Talk Ranger to me

[yyyames]

Hey folks I wanted to come here for some owner opinions on the new ranger. I am one of those guys who struggles to understand the midsize segment because of the pricing. To me its always been a no brainer to just go with the fullsize. That said I think the tacoma and especially the current ranger are attractive trucks and as a household we currently have a f150 and my truck a 5th gen ram 1500. I've had a couple weird issues with the ram all under warranty but thats left me with little confidence in long term ownership and since we already have one fullsize I am thinking of trading my ram.

On memorial day I went to look at a tacoma for the second time. I Absolutely hate that truck and have no idea why people like them so much. Its slow and the seating position is terrible and has worse mpg than both of our fullsize trucks. It just makes zero sense to buy. The same dealer had a slightly used 2020 fx4 ranger with the tow package and while I've driven the ranger twice before, driving it right after the tacoma really put the ranger into perspective. Its a much better truck.

I am definitely considering picking up the ranger but wanted to hear some of the things you like most about your ranger and some of the things you like the least about it. For me I am little concerned about the bed size and the overall space inside long term. We outdoors and I do some light trail riding during the hunting season. Looking for a dependable daily and utility truck.

** UPDATE**

Compairing my current ram to the ranger towing and payload really stuck out. Our f150 is way ahead of both of these trucks but we are keeping that one. These numbers are so close togther I might just go with the ranger now.

2019 ram 1500 4x4 etorque

Max Payload 1,830
Max Towing 8,230

2020 ranger

Payload - 1,560
Max towing 7,500

-

thanks in advance!

Sponsored

 

[dmeyer302]

If you're trying to tell us the midsizes are too expensive (heard it before) and a half ton is the same price (so original) then you're not comparing apples to apples. I just B&P a Lariat F-150 the other day...a "grown up" version of what I drive now...came out to $57k. You can't even get a Ranger close to that.

Anyway, if you're coming from a variety of full size trucks, honestly you're probably going to be disappointed in the long term UNLESS you very specifically are looking for a city parker / max mileage / gotta fit it in my garage / etc.

 

[yyyames]

If you're trying to tell us the midsizes are too expensive.

I'm not sure how you came to that conclusion if you read my post. A 4x4 big horn or 4x4 XLT is around the same price and not base model fullsizes. All I was doing is pointing out an obvious truth about the midsize pricing but not really the point of my post.

 

[yyyames]

i love the fact that the oil change interval is really high

All the new stuff is but I change early anyways!

 

[gov cheese]

DD a 1998 F-150 for 20 years and never once thought wow this truck is too small. Ranger mid-size? G5 Ranger is in fact almost the same size as 1990s F-150s. Replaced with 2019 Ranger which does everything that I need it to. 20k miles and still smiling.

 

[dondonbabyraptor]

The things I like:
-Off roading through narrow trails feels way better in a midsize truck, less worries about being wide and scraping sides on brushy trails, big rocks, and it feels even better when on a narrow mountainside.
-It's got plenty enough payload capacity for me, and I don't even tow(although, I know many members here do with their rangers and love it)
-It's new in the America's, get a lot of compliments and looks.
-It's just a disgustingly fun ride, I can't stop making up reasons to go and drive it. (disclaimer: the tune/mods make it such a visceral experience)
-More gas efficient

The things I don't like:
-I go out too often now
-It actually isn't gas efficient because I have too many smiles per gallon, aka heavy foot.
-Sometimes, it brings too much attention
-I spend too much money and time on mods for the car
-I am here on this forum too much because of my ranger

I guess, I don't really have a real con other than this car feels way better with a tune.

 

[Mobius97]

For me:
As said before...it's a "todays midsize". I could have easily spent the extra dough and picked up an exact duplicate in the 150 size and up scale trim. BUT it wasn't for me. It was too large for what I really wanted and needed but one thing for sure.... what I did want was a truck. If that makes sense. Ranger fit the bill.

Looks...subjective, I love it.
Color....again subjective but love my Lightening blue

Towing.....pretty damn good at 7500 with brake controller. Especially compared to the competitors. I had never really towed before now but knew I wanted something in my back pocket for when I did. Who am I kidding....cuz I had that Ranger....picked up a 2020 Sea Doo to haul around the following summer after purchase. Worked out great at least that's what I told the wife. Now here I went from towing nothing to 2k lbs (dont laugh at my chicken shit tow) across two mountain passes to a lake.

My biggest complaint....

I wish this thing came with a bigger bed. I love the truck but I do run into this issue quite often. No joke, feels like every large dump run, a buddy's TV pickup from Costco......yes this bitch is an urban truck I always go in to pick something up...Dude....gots my truck no prob. Shit.....bed too short. I am always able to make it work with the tail dropped and w/ extender. Just 1 more foot........please?????

I know first world problems but if I could change 1 thing on my Ranger...it would be the bed size.

 

[dondonbabyraptor]

For me:
As said before...it's a "todays midsize". I could have easily spent the extra dough and picked up an exact duplicate in the 150 size and up scale trim. BUT it wasn't for me. It was too large for what I really wanted and needed but one thing for sure.... what I did want was a truck. If that makes sense. Ranger fit the bill.

Looks...subjective, I love it.
Color....again subjective but love my Lightening blue

Towing.....pretty damn good at 7500 with brake controller. Especially compared to the competitors. I had never really towed before now but knew I wanted something in my back pocket for when I did. Who am I kidding....cuz I had that Ranger....picked up a 2020 Sea Doo to haul around the following summer after purchase. Worked out great at least that's what I told the wife. Now here I went from towing nothing to 2k lbs (dont laugh at my chicken shit tow) across two mountain passes to a lake.

My biggest complaint....

I wish this thing came with a bigger bed. I love the truck but I do run into this issue quite often. No joke, feels like every large dump run, a buddy's TV pickup from Costco......yes this bitch is an urban truck I always go in to pick something up...Dude....gots my truck no prob. Shit.....bed too short. I am always able to make it work with the tail dropped and w/ extender. Just 1 more foot........please?????

I know first world problems but if I could change 1 thing on my Ranger...it would be the bed size.

Supercrew I am assuming? Supercab has a bit more bed length. Thanks for sharing your towing experiences

 

[Mobius97]

Supercrew I am assuming? Supercab has a bit more bed length. Thanks for sharing your towing experiences

In my haste replying.....maybe I should have included that "minor" detail. Thanks for pointing out my bone head non clarification, yes...I have SCrew. Now if they only gave me that SCab longer bed in my SCrew........queue the music....Heaven, I'm in heaven.

 

[dondonbabyraptor]

In my haste replying.....maybe I should have included that "minor" detail. Thanks for pointing out my bone head non clarification, yes...I have SCrew. Now if they only gave me that SCab longer bed in my SCrew........queue the music....Heaven, I'm in heaven.

Hahaha, if only. Thanks for the laugh.

 

[wanted33]

The mid size Ranger today is basically the same size of my long gone '97 F-150. I went to the Ranger as my previous '13 F-150 Crew had gotten to big for parking spaces, and most everywhere else around my little town. Plus, you know like me it takes a 40 acre field to turn an F-150 around. The Ranger has cured those little annoyances for me. Good luck on your decision.

 

[aeroshots]

Some good replies above. I'll add that I traded a 2017 Ram 1500. Liking the Ranger more than expected, but do miss the Ram on occasion. Not enough to trade back on the next purchase.....yet.

 

[TomC]

Left a 2010 F150 for a lariat FX4 supercab. All depends on the options your looking for...but the Ranger FX4 package offers incredible value compared to the full size. my .02 cents.

What options does the FX4 have your looking at? Trim level? Pictures?

 

[AzScorpion]

The mid size Ranger today is basically the same size of my long gone '97 F-150. I went to the Ranger as my previous '13 F-150 Crew had gotten to big for parking spaces, and most everywhere else around my little town. Plus, you know like me it takes a 40 acre field to turn an F-150 around. The Ranger has cured those little annoyances for me. Good luck on your decision.

Jim I had a '97 F150 which IIRC came out in the spring of '96 and you're right these are very close in size. I just hope the Ranger doesn't get so big now that they're coming out with the Maverick.

OP I came from a 2016 Tacoma and you are correct in your assessment of it. It has a horrible seating position and an even worse drivetrain. It never knows which gear it should be in and you're finding yourself wanting to yell SHIFT for Gods sake! I love the Rangers drivetrain and how smooth it is. I've driven the same routes going up north with both and it's a night and day difference going up steep slopes with he Ranger. It shifts effortlessly where the Tacoma is bouncing through many different gears and the rpm's are revving through the roof. For me the seating position is perfect and I can go on long trips and never get tired or sore from driving. With my Tacoma I hated it so much that when we went to CO I rented a car for that trip.

What I don't like and this is a personal opinion are the stock tires. In 2019 there was no Tremor package but you'd think Ford would've had better off road tires or at least the option for them on the Off Road package. So the first thing I did was replace them as I didn't trust them going off road over the rocky areas we go. Other than that it was missing that tailgate thingy that help lower it slowly but we're not supposed to talk about that in every post now.

If you can take it for a longer test drive in areas you're use to driving and see how it performs. I think you'll be happy with the Ranger for what you're looking to do with it. Let us know what you decide. Good luck!

 

[khyros]

1) It fits in my garage.
2) It fits in my garage and in normal parking spaces.
3) In all seriousness, I drive F-150s at work, and have taken my dad's on an extended vacation... they're just so much bigger over the Ranger that it just reinforces how the Ranger is the more reasonably sized vehicle, and the "full size" F-150 is just huge.
4) Going all in on this size thing... but it fits through nat forest roads and logging roads so much better than the F-150.
5) It actually feels more capable off road than the F-150... that might just be speculation on my part as I don't actually do extreme offroad in either, but its poised better.
6) I enjoy being a bit different. Even 2.5yrs after it released, I'm pretty sure Ford has sold less of these than they have of the new 2021 F150 just like 6 months after its release.
7) Going along with the a bit different, I enjoy that it's view more of a lifestyle vehicle instead of a grocery getter. Of course I add onto that with the bed rack and bike hitch, but that's because its used to support my lifestyle .
8) I could afford a fully loaded Ranger without needing a 10yr loan Just joking a bit, but prior to the Ranger coming out, I was looking at a 2018 F-150 Lariat for ~55k-60k. Sure, it had some more features that I REALLY want on my Ranger, but that's still a ton of more $$ over a fully loaded Ranger.


Now, for a few of the things I don't like...
1) I feel like the Ranger is like the red-headed step child at Ford, and lacking some features that seem pretty much standard (or available on every other model). For example... sun roof, memory seats, cooled seats, heated steering wheel (seriously - my wife's focus has that, and I can't get that in my truck that actually gets driven in the cold weather?) one touch windows, integrated keypad, engine choice. These were things that I went into the purchase knowing, and 2 years later, I still miss the sunroof and memory seats. The cooled seats and heated steering wheel I never had before to miss them, but I was excited to get them when I was looking at the F-150. And I have the stick-on keypad, but it's an eyesore imo, and I'm less trusting of it seeing as it's battery powered... Though that hasn't stopped me from using it . And while I would have bought the 2.7L if it was offered, I don't feel that the 2.3L isn't enough. One touch windows I fixed with that module from Australia. Oh, and lack of a powered rear window... If its not going to be powered, I would prefer just a solid glass.

2) I actually don't find the seat that comfortable. I know I'm in the minority on this one though. I find that my back starts aching unless I use the heated seat on long drives.

3) MPGs. Depending on what you're comparing them to, they're not that great. My dad constantly brags about how he got 23mpg on the highway with his F-150... Without the bed rack, my best trip was 26mpg, but most were more like 23mpg. Now that I have the rack, it's more like 20-21 empty, 18-19 loaded... Now, that said, my computer was off by like 1-1.5mpgs when I bought it, so I wouldn't be surprised that his F-150 isn't off as well, and his "23" is really more like "21"... But still, the 3.5L is rated at 17/23/20... The Ranger is 20/24/22. The additional fuel cost of the F-150 is nominal for the amount of capability it has .... Assuming you need/use that capability. Note, I came from a 2013 Escape that was rated at 21/28/24... And the capability the Ranger has drastically exceeds that of the Escape for that same "2mpg" difference. (though in reality, I'm pretty sure my truck gets better mileage than I ever did with the Escape).

Sponsored