Thoughts on Chevy Colorado or Ford Ranger

[tacticalturnip]

There is a Jeep Gladiator in the video as well that the frame is bent on. My thoughts are.. Buy a weinie truck, don't expect it to emulate a large one with a real frame. It could be straightened but would entail some serious jack.

While I understand your point, and generally would agree, we live in a world where my wife's Kia can be outfitted to tow 5k pounds. Now I'm not talking about 5k in a pinch, but the addition of an oil cooler and the ability to tow it all day long. There was a time when a Ranger couldn't tow that much, and now almost every family hauler can be outfitted for that weight. They make tiny campers to be pulled behind these smaller vehicles, stuff that will fit within that weight limit when they're loaded up.

So, given that, you should be able to tow within the rated limit throughout the lifespan of one of these medium-duty pickups. Now, from there we can go into how it's being used or abused, but that's a different story. Ignorance and stupidity can be real force multipliers for Murphy's Law.

 

[5030]

In the video, if you look at where the frame buckled, it's easy to see, it weak there. Light gage and an oval punch out right where it failed. Very poor engineering in my opinion. I realize the oval punch out is to access a shock bolt but the shock mount should have been totally outside the frame rail, not the way it was made.

if I had one of those trucks, first thing I'd do is fab an external bolted on shock mount and fish plate over that oval cutout (on both sides) if I was gonna pull anything out back.

Like I said, fixable and the truck bed suffered no body damage but the labor to do it would be excessive and most of it would be labor anyway. Poor engineering on GM's part.

 

[ArlyA]

You missed the 3.6L v6 that had 308HP and 275 ft lbs torque,

Engine Order Code
LGZ
Engine Type and Required Fuel
Gas V6
Displacement (liters/cubic inches)
3.6L/-TBD-
Fuel System
Direct Injection
Maximum Horsepower @ RPM
308 @ 6800
Maximum Torque @ RPM
275 @ 4000

2024 Chevrolet Colorado Review, Pricing, and Specs

was that available in 2018?

 

[5030]

My nephew has a new Maverick / Ranger and candidly , I like the Chevy better though I'd never buy either one because a tiny truck don't work for me.

I didn't look under the hood of his but I bet it's the typical crammed in Ford powerplant and hard to service components. GM is light years ahead of Fords in that respect and we are a Ford / UAW family.

 

[rScotty]

Does Toyota or Dodge - or anyone else - make a truck in the same category as the Ranger? Our extended family was solidly Ford for generations until we started buying Toyotas.

 

[Jstpssng]

was that available in 2018?

Yes, that's what I have. 7000 lb trailer towing capacity when properly set up, and I average around 23 MPG most of the time. I have put 60,000 miles on it in three years and overall average has been a bit over 21 mpg... depending on how accurate their computer is. That also includes a lot of short hauls.
Except when I go to visit my mother, and am doing 75-80 for 110 miles down the interstate. I have pulled a 3000 lb trailer several times and didn't even know that it was there, including stopping. (Although it should have had trailer brakes.)

To the OP; I really like my truck. I looked at buying a Ranger but was am not ready for that 4 cylinder. I plan to have this for at least 14 more years and wanted something I can depend on. Plus it was August 2020 at the beginning of the vehicle shortage; and the salesman at the Ford dealership was even more of a D-head than they normally are.
There are some differences in the new one vs mine; they no longer offer the extended cab, and also don't have the V-6. The former is a deal breaker for me.

 

[Sawyer Rob]

I have a Colorado I like it; it's been a good truck and very handy to have around.

SR

 

[ruffdog]

was that available in 2018?

Yes, the 3.6L v6 was available starting in 2015 when the gen 3 Colorado was all re-done.

2015 Chevy Colorado Review & Ratings | Edmunds

 

[steve tym]

My 2018 Colorado ZR2 has been a great truck. 165K on it now. Very few problems, nothing major. I've never been in a new Ranger, but I had one on order until my dealer screwed it up. I also have no desire to drive a full size truck. A couple times a year I miss the towing capacity, but I own 3 F550's with diesels when I need to move my tractor.
The Colorado ZR2 has locking front and rear differentials and pulls like a tank. I pull my service guys out of the mud when they get stuck.
Just about to have my drivers seat re cushioned at 165K, my last 4 Rangers needed to have that done about every 60K miles.
I know the service people at Ford very well, no idea who to deal with at the Chevy dealer. Now, I do have 5 Fords vs 1 Chevy.

 

[Hay Dude]

Yes, that's what I have. 7000 lb trailer towing capacity when properly set up, and I average around 23 MPG most of the time. I have put 60,000 miles on it in three years and overall average has been a bit over 21 mpg... depending on how accurate their computer is. That also includes a lot of short hauls.
Except when I go to visit my mother, and am doing 75-80 for 110 miles down the interstate. I have pulled a 3000 lb trailer several times and didn't even know that it was there, including stopping. (Although it should have had trailer brakes.)

Why trailer brakes for 3,000lbs?

To the OP; I really like my truck. I looked at buying a Ranger but was am not ready for that 4 cylinder. I plan to have this for at least 14 more years and wanted something I can depend on. Plus it was August 2020 at the beginning of the vehicle shortage; and the salesman at the Ford dealership was even more of a D-head than they normally are.
There are some differences in the new one vs mine; they no longer offer the extended cab, and also don't have the V-6. The former is a deal breaker for me.

Ford dealer salesmen have become D-heads. 3+ years ago, I walked out of my local Ford dealer wondering how they ever sell anything to anyone.
That’s how I found Ram and so happy I did.