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Ranger - why buy midsize?

OrangeStreak

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The only reason I traded my Ram 1500 for my Ranger is the Ram wouldn’t fit in the new garage. The Ranger barely does. I’ve been very impressed with Ranger’s capability, which I thought would be worse and very disappointed in the gas mileage, which I thought would be better.
I agree...was expecting better mpg with the Ranger but really like it otherwise.
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The 5 foot bed on the ranger becomes a limiting factor in several different areas. I have b*tched and moaned about it on several threads here over the years i've been a member. I wish Ford would've provided a crew cab long bed option, but i suspect they worry about their F150 sales if they do that. i know they say it's about development time for a different production dimension (which i'm sure is true).

A lot of dual sport motorcycles can go into the F-150 short bed (5.5 ft) diagonally and the tail gate will close. Can't do that with a Ranger. I know there are alternatives to getting around this like hitch racks, or even light duty open trailers. I'm just making the point that I see value in that. I don't tow basically ever, so I don't run into the payload issue.

That said, I've been eyeballing a new 2024 F-150, crew cab 4x4 with a short bed. It's an XLT with the fewest amount of options possible, and here's its payload:
5965b661cbdf1a4864d84000fff81affx.jpg


1,961lbs isn't too shabby for a 4x4 XLT SuperCrew F-150. It also has the 5.0L V8 mated to 3.73 gears. For someone like me, this would be pretty nice vs. my 2019 Ranger XLTs 1,200ish# payload and shorty/narrow 5ft bed.

i do love driving my ranger tho. it's the better every day truck. way easier to park.

these threads and the "what truck should i buy?" threads always come down to the same conclusion: how are you going to use it? something i've only recently concluded is that trucks ARE slightly different in this analysis. for most people, 98% of their driving could be done by a corrola. trucks, however, are defined by that 2%. when you fall into that 2%, how are you using it. and this varies wildly. and that is how the decision is made on mid-size vs full-size.

just my $0.02.
Very true. Completely valid points. For me and my Warden directed home improvement projects, along with some kayak hauling, Ranger bed works fine.
 
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Ya me too...I'd be over 90 lol...
Yea but.... think about driving that thing for miles at 10 under the speed limit, barely peaking over the steering wheel, with your turn signal on the entire way.
 

ctechbob

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Just as an aside to my 1/2 ton payload 'slight rant'.

I've been very casually browsing local dealers for an F150 PowerBoost (Because they make awesome trucks for RV'ing with the onboard Pro-Power).

Witness the below truck:

1719126978706-6c.webp

Ford has a nifty online tool that will tell you the payload of a specific truck with the VIN.


1719127077268-qc.png


This is exactly what I'm talking about. This isn't a truck. This is a 4 door sedan with an uncovered trunk that sits up high.

You'll never get this tow rating out of it.

1719127219809-bs.webp


I just find it amusing how porky they can get.
 

GreyAreaRanger

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My XLT Ranger S'crew has a payload of 1752 pounds and my 01 XL F150 S'cab was around 1600 lbs. Don't remember what my two Chevy's had but weren't far off if I remembered correctly but both were heavier than my 01 F150. This is my first midsize and I was looking at the Frontiers due to their pricing and known longterm issues (2015-2020 year models) as well as the GM twins, though their interiors were rather boring to me. Loved the 3.6/8 speed but I like the 10 speed even better. Didn't want another full size due to the extra cost in purchase, maintenance, fuel, insurance and time to actually clean them. I also wanted something easier to park and more agile to maneuver through Houston traffic. I don't tow and occasionally need the bed for camping gear and/or fishing gear.

As for the rear doors; GM, Ram and Toyota do their extended cab (supercab width) style half-tons with forward hinges so you can open them without opening the front door. I prefer this style as it gives you the longer bed by default and still gives you a back seat for passengers or better yet, your favorite four legged friend. Though, since I am 32, perhaps the crewcab backseat will serve me better in case I have an oops in the future that requires a carseat.....
 


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The new ones seem like driving an F-150 ..
I would take my F150 back in a heartbeat just to have a real climate control system. The Ranger suxs in this dept.
 
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MountainGoat

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Every one complaining about garage size needs to move out west where you can buy a big ole portable building and dump on your property without any paperwork. Well I mean unless you disagree with the populace in which case move to California and pay a million dollars for a shed.
 

OrangeStreak

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Every one complaining about garage size needs to move out west where you can buy a big ole portable building and dump on your property without any paperwork. Well I mean unless you disagree with the populace in which case move to California and pay a million dollars for a shed.
Good idea but not all property is configured for placing a portable shed on it. I don't have enough space on the side of my house to get one placed there and so consequently not enough space to access a shed even if it was located in the back yard. My house was built in the 80's and I don't think that many people at that time had conceived the idea that trucks would become so large...:)
 
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Good idea but not all property is configured for placing a portable shed on it. I don't have enough space on the side of my house to get one placed there and so consequently not enough space to access a shed even if it was located in the back yard... :)
I think NM is a lot like AZ. You get a postage stamp size lot and just enough room for a house and an average garage and not much else. I had room for a shed on my side yard but of course it can't stick over the wall or the HOA police will come and fine you.:stop:?

1719146311037-uz.webp
 

OrangeStreak

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I think NM is a lot like AZ. You get a postage stamp size lot and just enough room for a house and an average garage and not much else. I had room for a shed on my side yard but of course it can't stick over the wall or the HOA police will come and fine you.:stop:?

1719146311037-uz.webp
I intentionally chose a smaller lot because I'm not a fan of yardwork... :facepalm:

 

AzScorpion

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I intentionally chose a smaller lot because I'm not a fan of yardwork... :facepalm:

Me neither! I had my share of it when I was back east and had 3 acres. I love the privacy but it's a lot of work (and money) to have a nice yard and now I like the simplicity of having an easy stone yard for the past 12 years.
 

OrangeStreak

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Me neither! I had my share of it when I was back east and had 3 acres. I love the privacy but it's a lot of work (and money) to have a nice yard and now I like the simplicity of having an easy stone yard for the past 12 years.
I eventually had the front yard rocked to replace the grass and in the back yard a flagstone patio...made life easier... :sun:
 

OrangeStreak

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Yep,yard work is just a chore to me.The Ranger fits perfectly in my 3 car garage.
Nice to have a 3 car garage!...mine is 2.
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