Toyota Tacoma vs. Ford Ranger, Part XII

frey44 · May 2002

Thanks for the tire suggestion. I am open to any ideas, but won't buy new wheels, so whatever I buy will need to be the recommended 235-75-15 or 255-70-15. So, I will check out my local dealers and see who sells the BFG. The cost of new wheels at this point (I am planning to sell my Ranger soon) wouldn't we worth it to a new buyer or me. (I am already getting killed on depreciation ! Mercy ! It makes me sick, itf the trade-in values on Edmunds and Kelley Blue Book are realisitc !) I am planning to get a Tundra later this summer, if I can find one with V8, LSD and ASB 2x4. I have found the a 4x4 was a bad choice for my type of use. Peace, bro.

plutonious · May 2002

Here's a theory you can kick around:

Did it ever occur to you maybe Toyota doesn't want to manufacture more Tacomas? Their Freemont, CA plant which makes Tacomas is running at capacity, and Toyota has no problem selling Tacomas. Maybe Toyota doesn't feel it's necessary to build a new Tacoma plant.

Why?

The Tacoma isn't Toyota's "cash-crop." The Camry and Corolla are, both nationwide/worldwide best-sellers. To top it off, Lexus is the most popular luxury vehicle line in North America (only took them about 10 years to bump the competition). Toyota is making money hands over fists with other ventures right now. Just because Toyota COULD sell more Tacomas doesn't mean they're going to built a new plant and build more.

Either way, I say you are like a little lemming jumping off a cliff following the masses with this "more sold = better" nonsense.

eagle63 · May 2002

"also, the ranger may not sit up as high stock, but nothing can touch it as far as articulation and wheel travel."

-and you got this info where?

The ZR2 is a cool truck, but it's quite expensive (far more than a taco) and you have to put up with Chevy's hit or miss quality. The S-10 and Blazer are usually at the bottom of any reliability data chart.

midnight_stang · May 2002

If you say the Freemont assembly plant is running at capacity, which for the sake of argument we will say is true, then why not open another plant and double the production? New plant, same Toyota standards should equal twice the original profit (after start up costs), RIGHT?

Wrong, Toyota is producing pretty much the exact same amount as there is demand. If you could monitor production numbers a bit easier on the toyota site, you could even do a recent past analysis on the product sold vs product made. If anything Toyota is keeping the supply evenly matched with Demand, so they can max the profit on each vehicle made. Good job for business, bad for people wanting the most truck for their money.

I just bought a big screen TV on the memorial weekend. Best Buy will deliver it in 2 weeks because the whole metroplex (Dallas/Fort Worth Texas) is out of the model we purchased. Since this newly released model was so quickly sold out, you know what? The price is now $1999.99 instead of the 1699.99 we bought it for. Supply and Demand, pure and simple. And do you think JVC is gonna sit there and produce the same amount? Demand is obviously high, it was a typical high spending weekend, but any company will know they need to get more out to the stores.

I am not saying the Ranger is better because it sells more. I am saying it is better truck (the cause), so it does sell more (the effect). Now you can keep on saying Toyota Tacoma is the best stock off-roading compact truck, But have you not noticed the overall decline in compact truck sales (vs. last year). It's not the huge niche you make it out to be, but I am not discounting the Tacoma is a great off-road vehicle. I am just saying big deal, most of the people do not care about off-roading, compact trucks or both, and the sales figures back me up 100%.

Finally more people must like the options, looks, pricing, quality, reputation, or "whatever floats their boat" found in the Ranger. These people do not have silly hang ups about lockers, shock absorbers and disappearing door lock knobs.

saddaddy · May 2002

your claims. You don't have a tendency to lie, just a tendency to believe everything those ignorant salesmen tell you. Who remembers the bed being welded to the frame -- ya get my drift?

You listed some components of the zr2s, i researched it on the web, even read the sticker on one sitting at my local chevy dealership (the second one in the past few years). No where could I find anything that supports even one of those ZR2 specific claims you made. Why would chevy not brag about any of this?

As far as the frame, the same amount sticks out from under the ZR2s as the normal highriders, they both have the same size axles as well. I mean, I sat and looked at em sitting right next to one another. Maybe they just leave the stickers off of some right? No, one had a Zr2 package and the other had like a "high stance package" or something like that. Both the same price. I would love to believe that what you say is true buttt...

My good buddy bought one in late winter, complete with the ZR2 sticker, he knows nothing of the things you speak of.

However, all this is totally irrelevant. It has long been established that all the people here care about quality vehicles. That's why we argue over these two trucks, Rangers and Tacos, that are both pretty tightly and well made. How can you even put anything chevy in the same sentence? You yourself have dogged on em in the past. Own a truck for more than two years and you will understand what these trucks are supposed to be like. I have realized that that is your real shortcoming. You know nothing about having a truck for the long haul. Dodge/Chrysler wins all sorts of initial quality awards with their cars, but everyone knows how bad they suck. Same with alot of other vehicles that you defend. I could build a car to look nice and ride good for 30k miles.

frey44 · May 2002

Econ 101.

;-) Peace, bros.

tbunder · May 2002

you're talking to what use to be mr. zr2 man. i owned two of them, and pounded both to misery. i know all about them. i find it funny your buddy bought one and doesn't know jack about it. too bad. just to enlighten you to what they consist of, go here:

http://www.zr2.com/

pluto, as usual your jaws are smoking and your brain isn't.

like stang said, i am an open minded person and know a lot about vehicles. more than you ill claim (which isn't saying much mr. locker/lsd man). im not brand loyal to anything, but i do have some common sense, and that tells me that the tacoma is nice, but has very thin, weak doors and weak powertrain to handle any kind of real hard work that any ranger would consider everyday use.

ZR2's may be high, not much higher than a similarly equipped tacoma, $25-$26K, but belive me, you get a lot more with the ZR2. more power, torque, a lot safer vehicle, better towing, etc. it may not be as tight as a ranger, but it sure isn't no slouch. i consider the ZR2 a bodybuilder on steroids, the ranger a triathlon event guy, and the tacoma a college wrestler. there's my analogies. ive owned three rangers, two ZR2's, and zilch tacomas. i like safe vehicles. end of discussion.

plutonious · May 2002

"tacoma is nice, but has very thin, weak doors and weak powertrain to handle any kind of real hard work that any ranger would consider everyday use."

Doesn't seem like Rangers can handle everyday hard work like accelerating out of a parkinglot...

You like safe vehicles? Tacoma was rated safer than the S-10. OOOPS!

Where do you keep coming up with this thin sheet-metal argument? Do you have a link, or are you just making stuff up again?

allknowing · May 2002

I guess I was wrong in that I thought you had a marketing background. If you do, you obviously realize that your statement "I am saying it is better truck (the cause), so it does sell more (the effect)" is an extremely flawed argument. I don't feel like presenting a class in marketing 101 other than saying that there are too many other contributing factors (price for one) to make such a poorly grounded general statement. Argue with me as you will, but I wouldn't hire anyone in marketing in my company that could use such ambiguous supporting evidence to come to such a conclusion. On the other hand, if you have a better case for your conclusion (real evidence rather than your personal feelings), let us hear it as long as it's not the same ol' stuff. I think you're smarter than that stang. Maybe you thought that we all graduated from the same wonderful college that tbunder came from and that you could easily pull one over on us.

PF_Flyer · May 2002

Let's not let this discussion creep from the trucks to talking about each other. That's never a good idea...

Just a reminder that our Town Hall chat happens on Wednesday (5-7pm Pacific/8-10 pm Eastern).

This week the topic is Coming to America: Import Cars You'd Like to See

http://www.edmunds.com/townhall/chat/newsviews.html

PF Flyer

Host

Pickups & News & Views Message Boards

midnight_stang · May 2002

My statement about cause and effect was a bit general. However when I concluded that post with "Finally more people must like the options, looks, pricing, quality, reputation, or "whatever floats their boat" found in the Ranger." I thought that final statement would be a specific enough explanation, and expansion on the other statement.

So instead of "better" truck, substitute the words "fits more consumers needs and wants", "more truck for less buck" or "one of the best compact truck solutions". It is all in the eye of the beholder, but the underlying point is more people choose the Ranger for whatever reason, and more people keep coming back for the past 16 or so years.

No marketing experience here, in fact I despise the Marketing folks who must appeal to the lowest common denominator. I am a database designer/business analyst for one of the three largest mortgage companies in the U.S. So that must mean I am a bit detail oriented. Marketing, corporate image, and slogans? Nah, give me cold hard data, and logic to present it.

So obviously I can not poll or interview the 74 thousand new Ranger owners (Through end of April 02) and ask why did they choose it. However the data suggests that three people out of five choose the Ranger, and it seems much more likely because they wanted it. Not because Toyota does not make enough Tacomas. That is how I'm suggesting the cause and effect. The Ranger somehow appeals to more people(even despite the older models and the amount still on the road from previous models), and still keeps on selling. Some people now hate Mustangs because everyone has one. However after 16 straight years of being the number one compact truck, people still favor the Ranger. Does that not indicate something on the overall value/offering the Ranger provides that is still appealing?

Frey--->You are right, Rangers do generally cost less, so they sell more. However with more XLT and Edge models moving than XL's, you know it's not all fleet or people buying base models. Especially with Tacoma's cheaper base model price (MSRP).

allknowing · May 2002

OK stang I'll buy that. Thanks for the excellent response. Having some experience in marketing (hard to admit now that you've almost called me a lowlife, ha), I'll bet that Toyota purposely keeps their Tacoma numbers down to some extent in order to keep the price up. As it stands now, they have a higher profit margin and sell every Tacoma that they produce (I've never seen a Tacoma excess inventory sell or rebate). Ford has a different philosophy of higher production and probably a lower profit margin. I couldn't tell you which one is really profiting more.

plutonious · May 2002

has to do with which is the better truck. Just because the VW Beetle is a world best-seller, does that make it a better compact car than the AWD Subaru WRX? Is the best-selling Mustang coupe better than a BMW 3 Series coupe?

To me, the fact that the Ranger is mass-produced and doesn't really do any one thing extremely well simply tells me it is a generic, lower-priced truck designed to appeal to the masses.

midnight_stang · May 2002

But it must do everything well enough to appeal to more people year after year. Or maybe there is not enough issisteelmen or fourwheeler subscribers who demand the ultimate off-road vehicle.

The VW Beetle is the world best seller, because it has been around for decades. If you want to compare the Bug to the Subaru, might as well throw in bicycles in China for comparison. The Mustang coupe is better than a BMW 3 Series coupe if you consider bang for buck performance. One could say the BMW is twice the car, but it is also twice the price! The Mustang offers 190 hp and 220 lbs/ft torque for about the same price as a 4 cylinder Accord or Camry. It is better to compare comparatively priced vehicles, and vehicles in the same class/niche. Otherwise you are comparing apples to bananas.

The Ranger may be a generic lower priced truck to you, but that does not hold up when the price difference between a Tacoma and a Ranger can be in favor of either model. It may be as much as $2,000 difference, or it may only be a few hundred dollars in favor of the Tacoma. It just depends on the options you want.

Allknowing--->Yeah, I have never seen any big incentives offered on a Tacoma either. At about twice the product sold vs. a Tundra, I would bet the Tacoma does bring in a good profit for Toyota. I do think Toyota is doing an excellent job making them, and selling them as a business should. The profit margin per Tacoma is probably higher than a Ranger, however I would guess the gross revenue from all Ranger sales would still be higher than all Tacoma sales through sheer numbers.

I also was not inferring anything about you in marketing, just in general I am more likely to ignore the marketing hype. Even I am not very enthusiastic about the latest Feel good William Ford commercials, and I wonder why all I see are bridgestone commercials now...

plutonious · May 2002

SPECIFICALLY what the Ranger does better than the Tacoma. And I challenge you to provide some supporting evidence.

issisteelman · May 2002

I agree with Stang, what's up with these stupid Bill Ford commercials. The marketing department missed the mark with that whole campaign.

Hey, Stang, you might have made a good point on your last post. The market for people looking for good offroad pick ups is probably not nearly as large as the market for people looking for pickups for highway use only. That may be one reason for the sales differences between the Taco and Ranger.

In any case, I'm glad that I'm lucky enough to live in God's country where having a good offroad pick up (like my Tacoma) is a great advantage.

Tbunder - I've been working my Tacoma hard ever since I bought it over 14 months ago. I've been offroad in the woods (on logging roads) much of the time (going to and from camp and horseing around in the woods). I've used it to get wood for camp (on more occasions than I can count), loaded it with gravel for a home project, loaded it with a snow machine all winter (and went everywhere with it). I've also had a 4-wheeler in the back of it (and gone everywhere with it). You know what, if that isn't working a pick up truck then I don't know what is. Furthermore, I haven't had one major problem yet. As mentioned before, my only problems are a dashboard that rattles when it is cold out and a broken cup holder. So your argument that a Tacoma cannot be worked hard is probably the single most ignorant thing you've said thus far (although you have said some pretty strange things).

Take care and I'll see you in God's country...........Steelman.

plutonious · May 2002

My truck's been worked pretty hard too, and it's four years old. Only problems are the squeaky clutch (sometimes) and the broken power window switch which is really my own fault, I suppose. I've exposed my doors to an awful lot of dust and rain. I like having my windows down.

There is a TSB on the squeaky clutch. Does this mean if I take it to the dealership, they will have to fix the clutch for free?

saddaddy · May 2002

"What specifically does the Ranger do better than the Tacoma???"

Haven't you been listening, it sells better. BWHAHAHAHAHAHAHA

And tbunder - I am reading the zr2 page now. 3.73 gears=pretty sad. The rest of it doesn't sound too wonderful. Maybe he doesn't include everything in his list huh? Still only have 15" wheels, which is a sin in your eyes. Also only 7" wide, not the best for such a miraculous setup. Track bar - big deal, most true off roaders take em off for more flex anyways. Not a bad truck though. Do you mind telling how you went thru two of them?

midnight_stang · May 2002

Let's see. Offering 4 doors in extended cab configuration. More powerful 4.0l v6. Available v6 in a regular cab. Steering Column mounted automatic shifter. Standard ABS. Standard A/C (on Edge & XLT's?). Free clock. Standard Tachometer. Available Limited slip differential (remember you said this was advantageous when you thought the Tacoma came with it). Standard passive anti-theft. Higher maximum towing capacity. More comfy seats with better support. Slightly larger interior space.

SUPERIOR crash safety ratings. NHTSA and IIHS.

Better pricing, usually 0-2000+ dollars in Rangers favor on similair equipped vehicles.)

More abundant options. Less price gouging per option.

Looks(in my opinion).

So in summary, if you want the most powerful engine, the most options, and the most safety possible for the better price, Go Ranger. That is how people buy vehicles. They see what fits their needs, see what they like, and find a good deal on a vehicle. That vehicle (for the past 16 years) is proven to be the Ranger.

What, you wanted me to quote fourwheeler.com?

saddaddy---> You have not been listening to me. The Ranger is NOT the best because it sells. It is the best SO it sells. Have questions, please see my last 3 or 4 posts above first.

plutonious · May 2002

I would like to see comparos where the Ranger with its better "paper options" outperforms the Tacoma. Many vehicles enter comparos looking like the clear winner on paper, but in reality don't cut the muster.

Please show me tests where the Ranger:

1. tows better
2. hauls better
3. four-wheels better
4. performs on pavement better
5. lasts longer/more reliable
6. has better resale value

I've posted such links. Now it's your turn. Case closed.

BTW, IIHS rated the Tacoma higher than the Ranger in crash-tests. Also, what's the advantage of having a column mounted gear-shift? I don't care, I would never buy an automatic. And finally, I'm glad the Tacoma doesn't come "standard" with all the options you listed. I'm not interested in most of them, and wouldn't want to pay for them. Especially ABS.

saddaddy · May 2002

What advantage does a steering column shifter have? I hate em, especially on compact trucks. I've been driving my dads new silverado, and hate that their is no OD button to push, and if you wanna manually downshift, it is not as easy. My vote is for the floor shifter, hands down.

tbunder · May 2002

pluto, do you know how ignorant you sound debating with stang? he is presenting you with solid facts, while you still keep bragging about your nearly five year old magazine test. hilarious.

sad- i started out in a new reg. cab ZR2, sold it for an ext. cab, sold that for an explorer sport when my daughter was born. traded that for the ranger.

your comments on the ZR2 stuff doesn't make sense when your tacoma comes with 3.73's if im not mistaken. four wheel disc brakes..heat treated upgraded cv joints, reinforced brake lines, carbon composite skidplates, upgraded ring and pinion gears, full-size truck rear axle, re-inforced and widened frame...these are all bad? and that track bar doesn't hinder any flex (i know as i had both my ZR2's hit the bump stops, it keeps the axle in line when doing high speed runs, keeps it from going side to side. the ZR2 was created as a chase vehicle at Baja, and so it is built with what it needs to accomplish this. sure it is aging, but it is still twice the truck any tacoma is. not even close. it weighs nearly 4000 lbs in ZR2 trim. the fact that it comes stock with 15" wheels is fine, as we all know gm will never change this since the ZR2 is now a staple in trucks, and anything other than a 31x10.50 wouldn't look right. i guarantee the next gen. s10 will probably come with 16's or higher. and just how wide do you need a wheel to be to handle 31's? according to bfgoodrich.com, the 7" wheels are above the minimum for the all-terrain tire that it comes stock with.

hmmmmm......i sense a little jealousy here that since you don't have it, you don't like it. seems to be a common theme around here with tacoma owners who don't like cd players, power anything, a/c, fog lights, tow-hooks, o/d over-ride on column shifter, abs, or anything else that comes standard on ranger and is extra on tacoma. it is so obvious to ford guys.

steelman- good for you, im glad you use your truck. maybe pluto will learn how to finally engage his clutch/starter switch and maybe put his truck into four-wheel drive after reading your posts. either way though, you still have pop can thick doors and bed walls. enjoy though.

see you in god's country where the other guy runs the stoplight and slams into your door. according to safety tests, you'll have a high likelihood of a pelvic injury. lovely huh?

oh yeah, just fyi....i changed my mind about the mazda. i plan on getting some type of truck. thanks sad. what was i thinking?

midnight_stang · May 2002

"Many vehicles enter comparos looking like the clear winner on paper, but in reality don't cut the muster."

And this supports your 4 year old fourwheeler review?

You are wrong about IIHS. Both the Tacoma and Ranger receive Average Overall ratings. It's a dead tie. Tacoma has higher risk for injury (Head and Left foot) and the Ranger has a lower safety cage rating (marginal). However the Ranger receives no Poor ratings, except on one of its head restraint models.

NHTSA is a different story altogether. Tacoma scores one full star lower than Ranger in every test, except passenger frontal crash test.

1. tows better
For instance, The Ranger offers a regular cab, long bed with 4.0L 5 speed Automatic, with 6015 pounds "Maximum Towing Capacity". The highest I have seen the Tacoma regular cab is 3500. Edmunds says the extended and crew cab tacomas can do a maximum of 5000. I do believe Toyota.com says up to 5600. By the way, which engine has the most torque at the lowest RPM available? I would say that is probably the better vehicle for towing.
2. hauls better
How do you suppose we test that? I think the Tacoma has 100-200 pounds higher Payload capacity, but to haul it better? Who knows. Unless you can prove otherwise, they are probably pretty close.
absence of evidence is not Evidence of absence.
3. four-wheels better
I do not contest that off the show room floor, the Tacoma has the advantage. However I do think four-wheeling contradicts with item #6 below. The best off-road vehicle when used will be a little beat up, and doesn't that affect used market value?
4. performs on pavement better
Here's another category that is really too close to count. With LSD, and ABS, the Ranger has safety on its side. I'll post links to reviews if you actually want to debate this. I've seen praise for both vehicles on on-road handling.
5. lasts longer/more reliable
There are many examples in favor of each argument on this issue. 140,000 miles and 9 years old. Driven several Rangers over 200,000 miles at an old job. All machines break. At least my window switches still work. Toyota has the reputation. Ford has the economy. There are so many old Fords on the road that just won't die, and if they do parts are so cheap and available. With reasonable driving habits and Maintenance, any vehicle can last.
6. has better resale value
You are probably right there, but if you call it what truly is, it might be a bit more clear to you why. "Has Better used market value" With more Rangers being sold for the past 16 years, it would be harder to sell for top dollar. Since roughly 3-4 Rangers have been sold for every Tacoma or Toy "Pickup", you should expect one to hold its market value better than the other. However this benefits anyone in the used truck market greatly. Basic economics (Supply and Demand) taught in 7th grade.

Of course if you are like me, you don't care about the ultimate towing, hauling, or off-road vehicle. If I wanted that, I would start looking at full size trucks. But these are Compact trucks. I would venture a generalization of compact truck buyers are mostly looking for something to help with moving furniture, or home depot projects. How many trucks do you see daily that have a payload vs not? How many trucks do you see daily off-road vs not?

Do you notice anything about our lists? See the difference in the content? See how you are centered around topics that are likely in favor of the Tacoma, while I listed items found in favor of the Ranger.

Every person buying a vehicle has these lists. If not, they are just a blind consumer. Assuming most people research a purchase likely close to half their yearly income, everybody lists their pros and cons. Every list is different, and tailored after individual wants and needs. Then they decide which vehicle they buy based on the big picture. And we know which vehicle that is more likely to be, right?

We can debate all the little issues all day. If I bring up points like better pricing options, better safety, more configurations, bigger engine, you can only ignore those statements and re-iterate the off-road reviews. The reality is we both win or we both lose.

Both trucks are great, and as I've said before The Tacoma is a great truck, recommended to all. The Ranger is the Best Buy.

Even Hank Hill (King of the Hill) drives a Ranger...

Kirstie_H · May 2002

A major daily newspaper is writing a story about collision damage insurance, and is looking to talk with drivers who have run into deer or moose. "In most states, such an encounter is not covered by comp. or collision damage insurance; you need special coverage. I want to talk to people who have had these collisions and learn how they handled them. Likewise, I'd also like to hear from people who were involved in some other sort of incident involving their auto and found out that insurance they thought they had was not there." Please respond no later than Monday, June 3 to paudel2001@msn.com and/or jfallon@edmunds.com. Thanks as always!

Jeannine Fallon
PR Director
Edmunds.com

allknowing · May 2002

Wow I didn't realize that Hank Hill drove a Ranger. The Taliban choose the Tacoma so it's difficult to determine which is the better endorsement.

kbtoys · May 2002

Just thought I would post this link about the tacoma.

http://money.excite.com/ht/nw/bus/20020530/hle_bus-n30341912.html

rickc5 · May 2002

About time someone injected a bit of levity into this pit. Thanks!

BTW- I believe you and I are the only two participants on this forum who have owned both a Tacoma and a Ranger? Seem that way to you?

allknowing · May 2002

Yeh, I think that you're right. Some of the Ranger guys have mentioned that they have owned other Toyota cars but not a tacoma. I'll bet that most of the Ranger supporters have never driven a Tacoma and probably the reverse is also true.

toadman · May 2002

I haven't been on the Edmunds board for awhile. So I'm not surprised that the same items are being hashed and re-hashed over and over again. I seriously doubt that any Ranger owner is going to change the mind of any Tacoma owner on this board or any other board to switch sides. The only thing that matters is personal preference.

There's nothing said on this board that will change my mind about the truck I drive. The only thing that will swing my feelings toward my truck is if it starts crapping out on me and falls apart. I suspect that's true for everyone who participates on this board, regardless of the vehicle they drive.

issisteelman · May 2002

I have driven both a Ranger and a Tacoma (I own a 2001 Tacoma). I drove my girlfriend's mom's Ranger (I think it is a 2000) just to try it out before I purchased my Tacoma. It was a V6 (I'm not sure what size) and it ran like a 4 cylinder motor. I could not believe how sluggish the engine was. Furthermore, I did not care for the interior looks and was not real impressed with the ride. On a positive note, I will say that she has not had any problems with it so far (I think she now has 24,000 miles or so on it).

Anyhow, I am objective and have driven both and the Tacoma was the best choice for me.

Take care and I'll see you in the woods where there are a lot of black flies out now.......Steelman.

saddaddy · May 2002

First of all, my truck came with 4:10s with out any upgrade. Second of all, do you not know that a wider rim is better. You are not supposed to even put 11.5 inch wide tires on a 7" rim. Of course, Im not even sure 32" tires will go on a ZR2 because of that massive amount of protruding frame (that it shares with every s10 on the road) - not to mention the nonexistent aftermarket for them. The reason I even mentioned 15 vs. 16 inch rims is b/c you always use that as a standard feature Rangers have over the Tacomas. According to you 16s are the shiznit, except on ZR2s, where 15s are perfect - you're talking in circles on this one.

Sure there are a couple of things I would like to have from the ZR2, no doubt about it, maybe even from a Ranger.

Again, though, I think if you had owned those first 2 trucks in your list, you would sing another tune. And Im not jealous of anything. Just like I know you are not jealous that I have a vehicle that can actually hop over a curb w/o doing thousands worth of body damage. LOL, please don't buy a car. Have good weekend, man.

midnight_stang · June 2002

I guess I will try to bring some live back into this forum by asking what are the specifics into locking hubs. I'm not a off-roading type person, nor do I think I will ever be. I am curious as to why 4x4's have hubs on the wheels to lock them in place.

Is this effectively locking them to the axle so they can put down some power, and when unlocked they do nothing? Off-hand, I would think to always have the wheels locked, and power would only transfer to the front wheels when 4x4 hi or lo was selected. I have read about Rangers having pulse vacuum auto locking equipment, but don't know much beyond that.

I also saw a early 90's Ranger drive by me yesterday. It had "F-5.0l" emblems underneath the Ranger emblems on the fenders and twin 2 1/2 tail pipes coming out the rear. Pretty cool, it sounded pretty mean too.

And finally, my Dad sold his truck recently. A '90 F-150 Lariat with 90k Miles. It was in pristine shape. He sold it to the dealership for
$2,500 for a brand new Silverado. I wanted that truck, but no, he said he thought my truck was great and that I wanted to keep it. Well it is still running great, but I would love to have a 5.0l Lariat vs a 2.3l Ranger. Oh well, life is funny.

allknowing · June 2002

Awwww stang, you know the answer (you're just looking for posts) so I'll let someone else write a book and I'll just give you the short version. The front wheels free-wheel until they're locked. When locked, the wheels are both locked to the axle and don't work independently. That's why you can't leave them locked on the highway. Full time four wheel drive systems, in contrast, have a front differential to allow you to drive on the paved highway.

midnight_stang · June 2002

But I promise this is not one of my "ask the questions I already know the answer to" posts.

I guess I was always expecting a limited slip front differential on each 4x4 system, so you could turn or operate on the road/highway and not have to lock the hubs to go offroading...

So there is no "neutral" in the transfer case? And/or most 4x4 systems have a solid front axle (or equivalent)?

issisteelman · June 2002

The Tacoma has automatic locking hubs (at least my 2001 model does) so you don't ever have to worry about getting out to lock the hubs to put the truck into 4 wheel drive. To engage 4wd all you have to do is simply shift the shift lever and this can be done on the fly up to 50 mph (or 55 mph, I cannot remember specifically what the owner's manual recommends). And, when you shift out of 4wd (again, with a simple shift of the lever) the hubs automatically disengage.

I'd be willing to bet that the Ranger has automatic locking hubs as well. I believe that the manual locking hubs are beginning to be faded out by auto makers.

By the way Stang, we all know that the Tacoma is better than the Ranger. Did you forget this simple fact

Take care and I'll see you in the Great North Woods where it is still so cold that it feels like hunting season (where is summer anyway)..........Steelman.

2k1trd · June 2002

The Tacoma does not have auto locking hubs.The front axles are connected directly to the spindles.The front axles actualy free wheel inside the pumkin untill 4wd is engaged wich then engages the front drive shaft and front axles inside the differential.

saddaddy · June 2002

Thanx alot edmunds.

PF_Flyer · June 2002

saddaddy... head over to the topic that has been set up to gather feedback on the Town Hall changes with your specific thoughts...

Town Hall Redesign 2002: Tell Us Your Thoughts

PF Flyer

Host

Pickups & News & Views Message Boards

shabooby · June 2002

My wife and I just purchased our new 2002 Tacoma Double Cab SR5 V6/4A. All I can say is WOW! This truck is great! While I didn't have a need for the 4x4 option, our PreRunner still has the look of a 4x4. I'm looking forward to getting it broken in and carefully rating its performance. All I can say now is, I'm glad I finally got one.

Shabooby

saddaddy · June 2002

You will love your truck. Excellent choice!

slorenzen · June 2002

about the Tacoma competing with Jeep, Hummer et al and beating all the competition?

eagle63 · June 2002

It's the May 2001 issue of Fourwheeler. not sure if it's available online or not. (I personally think Fourwheeler's website sucks)

sc0rpi0 · June 2002

I'm outa here for a week, going to TTORA TakeOver national event at Tellico, NC. in Nanhatala Natl. Forest.

toadman · June 2002

Just a snipet, but for the die hard Rangers fans, (the truck not the baseball team) the Ranger tied with the Chevy S-10 for runner up.
---------------------------------------
But Toyota Motor Sales U.S.A. Inc., which sells Toyota- and Lexus-branded vehicles, continued to dominate the award categories as it has in past years. Of the 16 categories included in Power's study, Toyota and Lexus models led nine and virtually swept all of the truck categories.

"With truck sales now surpassing 50 percent of the light-vehicle market, truck quality is critical to automakers," Power's Walters said. "Toyota Motor Sales' consistency in building truck models with high initial quality certainly gives them an advantage."

Toyota's initial quality has improved 31 percent over five years, Power added.

mjbwrtr · June 2002

maybe i can help ya. i know for a fact that most dealers will take an older truck like your dads to auction, since they dont want older stuff on their lot. i would go there and tell em you know that they will lose their [non-permissible content removed] at auction, but that youll give 'em $2500 for it. i am betting they would rather sell it to you than pay to have it hauled away, and auctioned for $1000.

midnight_stang · June 2002

I tried that, it was already sold to another owner in like a week. Oh well, I do plan on picking up a new Ranger in 2003. Mine just officially rolled over 140,000 miles this week. Would be nice to have that new car smell again....

saddaddy · June 2002

There is NOTHING like the smell of a new car. I wish I was rich so I could experience it about every month. I will concede this to you Ranger fellas, my new Tacoma had a new car smell that was different than most and I didn't like it as much. Oh well. Have a good one.

rickc5 · June 2002

I can't let you get away with dropping a load like that and not ask you to be specific about what the difference was in your Tacoma's new smell. So please tell us, why did you not like the smell as much????

saddaddy · June 2002

Its just like some folks prefer daisies over roses i guess (and, i understand that was a very feminine thing to say - trust me it hurt!). LOL. It didn't stink by any means! By the way, what LOAD did i drop.

tbunder · June 2002

car odors? sigh

Toyota Tacoma vs. Ford Ranger, Part XII

Comments

Helpful Tools

Most popular vehicles