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Ford Ranger

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Leafman
Posts: 2178 - Karma: 251
Yes? No?

I need to tow a camper and i will be eventually building this into a wheeler

Tell me the pros and cons
Jul 1 2010 4:45AM
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josh.
Posts: 3469 - Karma: 42
if it's a new one, then no, it's quite dated, and the Nissan frontier or Toyota Tacoma is better.

if it's older, the Toyota's have always been better.
Jul 1 2010 5:01AM
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Ribss.
Posts: 3442 - Karma: 3,344
taco
Jul 1 2010 5:12AM
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Leafman
Posts: 2178 - Karma: 251
if i can get one for cheaper i would ideally get one of those, but for the ranger it would be a 88-95 and a 4 liter v6 awd
Jul 1 2010 5:19AM
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MAPLE_SYRUP
Posts: 1910 - Karma: 68
don't get a 2.3L, thing can't even pull itself
Jul 1 2010 10:34AM
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Leafman
Posts: 2178 - Karma: 251
yeah i know
Jul 1 2010 11:07AM
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Inbred_Redneck
Posts: 2776 - Karma: 28
Go for an S10, preferably 4x4 and get it with the 4.3L. Pick up an ZR2 if possible. Those things are tanks.

I've honestly done some not too nice things to my 98 S10 (which is 2wd 2.2L stick...) and it's always pulled through. And all its got is bigger tires.

Jul 1 2010 11:20AM
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Leafman
Posts: 2178 - Karma: 251
not a fan of the s10 at all
Jul 1 2010 11:26AM
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factory81
Posts: 3967 - Karma: 63
tacoma all day
Jul 1 2010 11:34AM
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PASKIINGSUCKS
Posts: 9097 - Karma: 777
As much as I love tacos and yotas in general this kid sounds like he needs a pre taco yota. 91 v6 extended cab or somewhere there abouts.
Jul 1 2010 11:48AM
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PASKIINGSUCKS
Posts: 9097 - Karma: 777
http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.jsp?ct=p&car_id=281416389&dealer_id=65390729&car_year=1993&rdm=1277999492967&lastStartYear=1981&model=PICKUP&num_records=25&systime=&make3=&make2=TOYOTA&highlightFirstMakeModel=&start_year=1981&keywordsfyc=&keywordsrep=&engine=&certified=&body_code=32&fuel=&awsp=false&search_type=both&distance=50&marketZipError=false&model2=&search_lang=en&sownerid=584384&showZipError=y&make=TOYOTA&keywords_display=&color=&page_location=findacar%3A%3Aispsearchform&min_price=&body_style=TRUCKS&drive=&default_sort=priceDESC&seller_type=b&max_mileage=&style_flag=2&sort_type=priceDESC&address=98611&advanced=&end_year=1994&doors=&transmission=&max_price=&cardist=50&standard=false
Jul 1 2010 11:57AM
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Leafman
Posts: 2178 - Karma: 251
if i can get one for that price thats what i would get
Jul 1 2010 12:22PM
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Leafman
Posts: 2178 - Karma: 251
bump
Jul 1 2010 3:55PM
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PASKIINGSUCKS
Posts: 9097 - Karma: 777
Pros : Ranger's come in 4wd

Cons : It's a Ford

Seriously if your stuck on Ford for some reason I'd go with the f150 if your gonna tow. Otherwise I'd purchase the yota above, it's in your area just go check it out. You could probably even talk him down over the mileage alone.

How big is this camper or trailer that your towing?
Jul 1 2010 4:01PM
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Leafman
Posts: 2178 - Karma: 251
im going for the smallest size camper i can find, something around or less then 1000 lbs and its the same for the trailer
Jul 1 2010 4:04PM
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Bryan*
Posts: 1818 - Karma: 115
i really like the look of the black one it looks like a bull.
Jul 1 2010 4:07PM
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PASKIINGSUCKS
Posts: 9097 - Karma: 777
I'd go cheap old yota then, ya can't bust em.
Jul 1 2010 4:07PM
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Leafman
Posts: 2178 - Karma: 251
what about a cheap as fuck one and then building it up myself?
Jul 1 2010 4:10PM
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drumbumocdp
Posts: 3229 - Karma: 1,098
ive got an 03 ranger and its the worst thought out truck ive ever seen. its super uncomfortable, and has no nut. if you can, find a used tacoma. those trucks are so nice and are much more reliable than any ford you will get
Jul 1 2010 4:15PM
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Leafman
Posts: 2178 - Karma: 251
is there anything good about rangers at all?
Jul 1 2010 4:17PM
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PASKIINGSUCKS
Posts: 9097 - Karma: 777
Thats always an option if you're willing. These things don't usually get super cheap though unless they're trashed. Guys know they run forever and if they are in pretty good condition they still demand a good chunk of change. That one is pretty cheap.
Jul 1 2010 4:19PM
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charmander
Posts: 10636 - Karma: 370
exactly, i was maybe looking for a toyota and when i saw the price i decided i'd stay domestic.

id say just buy a 73-87 chevy, parts are everywhere, they're cheap, they're reliable and they're a hell of a lot less piddly than a ranger will be, especially with a camper.
Jul 1 2010 4:26PM
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Leafman
Posts: 2178 - Karma: 251
i dont want a big truck though, and are the mazda truck series the exact same as rangers?
Jul 1 2010 4:31PM
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charmander
Posts: 10636 - Karma: 370
yes. yes they are.

why dont you want a full size? i love my truck, i can pretty much go wherever i want, i can hold a good amount of shit in it and pulling trailers isnt a big deal at all.

Jul 1 2010 4:35PM
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muellerc
Posts: 177 - Karma: 26
yeah def go full size
Jul 1 2010 4:37PM
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charmander
Posts: 10636 - Karma: 370
and just to clarify, i have a 72 3/4 ton longbed 4x4 gmc, and it is not hard to drive at all, i actually enjoy drivin it more than anything else my family has.
Jul 1 2010 4:37PM
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PASKIINGSUCKS
Posts: 9097 - Karma: 777
Seconded, a full size truck isn't a whole lot bigger. I'd also go chevy before ford...that is if I ever strayed from yota. I wouldn't go mazda, spend the extra and get a yota if your going jap.
Jul 1 2010 4:39PM
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Leafman
Posts: 2178 - Karma: 251
I've though about a full size truck to but i really dont need that big of a truck, i just need it to tow my camper, bike and eventually a sled and i want to make this thing a nice wheeler
Jul 1 2010 4:43PM
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charmander
Posts: 10636 - Karma: 370
i wheel my truck all the time, no lift on 32"s, when you look at numbers they arent that much larger

85-89 yota length
Xtracab Long Bed: 121.5 in (

73-87 longbed chevy
wheelbase: 131.5|0 for long-bed.

so all of about 10 or so inches longer...
Jul 1 2010 4:49PM
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PASKIINGSUCKS
Posts: 9097 - Karma: 777
guess that would explain why mine blew a head gasket ;)
Jul 1 2010 4:52PM
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Leafman
Posts: 2178 - Karma: 251
okay name some trucks then, thats not much of a difference actually

Heres another question I have to, camper vs. 5th wheel vs. trailer
Jul 1 2010 4:53PM
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PASKIINGSUCKS
Posts: 9097 - Karma: 777
if you don't have a family I'd go small pop up. Don't you have a tent??? I don't think I'll ever own a camper.
Jul 1 2010 4:56PM
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Shreddysaurus
Posts: 2120 - Karma: 59
camper, 5th wheel, trailer; it all depends on how big they are.
Jul 1 2010 4:57PM
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Leafman
Posts: 2178 - Karma: 251
im going to sleep in it 150 days with some other people next winter so a pop up is a no and so is a tent
Jul 1 2010 4:57PM
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charmander
Posts: 10636 - Karma: 370
camper will be a bitch and a half, you dont want that on there all the time.

5th wheel needs a different hitch

id just rock a trailer myself.

any 73-87 chevy is pretty much the same, the engines are basically
350 v8
402 v8
454 v8
the bigger the number the quicker and the worse gas mileage.

there are also diesels which should be avoided, the older trucks are carbeurated not fuel injected so theyre super simple to work on, the fuel injection engines have better mileage tough generally.

you probably want a half ton, or 3/4 if you want to wheel it, the axles are the biggest difference, dana 30's become 44's and 60's

transfer cases.. np205 is the best, theyre all pretty decent, just simple and chain driven.

trannys, theres manual and automatic, the manuals have 4 and 5 speed versions, the automatics are decent, theyres the th350 and th400, the 400 is better and with a shift kit gets after it decent.

longbed or shortbed, regular cabs, and 4 door, im not sure if there is a extra cab, i wanna say there is though.

and if you have room get a cheap canopy for the winter, i got one for 100 bucks that lives in my barn during the summer and its much better once snow flies.
Jul 1 2010 5:00PM
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charmander
Posts: 10636 - Karma: 370
basically just match up what you want i guess

so lets say you want;
small block fuel inected
regular cab- long bed
3/4 ton with a 5- speed

you can have that

or lets say you want;
diesel 6.2 liter
4 door - short bed
2wd 1 ton with an automatic

you can have that too, basically whatever you want its out there and its cheap.
Jul 1 2010 5:03PM
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Leafman
Posts: 2178 - Karma: 251
thank you for that, what about the early and mid 90's trucks?

Also are the fords any good?
Jul 1 2010 5:03PM
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Shreddysaurus
Posts: 2120 - Karma: 59
as the old saying goes. "you get what you pay for...usually"

small trailer less than a 1000 pounds. a taco will be fine. you wont get anywhere to fast and hills will be a bitch and a half.


Jul 1 2010 5:04PM
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charmander
Posts: 10636 - Karma: 370
the 88+ trucks gain ifs, you say you want to wheel it so i'd stick with solid axles

i dont like ford, mr. panda can tell you about them though
Jul 1 2010 5:05PM
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Leafman
Posts: 2178 - Karma: 251
okay, i dont want this to turn into a ford vs chevy vs dodge bull shit, lets say i get a taco with a small trailer, will that be fine to get up hills regardless of my speed?
Jul 1 2010 5:07PM
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Jordan
Posts: 4079 - Karma: 2,122
Yeah if you are going to tow anything more than a mountain bike, don't get a ranger haha.


If you're even remotely considering a 5th wheel, get a full size.
Jul 1 2010 5:07PM
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Leafman
Posts: 2178 - Karma: 251
fuck i really dont want a full size truck, someone pursued me, i've always been into smaller trucks
Jul 1 2010 5:10PM
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Inbred_Redneck
Posts: 2776 - Karma: 28
Depends on the trailer size, but generally anything less than around 190 ft/lbs is the point where you will start to feel it when towing.
Jul 1 2010 5:10PM
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Inbred_Redneck
Posts: 2776 - Karma: 28
88-99 OBS Chevy 1500s are also pretty solidly built. Just find something with decent mileage that hasnt been sitting in a field and youll be fine. Just a word or warning though, Chevy auto trannies tend to shit out around 150k so just be wary. If you get something really cheap though then 350 chevy engines and trannies are extremely cheap and easy to find.
Jul 1 2010 5:14PM
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Shreddysaurus
Posts: 2120 - Karma: 59
fullsize high mileage trucks that have been taken care of = a really fucking badass ride that will tow shit for you and stink when you drive by. what more could you ask for?
Jul 1 2010 5:14PM
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charmander
Posts: 10636 - Karma: 370
i'm not bashing ford,but i know next to nothing about them because i prefer gm products.

you'llmake it up, but be prepared to go from 60 to about 35 in a couple of seconds.
Jul 1 2010 6:12PM
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Shreddysaurus
Posts: 2120 - Karma: 59
older tacos have trouble making it up hills regardless of a trailer. I dont know about newer ones im guess not at all.
Jul 1 2010 6:45PM
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charmander
Posts: 10636 - Karma: 370
i cant tell if you're sarcastic or not at all, ever haha the icon throws me off
Jul 1 2010 6:48PM
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Shreddysaurus
Posts: 2120 - Karma: 59
thats the beauty of it. But ya tacomas from the early 90s i know dont do too well up mountains. i mean its not a struggle but they dont fly up like ma suby does :)

that could just be the standard transmission models tho.

they pull well once you get going. just not enough torque to get that jump you need when going up a steep hill, and ive never pulled a trailer with one. on the free way you wouldnt have a problem but im guessing your not going to be on as many free ways as you are hills and mountains
Jul 1 2010 7:14PM
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Big.L
Posts: 703 - Karma: 15
JEEP
Jul 1 2010 7:27PM
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Leafman
Posts: 2178 - Karma: 251
well my sister gonna buy an sti so i'll be set on that and im not buying a truck for speed
Jul 1 2010 7:32PM
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