WTF Ford?

[pmclaine]

Ill post this now in an effort to not create a Ford vs Chevy, vs Chrysler debate.....

My reason for posting is to ask WTF with the sizing of trucks.

My most favorite vehicle ever was my 2002 Ford Ranger, FX4 Level II, standard transmission 5 speed.

Not my actual truck but what mine was....

It was great fun.

It was also a size suitable for urban areas. I could take it in the city and park it. I sold it when I needed to get dual child seats in my car and traded this for an extended cab, four door F150. Hated the F150 for its "Yugeness" in my constrcted AO.

Just saw a reintroduced Ford Ranger.

Fucker looks as big as an F150 and new F150s look bigger again.

Looking to me like the Jeep Gladiator might be my choice if I ever want to get into a smaller pickup type truck.

Is Ford retarded for making the Ranger and F150 basically the same vehicle?

 

[Landon4]

Have you seen it in person they seem fairly smaller than an f150 to me but I drive an f250 could be part of the reason. I no the price tag isn’t small I was at the dealer a few weeks ago with my in laws as they were car shopping and saw one on the floor, of course it was the top model but they wanted something like $54k there’s just no way I could ever justify that for a small truck, the only reason I have an f-250 is because it makes my money and I haul a good bit of equipment with it.

 

[Inifinty]

Don't despair, when there is the Pruck!

 

[Huskydriver]

Ill post this now in an effort to not create a Ford vs Chevy, vs Chrysler debate.....

My reason for posting is to ask WTF with the sizing of trucks.

My most favorite vehicle ever was my 2002 Ford Ranger, FX4 Level II, standard transmission 5 speed.

Not my actual truck but what mine was....

It was great fun.

It was also a size suitable for urban areas. I could take it in the city and park it. I sold it when I needed to get dual child seats in my car and traded this for an extended cab, four door F150. Hated the F150 for its "Yugeness" in my constrcted AO.

Just saw a reintroduced Ford Ranger.

Fucker looks as big as an F150 and new F150s look bigger again.

Looking to me like the Jeep Gladiator might be my choice if I ever want to get into a smaller pickup type truck.

Is Ford retarded for making the Ranger and F150 basically the same vehicle?

Dude the new rangers are tiny... Just like the old ones lol

 

[timesublime]

Safety standards have increased the size of small vehicles.

 

[Gunfighter14e2]

Local dealer has a few of the new rangers, I test drove one while my 04 ranger was being serviced,... not not but hell no would I own one. Same with the lastest bronco, both are just high price POS's.

 

[Alabusa]

I love my 09 Ranger and would not trade even for a new one.

 

[2ndamendfan]

Ill post this now in an effort to not create a Ford vs Chevy, vs Chrysler debate.....

My reason for posting is to ask WTF with the sizing of trucks.

My most favorite vehicle ever was my 2002 Ford Ranger, FX4 Level II, standard transmission 5 speed.

Not my actual truck but what mine was....

It was great fun.

It was also a size suitable for urban areas. I could take it in the city and park it. I sold it when I needed to get dual child seats in my car and traded this for an extended cab, four door F150. Hated the F150 for its "Yugeness" in my constrcted AO.

Just saw a reintroduced Ford Ranger.

Fucker looks as big as an F150 and new F150s look bigger again.

Looking to me like the Jeep Gladiator might be my choice if I ever want to get into a smaller pickup type truck.

Is Ford retarded for making the Ranger and F150 basically the same vehicle?

The gladiator is bigger than you think. You need to go look at them.

Also, you can not blame any manufacturer for producing what the majority of people want to buy. You have very specific needs that can not be met, that isn't their fault (my nice way of saying, dont be a bitch).

The reason the ranger was discontinued originally was Ford felt it was cutting into F150 sales. My issue is not the size but the price. A ranger is only about $1500-2000 less than an F150 (equipped the same), that goes for F-150 vs F350 also. (Same for Chevy and dodge).


This is the USA, if you think you can build something that people will buy then get the fuck after it. No one will buy what you describe as the perfect vehicle. A 2002 ranger with manual transmission. The fact is 20 years later people have moved on.

 

[Gunfighter14e2]

Around here there is a booming business in referbing the older trucks of all kinds, with the older Fords an Chevy's being in major demand. However the demand for older Nissan's & Toyota's catching up rather fast. There is a major move away from all electronics as well. A crank window regulator brings twice that, of a powered one. You'll also have issue trying to find a used point distributor or stock Carb. The lazy transmissions are cheap compared to manuals w/ the newer 6 speeds showing up in many a 70 -80 model as well.

 

[Landon4]

The gladiator is bigger than you think. You need to go look at them.

Also, you can not blame any manufacturer for producing what the majority of people want to buy. You have very specific needs that can not be met, that isn't their fault (my nice way of saying, dont be a bitch).

The reason the ranger was discontinued originally was Ford felt it was cutting into F150 sales. My issue is not the size but the price. A ranger is only about $1500-2000 less than an F150 (equipped the same), that goes for F-150 vs F350 also. (Same for Chevy and dodge).


This is the USA, if you think you can build something that people will buy then get the fuck after it. No one will buy what you describe as the perfect vehicle. A 2002 ranger with manual transmission. The fact is 20 years later people have moved on.

People have definitely moved on hell the salesman at the dealer couldn’t even drive a manual transmission, me and my wife got a kick out of that as her only request when we bought her gt a few years back was to be a 6 speed manual, and now her jeep is also. In fact the mustang we wanted was at another dealer and they were going to have one if there guys bring it to our dealer, well they wrecked it into another mustang in the lot, apparently he said he could drive it but really couldn’t and hit another car, so our salesman took us to the dealer and we drove another back lol. I would take the gladiator over the ranger as well so many more Offroad features

 

[Supersubes]

I asked the Google about wheelbase between the 2002 supercab and the 2020 models. The 2020, regardless of cab style, are all 126.8”. The 2002 supercab was 125.7. So 1.1” separates them. The 2020 has a SMALLER turning circle at exactly 42 feet, vs the 2002 at 42.7. The 2020 has exactly double the HP and Torque too. The 2020 is heavier by 1000-1100 lbs, but you can put your kids in the back of it(crew cab). Speaking of that, I’m quite certain the new truck design has very good occupant safety. Can’t imagine the separation in driving experience between the two in general.

I’m summary, your senses about the new truck deceive you, you’re being nostalgic, and it’s clouding your judgement.

 

[RyanScott]

No way to option a ranger to 54k. And it’s a lot smaller than an F150. It’s what people want—that size at least. The old Ranger isn’t even good for work. We call them a none-ton and they cost the same to insure as an F450.

 

[Supersubes]

No way to option a ranger to 54k. And it’s a lot smaller than an F150. It’s what people want—that size at least. The old Ranger isn’t even good for work. We call them a none-ton and they cost the same to insure as an F450.

Bet it’s got a bunch of dealer installed garbage, each of which is marked up double.

 

[Landon4]

No way to option a ranger to 54k. And it’s a lot smaller than an F150. It’s what people want—that size at least. The old Ranger isn’t even good for work. We call them a none-ton and they cost the same to insure as an F450.

Yeah I just did some looking $47k was the most expensive I saw that’s probably it, I was looking at a bunch of vehicles but I still wouldn’t pay almost $50k for that size of a truck.

 

[Arc Light]

Toyota Tundra and Tacoma for the win

 

[E. Bryant]

Safety standards have increased the size of small vehicles.

It's completely possible to build a small safe vehicle. For example, the Chevy Sonic aces the NHTSA and IIHS crash tests.

What is not possible is to sell a small pickup truck at profit in the US. There are not enough buyers interested in one to make it worthwhile. The American car buyer has been trained in the bigger-is-better mindset for so long that anything in a "compact" category has become a niche product. If you're a dealership with the modern equivalent of a Ranger or S10 on your lot, you'll hear some variation on "why would I pay $25,000 for that tiny POS when I could buy a discounted full-size truck for the same price?". The same conversation will play out in a daily basis while the little truck takes up a spot on the lot until it's sold at a loss during some end-of-the-year sale.

Always keep in mind that Ford, GM, et al don't view us as the customer. The dealerships are their customers, and the OEMs will only build what the dealers think they can sell.

 

[clcustom1911]

Same soup, different seasoning with GM. The Silverado and Colorado and GMC Sierra vs Canyon. Those "small" trucks (Colorado and Canyon) are nearly the size of my 2006 Sierra I had.

 

[clcustom1911]

Toyota Tundra and Tacoma for the win

I'm a diehard GM guy, but those are very nice trucks.

 

[Arc Light]

I'm a diehard GM guy, but those are very nice trucks.

Where I live, it is insane what used Toyota trucks sell for. My local Toyota dealer practically begs me to sell him my 10 year old Tundra whenever I'm there for an oil change. Ford/GM, not so much. I believe you have to pay him to take your used Dodge Ram.

 

[Gunfighter14e2]

I’m summary, your senses about the new truck deceive you, you’re being nostalgic, and it’s clouding your judgement.

Could be but that shit is not selling around here,. but the rice burners sure are. It's interesting the dealerships here were hawking them prior to arrival, but that shit fell flat on it's face upon hitting the ground. Interesting across the ponds you can still get the older style with a Diesel if your so inclined an could have past the stopping dates here. Ford Fucked up an they're just trying put a good face on it, but most people have moved on, an many have moved to rice.

 

[Aries256]

Ill post this now in an effort to not create a Ford vs Chevy, vs Chrysler debate.....

My reason for posting is to ask WTF with the sizing of trucks.

My most favorite vehicle ever was my 2002 Ford Ranger, FX4 Level II, standard transmission 5 speed.

Not my actual truck but what mine was....

It was great fun.

It was also a size suitable for urban areas. I could take it in the city and park it. I sold it when I needed to get dual child seats in my car and traded this for an extended cab, four door F150. Hated the F150 for its "Yugeness" in my constrcted AO.

Just saw a reintroduced Ford Ranger.

Fucker looks as big as an F150 and new F150s look bigger again.

Looking to me like the Jeep Gladiator might be my choice if I ever want to get into a smaller pickup type truck.

Is Ford retarded for making the Ranger and F150 basically the same vehicle?

My dad has a newer f150 and its as big as the previous f250, my mom’s explorer is as big as the former expedition, the last gen focus was nearly as big as the first gen fusion. Everything is getting bigger.

 

[Ravenworks]

Around here there is a booming business in referbing the older trucks of all kinds, with the older Fords an Chevy's being in major demand. However the demand for older Nissan's & Toyota's catching up rather fast. There is a major move away from all electronics as well. A crank window regulator brings twice that, of a powered one. You'll also have issue trying to find a used point distributor or stock Carb. The lazy transmissions are cheap compared to manuals w/ the newer 6 speeds showing up in many a 70 -80 model as well.

You can find all that stuff at Summit racing.
Hell,I bet they have at least 25 different distributors on hand.

 

[rtB]

I'd buy one of these in a heartbeat, but of course they're not available in the US

New Toyota Land Cruiser

 

[2ndamendfan]

My dad has a newer f150 and its as big as the previous f250, my mom’s explorer is as big as the former expedition, the last gen focus was nearly as big as the first gen fusion. Everything is getting bigger.

F150 -F250-f350 have always been the same size or close. Hell they used the same body for 30 years. There was a divergence in body (but not size) from 1997-2015. But now all three use the same cab again. So you would be right that you dad's f150 isnthe same size as his previous 250, but would be wrong in expecting it any other way.

As far as the other vehicles you listed, you would be wrong. Look up specs on wheel base, length, width. The expedition has always been based on F150 chassis.

The explorer from 2010-2018 is based on the Taurus chassis (they share 90% parts not included body/interior)

The fusion and edge are sisters

The focus and escape are also.

 

[pmclaine]

Have you seen it in person they seem fairly smaller than an f150 to me but I drive an f250 could be part of the reason. I no the price tag isn’t small I was at the dealer a few weeks ago with my in laws as they were car shopping and saw one on the floor, of course it was the top model but they wanted something like $54k there’s just no way I could ever justify that for a small truck, the only reason I have an f-250 is because it makes my money and I haul a good bit of equipment with it.

Just saw my second ever one and it was a suicide door half cab rather than the 4 door I saw earlier today.

It did look a bit smaller than the F150.

My bad. These are the first Ive seen in nature.

 

[pmclaine]

I asked the Google about wheelbase between the 2002 supercab and the 2020 models. The 2020, regardless of cab style, are all 126.8”. The 2002 supercab was 125.7. So 1.1” separates them. The 2020 has a SMALLER turning circle at exactly 42 feet, vs the 2002 at 42.7. The 2020 has exactly double the HP and Torque too. The 2020 is heavier by 1000-1100 lbs, but you can put your kids in the back of it(crew cab). Speaking of that, I’m quite certain the new truck design has very good occupant safety. Can’t imagine the separation in driving experience between the two in general.

I’m summary, your senses about the new truck deceive you, you’re being nostalgic, and it’s clouding your judgement.

Dude to me an extra inch would be huge.

 

[pmclaine]

Yeah I just did some looking $47k was the most expensive I saw that’s probably it, I was looking at a bunch of vehicles but I still wouldn’t pay almost $50k for that size of a truck.

Think I paid $22 to $25K in 2002 which was expensive for a Ranger due to the Level II package.

 

[BoilerUP]

I owned a 2016 Colorado Crew Cab Long Bed 4x4; dimensionally and by capability (payload and tow rating) it was almost identical to a 2000 Silverado 1500.

Modern half tons are nearly as capable as 3/4 ton diesels of the same era.

 

[shoot 51]

Keep them all...I’m happy with my ‘78

 

[Crang]

Where I live, it is insane what used Toyota trucks sell for. My local dealer practically begs me to sell it to him when ever I go in for an oil change. Ford/GM, not so much. I believe you have to pay him to take your used Dodge Ram.

My dealer calls me periodically to see if Id sell my Tacoma back to them. No intentions of giving it up....or the 77 Ford either

 

[Supersubes]

Could be but that shit is not selling around here,. but the rice burners sure are. It's interesting the dealerships here were hawking them prior to arrival, but that shit fell flat on it's face upon hitting the ground. Interesting across the ponds you can still get the older style with a Diesel if your so inclined an could have past the stopping dates here. Ford Fucked up an they're just trying put a good face on it, but most people have moved on, an many have moved to rice.

pmclaine’s gripe wasn’t about any of that though, and I wanted to poke some fun at him. ?

You’re right about sales though. Ford sold about 50,000 rangers truck last year, which is not great, and it looks like they significantly rolled back production in Q3, so they are getting spanked.

FWIW, I piss on fords as a general rule. If it isn’t a GT350, GT500, or a GT, i’m not interested. The rest of them are ugly as hell inside and out.

 

[Supersubes]

Dude to me an extra inch would be huge.

Oh come on man, you get it back in the turning circle.

 

[pmclaine]

Keep them all...I’m happy with my ‘78View attachment 7253648

I was just thinking of this exact truck.

I was working for a construction company in a past life and that exact truck was my work truck.

Life in my area is divided into "Pre Blizzard of 78" and "Post Blizzard of 78".

It was that big an event Its a point of historical reference.

During that storm the owner of the construction company, my step father, was raking in the money with his earth moving equipment hired up by the state to move snow. Every piece of equipmet he had pretty much worked a legitimate 24/7.

As soon as the roads were clear for cars he went to the nearest Ford dealer and bought a 4x4, 4 speed manual "Ranger".

Twenty some odd years later it became my company ride.

Thing is a beast, metal dash, bench seat, locking hubs......

By the time I had got it the mechanics had replaced the exhaust. Playing a joke on "the old man" they put a cherry bomber muffler system in. Downshifting was like "jake braking"

Savage truck!

After I left the company "the old man" rebuilt his 78 Ranger into a "service truck" to bring to antique truck shows. He was the man when someone had a mechanical issue and he was able to bust out the tools to make the fix.

Good times....

 

[1J04]

If Ford had their shit together regarding the reintroduction of the Ranger, they'd toss in an Arken. That would definitely tip the scales of those on the fence.......

 

[timesublime]

Arken

Arken generator?

 

[308pirate]

Ill post this now in an effort to not create a Ford vs Chevy, vs Chrysler debate.....

My reason for posting is to ask WTF with the sizing of trucks.

My most favorite vehicle ever was my 2002 Ford Ranger, FX4 Level II, standard transmission 5 speed.

Not my actual truck but what mine was....

It was great fun.

It was also a size suitable for urban areas. I could take it in the city and park it. I sold it when I needed to get dual child seats in my car and traded this for an extended cab, four door F150. Hated the F150 for its "Yugeness" in my constrcted AO.

Just saw a reintroduced Ford Ranger.

Fucker looks as big as an F150 and new F150s look bigger again.

Looking to me like the Jeep Gladiator might be my choice if I ever want to get into a smaller pickup type truck.

Is Ford retarded for making the Ranger and F150 basically the same vehicle?

The new Ranger is nowhere near as big as you think it is. It's actually a tiny bit smaller than the Toyota Tacoma.

I recently took the similarly sized Chevy Colorado for a test drive and had no trouble with it at all.

 

[pmclaine]

Arken generator?

scope.....

 

[timesublime]

Ah...

 

[1J04]

 

[Maggot]

Before you buy anything go to Consumer's Reports and check out the reliability and repair record. That goes quintuple for anything with Jeep on or near it.

 

[abn31c]

I thought these were for chicks, damn guy's buy a real p/u. Hard to be hard and tacticool in a damn toy. And god forbid you hit an elk in one of these....just sayin.....

 

[pmclaine]

Before you buy anything go to Consumer's Reports and check out the reliability and repair record. That goes quintuple for anything with Jeep on or near it.

Yeah that's the downside. Anything "Chrysler" Ive been in has had me expecting the smell of burning transmission or engine oil smells with a fine mist in the passenger compartment that burns your eyes.

If I had my way in choosing the family beach buggy and Chrysler was to be my choice.......

or

 

[Redmanss]

The truck you’re looking for is the Toyota Hilux, still not available in the USA...

I’d buy one in a second, so long as it was the diesel version.

 

[BLKWLFK9]

Yea... the new rangers aren't big at all. My dad looked at downsizing to a ranger from an F150. He test drove one for a few days and even though it was REALLY nice truck, the cab was too small for him to take his jacket off inside the truck, and he isn't a big man. That sealed the deal that it was just too small. Ended up buying a 2019 f150 instead (like i told him he would)

 

[308pirate]

Before you buy anything go to Consumer's Reports and check out the reliability and repair record. That goes quintuple for anything with Jeep on or near it.

Brand new vehicle. Doubt there's much there.

Oddly enough, I bought a brand new Dodge Dakota Quad Cab 4.7 4WD in 2000 and drove the piss out of it for a decade. Gifted it to my dad and he drove it for at least another four years. He re-sold it and it still had the original engine and transmission, untouched from the factory except for fluid changes and a new water pump.

I'm guessing that truck had to have well over 200K miles when my dad sold it.

 

[Gunfighter14e2]

You can find all that stuff at Summit racing.
Hell,I bet they have at least 25 different distributors on hand.

Yes you can,...but only at summit pricing.

 

[timesublime]

Yes you can,...but only at summit pricing

Rockauto is a cheaper source.

 

[Gunfighter14e2]

pmclaine’s gripe wasn’t about any of that though, and I wanted to poke some fun at him. ?

You’re right about sales though. Ford sold about 50,000 rangers truck last year, which is not great, and it looks like they significantly rolled back production in Q3, so they are getting spanked.

FWIW, I piss on fords as a general rule. If it isn’t a GT350, GT500, or a GT, i’m not interested. The rest of them are ugly as hell inside and out.

While I still like the older Fords (<85) the newer stuff is pure junk to me. The services trucks we has (Ford, Chevy, & Dodge) you could not make one good truck from all three. They all sucked for our uses. The dealers told us the reason we were having issues was becaused we used them to spec. OK so you knowing sell shit that won't meet your own specs? Their reply was the bulk of truck owners never use they're truck to spec. WE had to go to F450's & F550's to do the job the older F350's an 3500's did w/o issue. I reverted to Nissan an will never look back, unless it's an older Ford or Chevy or prior to 1975 Dodge.

 

[Gunfighter14e2]

Rockauto is a cheaper source.

We've had major issue with Rockauto parts. For mom & pop they're ok but on engines running 8-14 hrs a day at 80%+ of the engine HP rating they have a very high failure rate with us.

 

[pmclaine]

While I still like the older Fords (<85) the newer stuff is pure junk to me. The services trucks we has (Ford, Chevy, & Dodge) you could not make one good truck from all three. They all sucked for our uses. The dealers told us the reason we were having issues was becaused we used them to spec. OK so you knowing sell shit that won't meet your own specs? Their reply was the bulk of truck owners never use they're truck to spec. WE had to go to F450's & F550's to do the job the older F350's an 3500's did w/o issue. I reverted to Nissan an will never look back, unless it's an older Ford or Chevy or prior to 1975 Dodge.

Got a Nissan Rogue as a replacement vehicle while family car was in for a warranty repair.

The plastic over the drivers gauge cluster seemed to have an RX prescription and I found myself getting sick checking speed/RPMs/whatever. Struck me as cheap.

Im pretty happy with my Honda vehicle as being made in USA vs my American badged, Communist Auto Workers of the USA built vehicles with major components marked made in Mexico or Germany.