I want to get a compact pickup for hunting and only Ford makes them any more (Ranger). The Tacoma and the Chevy S-10/Colorado have gotten larger.

My choices are:
- 2004 Chevy S-10
- 2004 GMC Sonoma
- 2004 Tacoma
- 2004 Ranger

I'd get 4x4, big tires, winch, etc. I'm told I should get "locking differential" but I don't know if these trucks have that.

Which of the above would be best for driving off-road? Biggest threat would be getting stuck in the mud after a rain. Appreciate any insights!

Hunter 308

I doubt the Ranger will be made any longer as sales have been way down.Of the others the Tacoma is the best choice.You might check one of the Tacoma forums to get more information on details.

Of those you listed I'd probably go with the Tacoma as the Toyotas are known for durability. The Ranger would not be a bad choice either. You might also consider a Nissan Frontier if one is available. Yes, they've gotten larger as well so you'll need to go back a couple years.

I suspect by "locking differential" that might mean a limited slip differntial which has been available on just about any vehicle for many years. The other possibility is that they're meaning automatic or manual locking hubs. Automatic locking hubs are great till they won't lock or unlock for you. Manual locking hubs rarely fail but if you are in a bunch of mud when you realize you need to lock them in then guess what, you get to get out and lock them. My Superduty has automatic locks with manual backup . That's my two cents.

Ken....

Best of the best would be a Toyota Hilux 4wd, 5spd manual trans., with a 2L diesel. Like you see everywhere else in the world except the US.

Built tough for a long hard life. They get disgustingly high MPG.

Toyota doesn't currently import the diesel pickups due to emissions licensing.

But you can buy an older gas engined Toyota and install an imported diesel. I'm in the midst of gathering the parts to do exactly that.

An older Ford Ranger 4wd is a good beater too. I have one I've been trying to kill for 12 years hunting and trapping and it's still going.

I buy used and rebuild them because I beat the Hell out of them. I also know how and I like to.

Ok, thanks for the ideas!

Hunter308

I currently drive a '07 4 dr extended cab 4x4 Ranger. I like it, and I believe it is the same frame as the Explorer Sportrac 4 dr '01 that I used to drive, although with a smaller backseat and longer bed. If you've got more than one hunting buddy or have a wife and kids, the Sportrac is pretty handy. You can put a deer and a cooler in the bed with room to spare, and no smells in the cab, seats four adults comfortably.

SG, they sell those Rangers in Central and South America with 4cyl Mitsubishi diesels, 40+ mpg is what I'm told.

Hands down,2004 Tacoma, it was the older style, redesigned for 2005 and larger. Not the same truck as an 04. I to would love to try one with the diesel, even at $4.69 a gallon, the increased mileage would make it work.

I don't know if it's still true but Rangers used to be relabled Mazdas. For long life, I would vote for the Toyodas.

quote:

Originally posted by Hunter308:
I want to get a compact pickup for hunting and only Ford makes them any more (Ranger). The Tacoma and the Chevy S-10/Colorado have gotten larger.

My choices are:
- 2004 Chevy S-10

- 2004 GMC Sonoma
- 2004 Tacoma
- 2004 Ranger

I'd get 4x4, big tires, winch, etc. I'm told I should get "locking differential" but I don't know if these trucks have that.

Which of the above would be best for driving off-road? Biggest threat would be getting stuck in the mud after a rain. Appreciate any insights!

Hunter 308

Of the choices you list, the Tacoma would be my first choice, and IMO you can't come close to matching the quality, and dependability with any of the others on that list. However, if I had to choose one of the others, it would defininatly be a Ranger, but I wouldn't even consider the other two, under any circumstance!

I wish the TOYOTA land cruiser like the ones used in Africa could be bought here, one would be in my garage right now! Alas, they are not available herebut the Jeep Ulimited comes close, and may be another choice! With the long body, and a pick-up type top, the longer bed presents some utility, for hunting!

I've been looking for an older Toyota Tacoma 4X4 with the longer bed, in good re-buildable shape for some time, but as long as they are still running reasonably well, nobody wants to get rid of them!

quote:

Originally posted by Jim C. <><:
I don't know if it's still true but Rangers used to be relabled Mazdas. For long life, I would vote for the Toyodas.

The Rangers have not been built by Mazda since about 1995. IMO, that was a mistake by Ford when they went to the current Ranger. Those Mazda Rangers were some tough little trucks. The though it is nowhere near as well made, or as reliable as the Toyota,the current Ranger is far better than the GM small pick-ups, IMO!

some of the hardest working hunting trks I have seen are the Toyotas.

Got an '02 Tacoma, basically the same as the '04. It has the locking differential which has come in handy when a sudden snow melt made the logging roads a mud wrestler's heaven. Its tough.

I'm a Toyota slut. I currently own two, a Tundra and a Highlander. The 95-2005 Tacomas are being recalled for rusted frames. If you buy a 04 Tacoma, have the frame checked by a Toyota dealer. If it is rusted, Toyota will give you 150% of kelly Retail, a free 30 day rental car and $1000 rebate on any new Toyota, if you choose to buy. If the truck frame is not rusted, toyota will extend the rust thru warranty by 10 years.

quote:

I'm a Toyota slut. I currently own two, a Tundra and a Highlander. The 95-2005 Tacomas are being recalled for rusted frames. If you buy a 04 Tacoma, have the frame checked by a Toyota dealer. If it is rusted, Toyota will give you 150% of kelly Retail, a free 30 day rental car and $1000 rebate on any new Toyota, if you choose to buy. If the truck frame is not rusted, toyota will extend the rust thru warranty by 10 years.

This is another of many reasons they are kicking GM's and Ferd's ass!

quote:

Originally posted by mete:
I doubt the Ranger will be made any longer as sales have been way down.Of the others the Tacoma is the best choice.You might check one of the Tacoma forums to get more information on details.

Bullshit, sales of EVERYTHING are down.

Nor are NEW sales for the 2008 or 2009 model year relevant to his inquiry

quote:

Originally posted by Jim C. <><:
I don't know if it's still true but Rangers used to be relabled Mazdas. For long life, I would vote for the Toyodas.

INCORRECT, Mazda's are actually relabeled rangers not Vice-Versa as you say.

quote:

Originally posted by MacD37:

quote:

Originally posted by Jim C. <><:
I don't know if it's still true but Rangers used to be relabled Mazdas. For long life, I would vote for the Toyodas.

The Rangers have not been built by Mazda since about 1995. IMO, that was a mistake by Ford when they went to the current Ranger. Those Mazda Rangers were some tough little trucks. The though it is nowhere near as well made, or as reliable as the Toyota,the current Ranger is far better than the GM small pick-ups, IMO!

the Ranger was NEVER made by Mazda.

The COURIER was but that's another issue entirely.

Mazda's from 1993 are RANGERS.

Up to 1997 Rangers were essentially "miniature F-150's" with twin I-beam suspensions.

Frankly what I think was a mistake was making the rangers 1998-up more car like with double wishbone front suspensions, as Toyota did going into 1986 Chevy has ALWAYS done on their S-10 and Sonoma, Nissan.. etc....

Frankly I think Rangers up to the end of 1997 were the last true "trucks" of the compact trucks.

If you want a locking diff on most trucks you must check
the specific truck you are looking at because even on the oft mentioned Toyota's it was OPTIONAL equipment.

Toyota's are good trucks, but on an older truck I'd rather have a Ford

If I were specifically looking for a compact truck for HUNTING
and SERIOUS offroad use I'd look for a Ranger "FX4 Level2" ranger as these came with all the offroad "bells and whistles" these were made 2001-up

They came with a heavier than normal rear axle (31-spline shafts instead of 28-spline shafts) and a Zexel Torsen worm gear differential that maximized traction with a minimum of bad habits like a true "locking differential"

Frankly, I'd recommend BUILDING the compact truck you really want.

That's what I did.

MY truck is a 1987 Ranger supercab body
a 1993 4.0 engine and 1997 Axles.
there is more detail than that in my creation, butiut's beyond the scope of this discussion.


The issues with the rusty frames on the toyota's is an issue common to the allegedly "superior" "fully boxed frames"
which rust from the inside out.

It's one of the reasons why C-channel frames are superior.

Oh the advertising people love to talk up "fully boxed frames" it sounds "sexy" (to some really weird people)
but the truth is that the MFG's switched to them not because they were mechanically superior, but financially superior.... the factory tooling to produce C-channel frames (from heavier steel) are more expensive to make and operate not to mention the cost and weight of the thicker
steel used, so they came up with this "boxed frame" nonsense

Because it's boxed, but not SEALED once water gets in the frame rusts from the inside out. WHERE YOU CANNOT SEE IT.

AD

I did own a 1991 ranger 4x4 extended cab with the 4 liter engine.After the front hubs both failed,the rear crank seal failed,the clutch failed,the 4x4 solenoid failed,and the drivers side door lock failed,making the door totally inoperable,I sold it before the warranty expired.

quote:

Originally posted by stubblejumper:
I did own a 1991 ranger 4x4 extended cab with the 4 liter engine.After the front hubs both failed,the rear crank seal failed,the clutch failed,the 4x4 solenoid failed,and the drivers side door lock failed,making the door totally inoperable,I sold it before the warranty expired.

Show me a 4x4 vehicle with "auto hubs"
and I'll laugh at you for having them.

auto hubs regardless of make fail.

Electric shift T-cases? Bwhahahah!!!
Why would you trust an electric motor over a STEEL LEVER? You just know a steel lever MUST work.

Clutch failed? someone should revoke your stick shift privleges. I have put over 100k miles on a stock 4.0 clutch.

Door latch? you got one of the late '91's that used a cable actuated door latch
ford only used those for a few months in 1991 and most of 1992, then gave up on the idea.

Skip an oil change on a toyota and you get to buy a new engine.

have a ground wire get corroded on a nissan and you'll spend YEARS chasing the electrical problems.

Besides even if various "foreign" manufacturers
actually build their trucks here the profits still go overseas.

AD

quote:

Skip an oil change on a toyota and you get to buy a new engine

OH really skip like how long 250000 mile and there might be 50/50 chance on a Toyota.


I have had 4 toyotas in my life including a 71 Land criuser that @ 55 mph turned 3600 rpms
that I put 177000 miles on and never burnt a drop of oil thats like going 7000 miles between oil changes on a new rig today.Not bad for a 71 vintage vehicle.


At those rpms thats like putting close to 250000 miles on one of todays engine.

My current 1997 Tacoma is at 147000 miles and I change the oil at 4000 miles and have had no problems with it.
That is skipping it by 1000 miles and I am pretty sure when I change it oils does come out. And I have not replaced the engine in it and IN fact it sounds the same as the day I drove it off the lot.

The only thing I have ever replace has been the timing belt and the starter.



Cal30

quote:

auto hubs regardless of make fail.

Damn I have them also...

Cal30