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Comments
no, i honestly don't know. i think the torsion bar explorer rode better with this setup, so what the explorer gets, the ranger gets. you'd be surprised at how many parts these two vehicles share. that's why the explorer is so solid. rear axle setup is completely different though, with the leafs under the axle on the explorer. but that can be converted in about two hours so ive read.
Limited Slip--->Uses clutches full time to transfer torque to the wheel that is not slipping. Wheels can still turn at whatever rate they want to, but if one wheel is spinning faster, the torque / power gets transferred to the other wheel.
Lockers are great for traction, off-roading etc, but not good for turning. When not engaged, you running driving with one wheel.
Limited Slips are good for everyday use, but do not offer the same performance off-road. You still generally drive off one wheel, until that wheel starts to spin, then the clutches catch, and divert power. Just think rainy twisty dark country road.
issisteelman--->Liar, Liar, pants on fire! :P Maybe you were watching the commercial about SUV's? But you are wrong about the Ranger in your post #658.
Built Ford Tough Video
I realize being in the woods could cloud ones thought process but when one equates ad slogans to the quality of a vehicle.......nevermind.
As for slogans==quality of a vehicle.....good luck to anyone who buys anything based on ad slogans.
Actually, it is illegal for companies to provide "misleading" information in their ads. But unfortunately, there's a fine line between whats true and whats false on TV.
Example: lets use Ford commercials (no knocking on Ford, but I need a catchy slogan)
You can certainly show ordinary blue-collar Joe HardWorker loading up his F150 to the limit and driving off in 30 seconds, and say "Built Ford Tough", but of course, there's more there than meets the eye: how will that F150 perform 5 years from now after abuse like that, etc.
So "Built Ford Tough" could apply to that when its new, it's "Built Ford Tough", but 5 years down the road it's "Built Ford Grandpa".
The other IGNORANT taco ad is when the campers get the bear to chase 'em back to their 4 door taco.
By a certain toy owners own warped sense of ad importance, the toys must be the weakest trucks around....no mention of "toughness" anywhere. Don't even want to get into the gnome/tundra nonsense.
Your point about working an F150 and how tough it'll be down the road is moot because nobody really works a toy so there is nothing to compare to.
The premise (as stupid as it is) behind the Taco ad is if that you "tough" enough to dive in freezing water or chase a bear you are tough enough to drive a Taco. Yes, it is moronic, no debating that, but evidently Toyota expects you to infer what is meant by "tough". Obviously you missed that, but that's okay you drive a Ford. I wouldn't have expected you too understand it.
I think they should show some of those pavement pounding fx4's with the exploding axles resting at the mall parking lot. That would surely help with sales. Better yet they could show Exploders blowing tires going down the interstate and rolling a few times. Maybe they could show Ford dumping Mecury switches in our drinking water. Please Tbunder tell me again how great Ford is. I love to laugh everytime you type your worthless verbatim. How can one be so quixotic over a car make?
So there's the counterexample to your "They ALL either rusted out or their engines gave out". Not all of them did. Some are still running happily.
As for admitting fault: your beloved Ford is not innocent either. Remember the "We recommend inflating your tires to 26psi"? Everybody resists a little before admitting fault.
The point of Taco commercials was "Are you tough enough to drive a Tacoma?" It implies that the truck itself is tough already, and you, the buyer, have to be tough enough to even consider driving it. It's simply shifting the emphasis from the truck itself onto the driver.
Of course you missed the original point that I was disputing there are no taco ads out there.
Scorp, EZ target. I would bet the farm that a HIGH percentage of the population drives around with under inflated tires, the only ones that blew were firestones. Even with that shameful debacle, it has been PROVEN that because of the sheer numbers, the Explorer roll over rate was actually LOWER than many SUV's.
Don't know about ANYBODY else, but I've always inflated my tires based on the # embossed on the tire - 5 pounds or so unless I am running a full load. Bet a lot of people don't even know that sticker is even in the door jamb.
To be honest, I don't even understand why that sticker is there. If you change brands/sizes it all moot anyway.
Ever see. MR. MOM with Michael Keaton(sp?). The "Schooner Tuna" ads from that movie remind me of the Ford ads.
scorpio....how many times do i have to tell you, inside every explorer door, is a build tag that tells the buyer to inflate all 4 tires to 30 lbs. stop making stuff up again.
Why in the hell do you guys think Yotas, Tacos in particular are such softies. You nor nobody else here has any basis for such a comment. The only reason Tundras aren't worked as much is cuz they are smaller. Not to mention this widespread idea that Yotas can't hack it.
"Working" doesn't mean hauling around jackhammers and plywood. There are lots of other ways to work a truck. Now if you wanna say that more Fords get "worked" that Yotas, that's a point we can debate. But if you just wanna say that no one works with Yotas, keep that crap to yourself, cuz its a complete falsehood.
If we wanna debate over manufacturer c/s and quality, its kinda risky for the Ford groups. Biggest car quality fiasco in the history of the universe hit home pretty hard a couple of years ago. And until another friend of mine is killed in a wreck from engine sludge, I don't wanna hear another word. I fail to see how Ford fans have to upper hand in that arena.
What a load of bull &#&5.
"Obviously you missed that, but that's okay you drive a Ford. I wouldn't have expected you too understand it."
It's this kind of rhetoric that makes me realise how most of your claims are based on personal ownership. Since you own a Toyota, anything to do with Ford (or Chevy, or Dodge) comes second place to your own loyalty.
It's all just stupid commercials. You are a sheep if you follow them. Anybody with a mind can ignore them. At best the commercials should only remind you to take a look. It's the visit to the dealer and the experience with the vehicle that makes the sale. Only a fool buys a product because of what they see on TV.
saddaddy-->"Why in the hell do you guys think Yotas, Tacos in particular are such softies. You nor nobody else here has any basis for such a comment. The only reason Tundras aren't worked as much is cuz they are smaller. Not to mention this widespread idea that Yotas can't hack it."
And any Ranger/Ford owner is supposed to accept the same treatment? (see above)
You gotta spread the love before you get it back in return.
Can't get more general(and false) than that!!!
The "death" statement is uncalled for. I hope you're not one of those bleeding heart liberals that blames guns for deaths too.
Besides,(Oby will remember this story) The faulty toy head gaskets have caused many deaths from leaving anti-freeze over the nations freeways. They've never been able to pin it on toy because like the "bear" commericial, toy owners tend to run off...........j/k guys, I couldn't resist.
Mod -- liberal, LOL, not at all. I am the proud owner of many guns, or will be in a couple years. I understand this debate is about Rangers and Tacos. But I was entitled to bring in the entire manufacturers when the general comments were made earlier. For myself, I can't say that the Firestone problem would keep me from buying a Ford truck. However, I see nothing "uncalled for" about the death comment. I won't bring into this debate how the tire problem affected me, personally, but it will suffice to say that it did - deeply. When it comes time to buy a vehicle for my family, though, I will never buy a Ford, for that reason. I love them enough to not risk it, even if my feelings about the whole thing is nothing buy a sour taste left in my mouth. When it comes to the ones you love how can you just dismiss this. As for the antifreeze leak, I will not call you a liar, but I think that pales in comparison to the tire deal. What do you think?
-mod-
"The "death" statement is uncalled for. I hope you're not one of those bleeding heart liberals that blames guns for deaths too"
-no, it can't be the guns. I blame the alignment of the moon.
It's usually the chicken or the egg thing. I want to believe my comments are usually after some toy BS is slung.
As far as toothless woods goers and toys. I can make the same "general" statement about desert racing. Yup(grab my crotch and spit) them toys just fall apart in dat der desert. Dem Fords stay together much beter,,,,,Buuuuuurp!!
Can't quite decipher your gun comment.
Tbunder: I am not even going to get into some ignorant education race with you. You know what they say, "Never get into a battle of wits with someone who is only half armed." Oh well, I will anyway. I have a BS in bio and chem. from U. of Iowa, I have a MS in Epidemiology from U. of Iowa, I am currently a M2 in medical school at the U. of Iowa. Now you know why my English sucks, because I am only good at Science. I can't wait until the day you have to come to the UIHC for a procedure. I will look forward to getting to do some work for you:) Also, if you ever need a good lawyer my wife will finish her law degree in a year from the U. of Iowa and she got her undergrad. from Simpson so you can trust her!
Mod: You are correct about the Mr. MOM stuff it does remind me of Billy Ford telling us to buy his JUNK and fatten up his wallet.
Thanks for the laughs and the breaks from the books. Please keep it coming.
Tbunder-You're spreading a myth about sludge in a Tacoma with Toyota refusing to repair the engine. There has never been a documented case of that happening on a Tacoma that I've ever seen.
I do comment on what I don't like about the Tacoma, and why I don't see myself in one.
I do comment mostly on my experience with Rangers (and Fords) that I don't see myself needing to pay more.
I think I am becoming a bit of a cavalier, whenever I see someone make broad, over generalized or generally untrue statements. Sort of how you feel when someone berates a Tacoma.
But we all are on the same side, Truck lovers of one breed or the other.
IssiMan--->You do know about the 21st Amendment, right? If you were "only kidding" then why did you first say that the Ranger was an afterthought and that the new commercials backed that up?
Isaacons?
Daddy, Desert running is all we do. The BEST runner I've had was my '96 F150 with some suspension work. The TTB front is very supple and gives good travel. My early Bronco is a continuous project. Aprox. 320 HP EFI, 4 speed auto, 4 wheel discs, ARB front locker, LSD rear(for now) 5" wild horses coils and 11 leaf spring pack.........I don't feel as comfortable at high speeds with the shorter wheelbase of the Bronco but it's very tossable and can go ANYWHERE.
For high speed desert work I also have my bike.
Austin is like an oasis in Sahara desert.....during the dotcom boom it was predicted to become the second Silicon Valley (good thing that did not happen).
The 2 198x Toyota PUs that I've 4-wheeled with were nice....part of it was the owners did not care for body damage, so they just took teh trucks anywhere they wanted to.
What does an "older" 1980s Ranger look like?
Mod- sounds awesome man. So you do running over whoops and stuff like that? Any jumps with those brutes? There are a couple of guys in TTORA that have fully modified prerunners with long travel suspension setups. External res. shocks, shock hoops up into the beds and lots of other cool stuff, fiberglass all over, etc. Man I just drool over em. Where I wheel, 4x is pretty necessary, and since I ain't got it, I got to hit the holes with pretty good speed. Oh well, just a few more years.
As for the gun thing, forget about it. It's probably safe to assume that I'm on the opposite side of that argument from yourself but it's not worth arguing about. (and no, I don't have anything against people who hunt)
What's funny is I don't like or dislike guns. I just get upset when this country tries to take away rights of the innocent because of the few scumbags out there. Do you honestly believe (as it is with illegal narcotics) that more gun control will keep the guns (or drugs) out of the scum who wants 'em???
My back yard is a few miles from the old Mint400 course and I goof off there as much as I can.
btw, if i need a good lawyer, my bro in law graduated from u of i law school, and works for a firm in ames. also under-grad from iowa athletic training program.
my sister has bs from u of i in psychology. also obtained Masters and Psyd from minnesota professional school of psychology (you are chosen to a group of only 15 out of thousands just to get into the school). so like you, im surrounded by pretty intelligent people as well. i know how to take care of myself however. and im always armed my main man. some of the best "armed" gear one can have is common sense, and id be willing to bet you're all wet on that subject.
oh yeah, i just got a piddly ba in cj from simpson. just named a #1 pick in colleges from the midwest by us news and world report. [non-permissible content removed] laude
but hey, not to get off subject. but i will anyways. im seriously considering a new jeep liberty sport. four-wheeler hailed their off-roading abilities. these little rigs are trick as hell and they will fit my two little angels (think its a girl right now) in back.
Do you get to talk to actual full-time professors (not the monkey that hands out their notes) when you go to nightschool?
But to answer your question, I do believe that Ford Rangers are not what Ford Motor Company focuses on. I honestly believe (in my own, humble, ignorant opinion) that Ford's strength lies in its full size trucks, not in the Ranger. In fact, I have nothing bad to say about Ford's full size trucks. I think they are kind of nice and would certainly consider purchasing one if I could afford a full size truck (which was my first choice before I purchased a compact due to the cost difference). However, I also believe (again, in my own ignorant, toothless opinion) that Ford Ranger's aren't a good choice when it comes to compact pick up trucks. In fact, I think the only reason a lot of people buy them is because they are so darn cheap. And, when I was shopping, that is one of the reasons that I chose the Tacoma.
In case you didn't understand my last post, please let me clarify. I was only kidding about the correlation between leaving the Ranger out of the commercial and it being an afterthought by Ford Motor Company. We all know that advertising means nothing. I mean, just because Bill Ford pleads for me to buy his product on his commercials doesn't mean I'm going to jump out of my recliner and drive 600 miles to the nearest dealer (did I say I lived in the woods?) to buy a Ford. I was just trying to stir up the action a little (I think you city folk cyber junkies call that flaming) with an amusing obseveration.
Now, please don't get upset if I proclaim my opinion (under the protective cover of the 1st amendment) and tell you that I think the Ranger is junk. And, feel free to call the Tacoma junk if you like (again, under the protective cover of the good ole 1st amendment). This difference of opinion is what stirs this debate and I truly find it amusing. Keep up the fun and I'll see you after I visit the outhouse. Boy, I hope my electrical generator doesn't crap out before I finish this post. Take care......Steelman.
Everything you are saying about the Ranger vs F-150, can definitely be applied to the Tacoma vs Tundra.
You have just stumbled upon the reason for offering a compact truck. It is smaller than full size, but can still do many of the things it's larger sibling can. You ca not haul as much, or expect to fit as much inside the cab or bed, but that is what compact truck means. This also means it will be cheaper, because of less materials and smaller drivetrain. But like you said, it is only your opinion that the Ranger "aren't a good choice" or "are pure junk". That is your opinion, just like it is your opinion that I am just a silly city slicker and you are the in the woods. Maybe the Tacoma is better suited for the rough outdoors. If so, I guess the general public lucks out because they spend most of their time on them cement roads. But another possibility is that you are comparing Rangers that get beaten to a pulp out there, while you take relatively good care of your Tacoma. I don't know, but I don't care as your opinion or observation is not exactly a scientific methodology.
So feel free to think you are stirring me up, I'm just telling you where you are wrong. 1st amendment and all...
Now, if we could only get indoor plumbing out here then life would really be great
No, I'm not being laid off. Things are very well at the company. All our competitors had to lay off workers last year, and we picked up a bunch of experienced analog hardware engineers.
How are the criminals treating you these days? Have you busted up any laid off hightech workers, who, as you said, are almost all criminals now?