TOYOTA TACOMA vs. FOR RANGER

hindsite · July 1999

Cpousnr,
Well I didn't see the liar thing, but I can understand why you maybe upset. Just don't let it draw you away from a good debate into a personal vendetta. Honestly I am so sick of this clearance issue.

spkirk · July 1999

I think everyone that reads this topic is tired of hearing the bickering over ground clearance and bickering in general. All I am interested in is hearing real life experiences with the respective trucks and how they seem to be holding up over time. Thanks.

hindsite · July 1999

I picked up the Ranger & Tacoma brochures and found some interesting tid bits.
1. In the photo layouts there is no antenna
2 Both show a picture going up a hill or mountain.
3. The Ranger has a steering wheel column shifter, while the Tacoma has a floor shifter.
4. The Ranger has 7.4" of axle clearance, while the Tacoma has from 10.8" to 12" clearance depending on tires.
5. The Ranger does have 5 lugs compared to Tacoma's 6 lug wheels.
6. Ranger XLT the limited slip differential is an option with the V6.

hindsite · July 1999

I think I have almost 13,000 on my 99 TRD Tacoma and have notice with the AC on, traveling on the highway at a good clip, or in traffic she gets about 20 mpg.

The ride is smooth & quiet on an ashpalt wearing surface. The ride is smooth on a concrete rigid pavement provided the wearing surface is in good conditon. I have notice that on the concrete surfaces with exposed aggregates there is a slight droning sound from the tires that is noticable. Also, at the expansion joints of the concrete rigid pavement if the joints are fairly close and there is no differential settlement between the two the transition ride over is fairly quite. On those that are wide there is a slight thump sound. Most of the city roads are asphalt concrete and unfortunately the surfaces of the streets are in poor condition here in NY, which causes a bouncy and jiggly ride.

spkirk · July 1999

Hindsite,

Thanks for the input.

hindsite · July 1999

One thing if I could I would like Toyota to consider removing that TRD emblem on the truck. In NY where I work & live part of the year it is like flashing jewelry. I have thought of having it removed then when I think selling or trading the truck I ponder if I should.

wsnoble · July 1999

Hindsite

I think you can reorder the TRD logos's from TRD when you go to sell it...

spkirk

I have a 1998 Tacoma XCab V6 SR5 Auto with the 31's. It's holding up great. No problems at all, except it's black and keeping it clean can be tough.

I have had it one winter (New England) and it did great, though a couple of bags of RockSalt in the Bed helped out (weight). I've taken it off a road a bunch of times and i have yet to get stuck. Sometimes i don't even have to lock the hubs.

A guy i work with loved it so much he went out and bought the same exact truck from the same salesperson, from the same dealer, a month later. He got his in red, and loves it, and has had no problems either.....

I also added a tilt and slide sunroof (Webasto) and it makes the cab feel even bigger.....

14K and no problems.....

-wsn

PS Anybody got the K+N filter for there Tacoma. My air cleaner is coming up on replacement time. I'm not looking to gain ponnies or anything, i just thought it would be a better filter, and less $$ in the long run. Good Idea????

-wsn

matty · July 1999

did'nt anybody see cpousnr comments about the tacoma.... #475 "No independent front suspension..." this is not an option because all toyota's have been IFS (Independent front suspension) since before the tacoma was even introduced and they were simply called toyota trucks. The other stuff about radios and "no tinted glass period", on a TRD Limited, that is also untrue. Most of the options on the limited are only listed as In addition to items.. also many packages are also only available in certain combinations. This in cpousnr defense makes it hard to figure out just what you get, but if you carefully see what you get from the SR5 and limited packages, and all the fine print I think you will see alot more options then you saw at first glance, for one, tinted windows. As for the Tacometer, outside of the 2 keys and a heater model, almost any configuration you find on a dealers lot, as they only get popular configurations unless you special order, will have a tacometer. I would also like to remind you I got my 99 Taco, ordered fresh off the delivery truck, TRD, SR5 V-6, all options plus cd and alarm, bed liner, bugshield,...everything but the admittedly over priced limited package for a little over $21,000, so after $1000 factory rebate, I paid a little over $20,000. No comparably equipped Ranger is 3-5K less, at least not here in RI.

lwf · July 1999

Did everyone see the Associated Press news release yesterday that the EPA and the Justice Department have filed a lawsuit against Toyota because of faulty smog-control on 1996-to-1998 vehicles that include Tacomas and T100, and penalties might go up to $58.5 BILLION. Probably won't cost any of us anything immediately, but I would imagine that if Toyota loses, it's going to impact the future prices of their vehicles. And by the way, maybe they are not so squeaky-clean after all. Maybe Toyota makes manufacturing mistakes also, from time to time.

sushi · July 1999

I think going out and measuring for yourself is better than reading about printed aource. It's up to you to decide. Not some editor.

mkatie · July 1999

I own a 1996 Tacoma and it has been running fine for the past three years. The only thing that I really dislike about it are the weak shocks. They are too wimpy!!! I've priced Rancho 5000's for the Tacoma and man are they expensive. Seems the front units are similar to "Mini-Struts" and this jacks up the costs. Plus you need a Press to remove them unless you plan on trying to kill yourself. I'll probably install the rear shocks myself and have the local shop do the front units. Overall I have only replaced one headlight and performed my 3000 mile oil changes. I'll probably sell her in another couple of years due to the fact that my kids are growing like weeds and there is no room for three in my Yoda. Other than that, it has been a reliable truck and carried me through rain, snow, heat, sand , and hurricanes. It is great on gas and PM costs are low. It is a good truck overall.

Good luck!

Chris

hindsite · July 1999

Wnoble,
I don't know about the K&N filter, but at $21 for a Fram air filter it is not all that bad.

Matty,
When you take a closer look the Tacoma does have a few things that are standard and not found in the Rangers.

dave40 · July 1999

Need some more Tocoma & Ranger Pictures. Post them in Topic #775 TRUCK PICTURES or if you don't have a web-page e-mail them to dp2000@webtv.net I will post them in the Truck Force web-page.
http://community.webtv.net/dp2000/TRUCKFORCEACTION

jennings94 · July 1999

I am looking at trucks, and have narrowed it down to the Ranger and Tacoma. I have test driven both, and love how the Tacoma looks, but I can't fit into the cab. The price range that I am looking at also doesn't even have bucket seats, just a regular old bench seat that only adjusts foward and backward.

In my personal opinon, trucks are suposed to be work horses, not luxury items. That is why I will refuse to pay over 16 grand for a small pickup. Under this priciple, I don't see how any one could justify buying the Toyota bare to the bones, when the Ranger has a lot of options on it for the same price. I know that they are both great trucks, but for the price, Ranger for me.

eric7 · July 1999

Check this site out and read for yourself:
www.auto.com/autowire/qroll15.htm

krebsatm02 · July 1999

Wow i am new to all these edmunds' pages and started reading this one from the begining. I find all this funny, buy the truck you want and who ever was arguing over the limited slip and the locker. Have fun getting stuck with the limited slip! and i'll watch the locked truck drive by you. Sorry for the spelling i could care less and no i am not an idiot actually i am college. Also, for offroading a solid front axle is better than IFS and normally alot cheaper to lift. I don't particularly know about mini trucks but i do know much more about full size. Laer.

barlitz · July 1999

I've been reading this site occasionally.I was wondering if the tacoma and the ranger have the same bed depth.it looks to me like the tacoma is a little smaller than the ranger in overall size other than maybe the tires.

spoog · July 1999

LOl. What was that Vince 8 and cspousner about the Ranger handling better on the road than the tacomas?

The national Highway and safety transportation
site listed it and the geo tracker as the most unstable vehicles made in turning.

Heres another sweet quote:

"Three vehicles -- a 1998 Ford Explorer, the Ranger pickup and a 1998 Chevrolet Lumina -- had tires that broke their seals and deflated in maneuvering the test corners, dropping the wheel rims onto the pavement. An agency document said when the tire was ripped from part of the rim, the vehicle was difficult to control and was more likely to slide sideways, also "increasing the risk of rollover"

Nice quality there.

This article was on the front page of the Chicago Sun times, with a large picture of the Ranger on the front page. Here one of many URL's:

http://www.auto.com/autowire/qroll15.htm

tbird99 · July 1999

I used to own a 96 Tacoma and now I have a 98 Ranger XLT. Nothing fancy; a 4 banger with a CD player, bed liner, sliding rear window and alloy wheels. It looks nice. Why the Ranger? For me it was the heighth of the truck and extra visibility, the very comfortable bucket seats and instrumentation layout. A much smoother drive and alot more fun. I had the steering pump go out and dealer fixed it 3 hours later (warranty), besides that no problem. I like Ford and am looking to get an Explorer or Mountaineer. Nothing against Toyota.

sushi · July 1999

I exactly agree with Tbird99. The off-roading will never be the main purpose of my truck. I just find the Ranger a much more comfortable truck. Nothing against Toyota, because if I were to go off-roading, I would get a toyota.

trent · July 1999

Was the Toyota tested in the NHST turning test? I didn't see any reference to it in the article referred to. I would think that their is little difference in any high center of gravity small truck.

spoog · July 1999

yep. ALL compact trucks and SUVS were tested.
Even though the tacoma has a higher ground clearance, it isnt engineered by cost-cutting
"save-bucks" which slap everything together.

Its all in the quality of engineering , the suspension, the stablzer, and the sterring.

spoog · July 1999

98 Tacoma bulletins = 7

99 Tacoma bulletins = 0

Hey Cspounser, what was that you were saying about apples?

sushi · July 1999

If the Ford is so bad, how come I have had no problems with my truck yet? am I lucky? I just think some things are over emphsized. I know that Tacoma's also have problems too.. that's from first hand experience. As for more Fun, I think that Tacoma and Rager are equally as fun. It just ddepends if your car is a lemon or not. I think that both cars have equal ability to be lemons. I do not have a lemon and would pick my 4x2 ford over a 4x2 tacoma anyday. I will not knwo that rest till later.. Like I said... I am considering a Nissan Frontier... any suggestions?

sushi · July 1999

Actually, I think A Tacoma would still flip if doing those maneuvers. Perhaps the tires would not burst. The laws of Physcis would jsut imply that it would flip.

spoog · July 1999

Not if the Tacoma was properly engineered

sushi · July 1999

Naw.. I still think if it was properly engineered, it would still flip. There are certain points where different vehicles crack. May the Ranger does crack sooner, but I still think that the Tacoma would still go. I think it would stay up at the limit because of it's bigger tires, but eventually, I think it will go too. I also think that the Ranger/Mazda is up to par with Tacoma's standards. I think there is just a different view of the two vehicles. Obviously you have stated you point as the Tacoma is an off-road machine. And yes, I think it is! But what about the rest of us you use a truck for leisure and comfort? Why does Edmund's dislike the Tacoma?
Ranger/B4000 was rated best truck by Canada 3 years in a row. I'm not sure, but I think it's becasue Ranger is a better value, and a Tacoma handles really nadly on Canadian roads and weather. That is why I didn't like the Tacoma when I test drove it?

meredith · July 1999

All conference attendee's....

please do not post anything larger than the "window". Oversize posts foul up our screen sizing, and have to be "hidden" for things to return to normal.

Front Porch Philosopher
SUV, Pickup, & Aftermarket and Accessories Host

cpousnr · July 1999

Ok I will just be direct.

Toyota Tacoma 4X4 with 31x10.5X 15 tires=

9 inches

Lowest rear point, directly under differential, 3 vehicles measured. Maybe a fraction over.

cpousnr · July 1999

I just put 31x10.5x15 BF Goodrich ko's on my rig.

Clearance under differential, vehicle lowest point is+

9 inches

Well looks like the there is equality in some areas. Go measure if you do not belive me.

kjpk · July 1999

I've been following this debate for weeks and have to jump in. Spoog makes an ASSUMPTION that all Light Trucks and SUV's were tested for rollover. However, this quote from the article states differently:

"Federal test researchers cautioned against comparing the vehicle test results to draw conclusions about any individual vehicle because so few vehicles have been tested, and officials still were deciding on the best test".

This round appears to be just American nameplates. The Tacoma's day will will come, and we will see how it does.

spoog · July 1999

Measured my rear clearance on my Taco with
the 4:10 rear end and it came out at 12 inches with the 31's.

By the way, did you get the chance to read the 98-99 Ford Ranger Technical bulletins? THESE are what consumer reports goes on. Interesting that the 98-99 Ranger had 61 technical repair bulletins, and the 98-99 tacoma had 7.

Oh well.........

cpousnr · July 1999

Well spoog, I measured a brand new Tacoma TRD at John Elway Toyota and it wa 9.5 inches directly under the differential.
Also, measured a Tacoma with 235X75X15 BF Goodrich tires like my new ones and it measured in at 8.25 inches and the guy that helped me was a co-worker that wants to buy a Tacoma. He said, "But the booklet says it should be 12 inches clearance.

You see, your limited by the radius of the wheel which on a 15 inch wheel is 7.5 inches. Then the distance of the tire rubber from ground to rim on my BF Goodrich tires is 6.5 inches. So that equals 14 inches. But if your differential ring gear is 8 inches, which is what a Toyota has then you have to take 4 inches off the max clearance which leaves you 10 inches. Now consider that there is some metal in the differential housing, say 1/2 inch thick, take that amount away and you get 9.5 inches ground clearance, just like I said.

In order for you to have 12 inches ground clearance, given that the 31X10.5x15 tires have 6.5 inches ground to rim, and the rim 7.5 inches, do you realize that the ring gear on that vehicle would have to be 4 inches in diameter?!? And Toyota uses the STANDARD 8 inch ring gear.

Sorry man your numbers just dont add up and the Tacoma I measured was brand new.

I did specify to the direct bottom of the differential. I was not counting the lip around the drain plug that comes out the drivers side of the differential.

It was 9.5 inches on the brand new TRD. A little over 11 to the bottom of the axcel but 9.5 to the differential.

cpousnr · July 1999

(kjpk:
Thank you very much as that is what I derived from the article. I will read it again but do not recall seeing the Tacoma even mentioned.

Quite a few years ago Consumer Reports got on the Susuki Samuri as in their tests of the vehicle it had a tendancy to roll over. There was a big picture on the front of an issue of a Samuri with outriggers so it did not roll in their tests.

As Consumer Reports reviewed the Ranger in December, and made no mention of ANY tendancy to roll, I question the article cited. Such a tendancy would have apperared in their tests as it did with the Susuki. But I have an open mind enough to look further into the issue.

I have never had any feeling my Ranger would go up on two wheels. And in regard to a tire coming off, the ONLY time I have EVER had that happen is when something was hit, like a curb, a large rock. Rims are built to hold tires on, they just dont fall off when you turn. Sure sounds like a fishy article to me.

hindsite · July 1999

Someone said that the bed of the Ranger was deeper earlier. The Ranger depth measures 16.5" while the Tacoma bed is 15.9" in depth. A difference of approximately 1/2" plus.

In regards to the 4x4 compact pickup trucks all can be made to rollover.

Sushi,
I thought you said you had a Mazda in one of your earlier post. Just wondering in post #512 you said you have a Ford now? Still seriously considering that Frontier?

hindsite · July 1999

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
"The mission of the NHTSA is to reduce deaths, injuries & economic losses resulting from motor vehicle crashes by setting & enforcing safety standards for motor vehicles. Grants are awarded to states to help them organize, develop & implement highway safety programs. "

spoog · July 1999

do you think im making it up?
I had a 91 22re yota pickup with 225's and the rear diff clearance was 9.5.

spoog · July 1999

Your ignoring the 61 technical recall bulletins for the 98-99 rangers.

Werent you the one boasting about the Rangers quality?

98-99 Ranger =61 technical repair bulletins

98-99 Tacoma= 7 technical repair bulletins

what were you saying about apples?

cpousnr · July 1999

Check post 324 on the Ranger board to find out where I was refered to as a liar. Now that did not really upset me although it was not appreciated. What it did was motivate me to go measure some things for myself.

spkirk:
Well going to try out the new tires this weekend so will update pictures on my website:
http://members.aol.com/Cpousnr/index1.html

Guess I will have to save a couple pics from my Stanley tape sitting under a Tacoma and Rangers differential. Let me try to explain that one more brief time.

My new 31s measure 14.25 inches from the ground to the middle of the cover of the lugnuts. I would expect a Tacomas 31s mounted on 15 inch rims to be close to the same measurement.

Last time I knew, axcels were straight, not bowed up.

On the Ranger if you divide the 8.8 inch differential by 2 you get 4.4 inches. 14.25-4.4 is equal to 9.85 inches. Subtract some value to take into consideration the distance from the 8.8 differential ring gear to the outside of the differential housing and you get in the neighborhood of 9 inches which is what I measured on the Ranger.

Now since the Tacoma has an 8 inch ring gear, do the simple math. 9.5 inches clearance is reasonable and what I measured on the Tacoma TRD.

In order for the clearance to be 12 inches, a ring gear in the neighborhood of 4 inches is required.

Heck with it, I will post the pictures next week.

cpousnr · July 1999

That post regarding the pickup roll overs has disappeared. The sited does not have any access to that information anymore.

Retraceted maybe?!?

spoog · July 1999

im not talking about the rollover data.

Im talking about the NHSTA TECHNICAL RECALL REPAIR BULLETIN.

You know, the one where the 98-99
Ranger has 61, and the 98-99 Tacoma has 7?

WHat do you have to say about that?

sushi · July 1999

We have a B4000. I just said Ranger to simplify things since this is actually Tacoma vs. Ranger. I think all trucks can be made to roll-over too. I don't think a light truck is a vehicle you want to put to a maneuverability test. Yes, I still am considereing the Frontier, but no-one is giving me any info on it.

spoog · July 1999

Sorry man I dont know ANYTHING about the frontier.

I hear it has a sweet interior and stock stereo
though.

I think Car and Driver has a detailed review of it in this months edition.

sushi · July 1999

Nuts..... I am looking fro a review of it, and it's hard to find a good review of it.

hindsite · July 1999

Sushi,
There is plenty of info on the Frontier. You just have to search the web for it or go to one of those 4WD magazines. It your interested try

http://www.metagrid.com

or

http://www.trucktrend.com

hindsite · July 1999

Spoog,
Just keep plugging at it. All though I may not agree with all you say I wouldn't want this topic to be one sided. Always good to see differing views even though you may not agree.

Sushi,

One more site to check

http://www.pickuptruck.com

sushi · July 1999

Thanks.. does anyone know where to get Canadian invoice prices?

hvnguyen · July 1999

I'm so psyched that I finally got a truck, but not only a truck, the best truck on the market I think. I purchased a 99 Tacoma Prerunner V6 Xtracab TRD. Man, it's awesome ride. I always catch others staring at my new green machine and asking me is that a the 4x4? To their surprise, it's not. The extra ECT Power booster kicks @ss.
It gets me off the red light with gusto and no one can keep up. Although, I would like to be able to have a chance to take it off-roading, anyone know of a good place in northern California?

cpousnr · July 1999

I will answer your questions, will you answer the ones I posted?
1. What advantage is a cluth cancel swithch?
2. What do you mean by the highest engine placement? Wouldent than make you prone to a roll over?!?

Ok, here are some of the summary posts you had and my answer:
Summary: SOME VEHICLES MAY EXPERIENCE VARIOUS
CONCERNS SUCH AS INTERMITTENT WIPER OPERATION
WITHOUT COMMAND, DOME LIGHTS REMAINING ON, AND/OR
THE DOOR CHIMES REMAING ON. *YC

Yes, I had my wiper swith replaced for the stated problem.

Summary: SOME VEHICLES MAY RECEIVE INCORRECT MUD
FLAPS DURING INSTALLATION AND WILL NOT FIT PROPERLY TO THE VEHICLE. *YC

These are major problems?!?

Summary: SOME VEHICLES MAY EXPERIENCE POOR RADIO
RECEPTION ( AM/FM). *YC

Summary: EXHIBITING A BROKEN SEAT BACK HANDLE
LEVER. *YC

Summary: SOME VINYL COVERED ITEMS SUCH AS DASH
PANELS, DOOR TRIM PANELS, CONSOLES, ETC., MAY
EXHIBIT A SMALL DENT, SCUFF, ABRASION AND/ OR
DISCOLORATION RESULTING FROM ASSEMBLY, TRANSIT,
DEALER PREP AND/OR CUSTOMER USAGE. *YC

Summary: LIFT EFFORT IS EXCESSIVE ON THE DRIVER
AND / OR PASSENGER OUTSIDE DOOR HANDLE. *YC

Summary: CONCERNS WITH ADHENSIVES NOT RECOMMENDED
FOR BODY PANEL REPAIRS. *YC

Summary: EXPERIENCING A " BUZZING " OR " RATTLING
" NOISE FROM THE EXHAUST SYSTEM. *YC

Most of the issues you posted are nits. Talk to me about faulty polution controls on Tacomas that enfluance my environment. No comment on that?

cpousnr · July 1999

No one has commented on my general calculations regarding vehicle axcel height.

In order to get 12 inches clearance with 31X15" tires, the Tacoma would have to have in the range of a 4 to 6 inch in diamater differential housing. Because no matter how you work it, the height of the center of the tire on a 31x10.5x15 is 14-15 inches.
The differential ground clearance is directly proprotional to the height of the tire and size of the differential case, period.

TOYOTA TACOMA vs. FOR RANGER

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