Can’t find a small truck anymore. I have been looking at Tacomas, and these days they’re over 17 feet long, only 2 inches shorter than Tundras.
I miss the Ford Ranger. Simple, cheap and tough.
I read Ford is bringing the Ranger back next year.
I used to put back up heavy oil fuel in at Ford’s St. Paul plant, now long gone.
I thought they were re-introducing the Ranger next model year.
Years ago I went shopping for a used vehicle for commuting, something in the 100,000 mile range. All the small trucks with that kind of mileage were completely worn out. I came upon a Crown Vic with 107,000 miles. It drove like a brand new car and its 5L V8 got 30MPG -- more than the small trucks. I put on another 150,000 miles before selling it.
> I miss the Ford Ranger. Simple, cheap and tough. <
Roger that. I want - and need - a good small truck. So I was eagerly awaiting the new Ford Ranger, due out next year. I say “was” because I’ve since read that the new Ranger will be bigger and fancier than the old one.
In other words, the new Ranger will be just another mid-sized truck.
I always preferred station wagons. practical and cheap to run. difficult to find these days.
2 cross bars on roof and carry a stack of plywood easy on a station wagon.
My workplace has a 1997 Tacoma (214k miles) and a 2002 Ram (320k miles) that I can use anytime for bigger loads.
I’d reccomend getting one of those era Tacoma’s for $3k and maintain it meticulously. It will run 4 ever. terrible MPG but try to drive under 60 and mind gets 34 MPG which is acceptable
The downside of SUVs is they are incredibly dangerous ; roll over in a flash and are too heavy to maneuver ( ie stop ) safely. Plus I simply hate burning money on excess gasoline.
“I miss the Ford Ranger. Simple, cheap and tough.”
We’ve got the last year, and it is just as you described. No problems, ultra reliable. Heck, they even upgraded to all disc brakes (something they could have avoided since production was slated to end).
We love it.
Ranger is supposed to come back soon . But bigger.
I had a 2004 Ranger, auto, small V8. Loaded a truck camper on the back and drove it all over the country. Nice truck. Traded it on a 2002 Chevy cargo van with very low miles and converted the rear into a sleeper.
The Ford Ranger was actually built by Mazda, and are still being sold (as Mazdas). I have owned two Rangers, and both were excellent.
Ford is supposed to be bringing back the Ranger as a 2019. Pics look good.
http://www.motortrend.com/cars/ford/ranger/2019/2019-ford-ranger-first-look-review/
if that doesn't float your boat, I would recommend the Honda Ridgeline - don't let anyone who does not own one let alone has not even driven one tell you that they are not real trucks - they are and they don't drive like trucks - the best of both worlds.
I hate it when people still say The Big 3, Chrysler is not an American brand - they are a wholly owned subsidiary of Fiat. Fiat owns Alfa Romeo, Chrysler, Dodge, Ferrari, Jeep, Lancia, Maserati, Ram and SRT.
I have driven nothing but Honda the last 30 years or so and every last one of them (cars/trucks/motorcycles) has not only been made in the US, but designed in the US.
love the ranger! had 5 of them. I hit some black ice and flipped my last one in a creek. Not very waterproof
But the price has gone up.
Simple and cheap, but no so tough. My brother-in-law owns a 2001 Ford Ranger, and loves it. I have a 2001 Nissan Frontier. Mine has twice the mileage on it, and has never been in a shop for any problems. Meanwhile, his has had several major engine breakdowns, transmission went out, he had to replace most suspension components, and he is fearful of driving anywhere far away. His air conditioning failed long ago. Handcrank windows, bad radio setup, uncomfortable interior. Yep, simple and cheap.
Ford is going to make the ranger again. It will stil be a little bigger than prior rangers.