Great Lakes 4x4. The largest offroad forum in the Midwest banner

ranger vs s10 vs ?? for light duty hauling ONE TIME

23K views 207 replies 40 participants last post by  82cj7ltd 
#1 · (Edited)
Alright, so I don't run this conversation to run away on a name calling battle between chevy and ford (and maybe toyota, datsun, nissan, mazda ??) but here's the deal:
I'm planning on heading down to Georgia in a week to pick up some parts for my cj. The only item of significance weight wise is the fiberglass tub, at ~310 lbs. I don't have a vehicle that can haul, and I may or may not be able to borrow a friends 95? blazer with the 4.3 and ~150k miles. edit: Also will likely have access to a trailer that will be sufficient. I'm trying to solve the vehicle problem, not find a trailer, just to clear up any confusion.

I know the 4.3 is a good motor, but I've heard mixed reviews about the blazer. Since it's a 1400 mile round trip, I'd rather buy a cheap pickup for the trip, and then sell it afterwards then have the blazer break down on me. So here are the options I know of, please tell me the pros and cons of them
The main trucks am looking at are the Ranger and the S10. The foreign trucks listed aboveall tend to carry a higher price than I want.

So for the ranger, there's the 4 cyl 2.3, and the 3.0 and 4.0 v6. I personally prefer stickshift, plus it should net me better mpg on the freeway. The most this whole rig could weigh is ~1k pounds.
I'm wondering if the the ranger 2.3 is too underpowered to tow this light of a load at 70mph. I wont be trying to drive quickly, and I don't know if the smaller engine will save me gas or use more because it may be overloaded.

The 3.0 I don't see in stick form often, the 4.0 in manual I see more often.
Would a relaxed cruising speed on the freeway with the 4.0 net me better mpg than the 2.3 because it isn't as underpowered?
Also have been told the auto trannies are weaker on these trucks. Not sure if that's true, or whether people just overwork them and they overheat.

For the s10, I basically have the iron duke, the 2.8, and the 4.3. Same questions as above: what will be able to handle the load and net me the best mpg? I don't need lots of power, I just dont want to be way overworking the engine. I'll be taking it easy.

NOTE: I Will only be using this truck for the time it takes for me to go down south and back, until the time I can sell it as soon as I return. Can't have that kind of mpg for my commuting.

edit: I probably will not need 4x4 either, if that makes a difference.
 
See less See more
#62 ·
Ok, if you are set on doing this a 4cyl 2wd 5 speed s10 is easy and will not be terrible on fuel for this or as a dd winter beater later. There are tons of 90's 2.5 and 2.2's out there under $1200. Parts are dirt cheap pre94 and every part is replaceable at any parts store.

I personally do not like rangers but that is me. Larger trucks will generally cost more then the smaller ones. But if you can get one and that works for this and future uses like as a wood truck great.
 
#72 · (Edited)
all i have to add is you have no cents and you can't tow anything with a 4cyl s-turd
well, he says otherwise.
Yes you should have no problem transporting the bed with a 4cyl 5 speed. Of course a larger truck might be better but whatever fits your needs like I said before.


simple answer. buy a tub closer to home.
Totally forgot to address that, thanks. Try and find one. Please. You won’t be able too. Trust me, I’ve looked for quite a few months. The only tubs I’ve seen are 2.5 times what I’m paying. I really truly wish that would work, but it hasn’t yet. Still keeping my eyes peeled.

So.... basically you have made up your mind already, won't listen to anyone's sensible advice, and will be doing what you planned to do before asking four said advice? Did you vote for our president?
Well since your “sensible” advice didn’t address what I was asking, but I STILL am considering it (if you read what I’m posting) whenever I’m given a “sensible” idea. When I’m called an idiot and told to ship it and no one but me has researched the costs…… I don’t think I’m the idiot there.
And you wanted me to steal one from a dealership….. I think you’re the one who voted Obama. :teehee:


I think your idea of junk and mine are not the same.:sonicjay: and this is gl 4x4 thread's never have anything to do with what you ask.
That, I can agree with, and also, I've never realized that till now. :sonicjay:
:nana:
 
#70 ·
Buy a v6 powered car of any kind. Cobble fuck a hitch on it. Buy/rent/beg/steal a snowmobile trailer. Get your shit. Stfu, get 22mpg, and drive car until dead. This is not difficult. HOWEVER, By my estimation however, what you require is a brand new, zero mile, loaded, diesel, dually pickup. With only 1400 miles on it you won't lose more than $500 off sticker. Easy!
 
#74 ·
:sonicjay: hahaha of all the people to come in and have no idea what I've actually said..... I think you win!!! You have definitely not read anything that has been posted by me. Everyone is saying my beater wont make it down there, not that I need a new truck!! That's hilarious, thanks for the laugh. The last thing I want is anything new. :fish:

Yes you should have no problem transporting the bed with a 4cyl 5 speed. Of course a larger truck might be better but whatever fits your needs like I said before.

Just better to do things then ask about them. These guys are not douchbags they are trying to help. Pick whatever works for you and just do it don't ask about it.
ok cool thanks. yea I'm looking at a decent sonoma right now. The question is do I want to put pics up when I get it, or will that start a mob war? :sonicjay:
 
#71 ·
Yes you should have no problem transporting the bed with a 4cyl 5 speed. Of course a larger truck might be better but whatever fits your needs like I said before.

Just better to do things then ask about them. These guys are not douchbags they are trying to help. Pick whatever works for you and just do it don't ask about it.
 
#81 ·
I can't believe that a person who has no way of going to Georgia to pick something big up would commit to buying something big in Georgia. I have a fleet of trucks at my disposal and a couple trailers and I would be hard pressed to find something worth wasting 2 solid days and a bunch of money driving to go get.
 
#87 ·
again, you don't know the whole story, and I don't really feel like telling it to you. basically, I had someone who was down south, and was going to bring it back for me, and said he was looking for a good deal too, and if I found one he could bring it back. I'd found him a yj tub, and he said he had plenty of room (obviously, it's a 26' enclosed trailer).
Then he filled up his 26' trailer with other stuff instead, and told me that he was out of room.

So, THAT was the original plan for this. It didn't work out, but the parts I'm getting are still a good deal, and now I'm trying to find the best way to get down there.
 
#86 ·
I am so glad I can get awesome rental discounts through my employer. >$50 a day for a full size pickup with unlimited miles! :thumb:

But I think it is a dumb decision, you are going to spend wayy too much money on the trip down there, should be able to find one up here for a better deal.

That being said, I would feel confident driving my old 95 GMC sonoma with 160,000 on it to Georgia and back. Great truck!
 
#89 ·
wow, that is a crazy good deal with your discount. If even triple that was true in my case, I'd still do it, but unfortunately, it isn't.

The money I will spend on the trip down + the money spent on the tub < the cost of any cj tub and accessories I've found around here. Trust me, I've been all over craigslist, and if there was an easier way for me to have done this, I would be.
I haven't found any decently priced cj tubs up here recently, and I keep on looking. Feel free to let me know if you find anything worthwhile.

You're in waterford!!! (any chance you wanna loan me that sonoma?? :poke:)
is it 4wd and manual? I've looked at a few of those with the 4.3
Seem to be good trucks. Any advice on what to look out for with them?
 
#88 ·
You will have a very hard time getting advice on your original question.Most people on this site would rather attack your ideas then offer anything positive.They believe they know it all and what makes sence to them is the only logical answer.
I dont know that your plan makes a lot of sence to most,but it does to me.I like adventure,road trips,and a challenge. I see no problem buying a ride cheap,transfering insurence and plates,and selling it steep after you are done with it.Most people dont know that it is possible to buy a car right,drive it and resell for a profit.
Let them sit behind their keyboards and be negative while you go for a cruise to georgia.If it doesnt save you any money,o well. You got of your ass and did something instead of just attacking someone else.
If I can pull two sitdown pwc through the red top mountains in Georgia with my geo tracker you should be fine with a 4cyl. S10. You only need to do it once,not every day.
 
#90 ·
hey, I appreciate that. Like you, I saw this whole thing as kind of an adventure/road trip on my own, which I've never done, and the prices are certainly challenges for me to beat, you're right. I'm realizing that people dont seem to think it's possible to "flip" cars, you're right.

Wow, a tracker managed to do that?? Awesome. :thumb:
Was it the 3 spd auto or 5 spd manual? I love those trucks. What kind of mpg did you average?
 
#104 ·
contact route55 here on this board to transport it for you.
Beyond that, in reading the whole thread, you are way over thinking this.
Alright cool, did that.
See, even telling me I’m overthinking it is helpful. I thought I was just considering all the options, but maybe some of the options aren’t worth considering. I do tend to overthink things a bit, so I guess that’s possible. I just thought there would be significant differences between models depending on engine/trans. Maybe not, since I’m towing so little.

You should probably just buy my powerstroke. An extra 140 miles on a 215k miles truck won't matter on your resale. You can have it for 7k. And its a crew cab so you'll be able to sleep in it. And its a long bed so you won't need to tow a trailer for your trip.
:sonicjay:

haha yup I definitely need a $7k dollar truck. I think that's slightly overkill. And even if the price wasn't too high, I'd pass b/c of the miles anyways.

a quick check on craigslist looks like that's too high of a price for the miles (don't worry, I'm not trying to talk you down, because I dont have that kind of money anyways).

http://detroit.craigslist.org/okl/cto/3475483112.html
 
#102 ·
Here's an offer for you Chad. I'll buy your truck from you for $7K. I'll sell it to our problem child for $1500. I'll then buy it back from him for $1200. I'll then come back to you with an extra 1500 miles on it, tell you it has a noise and you need to take it back for what I paid or I'll sue you. You still have your truck, our problem child gets his over priced tub and I make $300.

Everybody's happy.:woot:
 
#100 ·
If you are looking at s10s there are things to look out for,and maybe use to your advantage when buying.
Ball joints,idler arms,and piman arms are common wear parts.Autozone stuff lasts less then a yr.Moog or napa premium should last the life of the car unless wheeled.
Heater cores are known to go out and a pita to replace.I have bought several s10s because the owner was quoted $1000+ at the dealer. For less then $75 and half a day of my labor I can save a decent little truck.
Fuel pumps wear out like any gm.Buy a delphi from napa,make sure the ground is good,and never worry about it again.
I have had reverse go out in two 95 blazers around 180,000.
 
#101 ·
I didn't read all the pages but as the owner of a ranger w/a 4.0L, I would go with that. The trans issues in this truck were late 90's/early y2k trucks. The first few years of the SOHC motor had timing chain guard issues. I've towed with mine (3.73's, 4wd, 31's, manual trans) from Detroit to silver lake w/a quad on a small trailer and got 20mpg. Good mileage can happen with these trucks and I get 17 in the city constantly.
 
#105 ·
well, if I can find any of those in decent shape, I'll certainly keep that in mind. Are 3.73's the lowest gears I'd want, or would 4:10 be ok too? And what gears would be too high? under 3.5x?

I'll definitely look into that, thanks. :rock:


If you are looking at s10s there are things to look out for,and maybe use to your advantage when buying.
Ball joints,idler arms,and piman arms are common wear parts.Autozone stuff lasts less then a yr.Moog or napa premium should last the life of the car unless wheeled.
Heater cores are known to go out and a pita to replace.I have bought several s10s because the owner was quoted $1000+ at the dealer. For less then $75 and half a day of my labor I can save a decent little truck.
Fuel pumps wear out like any gm.Buy a delphi from napa,make sure the ground is good,and never worry about it again.
I have had reverse go out in two 95 blazers around 180,000.
alright cool. well the one I'm about to look at has a few new parts, like a tank and fuel pump, but the ball joints, idler arms and pitman arms I'll have to check out.
I don't think the heater core is bad on it, but I'll find out.

Thanks again. :thumb:
 
#108 ·
you could tow what are looking to tow with a VW Golf, There is only a small strip with hills.

Rent a truck is cheaper than buying and selling one of unknown state, are you seriously that dumb.

Shipping is probably the cheapest route. I will be driving past this area, but unable to assist because i'm an asshole with a Fiero.

Finding a different tub is probably the best logical choice.

You are welcome, my consultant fee is $40 + internet fees
 
#112 ·
you could tow what are looking to tow with a VW Golf, There is only a small strip with hills.
Rent a truck is cheaper than buying and selling one of unknown state, are you seriously that dumb.
Shipping is probably the cheapest route. I will be driving past this area, but unable to assist because i'm an asshole with a Fiero.
Finding a different tub is probably the best logical choice.
You are welcome, my consultant fee is $40 + internet fees
Hmmm. A golf? The 2.0 4 cyl or the vr6? I guess I still don’t see the difference (according to your theory) between driving an “unknown state” golf and a pickup, other than the fuel savings, which I’m not sure how much that would be since the car would be towing a trailer. I would also be buying a golf of “unknown state” in the same price range, so tell me how that is smarter please.

Not to be rude, but this is very repetitive. I’m about to have the whole discussion over again. Renting a truck is NOT cheaper. I looked into it AGAIN yesterday. $650-750 depending on the company, the lower price has a high charge per mile after the included miles, the higher initial price has a lower charge etc. Then at least $320 in gas. I’ll do better driving myself.
Renting a 10’ Budget truck will cost me $1200. That’s awful. Plus gas @estimated 6-10 mpg off their website.

I talked to Route55, he said the tub was a little large for truck freight shipping. Regardless, he said he couldn’t do anything about it for another month or so, and I have to do it before then.

You know you are comparing a what looks to be 2 wheel drive ex contractors single cab work truck to a loaded crew cab 4x4. Kickstand has his truck priced very inexpensive for what it is.

You are looking for the cheapest option to get a part others are trying to point out your route to get part could potentially backfire and be more money then other options.

To answer your original question. Look for the best deal in the best shape. Any truck 4 banger, 6 cylinder, 350, or diesel will get the job done. The best truck for your purpose will be whichever you can sell easiest when you get back. You have way over thought this. I think you are also a cheap bastard for going through all this trouble to save money on a few parts.
Ok, I didn't know that. all he said was powerstroke, no other info. still way more truck than I want to pay for.

I understand the risks of what I'm undertaking, but renting a truck has not been proven to be cheaper in any situation. I appreciate the concern, but the concern (criticism) has become the main staple of the thread, not what I actually asked,

I am, like you suggest, looking for just that: the best deal in the best shape. I have now, with the help of dozens of critical members, come to the realization that any pickup will do this job. Didn't know that before, now I do. Thanks everybody!! :thumb:
Well since you think I'm a "cheap bastard," go ahead and write a check to me for $450, so I can pay additional costs to rent a uhaul truck and go down there. :sonicjay:
If you aren't helping to pay, you can't expect me to spend my money more lavishly along the lines of the suggestions already presented. I'm a student, and I do things cheaply and efficiently. Even though everyone thinks this is terrible, I think it will work out.
 
#113 · (Edited)
I actually haven't asked any questions in a while except in response to what has been suggested to me, and I am trying to clarify that information.

I will take my time in buying a vehicle, if you don't mind, and even if you do :teehee: I'm going to find a good vehicle, not something that is falling apart. and yes, there are vehicles in my price range that aren't falling apart, so no need to start that circle again. The vehicle purchase may not even happen, because I'm still trying to figure out for a fact what the truck freight shipping would cost, as kindly suggested to me by so many.

The stuff I'm getting is not junk, thanks.

I will certainly post up, we will see, and I agree... it will be fantastic!! :rock:

Quit stalling and defending and just do it already. Heck why don't you find one down in Georgia take a bus down and drive the rust free truck back up. Then you might actually have a chance of selling it for what you bought it for. Not only would you end up with a (high mileage) rust free rig. But you could sleep on the ride down(unless you pick the stinky dog and stop every 100 miles)and save a huge chunk of cash on fuel.
Sure your buddy knows someone down there who has something they would be willing to sell for some holiday cash. You could have him check it out for you even so your not buying it blind. Worse case scenario you head down there and it is a pos then you simply rent a uhaul one way to get the tub back up.
Or just ship it truck freight, relax for a few days, and buy a second driver when one of those "wish I had the cash" deals comes along.
That’s an interesting idea. I did consider it, but how much longer would a bus take with stops and all? I'll look into it. I could try by plane, but a ticket will cost me $560 for a one way, I got a quote yesterday. The uhaul on the way back up makes sense and could be doable if it was only for the 700 miles back, depending on the bus cost. I'll look into buses right now, but I don't know how many routes and buses I would have to change between. I'll see.

I'm trying to get quotes on your kind suggestion to
Ship it truck freight idiot.
but I spoke with someone from usf holland on the phone today, and though it is cheaper, the size requires two packages which consequently add up to the same as the original quote I got. Still looking though.

I’m actually not stalling, but rather trying to reply to everyone who “knows” how to do this, but apparently hasn’t done the research. I’m waiting on a good vehicle, and a few other quotes for different options.
Thanks for your concern. :thumb:
 
#111 ·
Quit stalling and defending and just do it already. Heck why don't you find one down in Georgia take a bus down and drive the rust free truck back up. Then you might actually have a chance of selling it for what you bought it for. Not only would you end up with a (high mileage) rust free rig. But you could sleep on the ride down(unless you pick the stinky dog and stop every 100 miles)and save a huge chunk of cash on fuel.
Sure your buddy knows someone down there who has something they would be willing to sell for some holiday cash. You could have him check it out for you even so your not buying it blind. Worse case scenario you head down there and it is a pos then you simply rent a uhaul one way to get the tub back up.
Or just ship it truck freight, relax for a few days, and buy a second driver when one of those "wish I had the cash" deals comes along.
 
#115 ·
yea, that would work, the only thing is, the tdi's are super expensive. and if it was getting 25mpg, that means it was working real hard, cause those things get 45-50. Of course, my trailer would be a lot lighter.

So you would drive down there and back? If you read previous posts, I am often told to buy a cheap car and drive down there. The difference between that and a small truck.... I truthfully do not understand... other than possibly a mpg gain. it would definitely be harder on the car though... :confused:
 
#116 ·
For those who want to suggest what has already been, here is a fairly brief summary of what I'm checking into.

1. A train or bus for the way down- price will be posted when I have a few quotes. May be feasible. I like it.

2. Fly down- $560
drive back (with truck bought in Georgia) gas=?? $200? food=$50? can't take more than 4oz with me. :teehee:

3. Ship it via open carrier- $760-$815

4. Ship via Truck freight- I was told $420 for the tub, and $250 for the front clip. Still looking into it.

Talked to route55- he said my stuff was a little big for truck freight shipping.

5. buy a cheap car of some type? (v6, or even 4 cylinder jetta)? and drive that down there? (don't see how that's different than a truck- pls tell me)

Just so you all know I'm considering each idea I've been given. :thumb:
 
This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
Top