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Ford Ranger vs Toyota Tacoma
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One thing I found interesting about emmissions is that I have a boat with a 300hp 351 ford engine, out of curiosity we stuck the tailpipe sensor in the exhaust and it passes the emissions test. We thought it was funny because all this engine has is a motorcraft 4 barrel and 2 4"exhast risers out the back.
stang, are you into late model capri's and mustangs? i have an '84 Capri RS Turbo which is very rare. basically the same engine as the SVO mustang which came out the same year, but i believe the SVO had a hotter cam and a little more boost on the AiResearch turbocharger. they later went to duals on the '86 SVO which put it over 200 horse for that little 2.3. the SVO also had an inter-cooler which my capri does not have.
My first truck was great. It was a limited edition 94 Chevy S10 SS. This production truck was built between 1993 and 1998 before the extreme took over. I loved the black exterior with the red SS emblems. The 4.3L was extremely powerful, only a couple of CC's smaller than the 4.8L V8. I believe truck trend's 0-60 for the 1993 model was 7.8sec. Very impressive for 1993 since the sport truck market was limited to the full size Chevy 454 SS and the Ford Lighting. The only complaints I had with this truck was the recalls with the wiper motor, AC unit, and ABS. It also gave me a couple of sensor problems. Aside from that it was a great experience until it was stolen.
My second truck, Ford Ranger Sport XLT, was probably the most comfortable truck to drive. It felt like a tall truck similar to the F-150. It was very attractive with the monochromatic bumpers and chrome rims. Ford is a great truck but it's hit and miss with Ford. Either you get a truck that constantly breaks down or one that will last as long as a rice burner ( 4cyl [non-permissible content removed] cars ). My major complaint was 3.0 engine. It had no power what's so ever. I installed a K&N filter to give it more power but It was replaced later because of the horrible engine noise. It's pretty embarrassing to have an engine screaming while everyone else is passing me at low RPMS. Imagine only having 150HP to pull over 3400 pounds. Aside from the engine knocking (see TSB), belts chirping while the AC was on and the lack of power it was a very attractive truck and fun to drive off road. I recommend you V6 shoppers to bypass the 3.0 and go with the 4.0L. Although fuel efficiency is a problem with the 4.0 it will pass once you open the throttle.
My third truck, Toyota Tacoma Srunner is by far the best truck I've every owned. It's impressive 3.4L has great power between 1800 and 5000. I love the manual transmission, lowered stance and white face gages. For a $20K your getting a truck that does 0-60 in 7.3sec (according to truck trend) which was quicker than the 01Dakota Dakota 5.9L, 01 blown Nissan Frontier and 01 Chevy extreme 4.3L. Since I bought it last year I've opt'd and installed K&N FIPK. I love hearing that engine roar at 4800 rpms in 4th doing 115MPH. Also Toyota offers a supercharger for the Taco under factory warranty built by TRD. HP is increased to 260HP, respectively. I know everyone doesn't buy a truck to speed, but it's fun to open it up if you have the power to do so. Besides, my speed is usually limited to hauling my bikes and traffic, which it does without effort. I happy to say no problems to report since I first purchased over 15 months ago and 24,890 miles later. It's just like the old saying, why fix it if it ain't broken, which I have to say goes with the 3.4L. It's a proven engine for the last 8 years. Don't get me wrong guys and gals, I loved my Ford and Chevy but since I've grown older, reliability and lack of shop visits is becoming more of a factor when I buy.
Off topic again, I was driving to the store today and aparantly an avalanche behind me was in quite a hurry. He tried to pass me for about a block and a half, and he was really revving it. Unfortunately, he could not clear my bumper until we hit a stop sign. Guess those straight six's can't compete with a 10 year old ford 2.3l automatic. I didn't even know he was racing until I heard the exhaust outside my driver side window. Of course weight had a bit to do with it... Big ole avalanche vs a 93 Ranger Reg cab.
but if you do get an SVO Mustang, i'd try for an '86. they were the most powerful and had dual exhaust. but the '84, being the first year, would be cool too. i think after '84, they got headlight that were flush with the front grille. the '84's were recessed back into the headlight frame. but the hood scoop on all were functional for the intercooler.
I am playing with the idea of purchasing a late 93-95 5.0l and putting that into my Ranger. Seems to be a fairly easy conversion from what I hear. All I need is the drivetrain(Engine, Trans, rear end), and probably a specially fabricated driveshaft. Anyways that could all be done for about 3-4k, versus the cost of a brand new truck...
It should be noted, however, that the next morning we inspected our vehicles and his Ranger absorbed a lot more damage from the off road experience than my Tacoma. I don't know if that was shear luck or not but again, both trucks were able to make it most of the way up an old mountain logging road that most of you city slickers wouldn't ever dare consider driving on. Take care and I'll see you in the most remote, muddy places on the face of the planet......Steelman.
He got stuck at the entrance to the park where we offroad in San Antonio, in grass. It wasn't even that much mud...more like wet grass and ground. I suspect it was the drivers' fault (While I was trying to pull him out, he had his parking brake on).
steel, what year and model was the ranger that pulled you out? specs please. engine, tranny, tires, etc.....
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The deer was with a 30-.06, rifle season started here a couple weeks ago.
kb: 3.5" Should be plenty to clear 32s on 15x8 rims.
I got OME from fj60.com, Jeff Sharpe (he does not list anything on his site, email him directly)
A lot of stuff was on backorder (strike-related), but it looks like I've lucked out.
Funny they left the MTX 250W subwoofer amp, and MTX 10" Sub mounted in a pickup box.
Looks like I'll be purchasing a new Edge this week, but like I said earlier, I will weight in all the makes and models out there...
at least you're getting a new edge. i really miss my ranger. i saw a totally awesome FX4 level II in white lastnight driving. it was probably the coolest stock truck i've ever laid eyes on. the level II's say it below the fx4 moniker.
are you going for 4x4? i think one can be had pretty cheap. you may want an ext. cab, as the extra room is awesome and will pay for itself in the long run. good luck and keep us posted.
Coincidentally, I find it ironic that after all the ribbing around here about where I live most of the time, I'm one of the few that haven't experienced a break-in...
Speaking of stereo equipment, any of you guys know anything about the Onkyo HTS-650 home theatre system? I might buy one before X-mas.
Off the subject I learned something new this week. Toyota made a Hemi in Japan. Now only if the American Toyota's had a Hemi.
Best way to start is to figure out the peak # of watts per channel your current radio puts out. Stock radios are generally pretty weak, and even new speakers won't operate to their fullest. Plan on speakers that exceed this rating (but not by much). Find out the dimensions of the speakers you have now, and then you have a list. The optimal way is to get an aftermarket head unit (stereo) with RCA outputs (4 channels + 2 for subwoofer if applicable). Run RCA cables to an amplifier (2 if adding a subwoofer) and have the amplifier drive the speakers. Then you have to be sure that the speakers can take the amplifier power per channel. Typically 40-50 watts is better than factory, 80-100 watts is REALLY loud. But again wattage rating still doesn't equal sound quality.
You should also consider upgrading speaker wires as well. Stock wires are typically high resistance, with little or no shielding.
here's what i had:
infinity 2-way components kappas
panasonic deck (i like them)
rockford fosgate punch 200 amp (by far the best imo in amps, highly underrated and durable as hell)
some good quality wire and professinal installation (not from best buy, but from a pro that competes.)
crutchfield offers all of this i believe. maybe not the rockford amp, but there are good amps there too. buy one amp to do the whole system.
basically you need a good deck, an amp, and some component speakers. also some cable.
wood for a box, and someone to put it all together.
Tommorrow I will check out toyota of dallas, and a two other ford dealerships. Will probably purchase the winner Saturday ..
http://www.sounddomain.com/id/kbtoys
that color ....congrats...........geo