1st Gen Taco vs 2nd,3rd Gen Ranger

Hey guys,

I am in the market of getting a small truck to be my DD for a short period of time. I have narrowed my choices down to the taco and ranger.

I know this is a Taco 4rum but if anyone has owned both, could you please share your experience? Which one should I go for?
Finding a stock, well maintained 1st Gen Taco with reasonable mileage is kinda difficult.

Any ideas or inputs are highly appreciated. Thanks!!

 

I have no experience with rangers but dare I ask, what is "reasonable" mileage to you?

I ask because a lot of us will say 200k mileage is pretty reasonable for a 1st gen Taco; rust free frame + routine maintenance = trouble free truck

 

when dealing with Ford stay away from the OHC 4.0... problem motor, the 3.0 is bullet proof. I have an 03 Ranger Super cab, 4X4, 4.0, auto trans, 4:10 limited slip... it all sounds good on paper, The 4.0 is gutless in the lower rpm range, where you drive it 99% of the time, above 4500 rpm it screams. My Tacaoma's, both the 2.4 and the 3.4's are much more drive-able. There are reason why a used Ranger is 1/2 the price of a similar Tacoma.

 

What do you mean a "short period of time"?? What's wrong with the 4Runner in your profile pic?

If you're looking for a throwaway truck that needs to limp you along for 6 months or a year, swing a dead cat and find a ford to buy for cheap.

If you're looking for a long term vehicle that will be good and reliable for many more years and hundreds of thousands of miles, take the time and find a toyota.

 

I was hoping to find one less than 180k as much stock as possible. Most of 1st gens in my area have been modded somehow or very high mileage.

I bought that for my lady lol. It still has 11 months of payments. I want to get it paid off first. In the meantime, I need a vehicle. I was planning to get a 3rd Gen but if I could find a clean, well maintained, rust free 1st Gen then I might keep it for a long time before my next upgrade.

 

Thank you for your input, let me do a bit more research. Thanks again

 

Where is your area? It helps us help by knowing your location.

 

I am located in Albuquerque, NM

 

If you want something short term go with the Ford use it as long as you need and scrap it

Then it comes down if you do your own work or farm it out all used vehicles have catch up maintenance

 

OMG the 1995.5-1997 model is growing on me like crazy. I saw one on the road today and that was so clean, compact and hella cool truck. I've gotta have to hunt for one!

 

Good luck finding a bargain on a decent 1st gen Tacoma, they're collector cars now. Rangers are fine, they're cheap and durable, they just don't have that magic that makes them desirable. I've owned 2, the first one was ultra-reliable and the second one was acceptable but not fantastic. The regular cab 4 cylinder 5 speed Rangers are good basic transportation and handy to have if you're a homeowner. They get good MPG and the regular cabs are a bit more spacious than the Tacoma regular cabs. But their 4 cylinder was significantly less powerful than the Toyota 2RZ/3RZ unless it's a 2004 or newer. I've got several friends and family members who had V6 Rangers and they were pretty durable but had 4 cylinder power with V8 fuel economy.

 

So you like early 1st gen body style eh?

Seems a little silly to ask a bunch of Tacoma guys if you should buy a ranger
I've got a guess what the overall sensus may be

 

Emmet, when are you getting the original side striping decals restored
that is one of top reasons I choose the Tacoma over the other brands, from the all-around stripes seen on Toyota trucks in the late 80s early 90s
in fact, it is more or less the only genuine compliment my truck has ever gotten from some random stranger lady at the QT filling station in StLouis once
... i almost remember the sad feeling i would get in '98 when checking out the new crop of Tacoma's on the lot missing this feature, ya they had the little TRD decals at the back, but it just wasn't the same, especially the back tailgates! ... after several years of looking i just gave up hope, the 3rd gens are at least making some effort now on the back gates but needs improvements

 

YUp YUP that was it. The front end design is just right on point! You have 2" lift on or something? Truck looks real nice

 

my nephew just found a 96 red taco on facebook locally with a lift onit
240k miles MT $3k obo
maybe I get a chance to check it out with him

 

A sagging lift lol its old and been abused, actually ripped my mud flap off the other day. It didnt rub at all when I first put the tires on.
But thank you, I have a new suspension kit waiting to be put on

 

I am not sure, I was looking at mine today and the bedliner is almost touching it so im not sure how easy it would be to replace

 

you have a spray in liner?

 

Yes rhino lined

 

What kind of engine does it have on? Is it a 2.4 or 2.7 4 cylinder? Have you had any real major problems with the engine or transmission at all?