By accessing this website, you acknowledge that Edmunds and its third party business partners may use cookies, pixels, and similar technologies to collect information about you and your interactions with the website as described in our
Privacy Statement, and you agree that your use of the website is subject to our
Visitor Agreement.
Comments
I am looking at a 1999 Ranger king cab 4X4 for 15,900 with 33,000 miles. 4.0 litre engine, auto transmission. Does this sound high to you?
Have there been any problems with this truck?Anything problem areas I should look for/at/on this vehicle?
Also, the truck has 245/75R16 tires on it. Can you install bigger tires on stock rims? What is a bigger (taller) size for these? How big before needing a lift? What is a good lift kit for these for under $500-600?
Thanks in advance.
"fanatic" I just get sick and tired of the Toyota crowd saying "Rangers can't offroad" "Rangers are unreliable pieces of garbage" Rangers can't do this, Rangers can't do that"
I own a 1998 4.0 5spd SC 4x4 stepside in light blue. It is loaded and has P265x75R16 all terrains, LINE-X, nerfbars, offroad pkg, tow pkg, buckets. I live in one of the best places for offroading, the great North West. I visit the Cascade range to the deserts of Eastern Oregon. My Ranger has never let me down. For the person asking about tires, yes, a P265x75R16 will fit, bumpstops are fine. This will also make your truck sit taller and have a more aggressive stance.
15.9K sounds just a bit high, I would go 14.9 or 15K.
I agree, test drive, test drive test drive. If you are only going to offroad 5% of your time a normal 4x4 will do fine, the 4x2 with a limited slip or locker will do fine also. The locker can get stuck too, don't let these Toyota boys woo you into thinking your indestructable in a Toyota.
Granted, a locker is better than a limited slip, but a limited slip is better than an open axle.
And I guess noone is going to show me where the Ranger was in this comparison...
The only common problem with this truck would be the "marbling" noise for the 4L. The engine would sound as if there's a marble rolling around in a tin can. But, I haven't seen any actual mechanical problems linked to the noise. It's just noisy.
Don't expect the engine to be smooth and quiet like a nice V8 or an import's engine, either. It is a noisy engine. But, it's reliable, is great for towing/hauling, and takes incredibly well to simple performance mods.
With that configuration (assuming 3.73 gearing) you're looking at around 13-19mpg depending on city/highway driving. You might be able to eek out 20mpg on the highway with the cruise set at 65mph. On the plus side, the mpg only drops 1-2mpg when towing a few thousand pounds.
As for tires, I'm planning on getting some 265s for my truck this fall. Many people have bumped up to this tire size and are very happy with the results.
Make sure you pick up that May issue of four Wheeler.
Not only did it "opn up a can of whoop-a##(-fourwheeler.com) on the pickups in 2001, but it also is the "ultimate 4x4"@!
Thats amazing!
I think everyone here should put their hands together for the Toyota development team. That is quite an amazing acheivement.
Suspension lifts run over $1,000. A 3 inch body lift runs under $500. I understand JC Whitney offers a body lift kit for right at $100. There is a site out there that shows you how to install a body lift. It is off of this one:
http://www.homestead.com/therangerstation/index.html
Well, cthompson gave you an opinion on mpg. I have a 99 4.0 and get 18-19 around town in the winter, and 20-21 on the hwy with 3.73 gears and a manual. Automatics get a bit less.
My personal opinion, is the price is high by maybe $1,000, but do not know what options it has.
Engine noise has been a complaint. I have not personally experienced that noise, and my vehicle is close to 40,000 miles.
Test drive it.
I think that some of it also has to do with the adaptive shift technology coupled with my heavier than normal foot.
The truck has "learned" to go higher in the rpm range until shifting into the next gear due to my driving habits. So, I'd probably have to drive the truck around town like grandpa in order to get the tranny to use more of an econo-mode shifting pattern.
I'm thinking about going with a manual in my next truck a few years. I guess I'll see what else is sitting in my driveway as I like to have one manual and one auto.
I also own a 4.0 5spd and have not had any of this "marble sound" some speak of.
AK, you really have it in for me don't you?? I must have really hit your soft spot when I deflated that "Toyota is god" bubble....:-)
Does this mean your labled a Toyota fanatic?
Tacoma beats out a Hummer, JEep, and Land Rover!
Bravo Toyota! Bravo on crafting this fine performance machine!
"The tacoma is the ultimate 4x4 -"
Fourwheeler , May issue
A few comments on whether Four Wheeler is biased.
They are in the business of selling magazines. They do report tests and events, but as I see it the more glamorous the event, i.e. great shots of 4 wheeling, the more they will sell. They also take ad money. Full page ads for Tacoma and Toyota appear in the magazine.
When the 98 article that spoog talks about, often, was read by the Ranger people, it became obvious that the vehicles picked heavily favored the Tacoma. A bottom/mid range Ranger, a Mazda with an automatic against the top of the line Tacoma. Perhaps a fair test would have been between an automatic Tacoma and an automatic Ranger.
That is unless you want to set the test up to show off the top of the line Tacoma.
Do not doubt the results of such thing, however, just commenting about what does appear to be bias. I do think it was a setup test.
Tacoma beating a Hummer and such. Yeah right, lets see the Tacoma climb 18 inch straight up stairstep rocks like a Hummer can.
Perhaps Tacoma was selected because for the price you pay compared to a Hummer, you get a lot.
Hmmmm sounds like an argument seen on this board regarding Ranger. . .
http://www.hwysafety.org/vehicle_ratings/low_speed_smpkup.htm
Look at these comparisons.... Tacoma beat a Hummer, this is pushing it... I too would like to see a Tacoma rock climb like a Hummer, or have the articulation a Hummer can obtain... This is a joke.....
They are in the business of selling magazines. They do report tests and events, but as I see it the more glamorous the event, i.e. great shots of 4 wheeling, the more they will sell. They also take ad money. Full page ads for Tacoma and Toyota appear in the magazine.\\
Come on! Are you really serious? This conspiracy junk isn't going to fly. Face it cspounser, the Tacoma is by FAR the superior offroader to the Ranger, as I have said all along.
\\When the 98 article that spoog talks about, often, was read by the Ranger people, it became obvious that the vehicles picked heavily favored the Tacoma.\\
No kidding? Thats because the Ranger has no options that can STACK UP against the Tacoma, so it will always be unfair.
\\Tacoma beating a Hummer and such. Yeah right, lets see the Tacoma climb 18 inch straight up stairstep rocks like a Hummer can.\\
OH well Cspounser! It appears the Tacoma was chosen as the ultimate 4x4 over the Hummer, Jeep, and Land Rover. Deal with it. The Tacoma is a great truck, It is a finely tuned performance machine that will take years of abuse. Toyota should be commended for producing such an expertly crafted truck.
\\Perhaps Tacoma was selected because for the price you pay compared to a Hummer, you get a lot.\\
Nice excuse.
Face it gang, the Tacoma is what I have been saying it is all along. It is the "ulimate 4x4" - fourwheeler may issue
fourhweeler.com's pickup of the year(2001)
The Winner
Toyota Tacoma Double Cab TRD
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.
Nice try, but no, I've been lucky and haven't hit anything for many years, at any speed.
Plus, I've had my two Tacomas for this lifetime (a '95 and a '99). Imagine my surprise when I looked up under the front end of my '99 and saw NO FRONT BUMPER. That's right, just a big piece of gray plastic. Not much material to absorb forces in a collision at ANY speed.
Also, don't try to use your locker in the snow or icy conditions... YOU WILL BE SORRY... ONce again, the locker is EXTREMLY LIMITED...
Good, tough trucks, but rough riding according to the owners. Guess it depends on what one wants and needs in a truck. For me its the better ride and that ability haul that load.
based on the comments concerning your posts, that you're increasing the sales of the Tacoma on a regular basis.
I do question things when the specifications listed by the magazine do not agree with the truck tested AND clearly indicate that the Ranger was a mid grade, at best, Ranger 4X4. Would have liked to have seen the top of the line Ranger against the Tacoma.
I am just pointing out that the off-road package, which the tested Ranger did not appear to have, would have equaled the differential ratio of the Tacoma and added LS which is an aid in off-roading, compared to an open differential.
It appears from the start, the test was gaged to have the Tacoma excel and, in comparison, the Ranger and Mazda struggle. Why else would Foru Wheeler choose the vehicles as they did? Or if Ford supplied the Ranger, they made a mistake.
So, it is more proper to say, "the Tacoma is the Winner of the new or remodeled trucks of the year."
I'm not shouting conspiracy, just curious.
Plus, the Ranger's entire front end was remodeled, there's a new V6, and Ford now offers their "off-road package". Wouldn't these changes be as significant as those made to the Tacoma?
"Notably absent from the competition were Ford’s F150 SuperCrew, Ranger, and Sport Trac—this because Ford elected to not participate."
Why not?, you can speculate.
They authorized a full replacement of the radiator at no charge as it's covered under the extended warranty. Also provided me a loaner at no cost.
So let's hear it guys...I'm ready for the bashing.
They're replacing the radiator at no charge though which I think is pretty cool and makes me damn glad I opted for the extended warranty because it just paid for itself.
BTW, you might also ask the Toyo dealer to toss in a new thermostat as long as they're in there. It shouldn't cost you more than $20 or $30 installed and it definately wouldn't hurt. Maybe it even contributed to the crack in some way.
Do you REALLY think a Ranger can compete with a pickup(trd tacoma) that was chosen OVER the hummer, Jeep, and LAnd Rover ?(May issue fourwheeler)
I don't care WHAT weak package Ford tosses on there. The bottom line is that durability and offroading are NOT a Ford design philosophy.
I love mine! and i have the charger on it also...he he he
Man oh man allknowing.. I really popped that "Toyota is god" bubble didn't I?? You really have it in for me... Was it the part about how truely useless the TRD package really is? the open axle, the only engaged in 4low? it won't help you tow, pull or haul a thing? or the serious high prices for a set of Bilstein shocks and springs for that Toyota "tuned" suspension.. LOL!@!
This review by 4wheeler is popping up at other internet sites (Truck and 4x4)and is calling into question the knowledge of the staff of 4wheeler. Who in their right mind would take a Toyota over a Hummer for offroading??? This makes no sense at all?? Like I said I would love to see a Toyota articulate like a Hummer or climb like a hummer or snorkle like a Hummer...
Toyota Tacoma is now behind the Ranger in HP and Torque too or did you forget this?? I'll remind you.. SOHC 4.0 204HP and 240ft/lbs of torque to the Tacoma's 190HP and 200ft/lbs of torque.. Hmm.. wonder which would pull, haul, or tow better?? And for those of you Toyota boys who like to race.... Gee, I wonder which one would win??
However, I do notice the Toyota crowd has kept quiet about your problems with your Tacoma... not saying much... Hmmm....
OK, my turn to be truthful, I had to change my serpentine belt on my Ranger, had some cracks in it. Costed me about $35 and about 20minutes of my time.. First real out of pocket expense on my 98 Ranger...
"During high-speed blasts over dirt roads and up washes, the suspension absorbed big bumps and small ripples with ease."
"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 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. "
"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. "
"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"
"BUY IT IF...
You really use your 4x4 for its intended purpose."
-FOUR WHEELER.COM ( AKA Offroad experts)
That doesn't make the Tacoma a better truck than the Ranger for most folks.
They bought it because the trucks were on the lot. Why buy the Ranger w/off road package or the Chevy with the ZR2 package? Same reason, the models were on the lot. Put them on the lot and people will buy them. They look good, and when you get behind the wheel for a test drive and start thinking of the offroad possibilities; your sold, at least in part.
Vince, you surprised me. I figured you be all over me on this. But I really don't see allknowing's "bubble" that you refer to. Maybe I haven't been on here enough to see it but recently, at least, he has seemed to hold his integrity here regarding this issue.
All cars will have problems. Even the top of the line TRD or Ranger. Hell, even the finest made automobiles in the world will likely require a repair at some point. Making repairs are part of owning a vehicle, any vehicle. Be it a boat, a bike, an airplane or an automobile.
Aside from the power steering leak (at about 5K miles), my '99 Tacoma was totally reliable. I wouldn't sweat the radiator problem. Those things happen to everyone and every manufacturer.
Don't you think it would be a bad sign for Toyota if the Tacoma and Ranger had the same resale value?
I'll tell you one thing that is extremely difficult. It's finding either an older Toy or Ranger 4x4 that doesn't have a kazillion miles that the owner isn't asking a small fortune for. I've been looking around for a winter 4x4 p/u, so I can store my SVT when the weather gets bad. I was thinking something like mid-80s, 100K miles, 5spd, and V6 (if Ranger, Toyo 4cyl would be fine) in OK condition for less than a couple grand. These trucks don't exist! Stoopid KKB!
And that's really the point. Options. When going off-road you want options. I'm not a big offroader. 97% of my driving is done in 2wd. When I go to Hatteras for two weeks out of the year, I'm in 4wd every day on the beach. Also we do get snow here every now and again and 4wd is a nice option for a rear wheel drive p/u.
I couldn't agree more regarding options. As an example, if you don't rock-crawl, do you really need skid plates? Maybe not! I sure hated removing and replacing the 13 bolts holding the skid plates on every time I changed the oil & filter on my '99. Of course, maybe there was an easier way to change oil & filter without making an oily mess, I just never discovered it.
Speaking of options, IMHO, Ford offers MORE options than Toyota, allowing the prospective buyer to pick and choose from a long list of things, rather than a couple of package deals. Nothing wrong with package deals, as long as everything in a package is something you really want/need and the package price is fair.
Actually, Toyota has more options. Ford has more standard features. Some of Ford's options (The Ranger specifically) can only be had if you go with the automatic, meaning they're not offered if you want a manual tranny.
I will never own a 4x4 with an automatic tranny. Why? Having a stick is yet another option. being able to slow down without braking (down-shifting) in the snow is a nice feature on a rear-wheel drive vehicle, in general. Combine that with 4wd and it gives the driver nice control.
Don't get me wrong, I don't dislike Ford. In fact I really like the F150. It's the only 4wd Xcab V8 available with a manual tranny. Chevy does make a 4wd Xcab with a manual V8 but it's in the 2500 HD Series.
I know there were a few months with the '01 model where you couldn't get the 5-speed with the new SOHC 4L. Ford was still working on the 5-speed, which is a new HD model designed for use with the Cammer engine.
Other than that it seems like you can just about pick and choose each option to build the exact truck you want.
-Curious in IL
The 2000 census figures indicate Colorado grew by about 25% in the last ten years, over one million MORE people. Most of these people live in or around the metro Denver area, and THEY ALL DRIVE!
In that same period of time, minimal improvement has been made to our freeways, resulting in "rush hour traffic" from 6:00 AM till about 7:00 PM.
This was my primary reason for buying my first automatic tranny in 1997 (a '96 Camry XLE). Once my wife drove the car, her next vehicle was also an automatic.
I've also found automatics much easier to drive when 4-wheeling. One less thing to mess with. Don't need a clutch cancel switch either.
I once did a complete 360 degree spin on an icy road when I downshifted to slow for a stop. I had just left work (driven maybe a block) and had not engaged 4-wheel drive, as I hadn't yet determined that the roads were real icy. They sure were! Once the rears lost traction, the truck spun like a top. Oh, what fun! Thankd goodness a farmer's driveway was right there, or I would heave gone in the ditch.
BTW- the 4x4 Ranger offers skid plates as an option for a very affordable $100 or so, should the buyer decide he/she needs them.
AK- I must have missed that hole in the side of the #$%^&*! skid plate. Oh well.