My son has a new 2008 Chevy Colorado. He has the Z71 off road suspension, 2 WD with the locking axle (I believe it's an Eaton G80 which if it is, has been tried and true in GMs for years) and in addition has an electronic traction control, which I think is a combination of engine computer management and brake application. Seems to work fine in the snow. But like most pickups you need to add weight to the bed for winter conditions. Our neighbour who has a Ranger recommended 400 lbs be added to the bed (sand bags in glad bags) to aid traction. That's what we did, use the same extra weight as his Ranger and it works well in the Colorado.
The Z71 off road suspension is available both in the 4wd and the 2wd and includes tow hooks, skid plate in 4wd, heavy duty shocks, suspension components and 265/75-15 tires.
If you enter traction limited construction sites often, I would recommend 4WD no matter what your choice of vehicle.
He has the 5 cylinder DOHC, 4 valves per cylinder, 3.7 liter engine, which is rated at 242 hp / 242 lbs. ft. of torque. Power seems quite good.
This engine is in the same GM engine series which is strictly used in trucks and includes the 2.9 liter 4 (185 hp), the 3.7 liter 5 and the 4.2 liter (291 HP) six. This engine has won awards for design.
The 4.2 is in the TrailBlazer. The 2.9 and 3.7 are available in the Colorado. A new option this year, for the Colorado, is the 300 hp, 5.3 liter V8 which also features displacement on demand which returns excellent highway mileage for an engine of this size/power, as long as it's not booted too much...lot's of temptation with 300 hp.
The Colorado is well tested, being produced since 2004...that would be 5 years now. It's quite a modern truck, it seems bigger (mid size) than the Ranger which seems more compact. I'm a big guy (6'3" 230 lbs) and I find the Colorado fits me well.
As far as quality concerns regarding the Colorado....so far my son has experienced no difficulties , no quality issues at all and has not had to take the truck back to the dealer, except for an oil change. No rattles, nothing loose, all components work well as they should. Based on the fact that we have ownership experience with this truck I have to say everything appears to be well built and assembled.
We looked at the Ranger and I like the Ranger, good, solid truck,the 2.3 4 cyl. and the 4 liter V6 are the engines to go with, I've heard.
It's a bit dated, but it does the job. Our neighbour has one, early '90's 2.3 liter, 5 speed, high miles and he's been happy with it. I've ridden in it and it seems to be an excellent truck. I'm impressed with the Ranger, based on my limited experience.
As far as the Toyota Tacoma goes, it's also a good truck with a fine reputation. A work colleague has one and he's very happy with it.
I think they're all good, although you may want to stay with the 5 cyl. or V8 in the Colorado, 4 liter V6 in the Ranger and the 3.5 liter V6 in the Toyota. I'm thinking of the extra power, but you will know your needs best.
Hope this helps.
Less ,thanks for good review about Chevy Colorado,its a very good what Chevy offer,I mean loking diff.,electronic traction control and etc.And what I so like that 300hp,5.3 ,V8.
Less ,thanks for good review about Chevy Colorado,its a very good what Chevy offer,I mean loking diff.,electronic traction control and etc.And what I so like that 300hp,5.3 ,V8.
If you plan on doing a lot of offroading, then the locker may be beneficial to you, but the Torsen differential thats available for the Ranger should not be to bad either. I'd personally go for the ranger since the platform has changed very little over the years, so its down on capability, but parts are generally very cheap.
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- Ian
1987 Ford Ranger XLT 4x4 2.9
Needs a lot of work, including some rot on the body, but shes getting there.
Go Ranger is you want something that is tough. If you really want a mileage marker, get the 3.0L V6. It's about as slow as a 300, but just as tough. And they are more smooth than the 300 as well. Good motor.
Go Ranger is you want something that is tough. If you really want a mileage marker, get the 3.0L V6. It's about as slow as a 300, but just as tough. And they are more smooth than the 300 as well. Good motor.
And darn it sounds good winding up.
Ford dropped the 3.0l V6 in the Ranger for 09'. (At least it not on their site) Thing thats dissapointing about the 3.0l is that the 2.7l I$ Yota motor outpowers it in both hp and tq and gets better mpg doing it. Japanesse 4cyls are good motors also.
If looking at the ranger I would highly recommend the 4.0l. Have been maintaining two 4.0l (1OHV, 1 SOHC) for years with a combined mileage of 260k and they have been trouble free. A very solid motor and the SOHC is a pretty peppy motor especially with the 5speed behind it. My main concern would be the auto trans, If your willing to bang gears I'd look at the manual trans.
i owned a tacoma, have nothing but the best things to say about them (176k) only had to replace a air fuel sensor. the ranger hasnt giving me any probs yet either (63k)
i like the new tacomas,more hp, better mpg
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no ticky, no laundry
My name is Paul, and my ride is a 2006 ranger tremor 4x4
Ford dropped the 3.0l V6 in the Ranger for 09'. (At least it not on their site) Thing thats dissapointing about the 3.0l is that the 2.7l I$ Yota motor outpowers it in both hp and tq and gets better mpg doing it. Japanesse 4cyls are good motors also.
If looking at the ranger I would highly recommend the 4.0l. Have been maintaining two 4.0l (1OHV, 1 SOHC) for years with a combined mileage of 260k and they have been trouble free. A very solid motor and the SOHC is a pretty peppy motor especially with the 5speed behind it. My main concern would be the auto trans, If your willing to bang gears I'd look at the manual trans.
I know what the 3.0 is or isn't. I own one. It gets good gas mileage and has enough power for me. I barely have to hit the skinny pedal to bark the tires.
i owned a tacoma, have nothing but the best things to say about them (176k) only had to replace a air fuel sensor. the ranger hasnt giving me any probs yet either (63k)
i like the new tacomas,more hp, better mpg
The new Taco's are sexy. I saw a single cab one with the wheel well moldings and what looked like a mild lift (or a factory lift). I was in love. That was the only thing that ever tore my eyes from the Ford Ranger for a brief moment. When it comes down to it though, nothing looks as good to me as a Ford Ranger with the Sport front facia and wheel well moldings. That is down right sex apeal, baby.
The new Taco's are sexy. I saw a single cab one with the wheel well moldings and what looked like a mild lift (or a factory lift). I was in love. That was the only thing that ever tore my eyes from the Ford Ranger for a brief moment. When it comes down to it though, nothing looks as good to me as a Ford Ranger with the Sport front facia and wheel well moldings. That is down right sex apeal, baby.
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no ticky, no laundry
My name is Paul, and my ride is a 2006 ranger tremor 4x4
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