Ride difference on Road between off road and Sport

Both 4.0. Excellent service from the engines. Both transmissions , 5 speed manual and an automatic had to be rebuilt. I’d consider that the weak link for Rangers.

 

Surprisingly I still had original clutch and tranny of course, when I sold it at 165k miles. First and reverse was always interesting when tranny was cold. But yes, those mazda MT trannies were weak. Towing capacity was double on the AT ranger.

 

Banana trees, coffee trees -- Where is this?

 

Since a lot of us were previous Ranger owners, here is my story.
I went through 3 Ranger single cabs, w/ 7' long beds 4.0s.
They were great work trucks and made me a lot of $$.
One day in 2007 I parked my 2000 Ranger and went in the Hardware store at lunch.
I came out and a gorgeous blond was parked next to me in a brand new Tacoma.
Man, did I feel inadequate. Wanting a new truck. That was the year Ford discontinued the Ranger.
I bought a 2008 Sport AC 4x4, and 175 miles later, all I can say is WOW.
Got the frame and leaf spring recall, at 143 K.

Waiting on my 2022 Sport arriving this month.
Oh, Oh, Oh Oh, what a feeling TOYOTA........

 

Ranger stories.

The old Ranger was really the last holdout of the golden age of the mini truck, it was very good at being exactly what it was - a simple, inexpensive little workhorse. Rugged, dependable, easy to drive, simple to service and inexpensive to fix. This is the reason they were used by the 1000's for local delivery for everything from pizzas to auto parts.

Mine was a 99 2wd, 2.5 four cylinder, 5 speed, 6 foot bed. 200K on the original clutch.
Terrific little handy truck, not fast but more than adequate and steady.
Good on the gas too around 25 doing daily work commute and errands around town.

Funny, when I bought the Tacoma I had only compared them to the others on the lot -- in my mind it was much more Ranger sized until I actually parked it next to the Ranger.

 

That story reminded me of a time in college when I walked to the parking lot with a rather attractive young lady after class one day. Things seemed to be going well and I was sure she’d be impressed by my brand new Camaro As we were talking I told her hers my car and she said “that’s nice” and proceeded to get into the corvette parked next to me. Oh well that didn’t work out.

 

The things that happen in parking lots...

I'm coming out of Wally World and see an older gentleman struggling to put his purchases in his vehicle.
I step up and say "need a hand sir?"
He barks back "NO, I've got it!"
I was somewhat surprised by the harsh response -- until I noticed -- the gentleman was missing his left hand...

I slunk away...

 

I think most of the hate on spacers is misguided. My ride was absolutely unchanged as well. I did it for the looks and a cheap alternative considering I do not do any hard wheeling. The day has finally come to now upgrade to 5100's. They arrived yesterday and I will install them this weekend. I would stab a guess and say anything beyond a spacer lift is overkill for 95% of Tacoma owners lol.

 

My sister in-law had an 09 Ranger FX4 and it was a tank. Typical woman driven vehicle and it took the abuse on the chin and asked for more hehe

 

And the blonde is still by your side? Maybe has a few gray hairs which require a touch up?

 

LOL...That one got away......
Got a different blonde next to me now.