-June 2024 Special Lease Deals-
2024 Chevy Blazer EV lease from Bayway Auto Group Click here
2024 Jeep Grand Cherokee lease from Mark Dodge Click here
2025 Ram 1500 Factory Order Discounts from Mark Dodge Click here
2024 Chevy Blazer EV lease from Bayway Auto Group Click here
2024 Jeep Grand Cherokee lease from Mark Dodge Click here
2025 Ram 1500 Factory Order Discounts from Mark Dodge Click here
Options
TOYOTA TACOMA vs FORD RANGER- Part XI
This discussion has been closed.
Comments
Just happens that Rangers have Dana front diffs, a darn good 8.8inch rear diff with easy conversion to the Ford 9" rear differential, great articulation, are resonably inexpensive to buy. They make great "built" off-road machines and can take a heck of a deal of punishment. They are good off-road stock also. Many people get an older one for 5K or so, add 3-4 K and can compete with the best as the add ons are usually a locker, 4:56 gears or above, lifts to 8-12 inches and 32"+ tires. And they go anywhere without the need of a Supercharger. . .heck I have seen a guy with and old late 80's, small 2.9 v6 with 200,000 miles do things I have not seen many vehicles do.
Problem with the 98+ Ranger and maybe the Tacoma, due to IFS, is the lifts are very expensive, $1,200 parts alone, and they raise the body but not much in the clearance area.
I just thought of another reason I like my tacoma better then the ranger. It has a better nickname. I can tell people I drive a Toy Taco. What do ranger owners tell people they drive. :-)
I also love Tacoma owners' logic... Tacoma better than a Hummer, Rav4 better off road than a Ford Ranger. Where can I get some of what you guys are smoking.
Where is vince8 these days anyway? I think my last post was in response to the Ranger (ST) was compared to the Tacoma going 0-60 while towing 5000 lbs. I was obviously mistaken about the Ranger needing the bigger engine to keep up with the Tacoma and wanted to go on record saying 'I was wrong'. I guess Toyota owners aren't perfect, even if their trucks are (joking of course).
Hey vince8, did you end up having to sell the Ranger? Maybe you'll get lucky and the wife will opt for a 4-Runner or Rav-4! If you sell the Ranger, will you stop posting here? I'm just kidding vince.
Seriously though, it would s*ck if you had to sell it. Sounds like you've got a good one. I thought about selling my Tacoma. I had a guy offer me $15K the other day at the mere mention of selling. If I sold now at that price, I could pay off the loan (under $10K remaining), get my down payment back ($5000) and still have a few dollars leftover. Not too shabby after having used it for 3 years. So I washed it and waxed it once again in case I decide to sell. It looked so good when I got done though, I decided to keep it. If I did sell it though, I'd seriously consider a new Ranger.
http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/cars/problems/complain/compmmy1.cfm
For 2000, Rangers had 237 complaints, the taco 40. So how is the ranger almost as reliable as the taco?
Btw, how many of you ranger owners still have Firestone tires? There is a lot of complaints dealing with tread seperation and blow outs.
This is the 5 year long term reliability test by JD Powers. This sort of comprehensive, LONG-TERM test is the best way to determine a vehicles reliability and quality.
Why does Ford finish below the industry average?
The lower the number, the better.. These number are for all vehicles of a manufacturer and not just trucks.. Toyota = 291
Ford = 365
Industry average = 375
Note that both Ford and Toyota are below the industry average (which is a good thing).
I would think that on the average trucks have a higher problem rate than cars. Given the fact Ford sells a significantly higher number of trucks vs cars, this might explain some of the difference.. Of the manufactures that sell more trucks than cars, Ford ranked the best..
For a contrary report, please visit
http://carpoint.msn.com/vip/overview/Toyota/Pickup/used.asp
and
http://carpoint.msn.com/vip/overview/Ford/Ranger/used.asp
1994 tied with 4 out of 5. 1993 and before, Ranger keeps it's 4 out of 5, and the Pickup gets 3 out of 5. This is where the Pickup goes from slight to moderate on several areas.
Long term reliability?? This report is based on common problems and cost to fix(the more the worse the score)
smc--->I love that complaint database. There are legitimate complaints in there I'm sure, but plenty of them are full of it. Engine shut off, while reporting innacurate guage. With the fuel pickup near the rear of the truck, sounds like out of gas to me. "Fire in engine bay while at dealership" could be anything like dumping oil on a hot manifold. Tsk Tsk Ford, no cold fusion engine yet? "Fuel tank over flows when filled" That's why you're not supposed to top it off! Looks like this is driven off a "hotline" 800 number... I can imagine the rigorous scientific and proven criteria required for each "Report".
allknowing--->Thought this was a fairly serious debate. People are obviously one way or the other, and hardly sitting on the fence. While I can appreciate you trying to bring humor into the place, here's where I (and maybe others) are coming from. I used to work on cars and trucks for a living before getting my air conditioned cubicle I type to you from now. Most people I've encountered say they hate Ford because of the quality of their cars or trucks. Further conversation reveals they hated their tempo, or their hand me down family Taurus. Another former f-150 owner never changed his oil, and complained about performance and MPG. Ford Cars and trucks outsell, which puts more of them on the market. Couple that with general consumer and public stupidity, and you got a bunch of people doing insane things to their vehicles(or nothing at all in the ways of maintenance). Pop the hood on any Ford owner and hater. Check three things, air filter, a spark plug, and oil. I bet you one or more are neglected. Now broaden the picture to stuff like greasing the bearings, lubing the chassis, rotating/balancing tires, transmission filters, rear differential oil level, power steering and brake fluid level. Don't forget the ancient battery that makes your alternators work 110%, and then give the ghost. Or the engines getting redlined before any oil has made it into the heads yet. Or the transmission getter power shifted. 98% water in the radiator. Or running watered down 84/85 octane gas. And the list could go on.
In general, who is more likely to do any of the above to their vehicle? Those who are a little more financially stable that can afford to spend more for the import, and more for it's maintenance, or Joe Cheap who could barely afford a vehicle in the first place?
Voices and complaints come free, and a reliable truck does not.
If I added all the expenses and repairs I've done to my truck, (including a new auto transmission with life time repair), and 137k miles later I still have paid less than purchasing a Tacoma alone(not counting taking it to the shop).
To wrap up, yes there are some problems with Ford vehicles, or should I say mass production. Especially with the high volume, a higher percentage of error is probable(ie more claims, defects, whatever). However the percentage is very slightly higher in Ford, as you have to take in it's 2 or 3 or 4 times the sale volume. But in frey's case, he has a vibration he really can't stand. I don't blame him, but I do wonder about the test drive he took before purchasing. I do wonder what his dealership's service managers are smoking. And let me re-iterate my previous thoughts on quality, etc with steelman. I do think Toyota has a better reputation of quality, especially in the drivetrain department. However I do believe Ford is really starting give you a run for the money(does that count as a pun?), with 100,000 mile first scheduled tune-ups, 4v 4 bangers become more and more the standard, safety features offered as standard, just to name a few.
Ford engineers listen to Ranger owners, and the 2001 redesign (EDGE) really shows. Just think of what will happen in 2003/2004 while this keeps up!
Anyone hear anything about this?
Hello, soog, how did you miss that statement. . .? I do not see Ford or Ranger anywhere in that list. . .and it is from you post.
Second, here, is that egg I see on your face?
I thought I saw a recall a few years back on a particular truck for airbag reprogramming because the addition of tow hooks changed the pulse signature so in some cases the air bag wouldn't deploy properly.
1995 Ford Ranger 4x2 5 speed manual
73,000 miles without a mechanical hiccup and still purrs like new on the highway. I know that ain't much, but I have no doubt the truck will easily last another 10 years.
Maintenance to date: oil changes, timing and fan belt, transmission fluid replacement, tire rotations, and one temperature gauge replaced for free at Fomoco's discretion despite it being a used truck way out of warranty.
Fix Or Repair Daily
Fouled up Rebuilt Dodge (and that's being polite)
Found on Road Dead
I didn't make these up so don't shoot the messenger; I assume they are deserved. But what would Toyota's look like?
T ight
O ffroad
Y ota
----------
T acomas
A lways
C rank
O ver
Food for thought I suppose.
Shadetree Philosophy
Yeah but garbage in garbage out no?
John
O on
R race
D day
F for
O Off
R road
D duty
T turds,
O obnoxious
Y yahoos
O own
T these
A atrocities
T terrible
O overheating
Y yuppie
O owning
T toy
A automobile
T The
A auto
C crackhouse
O occupants
M mostly
A adore
With the exception of midnight, before you guys and girls start comparing the Toyota Problems post and the Ranger Problems post, you may want to read them first.
Honestly. I'm not kidding. You will probably find as I do that:
A) The Tacoma problems post is kept alive by me and a few others who post on the occasional loose floor mat.
The Ranger problems post is kept alive by the volume of truck sales the Ford owners like to brag about.
Cheers,
John
O obnoxious
Y yahoos
O own
T these
A atrocities
Damned straight I'm obnoxious when I'm on the road and observant. Get in the slow lane if you don't want to keep up cause it's the only way to drive in CA.
T terrible
O overheating
Y yuppie
O owning
T toy
A automobile
Yuppies owning oveheating vehicles? I don't think so. To my knowledge they all own BMW Bummers. My '85, even when the radiator cracked never overheated on me and with the 1/16" brake dust build up on the wheels, I doubt any yuppie would ever have touched it. And yes it was a Toy automobile; the same as my new Toy that can tow around 5000 lbs and carry 3/4 ton and well....it's the Toys that seperate the Men from the Boys right?
T The
A auto
C crackhouse
O occupants
M mostly
A adore
I can't begin to tell you what's wrong with this. I guess all I can say is I didn't make the Ford ones up.
Off my soap box.
John
Wish I had a digital camera the other day(still wouldn't know how to post pics though)A later model toy pick up's bed was nearly non-existent from the cancer it had. The head gaskets are a very well kept secret. High school buddies 1st year T100 caught on fire in S. Calif. Toy said no previous like problems ever existed...call your insurance co. They are all mechanical things and are not perfect but until Ford lets me down I'll spend about the same money on an '01 Crew Cab F-250 Super Duty as some paid for a tacoma. (I realize that's a little off topic) After incentives and financing and all the other perks a Ranger has over a toy I would be hard pressed to buy a Toy 'cause it might go some arbitrary number of miles longer. I don't keep anything long enough for that to even matter.
06/28/99
NOISE - "THUMPING" AND/OR "BUMPING" SENSATION FELT ON LIGHT ACCELERATION/DECELERATION - 4X4 VEHICLES ONLY
FORD: 1998-1999 RANGER
ISSUE
A "thumping" and/or "bumping" sensation may be felt on light acceleration and/or deceleration on some vehicles. This may be due to the driveshaft
splines not moving freely during suspension movement.
ACTION
Remove production driveshaft and replace with revised driveshaft. Refer to the following Service Procedure for details.
SERVICE PROCEDURE
1. Reference yellow balance mark on existing driveshaft. Using chalk/paint-pen or equivalent, index a mark on axle in-line with yellow mark
on driveshaft.
2. Remove existing driveshaft from vehicle.
3. Using the previous reference mark on the axle, align the applicable revised Driveshaft's (XL5Z-4602-DA - Short Wheelbase or XL5Z-4602-EA - Super
Cab) yellow mark to the axle's mark. This will assure correct orientation of the new service driveshaft.
4. Install driveshaft. Torque new service driveshaft to 103 +/- 15.5 N.m (76 +/- 11 lb-ft)
PART NUMBER PART NAME
XL5Z-4602-DA Driveshaft - Short Wheelbase
XL5Z-4602-EA Driveshaft - Super Cab
OTHER APPLICABLE ARTICLES: NONE
WARRANTY STATUS: Eligible Under The Provisions Of Bumper To Bumper Warranty Coverage
OPERATION DESCRIPTION TIME
991304A Remove And Install 0.4 Hr. Driveshaft
DEALER CODING CONDITION BASIC PART NO. CODE
4602 07
OASIS CODES: 597997, 702200, 702300, 703200, 703400
http://www.autovantage.com/Auto/NewCarSummary.asp?
A very comprehensive lists of statistics follow for either make. A good read...
ps. Tacoma's have to pay 50+ bucks for a clock? Must be because of it's "superior" quality...
I actually DIDN'T get a 4WD Super Duty this time around because as I found out, they are just too big for what I like to do off road. I do have a highly modified early Bronco and my other toys for off roading now.
So the perceived reliability issue and the off road performance(which I would enhance anyway)doesn't matter TO ME and the other 10:1 ratio of Ranger owners compared to Toy owners. The up to $4000 (after incentives) does.
I won't be as passionate as Vince over other people's choices or as repetitive as spoog(can't believe you think Vince is more annoying then spoog!!)but if I WERE SHOPPING for a small truck, between the two, I would choose the one with most monetary advantages and fit it to what I want.
Steve Cohen
Nice pictures, would have been better with sand flying, but nice just the same.
I am working on a 2nd annual trip over Medano Pass to the Sand Dunes NP, hope to, with more rigs along, get some action shots in the sand. Last year has a front receiver full of sand and sand flying over the hood!
Nice pics, thanks.
barlitz->What you talkin' 'bout willis?
I want my truck where I bought it to be. On the ground running.
midnight_stang - The Ranger is a good truck so it shouldn't be a surprise that some publications will rate it better than the Tacoma....even if they are wrong
rmacias - Your truck looks good with those tires. Nice pics..
I do not know if that addresses your issue. I still think the problem is in the driveshaft and or the rearend. I still think you should contact the regional rep in your area. The main Ford site may have that info or direct you where to get it.
Good luck. I cannot relate too much as I have not had that problem.
Hey how did you like that site on the vehicle evaluations? Wonder what they were using as source data.
Btw, comsumer reports also rates the ranger as better than the taco, but at least they give the b series the same rating as the ranger.
9000 or 5000?
Whats your opinion compared to stock Tacoma shocks?
I was looking for a lift for the front to level the truck and decided to go with Rancho's 1.5" coil-over kit, that includes the RS5000 struts. The RS9000's are great I enjoy the flexibility of adjusting stiffness.
Overall I would have to rate that the Rancho suspension is much better than the stock gas pressurized Bilstein's. But if you can't afford an upgrade the TRD shocks are much better than the standard Tacoma shocks. I have a friend who owns a 2000 Prerunner and just bought and installed my TRD suspension. The difference is like night and day.
MAzda uses a 7.5 inch rear differential in the 4.0 v6 configuration(same as the Ranger differential used in the 3.0 v6), Ranger uses an 8.8 differential which is rated 35% stronger gears.