Thoughts on Chevy Colorado or Ford Ranger

[tacticalturnip]

My best riding truck and By FAR was my 77 Jeep Honcho.

So, I wasn't alive in '77, but Jeep really missed out if they didn't offer a special edition 'Head Honcho' trim package.

 

[sd455dan]

I presume you got rid of it at some point; ever kick yourself over it? You don't see many old Jeep trucks around; like the old IH trucks, it's like they all rusted out.

Yep I did, and would like to still have it.

I lifted it about 2 inches and ran 32 x 11.5 mud tires and Rancho shocks on it. It had the 401 with the forged crank and rods I modded it with HEI, headers, 850 dbl pumper, Isky cam with Rhoads lifters. That AMC would wind and pull to 7000.
We mud bogged it a few times as well.

I did inherit my BIL's identical 1977 Honcho truck, and still have it, but the engine is a 304 and I think the T 400 is toast.
If I get all the other projects done I may try and restore it. Not even sure how many Honchos were ever built, There was a test of Jeep Ford and Chevy in an off road magazine when they were new and the Jeep got about 17 MPG the Chev with a 350 Got about 11 MPG.
At the end of the test, They picked the Jeep as best overall truck.

ps.
on the Ranger versus Colorado comparo.
I can add My Nephews Tremor version Ranger has been performing great- No problems at all and has been getting high 20's on the MPG.

 

[groundcover]

My best riding truck and By FAR was my 77 Jeep Honcho.
I gave a friend a ride in the rough that was at the time selling new Nissans and the first thing he did was brace his hand on the ceiling to keep himself in the seat as we went through a major washout. After articulating through it painlessly, he said I didn't know any 4x4 could ride and articulate like this and if We had been in a brand new Nissan 4x4 we would definitely have lumps on our heads right now. He said my dad is looking for a 4x4.
About a month later saw his dad driving around in a same year newly acquired Cherokee Chief.

I sure lusted after a chief when I was in high school, friend had one, thing would go anywhere if it got one toe on something solid ! See them on the auction site Bring a Trailer every once in a while, they bring the money !

 

[Oaktree]

I presume you got rid of it at some point; ever kick yourself over it? You don't see many old Jeep trucks around; like the old IH trucks, it's like they all rusted out.

Was there ANY vehicle built in the 70s or before that wasn't a total rustbucket? None that I can think of.
My first truck was a '70 IH pickup. Rugged truck but when I bought it even the patches had rusted out...it was 7 years old at the time.

 

[jyoutz]

Well, yes and no. If you want a loaded, crew cab truck with all the bells & whistles yeah a lot to choose from. Lotsa luck if you're looking for a basic model with few frills or something other than a 4-door one.

You can still order 2 door work trucks. But they usually aren’t stocked on the lots.

 

[Sawyer Rob]

I was looking at new jeeps in 1972, they were sitting on the lots with the tailgates starting to rust.

The IH's, Toyota Landcruisers and jeeps were nothing but rust buckets, worse than the big three.

BTW, I bought a new Chevy truck that year, for the times it was a decent truck.

SR

 

[BlueKnife]

Thinking about getting a midsized truck. I like both the Ranger and Colorado. Are there any Colarado owners out there? Any likes/dislikes?

If the Ranger and Colorado are considered "mid" sized, what would be an example of a "small" sized?

 

[jyoutz]

If the Ranger and Colorado are considered "mid" sized, what would be an example of a "small" sized?

Frontier and Tacoma

 

[ruffdog]

If the Ranger and Colorado are considered "mid" sized, what would be an example of a "small" sized?

now...Maverick, Santa Cruz....future...Montana, Stout, Baja...

https://www.topspeed.com/upcoming-compact-pickups-trucks/

 

[BlueKnife]

Frontier and Tacoma

Really? Why? The Frontier, Tacoma, Ranger and Colorado are all within less than a couple inches in width and wheelbase and a few hundred lbs. in weight. The Ranger, Tacoma and Frontier are withn less than 100 lbs base weight with the Colorado being the lightest by a couple hundred lbs. The Tacoma is the heaviest and second widest of the four.