Thinking About Replacing The Ranger

[Wandering Sagebrush]

Now that we have two fur babies, plus a desire for a little more torque/power when pulling the Bobcat up the passes, I’m thinking about getting a small crew cab truck with a 6’ bed. Right now, the Colorado/Canyon with diesel, and the Tacoma trucks are most interesting to me. I haven’t looked at the Nissans yet, and the new Ford Ranger won’t be out until late summer, but I haven’t ruled them out.

The feedback I’m interested in is how your truck does on the highway (going over the passes) and what kind of warts/disappointments you’ve discovered about your truck while hauling your camper. I rarely drive faster than 65 mph, and prefer to go slower if it’s safe to do so. By warts, I’m thinking along lines of needing overly high RPM to keep up with traffic on passes, suspension issues, charging problems to the camper, mileage, reliability and things along those lines.

Thoughts?

 

[Casa Escarlata Robles Too]

Steve have you considered maybe a 1st gen Tundra?
I know they would be older then you might want but they do carry the Bobcat very nicely.

I saw the news release on the "new" Ranger.Looks like it might be a nice truck.
I never understood why Ford discontinued it here in the states.
Frank

 

[takesiteasy]

We love our Tacoma but I would be tempted to wait and see what the new Ranger looks like. All the small trucks so far have the same problem of payload. I suppose the manufacturers don't want to cannibalize sales of their bigger trucks so they don't offer a higher payload on the small ones. Maybe the Ranger will break the mold in that regard (wishful thinking?- probably).

The Tacoma does fine on acceleration, cruising, braking with the camper on. We get about 16-18 mpg on average. We have the V6 engine, off-road TRD so comes with towing package, bigger alternator, traction aids, etc. We are very happy with the truck- no issues other than payload. Having said that, we could address the payload problem with new suspension components but haven't really felt the need so far.

One thought- the crew cab with 6 foot bed approaches the length of a full size truck so you give up some of the advantages of the small truck.

 

[moveinon]

I have no experience with the Canyon/Colorado except test driving one, but they seam like a good truck. I have about 400,000 miles on two tacoma’s and have been happy with them.
My Tacoma pros:

1. If maintained they hold up forever with little repair.
2. Mileage is OK with camper - at about 16 mpg.
3. Power is adequate for the passes -I go over Hood and Santiam passes regularly in Oregon.
4. Turning radius is good for getting into and out of tight spots in the woods and parking.
5. Mechanical support is everywhere with lots of choices to find a good one.
6. Secondary market for accessaries and upgrades is strong so maintenance is less expensive than some newer model trucks.
7. They hold their value better by almost 20% over other mid-sized trucks which means they also have the lowest cost of ownership.
8. They have a beefed up charging system with the tow package that works well with the camper.
9. Camper fits without raising it for bed rail clearance.

My Tacoma cons:

1. Notoriously weak suspension so worthwhile to upgrade with springs and/or airbags and shocks.
2. Braking with camper is adequate but not stellar -upgrades available and improve it a lot.
3. Major upgrades have not happened in a long time for Tacoma’s.
4. Their depreciation is less than most trucks so buying used trucks tend to be more expensive in comparison to new truck cost.
5. Considering their MPG they could use a larger or second gas tank.
6. With my access cab Tacoma I am 300 lbs overweight when carrying the Fleet and most of that weight is over the rear axle.

Wandering Sagebrush -since you are in northern Oregon I would invite you to take my Tacoma for a ride with the camper, but I take it off for the winter. The wishful me would really like a hybrid of the diesel Hilux and Tacoma that would result in a 3/4 ton mid-sized truck, boxed frame, steel bed, suspension between the two and diesel engine. But I guess that will never happen.

 

[Wandering Sagebrush]

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Wandering Sagebrush -since you are in northern Oregon I would invite you to take my Tacoma for a ride with the camper, but I take it off for the winter. The wishful me would really like a hybrid of the diesel Hilux and Tacoma that would result in a 3/4 ton mid-sized truck, boxed frame, steel bed, suspension between the two and diesel engine. But I guess that will never happen.

Thank you, that is a very kind offer. PM sent.

 

[Mark G]

I have an '03 Ranger with the 3.0 L V-6, extended cab, and 2WD. I feel that it hauls my Eagle just fine. It's got 250,000 miles on it. I put a new tranny in it last year and plan to put a new engine in when the time comes. Way less expensive than replacing it.

 

[Squatch]

Steve have you considered maybe a 1st gen Tundra?
I know they would be older then you might want but they do carry the Bobcat very nicely.

Frank

I've been real impressed with my '06 Crewcab Tundra. Even towing the bassboat behind the camper always plenty of power. I bought mine last year like new with 43K miles and 1/2 the original price. Like a new truck.

For some reason I've actually found that there seems to be a few of these around with similar low mileage on Cars.com. Maybe they appealed to retirees that rarely use them for some reason.

Other than a tad wider it's not much bigger than the '05 on Tacoma's. V8 power makes things easy.

I love the way the Eagle fits so tight on it. Almost like a truck cap. Very quiet truck and the camper fit makes for little wind noise till about 75 MPH. Not bad then but almost non-existent under 70.

 

[Casa Escarlata Robles Too]

I see a lot of the double cab 1st gen Tundras around.
Also the AC cab are very popular.
I am very pleased in our Tundra.
Did you have to add some spacers so that the Eagle
wouldn't ride on the bed top rails?
Frank

 

[Squatch]

I see a lot of the double cab 1st gen Tundras around.
Also the AC cab are very popular.
I am very pleased in our Tundra.
Did you have to add some spacers so that the Eagle
wouldn't ride on the bed top rails?
Frank




I made a platform from 2x3's and 3/8" plywood. I insulated it with 2" blue foam underneath. Camper fits perfect now. Most 1st gen Tundra's should not need it. I believe they have 17" beds. The '05-'06 double cab has a 20" deep bed. I have about 1/4" clearance between the bed rails and the camper.




I couldn't be happier with the fit now!

 

[Mickey Bitsko]

Sage, I was in your boat two years ago with Eagle/Ranger combo. Don't know what your budget is but,
Being older and fixed income no way can afford anything new. I have always been a Ford owner, so I kinda know what to expect from the older generation of F-150. Along my travels I met a wonderful travel lady and her two fur babies to add to mine, now I have quite the payload. I really liked the nimbleness of the ranger and wanted to stay with smaller platform but obviously needed higher payload without sacrificing safety. After much research I found the 97'-03' F-150 have one of the smaller overall platforms and configured f150 generation. I got lucky and found a 99' xlt extra cab (4 door) 150 4*4 5.4 engine automatic. Tow pkg, 2400 lb rear springs and everything works as it should. Like my old ranger it's a work in progress mostly cause it's a high mileage truck. All that being said, I get about the same mpgs I did with the ranger living in the Rockies, of course I'm still at or above gvw. Also went from one ATV to two so hauling heavy at times. As with any older vehicle an unknown maintenance problem can occur, but that's rolling the dice.
Initial out lay was 3k , after replacing worn out parts total investment is +/- 8k and not afraid to tackle anything the Rockies can throw at me.

Good luck,

Mickey

Edit; you mentioned you don't want a high revving engine to make hp, my 5.4 engine power band starts at about 23-2400 rpms. 3rd gear sweet spot 2200, not too bad.

 

[Wandering Sagebrush]

Thanks for all the feedback everyone. I won’t rule out an older truck, but I’m still leaning towards newer technologies.

 

[Casa Escarlata Robles Too]

I see a lot of the double cab 1st gen Tundras around.
Also the AC cab are very popular.
I am very pleased in our Tundra.
Did you have to add some spacers so that the Eagle
wouldn't ride on the bed top rails?
Frank




I made a platform from 2x3's and 3/8" plywood. I insulated it with 2" blue foam underneath. Camper fits perfect now. Most 1st gen Tundra's should not need it. I believe they have 17" beds. The '05-'06 double cab has a 20" deep bed. I have about 1/4" clearance between the bed rails and the camper.

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I couldn't be happier with the fit now!

Thanks That looks nice on your truck.
I like the way the Fleet/Eagle/Bobcat fit on the 1st gen Tundras.
Frank

 

[michgoblue]

I have had 2 Rangers, the more recent being a 2003 Extra Cab 4x4 with tow package. I have used an older Four Seasons Magnum and a 2008 Phoenix (Similar is size to an Eagle) with the 2003. With the V6 it hauled them okay with just airbags, but it lacked get up and go, especially in the mountains. In July I picked up a 2017 Colorado Duramax Diesel Double Cab long bed. Had to build a platform to raise the camper, and also added airbags. The Colorado rides and handles awesome. I carried the loaded camper and towed a trailer full of furniture from Seattle to Calgary, going over the Cascades and into the Canadian Rockies. No problems running 75+ other than it cut down on the gas mileage. Even so, we averaged 18.5 loaded and towing for the 750 mile trip. Empty I typically get 33 on the highway and 20-22 in the city depending on traffic. I still have the Ranger for my kid when she is home from school, but I can't stand to drive it anymore because the Colorado is so comfortable and easy to drive. The one downside is that it barely fits in my garage - but it does with 2 inches to spare - and it's got a wide turning radius.

 

[Freedom]

Steve have you considered maybe a 1st gen Tundra?
I know they would be older then you might want but they do carry the Bobcat very nicely.

Frank

I've been real impressed with my '06 Crewcab Tundra. Even towing the bassboat behind the camper always plenty of power. I bought mine last year like new with 43K miles and 1/2 the original price. Like a new truck.

For some reason I've actually found that there seems to be a few of these around with similar low mileage on Cars.com. Maybe they appealed to retirees that rarely use them for some reason.

Other than a tad wider it's not much bigger than the '05 on Tacoma's. V8 power makes things easy.

I love the way the Eagle fits so tight on it. Almost like a truck cap. Very quiet truck and the camper fit makes for little wind noise till about 75 MPH. Not bad then but almost non-existent under 70.

I sent you a PM.

 

[Squatch]

Replied.

 

[Wandering Sagebrush]

Oh oh...

A Ranger Raptor (no, I don’t want one)...

http://www.motortrend.com/news/spied-ford-ranger-raptor-caught-u-s-soil/

 

[Wandering Sagebrush]

More truck hype

http://www.motortrend.com/news/refreshing-or-revolting-2019-ford-ranger-vs-chevy-colorado-toyota-tacoma/

 

[Mickey Bitsko]

The most popular seems to be the foreign market...
Toyota or Nissan though made in USA their popularity is off the charts.. really nothing compares.

 

[Wandering Sagebrush]

Ok, we think we are going to go with a Colorado, but wavering on diesel BTW, the tow flat capability was the determining factor on the Colorado.

So, before we pull the trigger. If anyone has a gas CCLB Colorado, are you happy with it? Specifically, does it have enough power climbing long grades with the camper (Bobcat/Eagle/Fleet)?

Thanks in advance!

 

[smlobx]

I think the Colorado is a great option.
Unfortunately I don't have any input on the engine choices except to say I am a fan of diesels but that is a personal decision.
The one thing I've noticed is the antenna mounted on top of the cab in the rear. Is there a way to remove that?