Deciding on new truck

[Wbflyer]

Hello all,

I'm trying to do my research and find the best option for what I need. I need something to do light towing, maybe 5000# max, light off road forest trails, good around town/city. That being said, I've tried the Tacoma.. no go! My head was on the ceiling and you could not go lower! so claustrophobic. ZR2, no LED/HID headlights and no fog lights, no remote start or push button start (I like that feature!), Nissan... umm no. unless I wait for the revised model coming at some point. Gladiator, I am just not a fan of the looks. I've had 2 JKU's and I just don't like it. I don't mind the Rubicon Gladiator but at 60k they can keep it. So that leaves the Ranger. I wish we had the Raptor Ranger but I am sure that would be 60k as well however I don't mind the looks on teh standard Ranger, not bad. I drove one, but not on a long drive, and here are my concerns:

1. Transmission, seems there are vibrations at low speeds. I've heard that is an issue!
2. The 2.3 seemed good but not sure how it will do long term and towing 5000 lbs
3. LED headlights, are they good? I drove it in the daytime.
4. Would want better suspension.

Has anyone installed the Ford Performance leveling kit and the power upgrade? Are they reliable? Are the LED headlights bright and worth the top trim?

Thanks guy and gals!!

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[JaysOnTheEDGE]

Sounds like you need a F-150; the ranger might be too small to tow that reliable and safely

 

[Wbflyer]

I totally hear you! However, fitting that in area where I live might be difficult and parking downtown for work would be a disaster for me. The towing would really only be a a few times a month during the summer with a boat. It's docked at the marina but sometimes we like to go to a different lake/river.

 

[Rinn69]

1. Transmission, seems there are vibrations at low speeds. I've heard that is an issue!
2. The 2.3 seemed good but not sure how it will do long term and towing 5000 lbs
3. LED headlights, are they good? I drove it in the daytime.
4. Would want better suspension.

Has anyone installed the Ford Performance leveling kit and the power upgrade? Are they reliable? Are the LED headlights bright and worth the top trim?

Thanks guy and gals!!

1. No issues for me.
2. I've had mine for 14 months and just added the Livernois tune which really woke up the engine. It's still a little beast without the tune, but if you're going to tow, their tow tune would definitely help. As for towing 5000 lbs, what exactly will you be towing ? A car on a flat bed trailer vs a camper trailer are definitely different when it comes to towing. Your towing set-up will also make a huge difference.
3. The LED headlights are great !! Can't really say if they are worth it....that's a decision for you.
4. Mine's a pavement princess 4x4.....some rural roads and farm 2-tracks and corn fields are the extent of my "off-road" driving....plus, I'll be lowering it, so.... Plenty of folks on here that have modded their suspension.

 

[coblueberryranger]

I totally hear you! However, fitting that in area where I live might be difficult and parking downtown for work would be a disaster for me. The towing would really only be a a few times a month during the summer with a boat. It's docked at the marina but sometimes we like to go to a different lake/river.

1. Some people have experienced the issues, others have not. Seems like people are slowly being able to find a solution by adding shims to the center bearings.
2. 15K+ miles and I still love the pedal to the floor on the 2.3. I wouldn't forsee any long term issues.
3. I have an XLT and swapped to the Lariat LED Headlights just because of how amazing they are. Daylight and they cut through everything, rain, snow, fog, you name it.
4. I have the Eibach and its awesome, though don't get LT Rated tires with them, pretty bouncy for me with the 18s. I have it currently set at 3 inch but might just drop down to 2.5. Any suspension coilover replacement is pretty much better than stock.

 

[Tim H.]

Hello all,

I'm trying to do my research and find the best option for what I need. I need something to do light towing, maybe 5000# max, light off road forest trails, good around town/city. That being said, I've tried the Tacoma.. no go! My head was on the ceiling and you could not go lower! so claustrophobic. ZR2, no LED/HID headlights and no fog lights, no remote start or push button start (I like that feature!), Nissan... umm no. unless I wait for the revised model coming at some point. Gladiator, I am just not a fan of the looks. I've had 2 JKU's and I just don't like it. I don't mind the Rubicon Gladiator but at 60k they can keep it. So that leaves the Ranger. I wish we had the Raptor Ranger but I am sure that would be 60k as well however I don't mind the looks on teh standard Ranger, not bad. I drove one, but not on a long drive, and here are my concerns:

1. Transmission, seems there are vibrations at low speeds. I've heard that is an issue!
2. The 2.3 seemed good but not sure how it will do long term and towing 5000 lbs
3. LED headlights, are they good? I drove it in the daytime.
4. Would want better suspension.

Has anyone installed the Ford Performance leveling kit and the power upgrade? Are they reliable? Are the LED headlights bright and worth the top trim?

Thanks guy and gals!!

The transmission learns your driving style and will smooth out with time/mileage. Mine did and feels very smooth now.

 

[RangerRick19]

Hello all,

I'm trying to do my research and find the best option for what I need. I need something to do light towing, maybe 5000# max, light off road forest trails, good around town/city. That being said, I've tried the Tacoma.. no go! My head was on the ceiling and you could not go lower! so claustrophobic. ZR2, no LED/HID headlights and no fog lights, no remote start or push button start (I like that feature!), Nissan... umm no. unless I wait for the revised model coming at some point. Gladiator, I am just not a fan of the looks. I've had 2 JKU's and I just don't like it. I don't mind the Rubicon Gladiator but at 60k they can keep it. So that leaves the Ranger. I wish we had the Raptor Ranger but I am sure that would be 60k as well however I don't mind the looks on teh standard Ranger, not bad. I drove one, but not on a long drive, and here are my concerns:

1. Transmission, seems there are vibrations at low speeds. I've heard that is an issue!
2. The 2.3 seemed good but not sure how it will do long term and towing 5000 lbs
3. LED headlights, are they good? I drove it in the daytime.
4. Would want better suspension.

Has anyone installed the Ford Performance leveling kit and the power upgrade? Are they reliable? Are the LED headlights bright and worth the top trim?

Thanks guy and gals!!

1. No issues here
2. Engine is pretty peppy for a 4 cylinder, but with the ford performance or livernois tune you could increase the power the even get a tow tune to accommodate your needs.
3. The LED headlights are pretty bright
4. The factory suspension is very bouncy, and does decent off-road , the rear end is a bit floaty. To my knowledge the FX4 package negates some of this but if you’re looking for a great ride there are numerous aftermarket options to chose from to fit your needs.

 

[Wbflyer]

Awesome, that is what I would be looking at is the lariat with the FX4. I am concerned about the vibration issues but maybe they will have a full fix for it if I happen to have it occur. I heard the Ford Tune is pretty good and the Ford leveling kit uses coil over with fox shocks. Anyone have that? Good to hear about the LEDs!! After having a car with them... I can't go back We have a little place in the mountains and it's DARK at night. The Ford tune states 315HP and 375 TQ. However, I heard if you us 93 you get 300hp without anything!

 

[Chris M]

I have the Fox/Ford 2" leveling kit. It was necessary, as I didn't like the mushy ride. Money well spent and installed by my dealer. Sounds very much like you'll like the Ranger. I was looking for a used F150 when I bought mine, and am not at all sorry for my choice (2WD XLT Sport).

 

[Wbflyer]

Good to know!! So, you like got the Fox coils and shocks correct? Thanks!

 

[Chris M]

Good to know!! So, you like got the Fox coils and shocks correct? Thanks!

Yes I did. Made a world of difference to me.

 

[Chris M]

Good to know!! So, you like got the Fox coils and shocks correct? Thanks!

Yes I did. ?

 

[Travis11]

Can’t speak for long term reliability but I tow my travel trailer through Tennessee mountains. It is just over 5000 lbs and the Ranger tows it fine. I only tow an average of twice a month so I prefer the size and nimbleness of the Ranger over the F150. My last tow was a 5 hour trip with some steep grades, no issues going up or down. With your needs, similar to mine, I would choose the Ranger.

 

[Pinepig]

I too put on the Ford version Fox 2.0 coils/shocks. Worth every penny, I found the stock FX4 shock valving revoltingly bad.

 

[Frenchy]

Hello all,

I'm trying to do my research and find the best option for what I need. I need something to do light towing, maybe 5000# max, light off road forest trails, good around town/city. That being said, I've tried the Tacoma.. no go! My head was on the ceiling and you could not go lower! so claustrophobic. ZR2, no LED/HID headlights and no fog lights, no remote start or push button start (I like that feature!), Nissan... umm no. unless I wait for the revised model coming at some point. Gladiator, I am just not a fan of the looks. I've had 2 JKU's and I just don't like it. I don't mind the Rubicon Gladiator but at 60k they can keep it. So that leaves the Ranger. I wish we had the Raptor Ranger but I am sure that would be 60k as well however I don't mind the looks on teh standard Ranger, not bad. I drove one, but not on a long drive, and here are my concerns:

1. Transmission, seems there are vibrations at low speeds. I've heard that is an issue!
2. The 2.3 seemed good but not sure how it will do long term and towing 5000 lbs
3. LED headlights, are they good? I drove it in the daytime.
4. Would want better suspension.

Has anyone installed the Ford Performance leveling kit and the power upgrade? Are they reliable? Are the LED headlights bright and worth the top trim?

Thanks guy and gals!!

1, I have never had a vibration from the transmission but I have had an issue with the driveshaft but I have gotten that fixed for now.
2, for towing these trucks are rated to 7,500 lbs. Have I towed with my truck yet? Not quite but I am about to and sofar I have heard good things.
3, I have yet to compare the factory led lights to the aftermarket drip in bulbs(my current set up) but i have heard a few people near me say the factory halogen bulbs do fine for them.
4, for suspension it all depends on what you want to. If you really want to go off road then there are 2 different kits I would suggest. 1st is the Fox leveling kit but if you are going to tow then I would suggest staying away. The second is the Old Man EMU by ARB and I current have this setup. I love it for both on and offroad. The on road manners were cleaned up and the off road became way easier to manage and therefore I can enjoy the off road. I actually have a review of it in the suspension section.

I will also add that I have the Livernois tow tune and the truck seems to do very well on overall power here in the High Rockies of Colorado.

Hope this info helps out.

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