The term 'ricer' is just way over used. I agree with Wraith that just because someone is driving a foreign sport car - it doesn't make them a ricer. There are plenty of Fords running around that fall under the 'ricer' catagory.
And there are plenty of them that can hold their own against many of the muscle car world - and do not have a sticker to show for it.

Now - on to the fact of can a Ranger be built to run with Integras or any others? Depends on what type of runs you want to make. You want straight track quarters? Yes - any day of the week. You want slalom course type racing? That would be a little harder without changing just about everything but the body.

Never say never. I will stay away from this because I run a 302 in my Explorer - so by the defining of the first post - I do not apply. But there are trucks/SUV's out there. My Explorer is built to run the street course with you, run the quarter at the track, and pull 7,000lbs when I want. It is 2WD and was never pruchased to go offroad, so I do not care that way.

As for the 4WD dually sitting 2 inches off the ground sporting 20 inch Foose wheels - I couldn't agree more. That person needs a life. That is someone who is bed with the credit card companies for life....

 

Points all taken, I didnt want to bore you with the mods ive already done to this truck, the main reason I ruled out the v8s & 4.0s is because import owners tend to whine about the double cubes and "HOW I'D NEVER LOSE TO A TRUCK WITH A MOTOR MY SIZE" so I am trying to factor in all the perameters of a tuner vs. truck factor.You are correct high speed slolom would be pushing the limits even with 3/5 in drop and 17 wheels besides we all know speed is built going as straight as possible, I have heard stories of svo's and merkur 2300's pulling 12's to what I consider mildly built, but there probobly just stories.

Just to finish as this will probobly be the last of it:Yes I do use this as a truck, I even haul a twelve foot pop-up with it But it is not rated to do either its just a p.o.s little city truck geared for city use. but untill FORD can come up with a vehicle that pound for pound can honestly compete with the tuner crowd (focus does not count)
I feel that something needs to be said about ford guys that since the 50's we push the limits. But here theres nothing, you would have to spend 25k plus a new focus to still see the taillights of these cars. So I am going to look for a turbo, I may fog it first to see those results, or I may just sit here and play my x-box and dream of a day theres a ranger thats not got nuthing but bolt on goodies, and what wagon wheels to keep my truck stuck to the road I should buy.

Oh and be careful because there might be more people out there like me who dislike the overinflated honda and the overinflated heads of the owners whom drive them

 

And by the way I am 28 and owned a 12-1/2 sec monza

 

my 96 b2300 gets 5 extra hp just from the vinyl bada bing sticker on the window, doesn't it? a few more stickers and I'll need a spoiler to help with some traction.

 

That has to be one of the craziest statements I have read on this site. If someone doesnt want to haul something, does that mean they have no use for a truck EVER? By your rant, driving one to work is just stupid because your not hauling anything. Modifying a truck to go fast, corner well, or generally outperform cars is nothing new, and there is nothing wrong with it either. A truck can be made to handle very well, and accelerate better than a lot of cars. Does that mean its useless? Nope.

Hell of an ego there, man. Ever race a Lightning? Or any of several trucks I can name that will blow an Integra with a fancy exhaust away without even trying hard? There are diesel pickups out there that will TOW your car across the 1/4 mile faster than your car can go on its own. I have ridden in several Integras and I was not impressed. My friends all thought they were fast until they rode in something with TORQUE.

The SUV exhaust probably sounds good

You like your car, thats fine. Dont talk down to someone just because they want to build a truck to be faster than a car, probably yours too.

To add my thoughts on the truck question,
add a properly sized turbo and intercooler
new bottom end with forged pistons and new bearings-balance everything
open up the head to flow better
bigger injectors
add a cam and exhaust to work with the turbo
Take it to a dyno and get a custom burned chip to make everything work together. That would take out most ricers. Stay away from Nitrous, that will kill the engine in time if everything isnt perfect every time you use it. The turbo will build boost all day, the bottle will run out sooner or later.

 

kens64 - I stand behind my statement 100%. It is my opinion, and I am entitled to it. That being said, what purpose do you think a truck was designed for? Haul, tow and go off-road is the condensed version, period. To clarify my comment a bit, a truck that is not being used for its designed purpose is not "useless", it is pointless. There is a difference.

Case in point: If someone told you that you had to walk to work every day (on pavement) it would be pointless to wear "work boots", Cowboy boots, etc.... Most sane people would quickly figure out that a comfortable well-built walking shoe is the way to go. For several reasons, weight, effort to walk, comfort, etc.....

On the other side of that, if your path to work is rough (non-paved) you would choose the appropriate shoes for that condition. Can you see where this is going?

I don't hate trucks, obviously since I have one. But I also have an Integra, and a 70's TransAm. There is also a Civic, and a convertible Beetle in the house. As for the Ranger I have, I bought it based on several needs: haul junk for the house, junk for other cars, and still be somewhat fuel-efficient. I didn't buy an F150, Ram, or 1500, or others because it would have been "pointless".

Gee, I have never been told I have a big ego before.
" Hell of an ego there, man. Ever race a Lightning? Or any of several trucks I can name that will blow an Integra with a fancy exhaust away without even trying hard? There are diesel pickups out there that will TOW your car across the 1/4 mile faster than your car can go on its own. I have ridden in several Integras and I was not impressed. My friends all thought they were fast until they rode in something with TORQUE."

Yes, and they are absolutely when I loose them. Sure, there is a slight pull off the line (if they can get traction) anything more than a few hundred feet, and it is all over. Not to mention the first corner, obstacle, or small space and they will end up spots in the rear view. And don't even think about following me in to a corner. If you think all I have is just a "fancy exhaust"...... Hmmm I must have missed the part where now we only want to compare 1/4 mile times. I have got a news flash for you....... 1/4 mile times don't mean a thing on the street.

In case you missed the point of the exhaust comment. There is no difference between that guy that puts a free-flowing exhaust on his SUV/Truck, and the guy who does the same on his import. They are both achieving the same thing. Now if you don't like the sound of it.... oh, well. Don't get me wrong there are some pretty crappy sounding sport compact exhausts, just like there are an equal number of crappy sounding SUV/Truck exhausts.

Maybe you could take some of your own advice, and try not talking down to the sport compact guys.

 

http://www.prtc.net/~nivat/trucks/funnytruck.htm

http://www.dragtrucks.com/

This kinda blows away your "trucks are slow statement"
now here's a try at your "trucks can't handle mentality"


Thin you can keep up with him in a corner?

 

Well now it didn't take long for some one to pull this out from somewhere. As long as we are comparing apples and oranges here....... If I ever roll up on him on the street or track, I will retract my statement. Along your lines of thinking lets just talk about apples, in this case NASCAR. There is a Truck series, and then there is a Stock Car series. Now why do you suppose they don't run in the same race? The Stock Cars would eat them alive. I can only imagine the mayhem that would occur in the stands too.

Some of you guys just don't get the point I was trying to make. I have seen semi-trucks turned in to race vehicles, so what. That doesn't justify taking a huge vehicle (on the street), modifying it to go fast (usually ignoring the brake system entirely) and thinking it is just as good as any car. If your goals are track only, hey knock your self out and go crazy. When it comes to the street though larger vehicles require greater responsibility. All vehicles can kill, and larger ones just cause more damage.


BTW - I never said "trucks are slow", nor did I say "they can't handle". In stock or modified trim they just can hang with a car that has recieved the same mods nor should they try.

 

Apple and appele=That Nacar truck can not run as fast as a Nascar car,Never have never will .Will y'all learn a truck just aint going to beat a car if all things are equal.

 

Historically, trucks are utility vehicles. It is more of a novelity to have a high performance truck like a Lightning or ricing out a Ranger than really making a statement that trucks are equal to cars. A memory that sticks with me is pulling up to a light with my GTA TransAM and an old Ford F250 hauling a bass boat is egging me on for a race. I started laughing and the light turned green and I launched my T/A only to have this guy pass me hauling a boat. This guy was having a blast tearing up muscle cars,but I bet it took $15,000 in mods to do it. So whats the point? Just having some fun.

 

I think this is getting a little out of hand... so let's get a few things straight. Trucks and cars *are* very different vehicles, created because you can't satisfy everyone's tastes with one product. The shape of a performance car is such to minimize wind resistance etc... basically, it was built for it, where as a truck is made for it. Trucks have the added benefit of a capability to haul, tow, etc... at the sacrifice of standard racing performance. This is not to say that a car can't tow or haul... regardless of whether it should...
So now, either way... it's a little egotistical to brag about racing and beating a truck if you believe trucks aren't on the same level of performance. This is like a friend of mine who swore up and down his 2004 Tiburon could blow an '86 (stock, all original, rust-bucket) Cavilac out of the water. I don't doubt it, but what is it to you if it can? Sure isn't a surprise.
We enjoy driving and driving fast... I'm sure everyone here can agree on that. So let's not start things by talking smack about light trucks on a truck forum, huh?

 

So doing anything to a truck to help performance on the street is pointless. So why did you mod a small 4 cylinder car? Its mainly for good fuel mileage and getting around in. I guess thats "pointless" too. Its definately not a race car Better remove all your mods.

I dont, except to people that think their cars with less displacement than a large bottle of Coke is king *****. I have a smaller car too. 1998 Ford Contour SE. I have Roush springs SVT struts (Koni yellows on the way) and SVT rear sway bar, poly bushings, and front and rear strut bars, along with some engine and brake mods. Wanna talk about cornering? I can hang. But I guess its nothing compared to the all powerful Integra.... Not to mention I can haul around 4 people with more room than yours. Whats your point? There wasnt much talk about cornering, just building a truck to beat most underpowered 4 cylinder cars out there in a race, which would not be too hard. I know several people in the sport compact crowd that have a hold on reality and can admit they are'nt the greatest thing around and dont talk down to someone who wants to modify a truck. I can respect those people.

So you beat Lightnings huh? I would like to see that.

Yet you claim no truck will never beat you. Its obvious you have never been up against a properly built truck, that can take you in the corners and the straights. Since you mentioned street, I see what kind of person you are. Take it to the track so you only kill yourself with that 4 cylinder "beast" and not someone else when that little old lady pulls in front of you while your doing the speed of light in your wanna be race car.... You prove my thoughts that Honda/Acura guys need a serious attitude change. Im used to it, most of those guys around my town talking the same trash. Nothing can beat thier car cause their Ebay muffler gave them 50 horsepower. Until my heavier car crushes them in the turns at the local autocross track and they never catch up.

You right, your opinion about trucks is fine. Dont think one wont hand you your butt though.

 

Dude, you obviously like your truck. That is YOUR opinion. I like my truck too, but I love my car. You talk about inflated egos/heads.... look in the mirror. Don't talk like "you KNOW what type of person I am", that is just a display of ignorance.

To help you in that regard I will offer you some facts: Honda 1.6L to 1.8L engines get 30+ mpg and put out between 160-205hp. With a 2000-2700lbs car you are going to stomp some ___ on the track or street. Then when you consider (the guys that do it right) a turbo'ed 1.6L-1.8L is capable of producing 250-650+hp in the same car. You do the math. Boosting one of these engines will still get you 25-32mpg with proper tuning. It would blow your mind that there is a prototype drag car using a highly modified 4 banger aprox 2.3L pumping over 4000hp. (That is not a typo, but I am sure that one gets a bit less MPG ) I will wave at you when I drive by the gas pumps.

That being said, I am done with you. And I do agree with D-ranged2.5 this has gotten out of hand, and this post had very little to do with a "REAL" Ranger problem.

 

Whatever man. I dont recall saying anything about me having an ego, I never said my car or truck can never be beat by another truck. I just read your rants and posted in return. No need to tell someone their ideas for modding a truck to go fast is pointless.

BTW, my Contours best mileage to date is 37 MPG so you can leave that one alone. For being 30 years old, you really suprise me with how you handle things.

 

I hate to throw fuel on the fire, but I just checked the Honda Civic website and they only claim to make 115-127 hp. and stock curb weight is 2500 lbs, give or take about 60. However, the Ford site claims that the Ranger pickup line is capable of making 143-207 hp at a much lower RPM. Furthermore, the fuel economy (which is only in existence for general comparison purposes and *rarely* does one get said numbers, especially if said individual drives it like he stole it) for a 4 banger ranger is 24/29. The base model Honda Civic claims 32/38.