JeepinMatt wrote:
Between the 2.3L I4 (not the 2.5), the 3.0L V6 and the 4.0L V6, how do they compare in terms of reliability? If anything, I'm eyeing the 2.3L I4/5 speed combo.
The 3.0 Vulcan is indestructible. I don't know of any particular reliability issues with the others.
The 2.3 is fine if you're using it for commuting and the occasional Home Depot run. It'll suck if you want to pull or carry anything too heavy. A friend of mine had one (2.3/manual); it's a good package.
The 3.0 takes a decent fuel economy hit but is more capable for towing. Depending on the year, these are flex fuel (E85) compatible, if that matters. This is what I have.
The 4.0 is a gas hog. Unless you plan on towing something over 4k lbs, I'd avoid it. And, if you want to tow something that heavy, you'd probably be happier with a "real" truck.
Wally wrote:
If I had a Ranger in Texas I'd name it "Walker" after the coolest tv show ever.
Funny that you mention that. I bought mine from my Grandfather when he gave up driving. "Walker, Texas Ranger" was a Saturday night institution at his house. In fact, he lived in the DFW metroplex, where it was filmed.
It's the other side of my family that names vehicles, though.
tuna55 wrote:
A hardbody will knock down 30 mpg, be way easier to drive and hold just as much stuff (not weight) as a shortbed 1/2 ton. Not really all that worthless - reliable as taxes, too.
True story.... Folks bought a new Hardbody in 1994. Had it exactly one year, put 10k miles on it. Never got over 24mpg with the 5spd. Put 3 ECU's in it and traded it in to get something that wouldn't break every 3 months.
Another true story.... I bought a new 00 Sonoma in december of 99. Drove it 64k miles in 27 months. Did nothing but change the oil, change the spark plugs and fill it with gas. IT also never got over 24mpg, but was a bit faster than the old hardbody.
My 2.2L S10 is flex fuel, and surprisingly runs better on E85 than regular fuel performance-wise. Fuel economy drops from low 20's to high teens though.
Part of me want's very much to add a solstice bell-housing to a Colorado/Canyon truck to allow the Atlas motor to be swapped out with an Ecotec. Add one of the turbo variety ones and I think you might be able to swing 4-banger economy with available v-6 HP. By the same token, the Ranger isn't much different engine-wise from a Turbocoupe....
turbo 2.3 bolts straight in
