Absolutely I see you're point. I personally drive an F250 and don't think I would even downsize to half-ton. I was just looking at it from a college student perspective.

 

LOL! I WANT a 250 but they be BIG :P and City driving in Tampa FL is bad enough :P Best of luck to the OP in whatever he decides, I still say fullsize ex. cab at least, if not a 4 door full size.

 

A F150 gets the same gas MPG as a Ranger 4X4 with the 4.0l V6 or the 3.0l V6. The only Ranger that will get better MPG is the 2.3l V4 but while effecent, that engine has no power. However it dependes on what you'll be using it for and where. The 2.3l Ranger will struggle in hilly terrain even carrying a moderate payload.

Ive had 3 Rangers and they are cool and fun trucks to drive. But if MPG and money isn't your concern, get the F150.

 

I think you under estimate the carrying capacity of the Ranger. My full sized 4X4 quad fits in the bed of the Ranger just fine and my F150 and F250 won't hold anymore than that. I've towed 5000 pounds with my 4.0 engine package.

 

Only in your dreams will a F150 4X4 V8 equal the mileage of a Ranger4X4 with a 4.0.

 

I would personally love to see a 4.0 ranger (stock) tow 7k pounds cross country at 75mph and get 15mpg. Hence my reason for owning an f150. I average 15mpg town/country/towing. Don't make a bit o' difference. *sigh* I think we've gotten off the OP's question. Bear will swear by his ranger, I personally, will stick with my fullsize. We have real world applications from both sides of the spectrum. May the best truck for his purposes be found

 

I would recommend an ex. cab....easier to maneuver than a crew cab and the back row is a nice place to throw things if you don't want them stolen out of the bed

 

Towing at 75mph is extremely dangerous and foolhardy.

Oh and the 4.0 V6 will out mpg the 3.0 without even trying. I have seen as good as 24 mpg highway.

 

Not sure what you are talking about. I had an 04 Ranger FX4 with the 4.0l V6 and its MPG was 14-15 city and 18-19 highway. Both F150s Ive had are 14/18 with the 5.4l. Look it up.

 

My F150 2X4 with 4.6 gets 14/18 and averages in the 16's. So there is no way a 5.4 gets that. Like I said before my 4.0 Ranger 2X4 got as much as 24 highway but would average 18 to 20 so you numbers are BS and my numbers are real life.

 

Thanks for all the Info guys! I'm still going to sleep on it though, I have plenty of time to make a decision. All you help has been greatly appreciated, I will keep both trucks in mind and maybe just wait and see what deal I can find first.

Thanks Again!
Barry

 

MY 99 5.4l 2v 4x4 regularly pull 16-17 if i keep my foot out of it on long trips. (hard to do) that is with 200k on the engine itself.

My truck got the same exact MPG before and after my engine swap.

Do some research on here bud, you will see what everyone is talking about.

 

Are you even aware of what you are reading and posting? We are talking about a 4X4 5.4l and a 4X4 4.0l. Yeah the 2WD WILL get better gas but if you look back at what my original post was about you'll see Im talking about a 4WD truck. Both my F150s had the 5.4l and were 4X4. Around town I averaged 14-15mpg and on the highway I was able to get up to 19mpg. With my 4X4 Ranger, it was about 15 mpg city and 19 mpg highway. No need to get so defensive pal. You just misunderstood.

 

I think you need to do your research. the 4.0L is a pig on fuel, and many struggle to best 18 mpg on the highway. The new 3.5L Ecoboost F150 gets much better than that, and over 100 more horsepower.

 

I was comparing 2X4 and a 4.0 and a 4.6 because I actually have them. Any difference between the two vehicle's mpg will be applicable to to the 4X4, just because the numbers will be lower does not mean the difference between the two will be any different. You are such a narrow mind thinker it is amazing that you can write a coherent paragraph. I'm not defensive, I'm stating facts, observed facts.

Oh and I dispute your claims for your 5.4 4X4, because my 4.6 2X4 gets that same mileage most of the time. So explain how an engine with .8 liter more CID and pushing the extra drive train does as will as the smaller engine pushing only 2X4 and with a mpg increasing canopy does?