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Compact Pickup Comparison: Frontier, Ranger, Tacoma, S10, Dakota, B-Series, & Hombre
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Revka
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Hatchbacks / Station Wagons / Women's Auto Center Boards
tgravo2: Oh a more serious note:
Tacoma and 4Runner are getting a redesign. Not bad for a 8 year old model, eh? They are getting bigger, and Tacoma will move from compact into midsize truck category, like Dakota is now. As far as engines go:
It'll either be a 3.7L V6, or a 4.7L V8.
3.7L Has been mentioned recently by few people.
But at Chicago autoshow 4Runner was shown with a 4.7L V8 from Tundra, and seeing how 4Runner and Tacoma share the drivetrain, one would think that it would get a 4.7L V8. It's not underpowered, in fact, it beats Fords' 4.6L they put in F150.
Unfortunately, a Tacoma with a V8 could stomp on Tundra's market, so unless Toyota redesignes Tundra to make it bigger, Tacoma may not get the V8.
Overall, seeing how it's a new model, I'd wait a little before buying it, until obvious bugs are worked out. Toyota has not been known for having 5-7 recalls the first year unlike some OTHER companies
So where would that leave the Tundra?
scorpio, last time i checked, the tundra was closer in size to a dakota, a ram towers over any tundra not to mention it can out-perform it in every way. the more you type, the dumber you sound bud.
How about Ford? Ford has to make an engine 0.7L larger in displacement to get more power and torque, because Fords' 4.6L is.....weak?
So what half of what picture did I get? Everything I listed above was said by you as a fact, and defended until you were fed links and information showing that it was not true. Real steel? Ha! Bed welded to the frame? Yeah right.
We know who will sell more trucks in 2003. Ford will. I'm not going to say that all of Fords' customer base is going to go out and abandon the company to buy a new Avalanche or , god forbids, a [non-permissible content removed] truck. Hell no, [non-permissible content removed] don't know how to build them trucks! We'll see which company has more growth sales growth rate (or declines in sales the least), closes the least plants and fires less people. We'll see who has more trucks leftover and what trucks have more recalls the first year.
However, older Ram models do look comparably close to Dakota.
Tundra is still considered a fullsize pickup, whether you like it or not.
Also isn't the interior of the Tacoma slightly bigger than a Tundra already?
It'll get a new 3.3L V6 with 230-240hp and torque around there, with an optional V8, which will most likely be the 4.7L from Tundra.
Also it seems that Tacoma will not be redesigned and for sale this fall (which would explain nearly complete lack of info on it, whereas 4Runner has been to trade shows), but instead will go into production fall of next year. New 4Runner will be available this fall. And it seems 4Runner may get cheaper because of design being done completely on a computer (like Boeing does with new planes now). Maybe.
Thats all the rumours.
stang: Bigger Ranger would weight less, and 4.0L wouldnt really pull the weight too well at that point. The 3.0L will probably get ditched, but what'll take place of the new engine? Which V8 from F150 lineup?
Which truck is rated as the most reliable?
Toyota Tacoma, on both counts.
-Really? That's funny because the Tundra out accelerates the Ram (both empty and loaded with 1000 lbs.), outbrakes it, gets better fuel economy, has a quieter interior at idle and highway speeds, and has a longer bed. And if you believe Car and Driver, it has a higher towing capacity. (7100 lbs. vs. 6100 lbs.)
Oh, but that's right, it's not quite full-size so I guess I shouldn't compare it to a REAL truck like the Ram, right?
"the more you type, the dumber you sound bud."
-my sentiments exactly!
http://carpoint.msn.com/Vip/Specifications/Dodge/Ram%201500/2002.asp
then here:
http://carpoint.msn.com/Vip/Specifications/Toyota/Tundra/2002.asp
do you see where the gvwr and tow ratings are higher on the dodge? also, would you buy a tundra to get .3 inch longer bed? what if you want a long bed access cab? is it available? negatory. ill give you the payload, but i still ponder at the article ive read where the tundra needs helper springs for large loads. also, how would i get a 3/4 ton tundra? i hate dodges. they're probably the weakest of the big 3, but this convo has led to these trucks. who really cares about acceleration speed in a pickup? wanna compare 4.7 to a lightning? 4x4 trucks are built for work. towing and the ability to handle large loads daily. the tundra, with its smallish tacoma drivetrain, is a joke when even mentioned to the real full-size trucks offered by the big three. we all know this, it is a poser. a grocery getter with a tird sticker on its azz. its racing development gets it to the mall parking lots faster than any other truck. but not to the construction sites, as it would easily be outclassed by a real truck.
The links you gave also show that the Tundra has a tighter turning radius (no surprise) and better ground clearance. I didn't even realize that the Tundra has a higher payload rating as well. Not bad for a truck that's "not really full size," huh?
Now why is the Ram better again? those great trannys?
Take your pick, because your guess is as good as mine for what will be available in a new Ranger model. But you have to admit there are much more choices with Ford, instead of one 4.7l v8.
Second, If (or when) the Ranger becomes midsize, which should place it to be similair to the Dakota, do not forget the Dakota offers a Magnum 5.9l. Of course you probably would say that both are too much power. I would just say that Ford (and Dodge) offer more options and models than Toyota does, again.
The Ranger is a great tow vehicle. Granted a 25 foot boat is not in order, but a pair of jetski's or a motorcycle trailer is definitely on the menu (even with a 4 cylinder). The current 4.0L should be able to tow a small boat or even a light race car with no problems.
The 10,000 dollar question is, that since Ford likes to fill all the niches available, (I.E. Explorer, then Expedition, then Excursion, then Escape, and might as well say Econoline), if the Ranger goes midsize, just under all of the F-Series, then could there be another compact truck in the making? For has full size and compact trucks under their belt, if they move to fullsize and "midsize", they might not be abandoning teh compact genre. This is just speculation mind you, but it seems like a possibility.
Side note: I know you were just making an example, but the 5.8l or 351 Windsor can fit in my 93 Ranger. This engine is available as a crate engine from Ford. It's actually not that hard to fit that engine under hood, it's dealing with all the wiring changes and such if you go with EFI. And it wouldn't be to much of an overload on the truck, but doing this wouldn't really be for towing(although it's definitely possible), it would be more for racing.
stang: A 5.8L would be quote nice in a truck that could handle it all. It is at least very possible to drop a 4.6L V8 from Lexus SUV into a Taco, some drilling required, of course, but nevertheless, it works.
Ford, GM would be foolish to discontinue them.
(I know the midsize trucks are coming soon from both)
They are "entry level" vehicles as well as nicely equipped trucks with all the goodies.
How could you abandon a market segment that you sell so many trucks in?
To tell the consumer "if you want one of our trucks now you have to spend more on a bigger truck" is just one step away from selling nothing but full size trucks.
Nothing wrong with a full size truck, the compact has its advantages as well.
scorpio--->Possible, maybe, but I hope you have a plasma cutter and a nice welder on hand to complete the process. You'd probably have to weld your own motor mounts, and what about Toyota's bellhousing bolt patterns?
Tacoma will get the new v-6. Don't think I can hold my truck purchase off until 04 though.
Like to see the Ultra-reliable Nissan drop the 3.5 into a truck. Even the new 2.5 4 banger.
I'm not trying to come off as a valid source of information, but rather posting my speculations based on what I've heard. I'm making a personal guess here, hence "I think".
Don't hold your breath yet for the new engine. It's rumoured to be 3.7L or something along those lines with 220-240hp/torque. Hopefully it'll be enough to offset the increase in weight that Taco gets. Unless the new engine is a bored/stroked 3.4L, I'd stay away from it the first year out. That way you can save yourself a headache of having to go to a dealer with problems if they arise....take the Ranger FX4 for example: can you imagine how much it'd hurt if you thought you bought an offroad truck that would blow the axle 1 week after the purchase in a parking lot and had to take it to a dealer to get the axle replaced? (true case)
Hopefully nothing like that is going to happen, but just to be safe. But if you get lucky, and 2003s do get a new engines...bummer for me
And to Zigster38..I agreed with the statement that GM only has engine power, no reliability/build quality. After owning a Z28 for 3 years I know it's true. That thing had more problems than my little sisters 12k Toyota Tercel(has had no problems after 4 years). I own a Nissan Frontier Crew Cab 4x4 now and would love to see them drop the 240hp V6 from the Pathfinder into it. Other than that, I love it. Gets more looks than any other truck on the road.