Ranger or Tacoma

[Jason]

Yeah I get the point of this hardly being an unbiased place to ask about a Tacoma versus Ranger opinion. Never-the-less, you guys own Rangers so I figured that there would be at least some consensus on what years, engines etc are better.
In looking at some local craigs list ranger's, I'm finding very similar pricing over a wide variety of years...which is strange. Example-
1-99 Ranger, 3 liter, 5 speed, 4WD, 114k miles, body clean $2999

2-95 Ranger, 2.3 liter, 5 speed, 4WD, miles not specified, $2000

3-94 Ranger XLT, 4 liter, 5 speed, 4WD, miles 113k, $3900


So we've got a 5 year spread and the newest is not the most expensive. Confusing at best. So how does one sort this out and figure the best buy?

The 3.0 isn't very powerful but it's a good engine. Let's face it, you aren't buying a Ranger to pull a huge camper and it's not a race car either. The 3.0 one seems like a good deal to me. If you need more power then get the 4.0 or maybe consider buying a bigger truck.

 

[TheBeast]

I'm sticking with ranger. Even though I like taco's

 

[Original_Ranger84]

The 4 liter truck is most expensive because it is much more desirable than a 3 liter truck. If you bought a 3 liter, you might as well have bought a 4 cyl. In my opinion, the 4.0 liter is more than reliable enough, and is by far the best engine choice. Also the 94 has a ttb front end, which I vastly prefer to an ifs setup, even though I own one. So to answer your question, the 94 with the 4.0 is the best truck.

To a person thats not super into them... what would be wrong witha 3.0L. I swear everyone bashes it for being so bad... but I haven't had one problem towing stuff with my 3.0L. With the stick it is an awesome engine. End of story.

Infact the only problem I have right now with it is the fact that it has 3.73's and open diffs with my oversized tires and my inability to keep the truck on the road... its just too much fun in the snow...

And in my opinion... IFS is better. it may be a PITA and expensive to lift but let me tell you, my IFS ranger is the only one to make it out of my driveway when theres a 2ft snowfall overnight and not light snow.

 

[Spitfire1975]

I have owned the following:
1. 1979 pontiac Sunbird
2. 1989 Bronco II 2.9 5spd purchased with 32,000 miles in 1995
3. 1999 Ranger 3.0 5spd purchased brand new
4. 1998 Chevy Silverado 3500 4x4
5. 1998 Ford Escort LX
6. 2003 Ford Ranger 4 cylinder, basic truck, bought new
7. 1986 Toyota pickup whatever it was it had 4 cylinders, a flatbed and dualies.
8. 2005 Subaru Forester
9. 2006 Subaru Outback. loaded.
10. 2004 Saab 95 2.5 turbo. Loaded
11. 2005 Chevy Silverado W/T
12. 1998 Dodge Ram 3/4 ton long bed diesel
13. 2006 Ford F-150 XL long bed with the triton
14. 2007 ford f-150 XL long bed 6 cylinder - purchased new
15. 2006 Ford F-250 Superduty Fx4 turbo diesel
16. 1991 Mazda Navajo 4x4 4.0 automatic
17. 1987 Volvo 240 DL
18. 1998 Honda Civic DX coupe
19. 1986 ford Bronco II 2.9 5spd 4x4.

POINT BEING.......out of all these vehicles the ones that I have loved for all-around gas mileage, comfort, ease of working on, parts availability, and comfort would be the 2.9 liter Bronco II's. The Saab was comfortable and ****ing fast. The Superduty sucked ass and was having tranny problems at 45,000 miles. The only truck that left me stranded was the Toyota. Timing chain tensioner broke. that was all she wrote.

I would go with a 2.9 lor 3.0 liter that has been well maintained.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

And in my opinion... IFS is better. it may be a PITA and expensive to lift but let me tell you, my IFS ranger is the only one to make it out of my driveway when theres a 2ft snowfall overnight and not light snow.

It will take more than IFS to get thru a nice 2' drift. I have had my Ranger up to the bumper before on the windrows the city leaves at the end of our driveway without a problem, but no matter what you are driving things start getting dicy at about a foot of continous depth, not just a windrow or a short drift. I have been stuck three times this year, twice with the F-150 and once with the Ranger. Not because of the front axles plowing snow or anything but it was just too darn deep and the wheels wouldn't touch the ground.

I do agree though, IFS is a better driver than TTB, no doubt about it.

 

[92ranger2wd]

I knew it was a tundra. It doesn't make any difference. The fact of the matter is that the toyota trucks have poorly designed frames that rust through when Ford's don't, salt or no salt.

I have 3 Ford trucks that are at least twice as old as either of those toyotas and have spent their entire lives up here in the salt. They have the holes in the fenders to prove it. But the frames are unaffected, because Ford, unlike toyota, actually knows how to design a frame.

Are you sure about that? Don't get me wrong, I love my ranger, but I've never seen a vehicle rust out so quickly. And YES I am talking about the frame. I have two spots where the driver side frame rail is rotten halfway up the rail. At this point it's beyond fixing. I'm just limping it through the winter until i can buy something better in the spring.
I too have the holes in the fenders, my radiator support is gone, and I even lost my pass. side coil spring bucket to rust rot. The truck was bought new by my parents in 92, and never driven in the northern Michigan winters unitl I started driving it 5 years ago. I rinse it off every other week to keep the salt off it, but rust never sleeps.

Both the ranger and tacoma are good trucks. Like all vehicles, they both have flaws. Personally I prefer rangers, but if I found a decently priced tacoma, I'd at least consider it.

 

[Jason]

I think people don't like the 3.0 because its happier being revved than lugged. Many truck people want that low end but it isn't really needed on a small truck.

 

[TheBeast]

A truck is a truck, its not a car. TTB will always be a better truck front end, period. IFS your mixing car parts with trucks. A solid axle will always rein supreme as well, just for the best of both worlds a TTB is independant, yet solid axle(ish). I'm happy with mine. I bought a truck, for a truck. Not a truck to ride around like a car.

 

[Jason]

A truck is a truck, its not a car. TTB will always be a better truck front end, period. IFS your mixing car parts with trucks. A solid axle will always rein supreme as well, just for the best of both worlds a TTB is independant, yet solid axle(ish). I'm happy with mine. I bought a truck, for a truck. Not a truck to ride around like a car.

What is the problem with a truck, that can do truck work, riding nice?

 

[Original_Ranger84]

It will take more than IFS to get thru a nice 2' drift. I have had my Ranger up to the bumper before on the windrows the city leaves at the end of our driveway without a problem, but no matter what you are driving things start getting dicy at about a foot of continous depth, not just a windrow or a short drift. I have been stuck three times this year, twice with the F-150 and once with the Ranger. Not because of the front axles plowing snow or anything but it was just too darn deep and the wheels wouldn't touch the ground.

I do agree though, IFS is a better driver than TTB, no doubt about it.

Ok so maybe 2' was a bit of an over exaggeration... lol but it was pretty darn deep and up to my knees. The top snow was foofy but the stuff below was that dry packable stuff. my truck got up the drive way just fine.

A truck is a truck, its not a car. TTB will always be a better truck front end, period. IFS your mixing car parts with trucks. A solid axle will always rein supreme as well, just for the best of both worlds a TTB is independant, yet solid axle(ish). I'm happy with mine. I bought a truck, for a truck. Not a truck to ride around like a car.

Trucks have had IFS before too you know... back in the 60's and stuff.... then they switched to solid axle then they switched back... Besides they front axle/suspension really doesn't do a single thing for towing or anything except ride quality. The only time you need a super solid front end to support weight is with a snow plow or one of those absurdly heavy bumpers people put on to "Look off roadish". Look at Prerunners they have some sweet setups and they are IFS. I have a TTB to and its really nice and tough but driving the IFS it is comfortable, still pretty simple, and has like 3-4" more ground clearence which is ALOT especially in snow.

 

[Sevensecondsuv]

Are you sure about that? Don't get me wrong, I love my ranger, but I've never seen a vehicle rust out so quickly. And YES I am talking about the frame. I have two spots where the driver side frame rail is rotten halfway up the rail. At this point it's beyond fixing.

Yes, I'm sure. I've spent plenty of time under all of them. I've replaced many of the brackets attached to the frames that rusted out, but the frames are fine. I've done shackles and shackle mounts on the ranger and explorer (the F150 is getting its replaced soon), 1 front coil bucket on the explorer, both rear cab mount brackets on the ranger, the hitch on the F-150, and getting ready to do the transmission cross member on the ranger. Also I'll need to reinforce the core support on the explorer before next winter due to it getting thin.

But the fact of the matter is that the frames themselves on all these trucks just get light surface rust and then stay that way. The brackets rust through, but those are easy to replace. The only trucks I've ever seen actually experience loss of structural integrity in the frame itself are the toy's. The American trucks just seem to lose the brackets.

 

[Frank The Tank]

Yeah I get the point of this hardly being an unbiased place to ask about a Tacoma versus Ranger opinion. Never-the-less, you guys own Rangers so I figured that there would be at least some consensus on what years, engines etc are better.
In looking at some local craigs list ranger's, I'm finding very similar pricing over a wide variety of years...which is strange. Example-
1-99 Ranger, 3 liter, 5 speed, 4WD, 114k miles, body clean $2999

2-95 Ranger, 2.3 liter, 5 speed, 4WD, miles not specified, $2000

3-94 Ranger XLT, 4 liter, 5 speed, 4WD, miles 113k, $3900


So we've got a 5 year spread and the newest is not the most expensive. Confusing at best. So how does one sort this out and figure the best buy?

OMG where is the 95 at? I will come pick it up right now, holy crap that's rare!!!!

Frank

 

[zukirider21]

.

 

[92ranger2wd]

Yes, I'm sure. I've spent plenty of time under all of them. I've replaced many of the brackets attached to the frames that rusted out, but the frames are fine. I've done shackles and shackle mounts on the ranger and explorer (the F150 is getting its replaced soon), 1 front coil bucket on the explorer, both rear cab mount brackets on the ranger, the hitch on the F-150, and getting ready to do the transmission cross member on the ranger. Also I'll need to reinforce the core support on the explorer before next winter due to it getting thin.

But the fact of the matter is that the frames themselves on all these trucks just get light surface rust and then stay that way. The brackets rust through, but those are easy to replace. The only trucks I've ever seen actually experience loss of structural integrity in the frame itself are the toy's. The American trucks just seem to lose the brackets.

Yeah I hear ya. My core support is held up with a 2x4 and my carrier bearing crossmember is held to the frame with a couple hose clamps and a pipe. Better fixes would be possible if I had access to a welder.
You obviously speak from your own experience, just as I speak from mine. In my earlier post I just wanted to point out that ranger frames can in fact rust away. Mine is rusted to the point where local mechanics deem it unsafe to put on a lift. It may be a rare occurrance, but it can happen. Maybe it's just my bad luck, or maybe it's the long, salty winters up here in northern Michigan. Either way, rust sucks.

 

[Ranger Sport Honduras]

His comment proves it to anyone that has.

not on erlier truck lately?

i drive both a nissan navara-frontier for the US and a ford everest-thai ranger based
theyre on my garage right now, can post some pics so u can know ive been on a late trucks seat
we tested isuzu dimax, mazda bt-50, toyota hilux and the nissan had the best seats, almost as comfty as my ranger's seats. as for the everest, being based on the thai ranger, which is baesd on the mazda bt-50 it has decent seats too thats why we bought that one too

just because i drive a 99Ranger it doesnt mean i dont know new trucks
i drive a Ranger and old one cuz i want it and i like it