Ford's new mini-ranger

[stevej37]

^^^Honda Ridgeline is uni-body..right??

[Crowbob]

Yes, Steve.

Were I to buy a PU, I'd be in it for the long haul. That is I want it to last a long time and haul a bunch of stuff. It seems like a uni-body PU isn't as strong as a frame-type and we here in Michigan are constantly battling rust. I'd run a truck until the wheel wells and fenders rotted right off because I'm thinking the frame might still good for hauling firewood type stuff.

But that's just me.

[flatbutt]

Originally Posted by Crowbob

Yes, Steve.

Were I to buy a PU, I'd be in it for the long haul. That is I want it to last a long time and haul a bunch of stuff. It seems like a uni-body PU isn't as strong as a frame-type and we here in Michigan are constantly battling rust. I'd run a truck until the wheel wells and fenders rotted right off because I'm thinking the frame might still good for hauling firewood type stuff.

But that's just me.

FWIW My '06 Taco just turned 203,000 on the clock.

[cabmandone]

FWD would be nice in snow. My dad LOVED his VW pickup with a diesel engine. Drove the hell out of that thing and pulled things you wouldn't believe with it. I think a small truck with good fuel economy would be well received. Trucks aren't as much a work vehicle as they once were.

[billybek]

Originally Posted by Crowbob

I'd be skeptical of a uni-body PU.

Honda Ridgeline is a unibody.
OK for what it is, I guess.

[Racerbvd]

Originally Posted by cabmando

FWD would be nice in snow. My dad LOVED his VW pickup with a diesel engine. Drove the hell out of that thing and pulled things you wouldn't believe with it. I think a small truck with good fuel economy would be well received. Trucks aren't as much a work vehicle as they once were.

I've owned several, lots of fun.

[stevej37]

Originally Posted by Crowbob

Yes, Steve.

Were I to buy a PU, I'd be in it for the long haul. That is I want it to last a long time and haul a bunch of stuff. It seems like a uni-body PU isn't as strong as a frame-type and we here in Michigan are constantly battling rust. I'd run a truck until the wheel wells and fenders rotted right off because I'm thinking the frame might still good for hauling firewood type stuff.

But that's just me.

Well...it prob won't do this!

[wayner]

Originally Posted by stevej37

^^^ The article is about a new smaller version of the Ranger....that hasn't been made yet.

My mistake.

Ford has been talking about "brining back" the Ranger for so long that I realize that I've lost track of the discussion.

[stevej37]

^^^ Until I read the article this morning, I had no idea they were planning a smaller/basic version.
I hope they follow through on it...nice to have a pick-up that fits easily in the garage.

[onewhippedpuppy]

I echo the love for the old school Toyota pickup. Yes please, those things were perfect.

[john70t]

Originally Posted by Crowbob

It seems like a uni-body PU isn't as strong as a frame-type and we here in Michigan are constantly battling rust.

The Ford F150 is aluminum frame.
Big. Lighter weight. Great gas mileage actually.

Stick a 1/4" steel sheet in the bed and maybe it will do what it is supposed to do: Haul.

[pavulon]

I think the F150 frame is still steel.

[masraum]

Originally Posted by onewhippedpuppy

I echo the love for the old school Toyota pickup. Yes please, those things were perfect.

Back, probably around 1994, I test drove a new Toyota SR5. It was the most basic, most stripped model they had. It came with a rubber floor, manual everything, and no rear bumper. I think they wanted $8-9k for it. I then wandered over to the Nissan dealer, and for $6900, they were happy to give me a little 4-banger, manual trans, AC, stereo, carpet, rear bumper truck. I'm sure the Toyota was a great truck. I ended up buying a used Ranger.

[cabmandone]

Originally Posted by pavulon

I think the F150 frame is still steel.

You should put steel in quotation marks. It resembles steel. A magnet sticks to it... but it ain't really "steel"

[pavulon]

Originally Posted by cabmando

You should put steel in quotation marks. It resembles steel. A magnet sticks to it... but it ain't really "steel"

ok. What is it?

[legion]

Originally Posted by Crowbob

I'd be skeptical of a uni-body PU.

For commuting and throwing a back of gravel or a plant in the bed twice a year (like most trucks are used), it's just fine.

[Crowbob]

I thought that's what a $400 Harbor Freight trailer was for.

[VincentVega]

Love those things! My dad had one when I was a kid so it became my landscape truck. Dragged the bumper overloaded with mulch a few times. 2.4l of power!

x10 on most trucks today are just too damn big for everyday use. Parking lot of work is full of them, they dwarf my Mini. Nevermind.

[stevej37]

Ford Courier Focus Pickup Spy Shot

[Tidybuoy]

I like my 2011 Ford Ranger, it's all the truck I need. Very basic, hauls anything. The suspension sucks but I'm making some improvements to that. It's also cheap and didn't break the bank.