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Comments
Should I find myself able and willing to do a brake job again, I will be following YOUR example, and not just throw some new pads on and hope for the best.
I much prefer to do the job right the first time rather than do it over and over and over again.
As a general rule, I check brakes and CV boots every oil change and every tire rotation.
And just reporting the facts on my Ranger I got right at 40K and the pad material was just about, but not quite into the little noise tab. I would say that is average. I start looking real close and buy the replacement parts at around 35K for fronts, and double that for the rears. Then I look for a nice weekend to do the job.
Another comment on the Ranger brakes, I was surprised as to the lack of brake dust/powder material. Use to seeing more.
One other comment on rotors. Another reason I change them out, if left on for a longgggg time, they have more of a chance to rust themselves on to the spindle. It is tough getting them off in that condition.
Now one thing people might be thinking, if I leave the rotors sitting around they will be badly busted for the next time. Well, Colorado enjoys dry conditions, low humidity. They do not rust. Anyway, just my personal preference to have all new stuff including hardware. Just do not like leaving a vehicle jacked, particularly when kids are running around the neighborhood, and my tools are lying around staged for the work.
Bottom line, changing the Ranger's front brakes was in my opinion, the easiest brake job I have ever done. But the parts were not cheap! $67 a rotor, $74 for pads, $24 for a hardware kit.
But, Rick and James, with the brakes and new Rancho AS 5000 shocks, that means I am ready to wheel! Speaking of shocks, I do not change them any more, have that work done. I broke the welded nut that holds the bottom of the shock on 2 vehicles. I was saving $40-50 on putting the shocks on myself and paid $75-100 to fix what I broke!
Have you checked out the brakes on your sons Yota like you did your Ranger?
hehe....
Did you see the sweet oversized calipers and the heavy-duty design?
Go ahead.....next time you can check it out for yourself. There is a considerable difference in the heavy duty quality of ranger brakes verse Toyota brakes -4wheeler noted this very well-
You can see the difference in PHOTO in the 98 contest
WOOHOOOOOO!!!!
fourwheeler YET AGAIN backs up every single point I have ever said!!!
Bye-bye Vince!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
http://www.fourwheeler.com/
2001 pickup of the year
" The toyota Tacoma could go places the other trucks SIMPLY COULD NOT"
It seems as though everyone is joining the four-door wars and Toyota is no exception. Versions of the company’s small Hi-Lux trucks have existed overseas for years with four fullsize doors, but never in the American market. We always scratched our heads wondering why they were never introduced here. Finally a Toyota mini-pickup with an extra set of doors has made it to the U.S.
Our Toyota Tacoma Double Cab came equipped with the TRD package, which includes Bilstein shocks, upgraded tires, and one of our favorite options ever to come from a manufacturer: a locking rear differential. With these options, we suspected that the Toyota would perform admirably off-road, and that it did. During high-speed blasts over dirt roads and up washes, the suspension absorbed big bumps and small ripples with ease. Helping out in the fast stuff was the quick steering of the Double Cab; and powerful brakes pulled the Tacoma to a stop faster than any of the others. The Toyota was also the king of the dunes, as its decent power and bump-gobbling suspension made it blast through the sand without a problem.
The rear differential lock is an interesting piece. It works only in low range and is suggested for speeds of up to 5 mph. However, even with those limitations, it greatly improved the off-road capability of the Tacoma. Combined with the most off-road orientated tires of the bunch, P265/70R16 BFGoodrich Long Trail T/As, the Toyota proved to be competent at low speeds and rocky trails, too. A simple push of the diff-lock button and the Toy was up and over most obstacles.
Powering the Tacoma Double Cab up and over those obstacles was the same 3.4L V-6 used since the Tacoma’s inception. Com- paring this mill to the big diesel and 8.1 was like comparing chalk to cheese. Most judges described the power as good but still yearned for a bit more horsepower and torque. The V-6 did produce the best gas mileage of the bunch, though.
Our test Tacoma also came with an automatic transmission that did not earn major praise from judges but also drew no criticisms. Its shifts were smooth and seamless and at the appropriate times. What most testers did find annoying was the shifter for both the transmission and the transfer case. One tester described the transmission shifter as a “video-game joystick” and the transfer case shifter as “a mixture of a lever and a push-button.”
Once the Double Cab was off the pavement and onto the highway, the off-road orientation of its suspension showed. The same shocks and springs that made it blast through bumps on the dirt made for a somewhat stiff ride on the pavement. However, this did make for crisp handling once the road got twisty.
Inside the Tacoma, judges found that the rear seats had the most room of the smaller pickups, and as one tester put it “people could actually fit back there.” The front seats also provided comfort and fit a wide range of testers’ bodies. Many also liked the snazzy instruments that featured a white background with black numbers but felt that not enough information was conveyed. In typical Toyota fashion, the Tacoma received high marks for its fit and finish and quality of materials.
The Tacoma was the trail king out of our bunch. The TRD package and the locking rear differential allowed it to go places the other trucks wouldn’t, and it garnered the most points in our all-important trail performance category. That, with its excellent performance in our other testing categories, made it our pick for the 2001 Pickup Truck of the Year.
It’s always a toss-up between size and performance. The Tacoma excelled in every test, but in the end seemed a bit small to me. But I loved its off-road capabilities and never once felt I couldn’t push it further. The locking rear differential is one of Toyota’s best-engineered features. For hard-core wheelin’ and excellent highway performance, the Tacoma is my pick, in spite of its compact size.
– Michael Rudd
Note to all manufacturers: All 4WD vehicles should have the rear differential lock feature this Tacoma has. This feature alone made the Toyota stand out, but combine that with great looks and attention to detail and you’ve got one great truck. If I were in the market for a new truck, this would be the one for me. But delete the step bars on mine, please.
– Greg Smith
The Tacoma opens a can of whup-[non-permissible content removed] on the rest of the competition when it comes to the dirt. The TRD package seems to me to be well worth the money. Every four-wheel drive made should come with a rear locker straight from the factory. This definitely isn’t a work truck, but if you are looking for a good off-road runabout, here it is.
– Craig Perronne
Let’s see, serious tires, serious transfer case, locking rear differential, and the kind of dimensions that mean it will go lots of places bigger trucks can’t – important in any environment where ’wheeling means crawling between boulders and trees. Add to that Toyota’s usual engineering sophistication and attention to detail, and what you wind up with is a very satisfying truck. Yep, I would like more motor, please. But never mind. This thing flat works, and that’s good enough for me.
– Jon Thompson
Save for that grille and the fuzzy seats, the Tacoma excelled in categories as disparate as traction and fuel economy. There were a few ergonomic no-nos and breaks in the truck’s overall styling excellence - like the T-case shifter and those rims - but the Tacoma is so solid I can forgive these trifles.
– Andrew Lentz
WE LIKED
The fact that with the push of a factory-supplied button, we could lock this truck’s rear differential.
WE DISLIKED
That joy-stick gear-shift lever, which made us think more of a video game than a serious four-wheeling tool.
BUY IT IF...
You really use your 4x4 for its intended purpose.
AVOID IT IF...
You have no idea what a rear locker is.
There it is folks!!! There it is!!!!!!!!!!!!!
-fourwheeler.com
I don't believe anyone on this board has denied the Tacoma's off-road capabilities. Be great if we all lived in the outback, or in the middle of the Kalahari.
Gee, I seem to drive on PAVED ROADS about 98% of the time. Whoa, what do I, or 80% of the 4x4 buyers out there, NEED an off-roader for. Oh, I guess we don't. Now I know why Toyota doesn't sell more of those outstanding trucks. Only a handfull of buyers want them because they don't want or need the off-road capabilities.
Face it spoog, if off-roading was all we did, many more of us would own Toyotas that (in your words) are "tuned for off-roading". Toyota has built the Tacoma for a niche market and appears happy to keep it in that niche.
Ford delivers a truck that has a much broader appeal to the average buyer, and allows that same buyer to add the bits and pieces he/she wants at reasonable cost, and NOT over-charging for things the average buyer will NEVER use. THAT'S why Rangers outsell Tacomas, and always will. Ford builds the trucks the majority of the people WANT!
I have an issue with only comparing diff. clearance... I prefer to have as much tucked up under the truck as possible. I think the Tacoma has very little hanging down below 11". If you only measure diff distance to ground as a benchmark than any vehicle with bigger tires would have equal ability? I don't think if I managed to fit 31" tires to a Honda CRV it would be just as capable. I feel any part of the vehicle (suspension or other) hanging down is potential to drag across a rock if that's what you are crawling over.
cspousner - glad to hear you got your R5000's I am getting close to 60,000 mile service. My brother-in-law just had his done and paid over $500! Ouch! This dealer almost doubled their price since I got 30K (supposed to be same)
Any Taco's changed timing belt @60K? How much did that set you back?
I have also been high-centered, and had to move quite a few rocks under my tires before I could make any progress (a limited-slip or locker would have sure come in handy). Again, Jeeps did not high-center at the same spots on the trail. These were all encountered in my pre-TRD trucks (no lockers).
I do agree that there may be circumstances where the long wheelbase may have allowed me to go places that short wheelbase vehicles could not go. I just haven't encountered one yet.
Frequently, we would take our 4Runner(s) (TWO of them) off-road rather than our truck(s) because the 4Runner has a shorter wheelbase.
Lastly, approach and departure angles have as much influence on where you can or can't go as wheelbases or ground clearances. I mounted a tow hook underneath the rear bumpers on all my Toyota trucks to provide something to drag/scrape instead of ripping off the bumper. Worked great!
It's like folks are just hobbling around, trying to gain composure.
Lets face it gang-
The huge Ranger "hood-in-your-face" recall and this recent kicking by the Tacoma have put the 3,000th nail in the rangers coffin.
I have done it before, time and time again, buried the ranger with factual data, and backed up my opinion time and time again without question.
This discussion has been going on for a looonnngg time.
I doubt ole Cspounser will post here again.
Im sure Vince is just as stunned as Cspousner.
It was a mighty one-two punch planned to perfection....
and the winnner is.....by knockout........
The Toyota Tacoma!!!!!!!!!
Yeeeeeehaaaaaaaawww!
Sung to the tune "take it easy" by the Eagles-
" Take it innnnnnnnnn
Take it iiiiinnnnn
Take that Ranger to the dealer once again...."
Oops! I did it. Too much off-road, off-road, off-road. As if that's the ONLY thing people do with their trucks.
Oooh, I feel another hurl coming.....
What a nut. I didn't know they had internet access at Arkham.
Spoog, I have never questioned the Tacoma's ability to offroad. What I keep questioning is your and other Tacoma fans saying a Ranger can't offroad at all! By the way, what was the price on that Tacoma with the TRD package?
They also mention the limit of the locker did you notice?? Its obviouse 4-wheeler has been bought off by Toyota...
Go on down to your 4-wheeler shop and ask them what is better an open axle or a limited slip...
Funny how Vince offers up this comment like a stunned sunfish that had an m-80 thrown at it.......
" The TRD package is absolutely worth the cost"
-2001 pickup of the year - fourwheeler.com
" The toyota TRD went places the other trucks simply could not"
-2001 pickup of the year- fourwheeler.com
Take it iiiiiiiiin
Take it iiiiiiiiiin
Take that Ranger to the dealer once again......
\\Go on down to your 4-wheeler shop and ask them what is better an open axle or a limited slip..\\
Umm...fourhweeler mag is where the neighborhood 4x4 shop gets their info from. lol!
It's fourwheeler mag Vince! A hardcore offroading magazine! lol!
Some may lose and some may win
But that Ranger is at the dealer once again
I wouldn't trust my truck to that "neighborhood 4x4 shop that gets its info from fourwheeler".
It'd be like taking your car to a guy who read an ABS article in Car & Driver to do the brakejob.
Well, I'm off to work. All we've got here in IL (where I share residence with spoog) is class IV trails to get to and fro. Hahahahaha!!!!
Coolant keeps dripping from my heads
Does it mean a head gasket blew again?
Nothing's bothering me....
Toyota will just give me an extra warranty
Ohhh...coolant keeps dripping from my heads
can't you see my face turning red?
You seem to overlook that the recall you cite seems to be an Explorer Sport Trac recall that flows over into, as I recall the text of the recall:
"...SUV's...and some pickups..."
Do you know how many of the recall were pickups? I sure cannot tell from the text.
The Bilistines and Rancho RS9000's would be too stiff for the size of the Ranger.
Oh! Tacoma puts on Bilstines...and it is outweighed by 200+ lb by the Ranger...that must be a real punishing ride over any distance...
For those who joined this topic recently, I let that turd (oops, TuRD) abuse me for only nine months before I had to dump it. I never had the opportunity to revel in its "off-roadedness", hence my total distain for the truck. Bottom line (for me): If you don't use your truck for constant off-roading, don't buy a TRD Tacoma. Almost every other compact 4x4 truck on the market will suit your needs as well if not better and cost less too.
This is great.
This past weekend I drove 3.5 hours each way to Baltimore on Saturday after a 7-mile run that morning. Now I don't know if you run at all but after a good run, one's legs tend to be a little sore. Sitting in one seat (position) for an extended period of time can be an uncomfotable ordeal after a run. I've ran on mornings when I've had to fly out and was totally uncomfortable on the plane, even in 1st class. But I was fine in my truck. The truck road smooth as silk. I remember reading Consumer Reports' comments on the Tacoma and how the seats were uncomfortable back when I got my truck. I took my mom for a ride and her first comment (from a 55 year old lady) was "how comfortable the seats are." I kid you not, those were her words exactly. Additionally, each year I venture to Cape Hatteras, a 10.5 hour drive each way, and I can honestly say that the seats are no less comfortable than any other car or truck I've driven.
Vince has suggested that Toyota owners perceive their vehicles as being of higher quality than Ford. I don't doubt that he is right about a good portion of them. I believe an equal perception exists on the part of Ford owners about their vehicles being more comfortable.
Just one question. If Ford owners are willing to admit that the Tacoma is more reliable, and several already have (Vince), than the Ranger. Doesn't reliability translate into certain level of additional comfort? I know that it does for me.
As for the magazine articles and whatnot. I don't put a whole lot of stock in what any magazine says. It all comes down to personal opinions. In my mind, Ford's are not more comfortable because a magazine says so.
I was more than comfortable on the "sport seats" Toyota offered in years past, having owned four Toyota trucks with sport seats. They had lots of adjustment, good lateral support and (for me) just the right amount of firmness. I'm also extremely comfortable in my Lexus ES300. We've travelled all day without getting uncomfortable, proving that Toyota can and still does make good seats.
But the seats in my last Tacoma just seemed to me to be the cheapest things Toyota could install and get away with it (more decontenting). Flat bottom cushion, minimal lateral support, etc. I just didn't like them and was actually thinking of spending $2000-3000 on after-market seats. My wife convinced me that I would throwing good money after bad. That was the final nail in my Tacoma's coffin.
Everyone's "butt" is different and if your seats fit your butt, congratulations.
About the reliability thing. I think that most Rangers owners agree that you're slightly more likely to experience a minor problem with a Ranger than a Tacoma. However, this wouldn't be something that would render a truck inoperable. Neither truck has any significant, prevailing problems to speak of.
Do I think I'd be more likely to make it to my destination if I were in a Tacoma as opposed to a Ranger? Nope. Not a bit.
I guess if I had shelled out an extra 3,000 I might think differently. If you can't justify your purchase, you'll just feel like an idiot.
There's just no logical reason why a Tacoma owner has to subject himself and his family to that awful ride, unless (again) all he/she wants to do is off-road.
Having owned seven Toyota 4x4s, and taken almost all of them off-road, and gone places all the other "men" went in their Jeeps, I just can't fathom Toyota's decision to turn the Tacoma into an instrument of torture. Its just not necessary.
Let us know when you buy your kidney belt.
Heck, even Rick takes his Expedition off-road.
I just get a kick out of spoog posting his beloved 4wheeler article, while his vast off-roading activities consist of going muddin' here in IL.
I guess there's a difference between saying and doing.
BTW, if I'm off-road it's only with a purpose-built vehicle, which the Ranger and Tacoma aren't.
CT- I thought that Spoog said that he was from Santa Barbara Ca.?
Just like I would want a purpose-built four-wheeler if I decided I wanted to go 4-wheeling every spare moment I had available.
I recently purchased a full-suspension mountain bike, because it is a more comfortable, better handling bike than the hardtail I had, given the types of off-road riding I do.
My whole point, and again, this is my personal opinion, is that I DON'T WANT TO COMMUTE in an UNCOMFORTABLE vehicle, be it a 427 Cobra, a Ferrari, a Jeep Wrangler, or a TRD Tacoma.
Its all about choice. I can't tell you how many times I've heard friends complain AFTER they made modifications to their vehicles they regretted later: stiff suspensions; loud exhausts, cams that were "too hot"; headers (noisy); low-profile tires (too loud/harsh/squirrelly in the wet), etc. etc.
I replaced the stock shocks on my wife's Isuzu Trooper (way too soft) with Edelbrock IAS Performer shocks. The ride improved greatly (still not as stiff as my TRD), but the added stiffness created many squeeks and rattles after three years. In retrospect, maybe I chose a shock that was stiffer than I needed. Maybe I should have focused on different (bigger) anti-sway bars, or harder bushings, combined with something like Monroe adjustable shocks or Ranchos. Live and learn. Again and again.
So OKAY, you have chosen a Tacoma. You seem to like it. Good for you. My wife and I have chosen a Ford and a Lexus (a Toyota product). We like them. Good for us.
BTW- Ol' spoog is indeed from Illinois.
BTW, I love off-roading. I just prefer it in the snow with about 100hp of 2-cycle power able to propel me to 60mph quicker than a V8 mucsle car.
Is winter over alreay?
I think it's time to join the SCCA and get a Formula 500 racer to keep me occupied during the summer.
But wait, I hadn't thought of this before, but maybe even the steering wheel is good for off-roading. You can't break your thumbs on the spokes if there aren't any spokes. Personally, I WANT spokes. I keep my thumbs on the outside of the rims when I'm off-roading.
I now believe that the Tacoma was/is too "purpose-built" for my daily trucking needs. It did not meet my expectations because my expectations were for a balanced vehicle, not just an off-roader.
Aside from a couple of off-road trips in our old Trooper, ALL (and I mean ALL) of my personal off-roading has been done in a Toyota truck or SUV, and I have no complaints on how they performed off-road. But, I truly feel all those earlier trucks were much more balanced than the TRD Tacoma and all of them were comfortable daily drivers in addition to being competent off-roaders. Our '89 was the best!
Has anyone seen a comparison yet on the new SOHC 4.0 4x4 Ranger vs a 4x4 3.4 Tacoma??? I am really surprised Edmunds or MotorTrend has not done one yet???
I was surprised about how bad gas mileage was on the Nissan 3.3 with the SC. This is the worst mpg for any compact truck I believe. Nissan needs to drop the 3.5 into the Frontier, this would make it much more comparable to the Ranger and Tacoma.
I notice spoog never comments on how JD power rates the RAnger above the TAcoma, or crash tests or head gasket problems.. Ever visit the Tacoma problem room here at Edmunds spoog??
The fact is the Ranger is the best all around 4x4 or truck. The locker on the TRD is very limited to use. You can only use it to offroad, not to tow, haul or pull anything.. As much as you Toyota crowd want to discount a limited slip, anyone at a 4x4 shop will tell you its definatly better than an open axle..
rickc5 and james...
Looks like snow this weekend. Not sure if it would be the best, however, you 2 up to it?
Itching to see how the ride differs with the Rancho's. I may have to tweek somethings as a result of the brakes, but if it is this weekend, sunday would be the best for me.
Or would next weekend be better?
At any rate, need to use up the last four pics in a roll. Want to print the ones where I should be airborne after coming up a hill.
Hmmm a Ranger, Explorer and a Tacoma together...
That against the law in some southern states?
Anyway, would you two email me with your suggestions?
We will run them off together for you vince!
Like I said I'll be on the road most (95%) of the time, but do the Factory shocks do well off-road for that 5% of the time?
PLEASE HELP ME!!
Check out the Ranger as its a good truck too though I'll admit that I personally prefer the Tacoma.
Don't let anybody on this site persuade you to buy one truck over another.
I would suggest going out and test driving every mini-truck that you can get your hands on. The Tacoma, Ranger, B-Series, S-10, Frontier, and Dakota.
You will either:
(1) Find a truck that you like better
(2) Solidify your preliminary decision to buy a Tacoma
As far as 2wd versus 4wd trucks, if someone asks if they should get a 2wd or a 4wd truck then 95% of the time they don't need a 4wd truck. If you actually needed 4wd, you'd know it.
However, with any 2wd truck I would suggest getting a traction aid device, such as a limited slip differential or a locking differential.
Thank you both again!
You'd probably be able to save yourself a grand and get some top of the line tires and a really nice aftermarket stereo and speakers with that cash.
Just some food for thought.
I try to only buy what I want/need on a truck and bypass those option packages that have stuff that I don't want/need.
At the dealer, it might seem like a great idea to pay a few hundred extra dollars for the XYZ package when you only really want Y and Z. They'll say that "It's only a few hundred more dollars and we've got it in stock!!!" But, if you don't do that a few times and wait a few weeks to get the exact truck you want, you'll probably save enough money to buy something to pull behind your truck.
However, I will assert that both the bench and the buckets available in 1999 are the same seats Toyota has used for years in their most inexpensive trucks.
If you've ever had a Toyota truck with the Sport Seats, or even ridden in one, you'll see there is NO comparison. The Sport Seats are OUTSTANDING!
Vince, you havent been paying attention, have you?
JD powers gets it's initial quality reports from PHONE calls.
they get their LONG term reliability ratings from a 5 years study of each vehicle.
Ooops. Here's that link now-
http://www.jdpa.com/studies/pressrelease.asp?StudyID=292&CatID=1
What was that about reliability? lol!!!
Yeeeeeehawwww!
I've always thought it handled quite well. Had a guy pull a u-turn in front of me on a 4 lane road (he was on shoulder and never saw me - actually managed to avoid hitting him by steering completely around him even though he kept turning toward me. This was an emergency lane change of 2-3 lanes going about 40. I really was surprised and relieved I was able to avoid him. Glad the truck had a fairly stiff suspension on that day.
P.S.
cspousner - I may be up for Sunday as well. I want to see how those shocks do. Will probably be getting the same ones soon.
Rick5 - surprised to see you owned so many Toyota's and now don't seem to like the truck anymore - Not sure what you mean by decontenting - Never really felt my truck was missing anything interior wise?
The Toyota Tacoma TRD was just named "Ultimate 4x4", beating out the Hummer, Land Rover Discovery, and Jeep in off road performance. The Tacoma made it into the competition based on it's outstanding performance in the 2001 Truck of the Year competition, which the Tacoma Double Cab also won.
The May issue of Four Wheeler should be hitting the shelves soon
All trails describd in the book are West of I-25 and South of I-70. They have one of three ratings: Easy, Moderate and Difficult.
After getting the book home, and reading through it, I was surprised by how many of the trails I had already driven. Lots of the Easy one, a number of the Moderate ones and even a few of the Difficult one. Believe me, when the author says DIFFICULT, he realy means it. Those are rough trails!
Anyway, for those living in Colorado, or just visiting, its a good trail guide with great maps.
De-contenting takes too long to describe again. I'll fill you in when we get a chance to talk.
Now you guys wonder why you pay a bit extra for a Tacoma~!!!!
Yeeeeehaaaaaaaww!!!!!