Why did you pick Ranger

[Friday yet?]

, I am loyal to one brand... Ford

That'd be me!

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[Blackeagle]

I cross-shopped the Tacoma, Frontier, and Colorado/Canyon. Each of them had some sort of deal-breaker:

• I wanted something relatively soon, and the new-generation Chevy/GMC wasn't really available at the time.
• For me, visibility out the Tacoma sucked. The roofline of the Tacoma curves down before it meets the windshield. I'm 6'5" and this is enough to obstruct visibility forward and upward, right where you'd look at, say, traffic lights.
• The Frontier was probably the closest alternative, but the interior felt a bit cramped for me and the hood is just enormous. I felt I like couldn't see anything directly in front.

In contrast, the Ranger felt like it fit me well, had good visibility all around, and was available.

 

[Danny RN]

I cross-shopped the Tacoma, Frontier, and Colorado/Canyon. Each of them had some sort of deal-breaker:

• I wanted something relatively soon, and the new-generation Chevy/GMC wasn't really available at the time.
• For me, visibility out the Tacoma sucked. The roofline of the Tacoma curves down before it meets the windshield. I'm 6'5" and this is enough to obstruct visibility forward and upward, right where you'd look at, say, traffic lights.
• The Frontier was probably the closest alternative, but the interior felt a bit cramped for me and the hood is just enormous. I felt I like couldn't see anything directly in front.

In contrast, the Ranger felt like it fit me well, had good visibility all around, and was available.

I had a 2012 Tacoma TRD Off Road that I sold when I got my Ranger. I am 6'3 and it was the most uncomfortable vehicle I have ever owned and it wasn't even close. When I would just sit normal I was looking through the top of the windshield where the shade was. And you are right about stop lights. I would have to bend my head down if I was at a stop light. It was reliable and all that, but that cab was absolutely brutal to sit in. I would actually get claustrophobic at times.

 

[RangerDanger617]

I cross-shopped the Tacoma, Frontier, and Colorado/Canyon. Each of them had some sort of deal-breaker:

• I wanted something relatively soon, and the new-generation Chevy/GMC wasn't really available at the time.
• For me, visibility out the Tacoma sucked. The roofline of the Tacoma curves down before it meets the windshield. I'm 6'5" and this is enough to obstruct visibility forward and upward, right where you'd look at, say, traffic lights.
• The Frontier was probably the closest alternative, but the interior felt a bit cramped for me and the hood is just enormous. I felt I like couldn't see anything directly in front.

In contrast, the Ranger felt like it fit me well, had good visibility all around, and was available.

Admittedly, I only test drove the Ranger. I did all the "paper" spec crunching with regard to MPG, payload, etc as well as reading up/reviews on all the trucks. Test drove the Ranger and it jsut felt right.

Toyota just seemed too expensive, poor MPG combined with the visibility and seating issues.
Chevy just flat up did not have anything that they claimed to offer at all. Local dealers had 2WD WT models and the ZR2/higher level trims. Nothing between.
GMC I did not even consider based off of price and lack of worthwhile functional distinct differences between them and Chevy.
Nissan just came up too late in my search and also seemed rather expensive for what it was in addition to mileage.

 

[Ranger Mel]

I have always been a Ford guy just like my dad and grandpa. I have had five F250s since 1985 from '71 to '04. The last two were diesels to pull our travel trailer. Since our old '88 TT is only 18' and GVWR of 4100 lbs. my '04 F250 6.0 diesel crew cab 8' bed was overkill although I had the truck perfect and loved it. I thought adding something like a Tacoma would be nice for daily driving and hauling the mountain bikes. The more I researched the more I realized the Taco wasn't for me and we couldn't afford or really justify three vehicles. I have been following TFL Truck and Off-road for years and started out looking at Tacos then the Ranger was compared to them. My off-road needs are exceeded by the Ranger and if we downsized the Ranger's towing specs are amazing. TFL loaded theirs to 7500 lbs. and did the Ike Gauntlet holding 60 mph the entire way up with throttle left over. I was impressed and 99.9% sold. I drove one at a used lot to see if I even liked driving one and the interior. I was impressed again. I talked to the owner of my mechanic shop who will get the vehicle you want from the dealer only auction for his cost plus $800. I knew what I wanted in every detail and I found a Lariat that went for $1500 over my budget. Bummer but still hopeful. The next week I got my XLT for $3K under my budget (auction price)! Truck is amazing. It was a bit of an adjustment going to a midsize as I do miss the big diesel but the Ranger is so nimble and cheaper to operate. I will be towing the travel trailer for the first time in a couple days for a camping trip to our usual spot in the mountains. I pulled it around the neighborhood yesterday to adjust the new brake controller (Prodigy P3. I'm impressed with it so far) and it felt pretty good although different. We don't tow too often and only have one pass to climb to camp.

The other brands weren't real considerations based on towing and off-road performance. The GM/Chevy were the only ones in the same towing class but I preferred the the features of the FX4.

 

[TxOTRRanger]

I'm a Ford guy to the bone, you cut me and I bleed Ford blue out of my veins. As I said in my introduction I have had 3 Rangers prior to this one. I've had a 96 supercab 2wd, 2000 single cab 2wd and a 2004 supercab Ranger EDGE 4x4, first 4wd that I ever owned. I had three F-150s before I ordered the 22 Ranger XLT SUPERCREW SPORT 4X4. The Ranger fits me perfectly, I'm not knocking the F-150 at all, like them but they're a little big for my small frame. Dad bought the last F-150 I had after the Ranger came in. They're reliable, they're fun and these trucks are practically bulletproof, as long as you take care of them, they will take care of you.
Sorry for being long winded with this, I'm like my hero, the late, great Bob Glidden Pro Stock drag racer.

 

[TxOTRRanger]

Moderators, sorry about the double posts, the cell phone signal is spotty at best out here in the country.

 

[canyonslicker]

I needed to downsize from my too high 4x4 F150 that was 13 years old. Great truck but my wife was struggling to get in and out of it. My wife offered to buy me my Ranger of choice. So now I have a 2021 Lariat FX4 loaded. I needed a new truck anyway for retirement. I love it and now it has only 26k miles.

 

[TxOTRRanger]

I needed to downsize from my too high 4x4 F150 that was 13 years old. Great truck but my wife was struggling to get in and out of it. My wife offered to buy me my Ranger of choice. So now I have a 2021 Lariat FX4 loaded. I needed a new truck anyway for retirement. I love it and now it has only 26k miles.

Dude, that's a sweet ride for your retirement. Big 10-4?

 

[Ranger Mel]

I needed to downsize from my too high 4x4 F150 that was 13 years old. Great truck but my wife was struggling to get in and out of it. My wife offered to buy me my Ranger of choice. So now I have a 2021 Lariat FX4 loaded. I needed a new truck anyway for retirement. I love it and now it has only 26k miles.

Well, she's a keeper!!? The Ranger, too!

 

[TxOTRRanger]

Good call, made me laugh!?

 

[Friday yet?]

Moderators, sorry about the double posts, the cell phone signal is spotty at best out here in the country.

Been there. Done that.

 

[Spacenut]

Has the magic 4 letter word on it F O R D.

 

[TxOTRRanger]

Has the magic 4 letter word on it F O R D.

AGREED!?

 

[Justamessenger]

I had to buy used Ranger because the only new extended cab 6 foot bed offerings, Tacoma and Frontier, were low-content and not the mainstream off-road package like FX4. In the U.S. Nissan had Pro-4x, Tacoma had TRD Off-road but not in extended cab.
I think by MY 2023, the kinks were ironed out- I continue to improve it here and there, and the only thing that could replace it would be a 6g extended cab 6’ bed FX4 V6 or the same in a Raptor.

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