Come on everyone, lets laugh at the new Ford Ranger

One thing to keep in mind is that the Ranger's standard engine makes more power than the Tacoma's V6 option. So, you can't really compare pricing to 4 cylinder Tacos.

Sure, it might be nice if they offered a smaller engine, but it probably wouldn't sell much. And, maybe they're just letting the Maverick cover the lower priced part of the market.

 

All of those things may be true, but the seating position precludes me from even considering one (at least a 3rd gen). Maybe the 4th gen will be better.

And I like that you said "perceived" reliability, because I think reality doesn't quite live up to that perception with the 3rd gen, and the 4th is an unknown quantity.

 

Seating position is the one thing I'm hoping is improved on the Tacoma. That seat is the reason I have a 4runner and not a Tacoma.

Tacoma is typically listed as 1 or 2 in the many reliability articles online. I did find one article that had the Tacoma at number 3.

Personally I trust the Japanese and this is merely conjecture but Japan has a culture of wanting to make reliable things where a lot of the rest of the world has planned obsolescence or poorly made products. Toyota manufactures the most cars int he world at 9,566,961 for 2022. Ford is at 4,235,737. I think they would learn a thing or two about reliability of they products making that many vehicles.

 

You can really feel Henry Ford's Spear of Destiny going up your rectum with this new Ranger!

 

Also looks like the v6 2.7 eco boost is going to be offered in the 2024 ranger.

 

2.7 V6. That's so bizarre for a V6, my I4 has the same displacement and 2 fewer cylinders. That engine must have thimble sized cylinders. Still makes way more power than my 3rz.

The current Toyota engines are old and outdated, certainly a weakness. I don't expect either the 2TR-FE or 2GR to continue to the next generation. If the roomers are true the T24A-FTS will replace the venerable 2TR-FE (RIP 3rz block), so no naturally aspirated engines from here. Neither of the engines Toyota might use are well tested, so from the start Ford is starting off with better engines (they're proven and seem okay).

But that doesn't excuse the price. Ford's pricing isn't competitive, even against slightly newer trucks like the Nissan Frontier (released not than long ago) which start at 29,400. If Toyota can undercut Ford I think their position in the segment will be strong, somewhere between the Fortier and the Ranger.

 

Makes perfect sense. The smaller the engine the better mpg. Old, simple rule. So if you can turbo a small engine it should get enough power and good enough mpg. Emphasis on the mpg. They're make it bigger with more power if they didn't need to get better mpg.

 

Toyota seems to have forgotten the whole quality thing with the new Tundra though. Not sure the Tacoma will be any better.

 

If you want thimble sized cylinders check out the BRM V16 at 1.5 liters.

 

These turbo 4's are making way better power than our V6.

 

Im waiting, so i can make fun of the new 6th gen 4runner.






Because, i dont have any faith,..... and will when it drops/launches.

 

I was answering the why. Because they get more power they would be absolutely stupid not to make these 4 bangers

 

Have you seen the new sequoia?

 

lol..... drove one lol

 

How'd it drive? They look pretty cool

 

A Ranger Raptor is one of the only vehicles that could get me out of my 4Runner.

Ford has really hit a home run with the Raptor series (except for that ugly ass Bronco Raptor.....that thing was clearly an afterthought).

This is what Toyota's Pro trim should be. If Toyota modeled the Pro after the Raptor, people would buying a lot more Pros.

 

Nah, we're just gonna say they're overrated garbage from day 1. By the time I need tires, the KO3's will have been out long enough to know whether they suck, until then, garbage!

 

Good news is that the TRD Pro looks like it finally is a significant upgrade from the TRD Off Road...

 

I still maintain that the KO2 is a fine tire. It's just not the top choice anymore.

 

I finally watched one of Toyota's videos on the new Tacos, and it looks awesome!

 

I really like buying the ORP because I'm just going to replace everything that is Pro anyway.

To the contrary I sure hope everything is available on the ARP, except the two tone...

 

That sway bar disconnect sounds pretty sweet. That and the locker are about all I'd want. But, maybe we'll get the next generation KDSS instead.

 

The more and more I read about the ranger raptor the more I like it. Id love to test drive one first.

 

I dont think future generations will have KDSS because I think 4runners only have it to reduce the roll over risk and create better handling since the vehicle was not designed well in this regard and did not initially have it. Future gens will definitely be designed not to require KDSS

 

It's not a matter of future generations requiring it. The current generation doesn't require it.

It's optional, and its main function is improved articulation off-road. If it had anything to do with reducing rollovers, it would be standard. The reduced body roll is a secondary benefit.

The next version should be an even bigger improvement in articulation, due to having hydraulic rams on both sides in front (based on the new version on the Landcruiser).

 

↑ some great points. I've been pretty happy with it, cross my fingers. New KDSS double rams up front, double the chance of the dreaded hydraulic leak

 

It's not standard because if it were that would be an admission of guilt. The 4runner has about the worst crash rating of any current vehicle and the worst rollover risk rating after passenger vans and the jeep wrangler.

All of our wheels articulate just fine without kdss.
Kdss is to have less body roll on roads, where there might be a rollover.

If kdss was better in any way other than making the 4runner less if a law suit liability to Toyota, then we would see other vehicles with kdss and not just on their SUV's with stupid high rollover risk.

 

LOL!

OK.

So, Toyota decided to make safety an option on some trims, in this world of lawsuits. Sure.



Also, the Tinkerer video proved that KDSS equipped vehicles have more articulation.

 

Haha! I thought the same thing. But, if I recall correctly, the new version gets rid of the hydraulic lines connecting front and rear. I'm basing this on the new Landcruiser, though, so we'll see what we get.

I have mixed feelings about it. I think it's a great concept, and definitely a slight advantage on technical trails. But, I think it could have been executed better.

If I were to buy again, I'd probably get non-KDSS and delete the front sway bar. OTOH, if the new version ends up being an improvement, I might be interested.

 

Also recommend the tinkerer videos to really get a good visual understanding of the off road improvements in articultion.

KDSS is pretty unique in that it has about equal purpose to flatten out lean when turning on pavement, and to function as a disconnect of sorts to seriously improve flex off road. It significantly improves each extreme of the 4runners “dual purpose”

kDSS probably improves safety on road as well, yes, but toyota could have stopped at putting on huge regular swaybars on all 4runner and call it good.

However, I could see the justification in not offering kdss on a 6th gen if it has a low center of gravity…and simply offer whatever swaybar disconnect system the new tacoma has.

Regarding the roll over risk of 4runners, it doesnt surprise me they rank poorly. And it’s good to be reminded of that. Mine is lifted, and it’s a daily driver. I’m usually reminded of that during the occassional evasive/avoidance maneuvers in regular traffic situations. My lift seems to make the tippiness seem worse than stock, but I bet stock wasnt that much more stable. Stability under braking is a bit scary. The rear end lightens so much under hard braking, that it feels like it would step out really easily if you even thought about turning at the same time. In my head, I’ve trained myself to seperate hard-braking action and turning action in the 4runner. Because both at the same time, at higher speeds, is a very high pucker factor.



And here I am, slowly being tempted by high articulation, and wondering how long I hold out before removing my front swaybar.