Results From My 10R80 Inspired Test Drives Of Something Else

[Dr. Zaius]

Well Dennis, I would say stick with your current Ranger. I don't really like the looks of the new Toyotas or Chevys. I will stick with my Ranger until she dies on me. So far no problems with her at all. I am not a fan of the huge screens either.

I drove those on Friday.

Neither was good enough to get me up off my wallet.

So I completed this part of my truck on Saturday.

Upgrading interior from cloth to leather.

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[Chris M]

I drove those on Friday.

Neither was good enough to get me up off my wallet.

So I completed this part of my truck on Saturday.

Upgrading interior from cloth to leather.

Does this all fit over top of existing seat coverings?
Looks really good so far!

 

[Dr. Zaius]

Does this all fit over top of existing seat coverings?
Looks really good so far!

No.

It is a complete replacement for the factory cloth.

Pretty labor intensive.

You have to get into the seat and cut out the hog rings securing the factory cover to the foam.

The foam is indented where the hog rings go.

Here's a pic from the middle of the process.

 

[5thranger]

No.

It is a complete replacement for the factory cloth.

Pretty labor intensive.

You have to get into the seat and cut out the hog rings securing the factory cover to the foam.

The foam is indented where the hog rings go.

Here's a pic from the middle of the process.

I put Katzkin leather in my F150 it was quite a job.

 

[VAMike]

You will be surprised at how much bed space is consumed by the canister in the front of the bed that the roll up cover rolls into.

I originally ordered my truck with the retractable cover, but I switched to the folder when I saw how big the canister was. If I wanted a bed that small I'd just get a maverick!

 

[TJC]

I put Katzkin leather in my F150 it was quite a job.

I talked to Katzkin and they wouldn't sell to me without professional installation.

 

[ctechbob]

I honestly had high hopes for that GM 4 cylinder, but it seems like it just can't keep up with its power rating. I think if they would put their 10 speed behind it that it would help a little, but I remain disappointed from everything I've seen.

 

[Dr. Zaius]

I talked to Katzkin and they wouldn't sell to me without professional installation.

Katzkin won't sell to an individual.

I got mine from a seller on eBay.

HERE'S a kit listed now.

That's the kit I was going to try if the color of the kit I ordered didn't match well.

Fortunately, mine was a very good match.

Just be aware that you're on your own. The price you have to pay to get it for a fraction of retail.

They sell you the kit and as long as it arrives in good shape, they're done.

 

[got3fords]

Well Dennis, I would say stick with your current Ranger. I don't really like the looks of the new Toyotas or Chevys. I will stick with my Ranger until she dies on me. So far no problems with her at all. I am not a fan of the huge screens either.

I am leaning this way as well. I really have Oppie set up nice, Eibach's, tune, exhaust, etc. It's hard to imagine starting all over. I hate the elect. parking brake. Not a fan of the 6G front end. Seems like the tune is not as straight forward.
If I have to replace the transmission, so be it. But right now it is running really well. Oppie will do sub 6 second 0-60 runs, and needs to be in 4WD in order not to spin the well-gripping Michelins. Plus, I find it very comfortable.

 

[ppfd]

I have both a hard roll up cover and a tri-fold bed cover.

You will be surprised at how much bed space is consumed by the canister in the front of the bed that the roll up cover rolls into.

I prefer the tri-fold.

Amazing that I have a $1000+ bed cover and a $25 used bed cover and I prefer the $25 one ?

Thaks for the info on the canister type.
My last f150 had an extang tri fold, least I think that was the brand. Very stout, could stand on it and did a decent job at keeping water out.

And at least half the price of the DB cover.

 

[OGMix376]

I looked at a new ZR2 and a new Ranger this morning.

Base for comparison:
My 2019 Ranger. 35k miles. Stock tune. Bilstein 5100s. Rear Tremor leaf springs.

This is all JMO so YMMV. But since I'll be the one writing the check, my opinion matters the most to me ?

2025 Ranger

First I drove the Ranger with the 2.7 V6.

The main thing I was curious about was the power.

Pulling out of the dealership, I immediately felt right at home as the 10R60 clunked into 4th gear

0-60 definitely stronger than mine with stock tune, though not amazingly so.

Highway passing/merging power felt pretty much the same with minor if any improvement.

Ride and handling was quieter but not as confident feeling as my truck. I prefer my truck.

BIG touchscreen. There are finally real buttons/knobs for some of the controls, but too many are still buried in menus.

The step on the side of the bed is terrific. Better than my bumper cutout steps.

Steering wheel leather felt thicker/higher quality than mine.

NO PARKING BRAKE HANDLE. I don't care for the electronic parking brake levers.

2025 ZR2

First off, it's a terrific looking truck. My Ranger looked like a wallflower next to it.

Power:

My stock tune Ranger is stronger. The ZR2 was also surprisingly loud and raucous.

The ZR2 8 speed auto drives better than either the 10R80 or the 10R60.

Buttons, knobs, and switches for almost everything, though plenty of stuff is still buried in the menus.

The big touchscreen. Not initially a fan but maybe I'd get used to it?

The sunroof in the ZR2 eats up a surprising amount of headroom for the rear passengers. I would definitely prefer one without it.

The storage bin in the tailgate is very clever.

Handling seemed a bit wallowy. The Z71 I drove a while back didn't do this. This is the first ZR2 I've driven so it may be normal, kind of like the wallowy FX4 suspension.

The Bose stereo in the ZR2 sounds better than the B&O stereo in the Ranger.

Also no parking brake handle. E-brake here as well.

Bottom Line

I thought I'd like the big touchscreens but it turns out I didn't care for either one.

Digging through menus while driving doesn't seem to be fun. I'm sure this would become much better with familiarity, but initial impressions are a no. The ZR2 was better in this regard.

Neither one was good enough to make me want to jump ship.

Maybe I'll look at the Tacoma and Frontier after all.

Nice write comparison, I’m actually looking forward to you just testing out the frontier and the Tacoma to see what you think ?…
Newer truck is bound to feel better in some regards. I totally agree with the lack of interest in the massive screen in the middle.. the one in the 5g is good enough.. it’s the times I suppose.
..
Personally I think both the Chevy and the Toyotas are hideous ?… I like my little wall flower better.
The frontier actually looks good to me, but I haven’t not driven any of their trucks…
Seriously get some seat times in those other trucks and do a write up ?.. then just go get a Ranger Raptor already ?

 

[TJC]

Katzkin won't sell to an individual.

I got mine from a seller on eBay.

HERE'S a kit listed now.

That's the kit I was going to try if the color of the kit I ordered didn't match well.

Fortunately, mine was a very good match.

Just be aware that you're on your own. The price you have to pay to get it for a fraction of retail.

They sell you the kit and as long as it arrives in good shape, they're done.

That's not a bad price! I've installed leather seat covers many times, and own the tools and supplies to do it right. Katzkin quoted me triple that price... i walked away.

Thanks for the link.

 

[5thranger]

I talked to Katzkin and they wouldn't sell to me without professional installation.

I did this in 2019 on my 2018 F150. I bought the kit off Ebay.

 

[Dr. Zaius]

Nice write comparison, I’m actually looking forward to you just testing out the frontier and the Tacoma to see what you think ?…
Newer truck is bound to feel better in some regards. I totally agree with the lack of interest in the massive screen in the middle.. the one in the 5g is good enough.. it’s the times I suppose.
..
Personally I think both the Chevy and the Toyotas are hideous ?… I like my little wall flower better.
The frontier actually looks good to me, but I haven’t not driven any of their trucks…
Seriously get some seat times in those other trucks and do a write up ?.. then just go get a Ranger Raptor already ?

It's going to be a couple of weeks before I get the opportunity to look at something else.

I'll give them a look when I can.

Not really interested in a Raptor though.

 

[HotPepperRedRanger]

My list:
Chevy Colorado trail boss, ZR2
Ford Ranger
Tacoma 6 speed

Bronco 6 speed
Jeep Gladiator 6 speed

If I buy new, it'll be a Ranger plain jane 4x4 with rear locker. After the tremor, I'll go with Ebach suspension.

The rest of the list, I am fine with 23,24 model years if the price is right.

Bronco is last on the list as I am still not sure I want to move away from truck bed.
I do know there won't be another diamond back lid on my truck. Can't haul anything and it is a PITA to take off. Not hard, just a pain to remove. Moving my GF recently and we had to use her dads Colorado for most everything. And her son has a semi size chevy diesel and box trailer. Literally has to be close to the length of a semi.

I will either get a knock off smart cap, can't remember the brand. Or a hard cover roll up or tri fold I can take off easy.

My 2019 is currently in the shop (EGR Cooler issues) and I have a Bronco Sport as loaner. This is the 2nd time they have given me a Bronco for loaner during repairs and in my opinion both Bronco (base and sport package) were less than desirable. I would not consider a Bronco after driving them for several days.

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