idea how to use that new thing any more effectively than they use what they've got.

Not saying that is the case here, but...

If you simply want something "different" don't ask us for excuses.

IF anyone asking us on a RANGER internet site to support a decision
to get a 'Yoda AND they expect anyhting other than having most here taking the time to point them in the direction of the door.... then try real hard to get the doorknob up their butt when we slam the door at them on their way out (or invite them to do it to themselves), it's only another proof that they aren't thinking.

Think that you have a TRUCK (not a sports car) and think WHY you bought a truck.

If you are like many people (possibly most people) you bought a truck as a "Fashion statement"

I have a friend who until recently lived in NYC (Brooklyn),
He was fascinated to actually see a Ranger actually hauling something.
What he sees is the "waxed bed" crowd that drive trucks as a form of fashion rebellion in a city environment.

IF you are doing the same thing then might I suggest you buy
the CAR you really want and give up on the truck thing altogether?

Lastly I see a lot of people CLAIMING incredible HP figuires from
small "rice" engines, figuires that would give an F1 engine builder
a permanant woodie....

Numbers pulled out of someone's rectal orifice simply smell bad.

I knew a guy that was claiming 450hp from a street driven Honda (Honduh) Funny thing was I could stomp all over him with my HEAVIER Saab 900 turbo that was in my more conservative estimation only making about 250hp

I routinely could stomp stock 5.0 Mustangs too...
either acceleration or "run away and hide" from
them out on the interstate (Mustangs get real
squirrely at 130mpg, while OTOH I kept my
Saab above 130mpg for an entire tank of gas
on more than one occasion)

I loved that car (probably why I'm building another one)

Basically it's all about self-examination, if you figuire out WHY you want something figuiring out WHAT you REALLY want falls into place.


AD

 

[rickcdewitt]

^^ a little dose of clarity.its an 04,he must just want a new truck.something thats a little cooler to the mainstream(toyota)

 

[WhiteBroncoII2WD]

^^ a little dose of clarity.its an 04,he must just want a new truck.something thats a little cooler to the mainstream(toyota)

Speaking for myself, I prefer the second and third generation Rangers, though they can all find a soft spot in my heart Now that's out of the way; I do agree he may just want something that has a newer appearance and that’s why I suggest wait, give Ford a little time. He may just find what he's looking for and be able to stick with a Ford Ranger.

 

[One Sick Puppy]

HOLD ON THERE!!! READ THIS!!!

I just finished shopping around for a new truck and having tested the Rangers, and then the Tacomas, I settled on the 2008 4 banger Ranger. It's true that the Tacoma has ALOT of features that are FAR MORE up to date than the Ranger. The back seats in the Tacoma are significantly bigger and more comfortable than the Ranger, for one.

However, the Toyota Tacoma is no longer a small truck. I'd consider it a mid-size truck. When I drive around town and see Tacoma's, most of them look like little japanese Rangers and are easily mistaken for each other. However, not so with the new Tacomas - they are big and the 4 banger Tacoma is a very weak truck.

Here's my opinions on the trucks I tested before settling on my 2008 2.3L Ranger Regular cab. And these are in order of testing, too, which is significant:

Ranger 3L V6 Sport: Disqualified due to poor gas mileage compared to the 4L. It just doesn't make sense to get 5 more horse power than the 4 banger and use 40% more gas. WTF?

Ranger 4L V6 Sport/4x4: More than enough power for my needs, but after factoring in spending a minimum of $10K more on gas (10 years) and $3-5K more for the truck, I didn't think it was worth it just to get the Supercab and the extra power (the 2.3L Rangers up here in canada are unavailable with Supercabs).

Ranger 2.3L Automatic trans Gutless. That's probably an overstatement because it was only a short test drive and I was with the salesman so I didn't feel comfortable "opening her up" in the middle of downtown. However, it still felt rather sluggish on take offs.

Tacoma 2.6L Auto Not bad. Significantly bigger truck, lots more room. Comfy. Fancy features come standard. It didn't even occur to me try and open her up since the truck felt like it was in a whole different class, i.e. midsize trucks. And for me, midsize is just too big.

Ranger 2.3L Manual WOW! This thing flies. After testing this truck I thought it was a whole different truck than the exact same 2.3L automatic than I tried. This thing was nice and light, nimble but very zippy! I was resold at this point. Previously I was set on the 4L and never considered the 2.3L because I couldn't get a supercab version, but I had to make the compromise due to fuel and vehicle cost, and performance (the 2.3L feels zippier than the 4L 4x4 - much lighter, I think).

Tacoma 2.6L Manual I totally expected this truck to blow me away since going from the Auto trans 2.3L Ranger to the manual was so impressive. WRONG. Totally unexpectedly, the 2.6L Tacoma felt like a slug. Again, I was with the dealer so I didn't open her up. But I think you can get at least some impression of what a truck can do without opening her up, right? When we got back to the dealer, I popped the hood and you can see quite obviously that this truck was NOT designed around the 2.6L engine. If it didn't get so hot, you could literally store some luggage in there.

I found the Toyota utterly disappointing compared to the Ranger. And paying 25-50% more (factor in Toyota financing and base truck cost) for the truck did not seem worth it - and I should note that I had actually been willing to do this given the Tacoma's history and resale value. I bet those owners of the older, smaller Tacoma's are laughing right now.

I must admit, I'm a n00b still, so take my reviews/impressions with a grain of salt. I've only owned my Ranger for 3 days, but I'm very happy. (Although I am developing a Supercab inferiority complex).

On a side note, I took my 8 and 6 year old kids in my truck today and it was kinda nice sitting with the kids up front - I didn't feel like a chauffeur and felt like we were actually "sharing" the truck experience (it was their first time in the truck). The stick didn't even get in the way (no banging on anyone's knees).

 

[hihoslvr]

Ha,ha, much the reactions I expected I hear you on the RPMs there AllanD, now that this thing is paid for and I'm kinda getting tired of it, you can trust and believe I'm pushing the limits (of gravity and friction, gonna need some new tires b4 winter, , gotta try to keep the shiny side up though...)

And for all of you that think I'm just some kind of California poser,
this is my 3rd PU in 12yrs, the 1st of which was an '88 Toyota 4x4 P.O.S. (picture Clampy from Petersens 4wheel and O.R.), it was purchased in MI, then I brought it out West, where rust the likes of which this lemon had never been seen b4. Drove that fawker for 7yrs til the T-case fragged itself, then bought a '74 F250 from a junkyard, it was like a car payment puttin' gas in that thing (this when it was $2.30 a gal!), anyway, now that everyone knows my whole life story, what the heck was I talkin' about?

Oh yeah, One Sick Puppy, I do appreciate the break down and ananlysis of your selection. The mid-sizeness is one of the features of the Taco, that I like. So, what's anyone's opinion of the F150 with the 4.2L V6 with a manual? And thankyou for everyone who took time out of their day to help out a fellow Ranger owner (for the moment )

 

[MAKG]

FYI, you do know where those Tacomas are built, right?

Hint #1: It's not Japan.

Hint #2: Its thousands of miles closer than the nearest Ford or GM assembly line (and it isn't in Mexico like certain Ford plants).

Hint #3: You can day trip out there for a pretty good tour.

 

[hihoslvr]

Hey, you don't need to tell me; my old roomate's mom worked at the factory! He coulda got me a deal on a new one, but I don't have his # anymore!
On a similar note, when I owned my old Toyota, I lived across the street from a GM plant. How's that for irony?

 

[Dar70]

Ranger 2.3L Automatic trans Gutless. That's probably an overstatement because it was only a short test drive and I was with the salesman so I didn't feel comfortable "opening her up" in the middle of downtown. However, it still felt rather sluggish on take offs.

I have the automatic. It seems fine to me. But than again I have never owned a manual.

FYI, you do know where those Tacomas are built, right?

Hint #1: It's not Japan.

Hint #2: Its thousands of miles closer than the nearest Ford or GM assembly line (and it isn't in Mexico like certain Ford plants).

Hint #3: You can day trip out there for a pretty good tour.

Sure they do build them here and create jobs. The difference is most of the money the company makes doesnt stay here. Yes the big three have overseas factories but the fact of the matter is they are American companies and I at least like to support them.

 

[AgPete139]

Wow, there are a lot of long responses.

Quick story: I was telling my father today (when I was loading and transporting misc. items) that Ford really did a good job with the Ranger. It's here for a reason, and hopefully you'll see why with everyone's posts.

They're reliable, easy to work on, and have power in their own respective ways. If you don't like your 3.0, go with a 4.0 from 2000 or earlier. You'll have economy and power, and it'll still be fun to drive. They get from 19-21 mpg stock, and we have all the information here on TRS on how to fix them. The styling is sweet, and we can drive these pups anywhere.

The Taco has different setups, and you'll hafta sign up to a Toyota forum away from TRS ! (Boo!) Haha, jk. But till, I've worked on a few Tacos, and they are just as easy to work on as our rangers.

I like the 4.0 OHV. I say this all the time, but I really am just sold on it's build quality. Motor swaps? The other think you could do is regear your truck to have more torque and quicker acceleration. The 3.0 is reliable too, but its peak performance is higher in revs and it just moves/drives different.

Hm, dunno. I'm scatter-brianed right now, and my thoughts didnt come out accurately. You'll know whats best for you in the end.




Pete


.

 

[Capt Jay]

I have the automatic. It seems fine to me. But than again I have never owned a manual.






Sure they do build them here and create jobs. The difference is most of the money the company makes doesn't stay here. Yes the big three have overseas factories but the fact of the matter is they are American companies and I at least like to support them.

That is an incorrect statement. It creates jobs HERE that buys American workers food, housing etc. That is where the majority of the money stays and helps other Americans.

Buy the Toyota, it's a better truck. Sorry to piss on everybody's Wheaties but sentiment does not a decent truck make. I have my off road truck that I enjoy a lot. I enjoy working on it and driving it. When I owned a NEW Ranger I couldn't get rid of that POS fast enough. I now couldn't be happier with my Titan. Everybody is saying wait for Ford to redesign and build a descent truck. Don't, buy a descent truck that is being build TODAY. If Ford puts out a descent truck then buy it. They should have done it years ago.


OK everybody........................ ATTACK!!!!!!!!!!!!