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Allknowing, you have one heck of a chip on your shoulder for me. Someone even entered the room knowing nothing about our past and can see your attitude towards me. I really did a job on that "Toyota is god" bubble huh?. As much as the Toyota boys want to wish and wish, the new SOHC 4.0 puts the Ranger ahead in HP/Torque and torque curve.
The Toyota Tacoma won the Pickup of the Year Award this year- beat out a full size GM, CHevy, Frontier, and S-10.
The tacoma also got "ultimate 4x4" from the fourwheeler.com, winning a contest against the hummer, jeep, and range rover.
" The toyota tacoma trd could go places other trucks simply couldnt"
fourwheeler
" The Tacoma beat the hummer offroad" - fourhweeler, may issue, 2001
Upon arriving to the dealership a Service Consultant greeted me at my truck even before I was able to open my door. I described the problem then went off to work. Later in the day when I went to go pickup my Truck the Service Consultant explained to me that they had verified the problem but also noticed some steering wheel vibration. Apparently, it was more than they liked to see for a new Truck. I said fine and proceeded to the Cashier to pay the bill. She handed me a detailed list of what was performed on the truck: 4-wheel alignment, 4-wheel balance, 4-wheel rotation, total = $149.55. I looked at the total and thought "ouch" that's more than I had planned for. At that point the Service Consultant approached me and said "don't worry about the bill we will cover it under warranty".
After that, he walked me to my truck opened the door handed me my keys and a survey for the service and sent me on my way. I couldn't believe it, not once was I ever treated this way at any dealership especially the three Ford dealerships in town. The great Service I just received makes me even more convinced I made the right selection between Trucks.
Why is it ok to defend and rant and rave about the TAcoma but not a Ranger? Hmmm...
I am a Ranger fan and you Toyota boys just don't like it!
Well, at almost 40K I have had my Ranger to the dealer ONCE!! for a broken gas cap! My Ranger runs fine, solid as the day I bought it. I know everyday I made the right choice in not spending the extra dollars for image or this huge quality gap that Toyota Tacoma owners want people to believe exists .
Limited slip for the Tacoma?? Where please link..
If this is true then I guess Toyota was listening. You guys who own Tacoma's really hate the flaws I have brought to your attention in your trucks. I believe the Ranger is the top compact truck on the market today. And now with the SOHC 4.0 it will stay ontop.
Once again, I have NEVER said the Tacoma was not a good truck, or an unreliable truck, check my past posts. I am being bashed for being a Ranger fan and disputing others who bash the Ranger or say the Ranger can't 4x4, or pull, or tow, or make it to 25K miles without falling apart..
Enjoy your one wheel drive Tacoma's
Enjoy those stickers...
"The Tacoma PreRunner package was developed in conjunction with Toyota Motorsports' successful desert racing-truck program."
"While sure, the PreRunner looks like a cool 4x4, it simply doesn't have the capability of a 4x4 truck. We found out the hard way, by getting this machine thoroughly stuck in the sand at an off-highway vehicle area located on California's Pismo Beach. Along with three other jacked-up two-wheel-drive trucks -- a Nissan Frontier Desert Runner, a Ford Ranger Edge and a Mazda B-4000 Dual Sport -- the Toyota had to be pulled out of the sand by a 15-year-old beater Mitsubishi 4x4 pickup . . ."
Just curious, does the locker come with the TRD option?
If so, why did it get stuck?
I have the old 4.0 with 160HP and 225ft/lbs of torque, no racer by any means. The engine is designed to pull, tow and haul (what a truck should do) with its low end torque curve. I have been in this room and a member of Edmunds for about 2 years now. Many of you are the same crowd that perfer a Ranger or Toyota. Many of the Toyota crowd used to put the Ranger down for its weak 0-60 performance, now that the tide has turned you seemed to have become silent.
Ford on the other hand seems to be on a downward spiral they just can't get out of. First the Firestone/Explorer fiasco, next the Escape flop, now the Escape crash test flop, Focus recalls, delay of new Explorer due to design flaws.. list just goes on and on. I don't even think GM has had it this bad. I have to admit, even I'm starting to wonder about Ford. My Ranger runs great at 40K miles.. but all this bad news makes me think twice about maybe looking at other models..//
Sounds like these Toyota guys have you seeing the light. This was Vince's post from comarison site of ranger, tacoma, s-10, mazda....
They range from a best of 119'(sports-car territory) in a review of the new Ranger Edge a few months ago to some that are close to 160'(jumbo sport-ute territory).
What gives here?
Smgilles-> Ford has had some bad press, but you can only take press coverage as a third party view. Their priority is to fill up their 30 minute broadcasts with whatever they can get their hand on. (Remember the coverage on GHB [Date rape drug] on Dateline? How somebody was found raped and killed, and had traces of GHB in their system. They neglected to say that GHB is found in ALL animal meat, even humans. It's a hormone commonly found. My point is they see an angle and attack, and are basically gossiping most of the time). The Firestone tire problem had nothing to do with Ford, except that Ford happened to choose that tire for equipment. I applaud Ford's devotion to correct this matter, however, it was handled quickly, and steps are in place to prevent it from happening again. But Firestone is a supplier to Ford, but not under any Ford umbrella. The Escape was recently in a 5-mph crash test against other SUV's and 1/2 ton trucks. It was the only truck/SUV that got a Above Average rating. This was on MSN, but I'll have to search for the link. Also of note was the Escape had the lowest cost to repair the front and rear 5-mpg crash test. Other entries were the f-150, ram, Sierra, and I think a Tundra.
Ford Explorer has 100,000 pre-ordered through dealers, and they expect over 250,000 for the model year. That makes it the most popular SUV! Mustang's have outsold Camaro's and Firebirds combined, and now they're gone. Explorer, Focus, Escape, and Mustangs sales are still growing. Ford is doing well nowadays, and isn't going anywhere. Their market share is increasing. That contradicts any characteristic flaws that a small minority voice. Numbers count. . .
So maybe the consumer market is vastly un-informed, or just don't care, or maybe they know the great deal they get when they choose Ford. Ford's commitment to addressing issues is great (Stubborn service/dealers excluded) Find yourself a dealer who drives what they sell, and are committed to customer service, and you won't have any problems. I'm lucky because the dallas market is full of Ford dealers, so they are all very competitive in price and service. Ford is still the best selling truck in Texas hands down. Maybe because we Texans experience a lot heat, dirt, and off road conditions (even on road). There are more F-150's, 250's, 350's, and Rangers on the road here than any other brand. They wouldn't be here unless their up to the rough environment here, and their owners know that.
And new for '01 would be Safety belt pretensioners, Second Generation air bags, Sucurilock anti theft, and four wheel ABS, electronic brake force distribution(Brake balancing), upgraded front rotors, four leaf rear springs and redesigned shocks up front, ALL STANDARD on ALL MODELS(Securilock may actually only be on V6's but maybe the new I-4, I'm unsure.) All this is verifiable at media.ford.com.
I just love the fact that I'll be buying a 4.0l Edge Plus ranger, reg. cab, manual for around 15,000 excluding TTL, and trade in(Might keep my 93 and just put a 351 windsor in it). That's another nice thing about Fords, the interchangability. I can drop in a v8, and while the trasmission was built for a four cylinder, it'll still bolt up. Aftermarket supremacy is definately a factor in my love of Ford. Chevy might be a contendor on this fact, but no imports make the cut at all in the aftermarket and interchangability scene.
PS. Today I saw a brand new 01 Tacoma extended cab, with a SR5 badge on the side. IT IS a nice looking truck, just can't understand the bulbous hood and grill. My preference is definately Ranger (edge) on looks now. I really did like the smaller previous models of tacoma where it was a bit more boxey and not as 'soft' in the curves area(mid to late 90's I think). And does that automatic shifter look like a pistor grip, or did I see it wrong
GOD I WISH HONDA MADE A PICKUP TRUCK!!!!!
Depending on how you look at it, the interior size of your wheels limit the size of a rotor you can maintain. Or conversely, the larger the size of the rotor you require/desire, the more room on the inside of the wheel you will need.
Typically the larger the rotor the better, however, the larger the rotor, the more pistons you will need per caliper and the more heat they will generate. In addition you are adding rotational weight to the center of the wheel which can cause handling to diminish.
Tacomas compensate for the larger rotors using 4 piston calipers (to evenly distribute pressure over a larger brake pad), a better ventlating rotor and largers wheels (to disperse the gravity field of the rotating wheel - plus they look good).
John
heh heh
Great dane brings up a good point. Larger rotors add to the rotating mass at the end of each axle, which does hinder handling to a degree. That's why aluminum allow wheels are now a factory getup. But the larger rotors do offer more surface area, and that's what helps the stopping.
Greatdane--->Seems the most I see on the back of the older toyota pickups are "Toyo"... Not as cute as Taco, but seems to be a trend...
Sasquatch--->My 93 Ford has never needed a alignment. Some cars/trucks just get lucky, or the drivers never hit any curbs hard. (Even though I did bust a rim once on the front right, no problems after 140k)
Up for it?
John
http://www.denverpost.com/Stories/0,1002,53%257E28796,00.html
It really irks me to see the nitwits commuting back and forth from the city driving solo in a 12mpg, 6000lb, pollutant-spewing, road-hazard of a jumbo-ute.
Then, I think that 99% of these vehicles never experience the conditions they were designed for. For probably 99/100 of these people, they could drive an infinitely more efficient sedan, wagon, or mini-van and never bring them to their limits.
I would imagine they would argure, "...well I need it for towing and hauling." I guess they missed the section of specs on the Toyota where it tows 5000 lbs or can hold 1500+ lbs. in it's payload. 9/10 I would bet never tow/haul near the Tacoma numbers.
I will admit that yesterday I say a city Foreman, I assume, getting out of a '97 Tacoma on the site while I sat in traffic. Now we just need the other 8 guys in the 9/10 number to do the same.
Economic conditions are holding me back right now from purchasing another vehicle, any of you?
I work in the high tech industry and things have slowed way down, orders down, buying equipment down, down, down. I really believe the media plays a huge role in how this economy runs. The day after day of bad news is getting old. Its like they have nothing else to report...
Going to spend some time in Florence Oregon at the end of the month. There are some serious dunes there. Quads are king.
You know, while I have no use for a Navigator etc., I do defend the right for someone, if they choose, to own one.
It is called freedom, a concept some on this board know is not free.
Finestein would love to have everyone on mopeds, public transportation, Yugo's and the upper ruling class, such as she, riding in the big black, what did the Russians call em. Ladia's. . .
It even hits the 4 wheel drive trails every so often.
Cannot kick about 18mpg in town, 21+ hwy. . .
But dang, a buck seventy five?!?!
\
What is every one else paying around the country?
I need some input for my trip to MAryland end of the month.
BTW, it's been proven that straight electric vehicles actually pollute as much as ULEV's. I'll let you guys figure that one out.
- Edmunds.com. 2001 "Ranger Spin"
"
Ford's new compact frontend uses F-150-style short- and long-arm IFS, with torsion bars. The setup offers big gains on pavement--but not without trail sacrifices.
The new Pulse-Vacuum Hub (PVH) used exclusively on compact Fords and Mazdas allows for true in-cab-controlled shift-on-the-fly capability.
Toyota's double A-arm/coilover frontend handles pavement cornering and trail flex with equal skill. We like the six-lug axles and big-caliper front discs. "
www.fourhweeler.com
Click on the pickup of the year comparison(98), then click on spec and photos. You will see photos comparing the underside of the ranger and Tacoma, and the brakes. NOW you wil understand why Toyota brakes are so superior. Take that level of quality and heavy-duty engineering and apply that to every other aspect of the finely tuned MACHINE that is the Tacoma.
Spoog....LMAO!!! So when the Toyota "BREAKS" it does so superior to the Ford??? How do the "BRAKES" compare??? Highest "qulaity"???
Was that you?? Or are you pasting someone else's comment as usual?
How come "spoog" comes up "spoof" on spell check???
-I don't know, does the Tacoma break a lot?
Why does Ford only offer 3yr/36,000 miles for the Ranger as a drive-train warranty? I thought the Ranger was supposed to have the reliability of the "Superior" Tacoma. I guess Ford doesn't have any faith that their vehicles will last to 5yr/60,000 miles without any major breakdowns.
Spoog--->Is that the three year old article again? "Click on the pickup of the year comparison(98)" as in 1998? You do know it's the 5th month (out of twelve) of 2001 now, right? I can't even find the article you are trying to show us, so maybe if you just copy the URL from the ADDRESS BAR in Netscape of MSIE, and PASTE it into your post, we'll see what you're referring to.
"contrary to political correctness, there's plenty of fuel available"
This kind of thinking is what will make the price of gas > $5/gal in a couple of years and cost us a fortune to power and heat our homes.
"I don't see why people choosing to drive cheap munch-kin tin cans expect to force everyone else to do the same."
Whoever said that SUV drivers should be "forced" to drive something else? It's a free country. Anybody can drive what they want.
I think that they should pay for the "privilege" of driving a socially irresponsible vehicle through higher insurance rates and special driver's licenses for vehicles over a certain weight.
IMO, driving a jumbo 'ute to primarily commute back and forth from work and never using the potential this vehicle was designed for is like using a sledgehammer to hang a picture.
Can you do it? Yes. Are you more likely to destroy everything around it? Yes.
BTW, there are many sedans, wagons, and car-based sport 'utes out there that are safer than the road behemoths.