Why a Ranger?

[Mutant Pony]

Rangers cost less to own than ANY other truck.

 

[mhughes165]

I bought my Ranger simply because of what I saw underneath the thing. Compared to what everyone else was offering, the Ranger still had some semblance of a real axle under the front (the biggest parts that jumped out at me was it's real axle u-joints, and tierods & knuckles with some substance). The 8.8" rear I knew was the same axle used in F-150s (although I didn't know about it being 28 spline until some years later when it came time to installing a locker).

At the time, the 4.0L was also one of the highest-rated V6 engines for power (only the S-10 4.3 was rated 5 more HP, although it sure didn't feel like it when I drove one ).

No regrets whatsoever on the purchase.


A buddy on the other hand, bought an almost-new Toyota right about the same time I bought my Ranger).
Left & right the thing had problems:
Broke the IFS frontend on many occasions (it would never stay aligned either), a corroded plug on the ignition module which left him stranded several times (engine would die intermittently, dealer could never find problem), engine (3.0L) kept blowing head gaskets, spun rod bearing at 80,000, blower fan quit, wiring int he steering column failed where it flexed because of the tilt steering... All this was within the 1st 6 years of him owning it, too. Yet people still try to tell me those things are so reliable (My dad's Camry he bought new hasn't been so great either ).

the most reliable toyota was a pre 86 with a 22r, thsoe things would run no matter what

 

[BrokeRecord]

Why?

Because I've always driven small trucks. 67 Datsun, 69 Datsun, 81 Mazda, 80 Subura Brat, 78 Jeepster, 91 Izusu, 96 Izusu, 98 S10, 99 RangerXLT, and most were 4wd then I read all the hype about the Nissan Titan and had to get a new one. Tons of torque, and HP, smooth ride , quiet plush and nearly as big as the Locomotives I ran at work. I didn't have a clue where my trailers were when I backed up. I kept the ELEPHANT 3 months and traded it in on my 07 Ranger 4wd XLT and now I feel at home again. It's a personal truck that goes where I point it, I know where all the bumpers and fenders are at, and I can tell if I'll fit in a gap at a glance. I love it, it's paid for and it's all mine.
also I agree about the 22R being bulletproof.

 

[ZMan]

The 2.3 is not gutless compared to other 4 cyl trucks. Have you ever driven a 4 cyl S10? I drive a 2.3 Duratech and a number of 4 cyl S10s at work, and the Ranger will hand the S10s their asses any day. Even the S10 with the 5-speed manual is gutless compared to the automatic Ranger.

a lima Ranger to a 2.2 s10 really isn't that far off, I've driven a number of them. BUT, a 2.3 duratech would even give my old pushrod 4.0 a run for its money, I have all my experiance in an auto model, wish I could get my hands of a 5spd for a while.

 

[CJREX]

I bought an '85 BII for $200 that had a "blown engine" because I'd seen a fixed up BII and liked the looks.

I did a tuneup on the blown 2.8 and drove it 10000 miles before it finally truly went.

Long enough to get addicted!

I've has Nissan, Isuzu, and Toyota small trucks. None of them inspired the "karma" or "Warm fuzzy" that the Rangers do. The others were just a truck. I don't know why but the RBVs feel like something more?

Now I've had 3 BIIs and currently have a Ranger.

I like my Ranger a lot, but I REALLY like driving a BII.

I've seriously thought about getting another '90 BII and a small trailer. Hmmm...

edit: Here is the '85 BII that I got for $200. I have it back and it is currently set up for a 302. I just need the engine and the time.

This is after I put a $100 set of used rims on it