Hello everyone, I'm new to this forum.

I am currently looking for a pick up truck and I can't really decide if I should buy a Ranger or F150. The truck will be my daily driver and I want a truck because I have three dogs (I plan to get a shell) and we live near the ocean so my dogs are usually wet after a day at the beach. I also like the idea of being able to haul stuff when I need to (not very often) and being able to sleep in the bed when I drive cross country (1, 2 times a year).

I'm thinking I should get a 2002+ 4.0 V6 manual Ranger or 2002+ F150 with either 4.2 or 4.6L manual. Which one would you recommend and why. One more thing, because I live in California, gas is really expensive. Thanks!

 

Ranger! They look better, cost less, more efficient, and fun to modify. The F150 is big and nerdy.

 

x2 on the Ranger man.
Welcome to the site

 

ranger ranger ranger. Fuel efficiency and A blast to drive. Anyone can buy a big truck but making a little one awesome is way more fun:) and meaningful for that matter. Welcome to R/F!

 

Thanks! My neighbor said he recommends F150 because he flipped his Ranger and said that Rangers are too light and unsafe. Do you agree with him?

Also, why is it HARD to find a 4.0L V6? I only see 3.0L and rarely see a 4.0L.

 

Idk man. I've got a 4.0l but my grandaddy gave it to me. I betchya you could find a used 4.0l? And any pickup will roll. But if you roll the ranger theres less weight to crush you lol. still say ranger

 

4.0s are hard to find cause everyone keeps them! lol.
Rangers are pretty safe, i work Crash and Saftey and I drive a Ranger. solid trucks and as long as the frame isn't crazy rusted, you'll be ok.

 

I'm looking for a short box reg cab 4.6 5spd 98-03 f150. Its up to you on what you are doin. Fiddy has more room and power with better mods.

 

Get a Ranger.

 

I vote ranger and on a ranger site it's gonna be biased. A few questions to ask yourself.
1. Do you have the room for a full size?
2. Do you plan on carrying more then 2 people/ have a second vehicle if need to carry more then 2?
3. Does getting full size mileage outta a compact truck bother you? You listed you're looking for 4.0L, if this is a yes, get a 4banger. The manual trans w/a 4.0L does help fuel. It's what I have.

 

Well, there are lots of hills where I live so I feel that a 4 cylinder may not be enough power. As mentioned before, I drive cross country so I don't want to be stuck on the slow lane and have big rigs passing me. Ha.

Manual transmissions usually last a long time and I think that is a better investment, if I can find one. I've been looking and rarely seen a 4.0 V6 manual ranger for sale. Know anyone selling one?

 

Well if it helps at all a 2001+4.0 ranger will have a lot more get up and go than the f150, If you don't need to haul big loads with the stability of a fullsize, get the ranger.. I have never had the desire to downgrade to a 150 :p

 

Yea Ranger all the way!!

 

Jeez! You do realize you will get a rather biased opinion here, right?

No, the Ranger is not "too light and unsafe". Your neighbor did something stupid, and blames the vehicle.

Rangers are a solid, reliable truck.

 

Don't buy an F150 in San Diego. Take it from me. lol

 

+1 on the Ranger. Craigslist (or other online classifieds) can be your friend in terms of locating one.

FWIW I've driven and worked out of both the F-150 and the Ranger and the Ranger is simpler to work out of, easier to maneuver, and will do anything the average joe needs in terms of truck usage. I would only recommend the F-150 and a larger engine to someone if they were going to regularly be pulling a large boat or camper.

Something I don't recall seeing mentioned is to shop for an extended cab. I'm on my third Ranger and the extra room is nice.

My first one had the 3.0L engine and a manual shift and it was okay, but when pulling my utility trailer it lacked a bit.

My next two Rangers (a '93 XLT with a towing package and the '01 I presently own) both had/have the 4.0 L engine and it is substantially stronger. I've pulled some heavy stuff with the 4.0 L engines and they are a horse!

So I don't think you can go wrong with a well cared for Ranger truck. I've been in the '01 since February 2001 and am debating whether to go ahead and bite on another new one this year, or to get another 50,000 miles out of this one and then snag a pre-owned garage queen.

Just MHO

PS (via edit) I just checked the San Diego Craigslist for Rangers for sell by owner and there is 149 listed at this minute. Just saying.

 

+1 on this.

Your neighbor is in denial and his take on anything needs to be viewed with suspicion.

 

How much money are you looking to spend? Plus any aftermarket plans? If so, What? These might also help you decide on what might be better for you.

 

I don't really have any aftermarket plans. I will most likely keep it in stock and add a shell to keep my dogs safe (I know they will not help if I flip it which is why I'm hoping that won't happen).

I don't really see myself towing anything except for a small trailer from uhaul if I move.

I'm specifically looking for 2002+ Ranger with 4.0L, and manual transmission which turns out to be ZERO in San Diego. I've been checking craigslist and AutoTrader and no luck yet.

One more thing, I like the bench in the extended cab of F150 which is one of the reasons why I'm looking at the F150. Somebody mentioned not to buy F150 in San Diego... I'm curious why?

 

You can get a split bench in a ranger w/ flip down console. Some older gen 1-3s had a bench w/o console. You can always swap seats in place of another style.

 

Ah, I did not know that. Thanks for letting me know. I hope I will be able to find a Ranger with 4.0L soon. Everybody is selling their 3.0L! Argh!

 

The 3.0 isn't bad with a few mods, it's no powerhouse by any means, but it is capable.

 

I also ride motorcycles and there is an old "dream trip" trick that a lot of motorcyclist have done.

The Ranger spin on it would be that if you are not finding what you need in San Diego, fly cheap to where you do you find what you want and then get acquainted on the ride home.

Another angle would be that if you find it within say, 250 miles, catch the bus or otherwise hitch a ride.

Just a thought.

 

if you need interior room, do not, and i mean do not get a ranger. mines way to damn small for anything. and i can only carry one person and its a pain in the ***. also dont get a two door supercab. that was a terrible decision on my part. dont get a v6 150 you will hate it. 4.8 isnt bad. if you get a ranger get a 4.0 even tho your gas mileage will suck. i pull maybe 18.5 on the highway from maine to pa if im lucky. cruise set at about 75. how big are your dogs? the rangers bed is very very shallow. ( i use my truck for work so i know how big of a pain in the *** that is) when im moving from school to home, or vice versa, and i have my whole dorm room in my truck, i dont have any room for anyone but me. I have a tonneau cover, so youll be better off with a shell. i like how i can park my truck anywhere, as parking my 350 takes a little bit more work. anyways. if you need space and comfort for cross country trips. get a 150, and get a 5.4 because its not gonna be any worse on gas then a 4.8. thats my own honest opinion and i know im going to catch flak for it

 

I agree with basket. I flew up to Washington and drove it back 600 miles. Totally worth it...I did work on the sale for over a month though. Wanted to make sure everything was right. Not going up their and finding it was a waist. I would have been crushed. plus out of some cash for traveling.