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Considering what 4WD to get...

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  • JFE
    JFE
    6 years ago
    Gents,
    Grateful your advice.

    Story:
    I’m getting a 4WD in the next few months. Camping, off-reading, hitting roos (accidentally), carrying wood and crap. Attracted to utes as have crap to carry around. At a stretch I could give away the Ute idea if replaced with a big boot space. Either way I want heaps of safety tech and ability to fit a Bullbar, rugged but not too rugged as I’m not forging new roads. And it has to be reliable.

    Contenders:

    Ute - Ford Ranger Wildtrak - all the kit, 5 year warranty. Hilux doesn’t have the tech nor doesn’t ride as well. BT-50, Triton, Colorado, DMAX all not my thing nor ride as well or have as much kit as a Wildtrak. Won’t touch a VW again.

    I’m attracted to a Toyota Prado but cost more and not a Ute. Would be the option if gave up on Ute idea.

    So, anyone got anything good or bad to say about the Ford Ranger? I’ve been hassling owners in the street (8 so far) who absolutely love them, except one bloke that had a squeak in the dash. I do read stories ‘online’ that Ford service is poor, they don’t honour warranties and random stuff breaks, which is concerning.

    Anyone have personal experience in this field?

    Cheers.


  • Ratbob
    Ratbob
    6 years ago
    Yep the Hilux doesn’t have the tech or the ride but they have the reliability record, hi resale value and just about anywhere you go in Australia, there’s a Toyota service shop. I’m on my second new Prado in 20 years, never had one issue.
  • binnsy
    binnsy
    6 years ago
    Hi JFE, I have a PX2 Ranger and am very happy with it, I dont do a lot of off road stuff but do tow a caravan 2700 kilos ish.  Only thing I have found for fact is that if you are going to tow you will need to either upgrade the rear suspension or use a weight distribution hitch, the arse end is very soft in them.  Obviously designed for a comfortable ride, this will also apply if you want to put some decent weight on the back.  Avoid air bags as an easy fix cause you will wreck the rear end, all the weight is distributed in one spot, ie where the air bags rest on the diff and chassis. if you fit a bull bar you will need to upgrade the front suspension as well unless an alloy one is fitted.  This all comes from personal experience, I am no expert though and Im sure there are some on here.  There are a few options re the rear suspension, speak to a suspension expert and they will set you straight.  Great ute to drive but basically designed for around town as far as the suspension is concerned.  Have got the best tow rating though at 3500 kilos.  Pedders quoted me $1500 for a heavier rear set up that was mid range so that it would handle the van and not make it ride like a tractor.  Other than that I have had mine for just over two years and it has been trouble free.  Good luck.  
  • Soapbox2627
    Soapbox2627
    6 years ago

    I have a XLT 2018 Ranger, I moved from a 2011 GLR Triton, was happy with the Triton, wanted to try something diferant


    the ranger is very easy to drive, comfortable on long runs and tech enough for me

    the suspenssion does drop a little when loaded up as standard, I have had a bit in the back (canopy) and towing the boat

    the tray is not as big as the Triton so I dont like that, but if that is the worst thing, the Ranger is good


  • Baloffski
    Baloffski
    6 years ago
    Ahhh, well well, the old what 4 be 4 to buy, not the timber soft or hardwood?
    Drove 4 wheel drives for many years all over Australia, different types, models, for work up many mountains all over. Thought fuck me, I can get too almost all joints with my old raised ute with slippery diff and half decent tyres anyway.. Give it a go. Thought I'd never buy a four wheel driver, or all wheel driver.
    But, I did the old cunt thing, Package... and ,new Harley, Newer Caravan (never again) and new 4 x 4 Auto. 
    looked at Ford Ranger, and etc etc, but my first Japanese car after driving for 40 years was a fucken Mazda BT-50. 
    Now, not saying this box is any better another's but was 10 Grand cheaper than the Ford I looked at with similar shit. 
    In saying that at 40 thousand kilometers the gearbox said "fuck off". and shate itself at Lonsdale SA. No biggy as warranty for 5 years cool. 
    It does all the jazz , is high and cruises very well but sometimes I think I shoulda just bought a 60 / 80/ 100 series Toyota can fucken work on. 
    Bloody need to be an Electronic"s Tech to go to never never. New I have done many times with bikes, dating back to 1971, but new car fist time, and last time, no tax deduction or anything for me?
    But, NEW they are reliable shit, just don"t hose the engine bay cunt, as we stopped doing long time ago with electrics..Sorry, just had to put that in for young buggas.
    Actually, thinking of selling my Mazda BT50 with 75,000kms on it, just outta warranty, ARB all the way, cano, Racks, Bars all over, no spotties but New LED JW . Data same as Ford, near.. Thrown in at great expense, my wifes rat dog as companion mascot. Good luck, and do ya homework. Do you need a 4bee? Prado are fantastic, but so exccee, I could not afford one.Toyota, are the resale kings, but remember, you have to pump money into get money back.All true, but take with a smile .
  • Geoff3DMN
    Geoff3DMN
    6 years ago
    I've got a Triton but the Ranger is a nice ute, nicer than the Triton if I'm being honest (but so it should be, it's about $10k more).
    The Ranger is about the best all-rounder dual cab ute on the market, the Toyota has more aftermarket gear and it's easier to get repairs done if you're in the outback (but you're going to be waiting no matter what ute you buy) and the others are a bit cheaper but not as nice to drive (stock... all bets are off once you start putting lifts and big tyres on a ute).
  • paulybronco
    paulybronco
    6 years ago
    My son has a new BT 50, other than constantly flat batteries not a bad truck.
  • paulybronco
    paulybronco
    6 years ago
    Oh and Mazda are cunts to deal with!
  • fatbat
    fatbat
    6 years ago
    Quoting Geoff3DMN on 04 Sep 2018 09:17 AM

    I've got a Triton but the Ranger is a nice ute, nicer than the Triton if I'm being honest (but so it should be, it's about $10k more).

    The Ranger is about the best all-rounder dual cab ute on the market, the Toyota has more aftermarket gear and it's easier to get repairs done if you're in the outback (but you're going to be waiting no matter what ute you buy) and the others are a bit cheaper but not as nice to drive (stock... all bets are off once you start putting lifts and big tyres on a ute).

    I agree Geoff. Triton may not be the best but it cannot be beaten in terms of value for money 
  • spacewolf
    spacewolf
    6 years ago
    Before you buy anything, look at this site in depth:

    He has reviewed all the utes out there at the moment and gives an honest opinion on each. Can also help with buying and trading your current vehicle.

    Good luck.
  • boxa
    boxa
    6 years ago
    I don't go 4 wheel driving , but have owned a pajero for 10 years now , never owned a cr has long , very comfortable , keep thinking of upgrading , but  every time i go through the excercise i come back to i would buy another , so at only 103 thousand klm, may has well keep what i got ,  Now regards room  if theres only two  drop the rear seats plenty of room , i put a big ingle in mine  and lots of room left over ,, my mate bought a toyota hilux twin cab ute , complained he could'nt put an esky in lid would'nt fold down , so he put a canopy on , now he complains its a pain getting to his stuff , reckons he should of bought a prado or pajero .

    Regards 4 wheel driving i can't say but  i have been told the pajero is one of the best around ,,   Another mate who goes bush a lot will not buy anything else , we spoke about rangers   ecte ct , and he said  when your  1500 klm from home try getting parts for any ranger , has opposed to a toyota or pajero ,  butr like i said i don't go 4 wheel driving i just like the comfort , and   the fact it tows my boat so easy
  • Krash Kinkade
    Krash Kinkade
    6 years ago
    I know plenty of people with the Ford Rangers, & they like them . all are manual 4X4.
    I've got an Old HiLux Manual D 4X4 with a lift kit single cab tray back .ARB bar. I go off road in it. no problems. but a real hard ride!! I don't mind as long as it gets me there. I have LED lights ( Flood Lights ) I think important if drive at night in bush a lot.
    Having said this, have you ever seen the SUV Ute race series? I don't watch or follow it or car racing for that matter, but happened to watch a race not long ago the Triton looked to handle a lot better and was leading the race I watched easy.
  • JFE
    JFE
    6 years ago
    Thanks for all the cool moments and personal experience (except for the Ute & dog offer and suggestion to get a WRX. Lay off the grog blokes, as generous as the dog offer is). Yep, read/watch John at Auto Expert - he certainly hates Ford for their bad rep looking after those that have problems; he is correct but I’d say most brands have their problems on that score. At least he can’t fault the Ranger, now the flammable DPF issue has been fixed via recall. He doesn’t like Toyota either, btw.
    I’m not planning on towing, unless it’s a random trailer with a big screen tv. And good advice on the suspension, thanks - I will consider that when sussing out a bull bar. Will go alloy if I can, the Ford genuine one is only 55 kgs which isn’t terrible.

    At this point I will organise another test drive of a Ranger-Hilux-Prado, when the new Ranger arrives in October (tweaks and minor upgrades), and then narrow it down via preference and best deal. Reckon it will come down to the Wildtrak and Prado ... and an honest consideration what I can get the most of. Thanks again.
  • Ken in Cairns
    Ken in Cairns
    6 years ago
    Izuzu Mux or D max, bullet proof engine and driveline.
    The Ranger is good, so is the Amarok.
  • Baloffski
    Baloffski
    6 years ago
    Quoting Ken in Cairns on 06 Sep 2018 07:52 AMedited: 06 Sep 2018 07:54 AM

    Izuzu Mux or D max, bullet proof engine and driveline.

    The Ranger is good, so is the Amarok.

    Had my eye on the Isuzu , bloody good jigga. But went to nearest lolly shop atm and said yeah I'll ave that one. Did suss so much on Isuzu, no Probs.. Mazda Seats are shite too.
  • bloodog
    bloodog
    6 years ago
    I have a ford ranger love her we do heaps of 4 wheel driving 
    only thing that bugs me is changing gears all the time 

  • Soapbox2627
    Soapbox2627
    6 years ago

    My Ranger is auto, works fine.

    can put it in sports mode, I do use this when towing

  • bloodog
    bloodog
    6 years ago
    Quoting Soapbox2627 on 06 Sep 2018 07:23 PM

    My Ranger is auto, works fine.

    can put it in sports mode, I do use this when towing

    Reading this I would have got an auto 80% of the driving is around town, my gears are very short 
  • LOFTYBOB
    LOFTYBOB
    6 years ago
    The MAZDA BT-50 won the dubious honor of having the worst customer satisfaction rate in Australia. Even the Indian made Tata beat it, and they are a shitbox 
  • Daffy
    Daffy
    6 years ago
    Quoting JFE on 05 Sep 2018 10:59 AM

    Thanks for all the cool moments and personal experience (except for the Ute & dog offer and suggestion to get a WRX. Lay off the grog blokes, as generous as the dog offer is). Yep, read/watch John at Auto Expert - he certainly hates Ford for their bad rep looking after those that have problems; he is correct but I’d say most brands have their problems on that score. At least he can’t fault the Ranger, now the flammable DPF issue has been fixed via recall. He doesn’t like Toyota either, btw.

    I’m not planning on towing, unless it’s a random trailer with a big screen tv. And good advice on the suspension, thanks - I will consider that when sussing out a bull bar. Will go alloy if I can, the Ford genuine one is only 55 kgs which isn’t terrible.

    At this point I will organise another test drive of a Ranger-Hilux-Prado, when the new Ranger arrives in October (tweaks and minor upgrades), and then narrow it down via preference and best deal. Reckon it will come down to the Wildtrak and Prado ... and an honest consideration what I can get the most of. Thanks again.

    I was in the car game for32 years but have lost touch a bit. Mazda and Ford are the same ute.Nissan Navara worth looking at. Prado great.Pajero great.Whatever you do BUY AN AUTO!If you do ever tow that is much better.I love riding my Deluxe and changing gears but in the car can,t be arsed any more.Auto better for 4wheel driving too. Good luck
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