Is the Ranger the Hilux we've been wanting?

C

calicamper

Expedition Leader
85_Ranger4x4 said:
I like the Ranger probably more than the next guy but also keep in mind it isn't the same truck that is sold overseas. The frame is new (how all new I don't know, they at least changed it to put a steel front bumper on it), the axles are domestically sourced, suspension is different and of course the engine/trans is different. I don't know about the t-case.

About the small fuel tank, I think Ford usually aims for a roughly 300 mile highway cruising range which is a pretty good stopping point so you can go to the bathroom and get out and stretch. All three of mine run about that long on a tank. The optional bigger tanks in fullsizes are probably so they stay fed towing a trailer.
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Its actually a interm frame. A all new ground up frame has been in the works for some time. The new frame will be used for the Bronco. I would assume the new frame was needed to accommodate hybrid/plugin technology and enable modern multiple model uses. The current one is a modified version of the Global Ranger. Either one will be a decent platform. Current form is based on a proven well respected design slightly tweaked for most likely US crash standards.
 
85_Ranger4x4

85_Ranger4x4

Well-known member
calicamper said:
Its actually a interm frame. A all new ground up frame has been in the works for some time. The new frame will be used for the Bronco. I would assume the new frame was needed to accommodate hybrid/plugin technology and enable modern multiple model uses. The current one is a modified version of the Global Ranger. Either one will be a decent platform. Current form is based on a proven well respected design slightly tweaked for most likely US crash standards.
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Yeah, I doubt it is really all new. The Ranger design team kept saying the frame was new at the unveiling in Detroit but I didn't see the point of changing more than they really had to. I wish I had taken more pics under the unveiling truck so I could compare, I think it had a lot of altered T6 under it (it had the banjo axle yet) but they got huffy when they saw people doing that. Depending on definition though, alter the frame rail and it is a new part... unlikely anybody will ever get both frames side by side to do a comparison and at the end of the day it probably doesn't really matter anyway.

Just sayin' though, the NA Ranger has been changed quite a bit from the global T6.
 
D

Dalko43

Explorer
3jarrells said:
We've been kicking around the idea of getting an All-Cab Khaya, and I have been doing some home work on truck specs, since the 4Runner is going to have to go... I have discovered that all these Tacomas I see with loaded Four Wheel Campers have to be grossly over weight.

The new Ranger 4x4 DC has a 1650lb payload capacity, the Tacoma has only 1175lbs, that's a 475lb difference. A fully kitted 4 person Khaya, per All-Cab's specs, is 1698lbs and this is before the fore mentioned four people get in the truck. And you know y'all expo sexual types are gonna throw the the whole OK4WD catalog at that Taco.

A 500lb difference in payload capacity is substantial. I test drove a Ranger the other day and it is spunky, at least empty it is. Why do we keep buying Tacomas? I know the Ranger is new to us, but this current platform is actually a bit dated. I personally despise GM but I did look to see that the Canyon has the same payload capacity as the Ranger and the choice of three engines. I also looked at the Australian Toyota website, don't look its too painful, and yes it's in the same league as the Ranger, but of course costs more.
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People keep buying Tacoma's because they work well and last for a long time. Also because Toyota designs the Tacoma first and foremost as an offroad pickup, and then adds in creature comforts to make more tame versions....GM and Ford do the exact opposite. They bias their base vehicles to onroad performance and then enact heavy modifications to the chassis (ZR2, Raptor) to make more offroad-worthy versions.

The Ranger has a more torquey engine and somewhat higher payload/towing numbers compared to the Tacoma..that's about it. The Toyota tends to incorporate basic design features that a lot of midsized owners want: dampened tail gate; manual shifting modes for the automatic, crawl control, ATRAC, shock mounts which are tucked away to the sides of the axle, better approach/departure angles, better articulation from the chassis. Any one of those features may seem insignificant on their own, but when you add them all up into one complete package, they yield a vehicle with a different design philosophy from the rest of the midsized trucks....my 2 cents anyways.


Wallygator said:
The current, actually old, Tacoma sucks IMO. Some in other countries think that version of the Ranger is better than the Hilux. I would buy the U.S. Ranger over the Tacoma hands down, it's simply a better truck than the Taco.

I would also look at the new Jeep truck very closely.
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I think the main reason the Ranger sells so well overseas is because it has a more powerful diesel engine compared to the Hilux. No one thinks the Hilux platform itself is weak or under-engineered compared to the Ranger.
 
C

calicamper

Expedition Leader
Dalko43 said:
People keep buying Tacoma's because they work well and last for a long time. Also because Toyota designs the Tacoma first and foremost as an offroad pickup, and then adds in creature comforts to make more tame versions....GM and Ford do the exact opposite. They bias their base vehicles to onroad performance and then enact heavy modifications to the chassis (ZR2, Raptor) to make more offroad-worthy versions.

The Ranger has a more torquey engine and somewhat higher payload/towing numbers compared to the Tacoma..that's about it. The Toyota tends to incorporate basic design features that a lot of midsized owners want: dampened tail gate; manual shifting modes for the automatic, crawl control, ATRAC, shock mounts which are tucked away to the sides of the axle, better approach/departure angles, better articulation from the chassis. Any one of those features may seem insignificant on their own, but when you add them all up into one complete package, they yield a vehicle with a different design philosophy from the rest of the midsized trucks....my 2 cents anyways.




I think the main reason the Ranger sells so well overseas is because it has a more powerful diesel engine compared to the Hilux. No one thinks the Hilux platform itself is weak or under-engineered compared to the Ranger.
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Most recent interview with a major Australian outfitter he explained that the Ranger is now the NO 1 ute sold in Australia. Top reasons he listed proven capabilities, modern, better comfort, better power and fuel consumption also more competitive price.

Odd isn’t it all the things being mentioned here and in the F150 / Tundra forum. I’m not brand specific I have Toyota trucks since the 90’s and currently have one. Nothing Toyota currently sells is of any interest to me for all the reasons listed.
 
IdaSHO

IdaSHO

IDACAMPER
calicamper said:
Most recent interview with a major Australian outfitter he explained that the Ranger is now the NO 1 ute sold in Australia. Top reasons he listed proven capabilities, modern, better comfort, better power and fuel consumption also more competitive price.
Click to expand...

Seen some of the latest episodes of 4wd Action on youtube?
Opus is beating the snot out of a new Ranger on some crazy tracks, with an Opus trailer in tow,
all in the name of testing ( and youtube views ;) )

maxresdefault.jpg
 
85_Ranger4x4

85_Ranger4x4

Well-known member
Dalko43 said:
The Ranger has a more torquey engine and somewhat higher payload/towing numbers compared to the Tacoma..that's about it. The Toyota tends to incorporate basic design features that a lot of midsized owners want: dampened tail gate; manual shifting modes for the automatic, crawl control, ATRAC, shock mounts which are tucked away to the sides of the axle, better approach/departure angles, better articulation from the chassis. Any one of those features may seem insignificant on their own, but when you add them all up into one complete package, they yield a vehicle with a different design philosophy from the rest of the midsized trucks....my 2 cents anyways.
Click to expand...

I have no interest in a dampened tailgate, as I stand there holding something heavy I just want the darn thing open. Most petty invention of the 21st century IMO. Ranger has manual shifting on the shifter like pretty much everything does nowadays and FX4 has trail control like a Raptor. Ranger shocks are still pretty far outboard on the axle, farther than most truck shocks were a few years ago (much farther outboard than my Ranger's are)

Fully boxed Ranger frame is more rigid which has been a common trend in the fullsize world for 15 years. My older Ranger has a flexy flyer C channel frame, I have never considered it's flexibility an especially awesome bragging point although it has certainly stood the test of time.

Taco has a better approach/breakover angle while the Ranger has a better departure angle. Ranger does have a lot of metal on the front for protection though (steel bumper and thick front skidplate)
 
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