First post, question on new 4X4 purchase?

[joefoto]

Hello to all!

Well, first off I would like to thank everyone here for all of the great information posted on this site! I have learned many things from all of you for sometime now! This is my first post!

I am looking to purchase my next four wheel drive vehicle. I am looking to make a weekend camping/off road travel vehicle! I have been thinking about purchasing my first foreign pick up truck. Then a friend of mine suggested the Ford Ranger? I have not been able to find much information on the Ranger as an overland, expeditionary off road vehicle? So, I am asking everyone here their thoughts?

The majority of my travels are on road, but I do hit the trails when I visit friends and family in Northern WI and MI. I do enjoy camping and am looking into doing more of a off the beaten path trip this summer! So, something more trail worthy would be of interest for me! I have owned several four wheel drive vehicles through the years, mostly JEEP in one form or another, one Series II Land rover and several Diesel Dodge pickups.

I do like the idea of the Ranger as the size is just what I want and or need at this point! I am no longer interested in a full size vehicle as I drive about one hour to work everyday, this will be my only vehicle! I really liked the smaller compact styling of the old small Tacoma, frontier pick up trucks! Well, with that being said, I look forward to your thoughts and help on this subject! Happy Holidays to all! Have a safe New Year!

Cheers, Joe.

 

[cjmitchell5]

As a long time Jeep/Land Rover/Ford owner let me just say you can't go wrong with a Toyota

 

[SGV]

I have read both here and on a Ranger forum (I don't remember where but it should be easy enough to find) that the 3.0L in the Rangers is a pretty bulletproof engine. I test drove one about 10 years ago and I was pretty impressed with the ride. If I was looking for a truck instead of an SUV it would be at the top of my list. This thread of a Ranger is pretty impressive.http://expeditionportal.com/forum/showthread.php?p=228704

My wife's dad has a 98 Tacoma which I have driven quite a bit. I would like to pick one of those up but when looking at the prices its like those things are made of solid gold.

 

[1leglance]

As someone who was brand new to 4wd and overlanding less than 2 yrs ago here is my suggestion...
Buy a used Tacoma or 4Runner
go through the hoses and put on good all terrian tires
then go use the truck and learn what you need vs what you want
You will experience more, meet great people and learn for yourself what works.
Of course things like a fridge, comfy chairs, a gps all are nice and would be first on my list of things to buy...
But going on short trips with people from here will let you see alot of rigs and learn while your budget builds.

Most important lesson I learned was to buy QUALITY so it only hurts once and last forever.

On the Ranger I don't know much other than I see alot of Tacomas and 4Runners on the trail mile after mile after mile in fairly stock form.

 

[jh504]

I will also go along with the crowd here and say I think that going the Toyota route is a very wise choice. I will not bash the Ranger but after giving Ford many opportunities to prove themself to me over the years I was always let down. That being said I will try to harpe on how well Toyotas stand up to abuse and 99% of the time will bring you back home safely. The '01-'04 Tacos are a very nice piece of machinery if you are looking for a light truck. Pay a little more and go with longevity. Tighter tolerances and stronger components= longer life.

But if your mind is set on a Ranger, then find its weaknesses, strengthen them, and run it!:roost:

 

[rambrush]

Toyota Tacoma or Tundra then with Tundra the 1st generation will fit in tighter places than the 2nd generation.

 

[haven]

Rangers are very popular in the desert states, where they are modified to look like mini Trophy Trucks. Most are 2WD, with a "course pre-runner" vibe. There are several long suspension kits and shock upgrades available to increase the truck's ability to cruise on desert trails at high speeds.

The Rangers are used less often as the basis for 4x4 adventure travel vehicles. From what I read, they're reliable, and quite a bit less expensive than Toyota or Nissan. The FX4 Off Road package includes skid plates, heavy duty shocks, a limited slip rear diff, 16 inch rims and all-terrain tires.

Here's an example of a reasonably priced Ranger 4x4 with Off-Road package
http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.jsp?ct=p&car_id=253929725

 

[adrenaline503]

If I was in the market for a new truck I would go for a ranger fx4, get a high rise canopy, put a sleeping platform in and call it done.

 

[CSG]

As a six footer, I prefer a full-size truck. I like GMC trucks.

 

[ujoint]

My dad has a 99 Ranger with the 3.0, and he's less than perfect with vehicle maintenance. I think it's pushing 140K, with nothing but oil changes. I think it's needed a few sensors here & there, but it's still on the original clutch, as well as shocks. I'm shocked the clutch has lasted this long. I prefer more power than the 3.0 has to offer, and have always been a big fan of the SOHC 4.0. Great motor.

 

[jh504]

My dad has a 99 Ranger with the 3.0, and he's less than perfect with vehicle maintenance. I think it's pushing 140K, with nothing but oil changes. I think it's needed a few sensors here & there, but it's still on the original clutch, as well as shocks. I'm shocked the clutch has lasted this long. I prefer more power than the 3.0 has to offer, and have always been a big fan of the SOHC 4.0. Great motor.

I had the 4.0 in a couple of explorers and I liked the power range of the motor for offroad. When it would stay cranked (always bad sensors) it was a good motor.

 

[Zorro]

I have an old 94 Ranger ... many bad things are said and heard ... but overall my next truck may very well be another Ranger. I've beat the living crap out of it, and it's still ticking.

My engine preference goes towards the 4.0, especially the old OHC, gobs of torque, doesn't need to be revved to the moon like the 3.0L. And still tough, mine is going on 135k and always fires right up!

Suspension ... 93-97 have twin I-beams. Bulletproof, but crapstatic wheel bearings and steering/handling. I'd stay away.
98 and up have IFS, don't know much about them, other than RCD has a coilover conversion (coilover > torsion bars)

Driveline. Many complain about the electric transfer case, but it's easily fixed and can be easily swapped for a manual version anyways.
Rear diff is a reasonably solid Ford 8.8 28 spline (oem ratios from 3.27 to 4.10 ... the latter is best IMO), unless you go with an FX4 lvl 2 with comes with limited slip 4.10s and 31 spline. Pretty good, I'd say.
You could also get an Explorer rear axle, same ford 8.8, but 31 spline and rear discs fpr the later years. Just need to be converted from spring under to spring over, 50-100$ at your favourite machine shop. Interesting factoid, several locker manufacturers only offer them for the 31 spline 8.8 and not 28.

Body ... make sure you get the mini rear doors. I don't have them and curse every time I grab something back there.

Over here (Quebec), the size is as big as it should get. In the woods I can't count the times I had an inch of clearance on both sides! A Tacoma sure sounds fun ... but it wouldn't fit!

I wouldn't mind getting another Ranger, 98 and up, add the 31 spline, lockers, RCD coilovers ... decent combo IMO.

 

[jh504]

Over here (Quebec), the size is as big as it should get. In the woods I can't count the times I had an inch of clearance on both sides! A Tacoma sure sounds fun ... but it wouldn't fit!

Post '05 Tacoma Im sure, but the previous years would fit like a glove.

 

[805gregg]

Does the Ranger have rear disc brakes? because I know the Tacoma still doesn't.

 

[ujoint]

I had the 4.0 in a couple of explorers and I liked the power range of the motor for offroad. When it would stay cranked (always bad sensors) it was a good motor.

I have some plans for that little truck if I can get my hands on it.... Or I may pick up a Sport Trac.....