New Ford Ranger mega thread

Plastic beds aren't subjected to hundreds of degrees every time the truck runs. Not to mention I think most would prefer steel anyway.

 

^Or submerged in petroleum-based oil continuously.

Yes plastic beds actually save weight. The Taco is about 300 lb lighter than a Colorado or Frontier.

 

I guess Tacoma owners don't actually haul stuff in their bed anyway so the strength of the material doesn't matter.

 

thats maybe why the call it the EcoBoom cause the plastic melts and goes BOOM

 

Strength hasn't been an issue with 2nd/3rd gen beds. The SMC fiberglass composite is tougher than the flimsy steel in 1st gen beds. Choice of application is important. Plastic is OK for the bed and bodywork (fenders, bedsides). It is not OK for many engine components where warpage and creep can result in leaks.

 

I haul boat loads of firewood and gravel just as strong as a steel bed IMO but 300lbs lighter

 

I would never buy any vehicle that has a plastic engine, especially a Ford

 

I guess other engines have plastic too. There is a thread somewhere- a few of the 3rd gend Tacomas have some sort of a coolant leak through a seam in a hard plastic line/housing, behind the engine heads. Looks like a fungus forming on outside of plastic.

Edit:

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/check-your-3-5l-coolant-pipe.531758/#post-17037869

 

asmall plastic pipe can be replaced, a melted plastic engine not so easy to replace

 

^WTF!? You'd think Toyota would've learned with the coolant pipe on the 2TR: https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/water-bypass-pipe-no-1.201053/

 

Completely agree- thats why I posted. Does not make sense.

 

Toyota replaced those with a metal pipe and remedied it, pretty well known with certain years of the 2.7l

 

^Yes I know, which is why it doesn't make sense to revert back to a plastic pipe for the 2GR.

 

That Frame does look beefy, would like to see a Manual Trans in there though.

 

Our Oil Filter Canister is Plastic and is submerged in petroleum based Oil and Pressure every time it runs.

 

^Yep, and its durability is questionable. Popular mod to replace it with the aluminum canister from the Venza: https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/oil-filter-2016-tacoma-v6.396264/page-10#post-11804125

 

I bought the aluminum replacement soon after buying the truck, and replaced the plastic one the first time I did the oil change.

The plastic cap seemed pretty sturdy, fwiw.

My thinking is that Toyota would not have used it unless it was durable.

Ford, probably also durable plastic, but I have seen steel oil pans punctured, so using plastic there seem "dubious".

My $.02

I would truck a Ford over a GM any day, also my $.02.

 

if it was a widespread issue or a issue that seems to be consistently occurring they probably would/will go with a new design, metal. doesn't seem at this point that its a prevalent issue

 

Oh, I guess only Toyota engineers know how to plastic. Even though Ford has been using plastic oil pans for nearly a decade on their heavy duty trucks

 

The Toyota composite bed is great. Extremely tough and durable. The lighter weight and greater strength of the material allows them to increase the payload, as you are not hauling around the greater weight of a steel bed.

The worst junk bed I’ve ever had was on my last Ford Ranger. Putting a tool bag in the back dented the cheap steel. I’ll take composite any day, and hope Toyota does not change.

Anyone who doesn’t understand that plastic composites have produced materials with increased strength and durability, at a decreased weight penalty is completely ignoring the modern world. Composites are everywhere.

I challenge you to spend the day finding ‘links’ about Tacoma owners blowing out their composite beds. I’m sure there’s a couple, but it’s no means commonplace, or any sort of issue.