Have a '19 Ranger XLT FX4. Had it 4yrs so far an been impeccable. I've owned all brands of trucks & Ford by far builds the strongest 4wds. They are the #1 truck maker on earth for good reason. *Just ordered a '23 Ranger XLT Tremor cause im huge fan of this 4th Gen Ranger. New 5th Gen coming end of '23. Not selling my '19 Ranger though* . Keep truckin!! -NY
32:10 The Ranger does have an amazing crawl ratio, but unless it was off-camera you were in second gear crawling those rocks. When you shift it into low range, the transmission actually defaults to second gear. One has to drop into sport mode, and manually select first gear because it’s so low.
I have similar steps on my Bronco. Ford supplied a tool kit which allows you to take the steps off and also supplied a sets of rubber plugs to close the holes.
Ive had my FX4 Ranger for about a year now and put 15,000mi on it. Plenty of off road time and a cross country road trip already. Its performed flawlessly. Great truck, im sad to see ford completely change the design for the ranger as this platform is awesome. Also TAKE THE SIDE STEPS OFF. I have a set of true rock sliders on mine, the difference in clearance and breakover angle is night and day. Great video guys!
When I decided to buy a new truck- I test drove them both. Ranger was much more comfortable and unless you are a 4 wheel drive enthusiast, much better on the highway for my normal driving and it goes places I won't drive because I'm not tearing my vehicle up. Both vehicles are really good.
I bought a 2022 Ford Ranger XLT Tremor a few months ago and love it. Mainly use it for towing and a bit of off roading. If you need to tow, and want something very off-road capable, in a midsized truck, it really is the only option. Only mod I've done to mine is a Ford Performance Pack for a bit more horsepower and torque. It can really use it when going uphill when towing 5,000+ lbs. Might have to upgrade for the Raptor version when they launch it next year with the nicely upgraded interior from the F150 and more power. Oh and for those side steps? They're great when people park next to your new truck and swing their door open. It ends up hitting the step and denting their door haha
I tuned my Tacoma & it tows pretty good (3,500lbs) fully loaded, I just worry about heat soaking the turbo if I'm pulling it uphill cuz I live in Phoenix up to cordes junction.. it's 120° in the summer & then cordes junction it's 110° naturally aspirated they run pretty damn consistent I've had other turbo vehicles get heat soaked & it's very difficult for them to cool down. I'm glad yours works good for you tho! Also I'm not towing nearly as heavy as you. I have manual transmission fyi lol
If I could suggest one thing as a spotter. Make sure when you are using left and right directions that it's from the drivers view, too many times I've seen guys say left but it's the drivers right and they damage something. Best to say "driver" (left) and "passenger" (right) to avoid any confusion. :) Side note, halogen headlights in 2022??? Really Ford?lol
I'll take halogens any day over the expensive and complicated LED units. Ease and affordability of maintenance are factors often overlooked, but are paramount on my personal list of consumer priorities.
Will never understand how people don’t know how to use the Tacoma locker 🤦🏻♂️🤦🏻♂️ just like my first gen I turn it on and I just go. As soon as it slips a tiny bit it locks .
Another great video Ryan. I just wish that sometime in the future you would be able to directly test the Crawl Control versus Trail Control. I think it would be so much fun to re-create the original demo that Toyota did by burying the truck in sand and letting the crawl control system, dig it’s way out and see which vehicle has the better system.
Lol this was cute. Really makes me appreciate how much more capable a Jeep on 35s or 37s is. Not even in the same league! I love the look of these trucks tho. I’ll stick with my ugly rubicon. However, kind of miss wheeling in a more or less standard pickup. A lot of trails are just so easy it’s almost boring. This looks like this trail would be just that in a Jeep… 😴 snooze fest.
I've been looking at the Tacoma for about a year, and what has held me back from making the purchase is the price point and the 6-speed transmission. Don't get me wrong, this is a great truck. Now that I saw the Ford Tremor in action, the fact that the price resale value drops quicker, also means that I might get a better deal! Thanks for sharing the video and too bad you guys didn't take the trucks into that pass!
I looked long and hard at both (told the Ford dealer you can keep those ridiculous side steps) but still picked the TRD Pro in the end. If anything, in two years when something else is out there, the Tacoma will easily resale for the 3 and some change thousand more that the TRD cost me. Don't get me wrong I really liked the Ford, but Toyota is proven.
I recently got a ‘23 Ranger Crew Cab XL 2wd, & added the locking rear diff option. I’d love to see how it’d do on trails against a 4x4 with open diffs.
They definitely are. They're not really even mid-size, they're closer to 3/4 size or larger. For the price of a loaded Ranger you may as well buy the F150.
Correct. My 2022 Trd Offroad DCSB is pretty much the same size as my 2000 f150 extended cab. If I would've gotten the DCLB, it would be bigger. The main difference is that my Tacoma still turns like a midsize truck. I can turn circles around the f150.
So, with mirrors the Ranger Tremor is 85.8 inches wide. The Tacoma with mirrors is 84 roughly (can't find official numbers). FYI, the reason the Toyota locker doesn't engage quickly is because the way its designed. The Toyota has always used what I think is a more robust design but its much slower. It actually uses an actuator to move a shift fork and collar. That means that the collar HAS to be aligned before it locks and there isn't a lot of force driving that allignment but once it is locked its an extremely positive action. With the Toyota system I've found that - despite explicit instructions from Toyota to NOT do this - You should drive very slow and very light to get the locker to engage. The key is to get some differential action happening to get the collar aligned. Ideally you do this before the obstacle, but honestly the fastest way to engage a Toyota locker is to wait until you have rear wheel slip, push the button, then GENTLY apply just enough power to get the slipping wheel moving. It slots right in the collar. Use force or speed and explode a diff - hence the warning. For unlocking its the opposite, you want to create ZERO friction between the locking collar and the side gear, so get as straight as you can. The Eaton locker Ford specs uses an electromagnet that drives a cam, which pushes shift rods to engage the collar to the side gear. The old designs used the ramp pressure to engage the collar so it would disengage between forward and reverse. The new design does this much faster. It would be interesting to test sometime. I think Ford lets you lock in 2wd. Get stuck in 2wd so you have a slipping wheel going forward and backwards and see if there is any delay going between drive and reverse. I would be really interested to know. The cool thing about the Toyota design is that the actuator is not inside the case so it can be repaired easier, plus you can retrofit them to be cable actuated. @21:18 is why the seating position is terrible in the Tacoma. Even without the low side steps and a line further to drivers right you can see how much closer to the rocks the bodywork is on the Ford compared to the Toyota. I think Toyota could come down a little bit but I don't think they should do what everyone else is doing and bring them WAY down. Its a huge advantage off-road. I mean, @24:30 you can really see it. You hit frame before body and that's how it should be with something that has a long breakover like trucks.
Picking up my 22 trd pro next week. I love both not really biased to any particular brand. The new zr2 and the at4x for 23 look really great. I think toyota has some serious competition coming. Hopefully their 24 is exceptional. I chose the tacoma for reliability and resale value. Also seems like the toyota is a little better user friendly for mods and working on in general bacause of the lack of electronics compaired to the other brands. Great comparison keep the content coming.
@@jmarshall101 There's something to be said about going with a tried-and-true generation, new technology is great but I'd take known reliability over the newest creature comforts anyday.
@@kyle2923 They do indeed. I made a 3 year Tacoma trade for $3000 dollars less than my uncle made a 2 year F 150 trade. Apples for apples on both trucks.
Take those steps off and mount some real sliders. One of the first things I did when I got my Tremor and a super easy modification. Also you guys really love locking that rear diff when you don’t really need to.
The TRD pro is a fun trim level but you can essentially get the same capability and features with the off road premium trim for 5-6K less. The Toyota has been king of the midsized trucks for decades, it's nice to see all of the competition stepping up. Great video as always.
I see this argument all the time. Its far from accurate. An equally specd offroad to a pro is about $2000 difference. For that price difference, you get fox shocks, special color, headlights, bed stamping, wheels, tires, hood graphics(exclusive things that cant be optioned onto an offroad) Not even counting the fact of resale value and cool factor as well as exclusivity. Things that a price cant be attached to. People attempt to compare a stripped trd offroad to a pro( That can only be purchased with every single option) when looking at cost.
@@TheBERGMAN253 well I'm not sure where you're from but where I'm from you're wrong. Even if you select the most expensive package on the off-road it's still 45k base compared to the pros 49K base. So in actuality a mid grade option off-road would be low to mid 40s compared to 51-52 for the pro. Most dealerships are asking for markups on the pros as well so the difference would be even more. Yeah the fox shocks are great but most of the things on the pro are just for aesthetics. Fact is, anywhere the pro can go an off-road can go. Your numbers are factually incorrect. Its not a 2k difference.
@@LSX01Nation Cant post photos. Directly from Toyotas website- 23 OR equally specd including trd exhaust, skid plate, shift knob. 4X4 AT $48,029 23 TRD Pro AT $50,725 $2696 difference. At equal spec, they are splitting hairs on cost. MSRP of course. But thats the only argument Im making. You have to be missing options on your screen.
@@TheBERGMAN253 buddy, that's an off-road with the most expensive package with all of the accessories checked off. No one buys an Off road like that. You can get a mid grade off-road premium for 43-45k. Your average price difference between an off-road PRO is not going to be 2k. If you add markup the difference goes even higher. I've bought a 4runner and a Tacoma in the last year and a half. I've been watching the prices.
I went through this comparison extensively before ultimately purchasing my 21' TRD Sport 4x4 for $35k (4k off MSRP Thanks to Toyotathon). That being said, I did have to modify quite a bit and if we're talking factory only, The Ranger wins in comfort and the tacoma in capability and reliability. A $200 tune gave my truck another 2-3 mpg's, and killed the gear hunting uncoordinated trans. No more shift happy highway drives, stays in 6th unless I want it to go. $1400 gave me Bilstein 6112 adjustable coil-overs up front, and 5160 w/ external res in the rear. Did the instal in my driveway in about 6 hrs, without any kind of urgency. S&B cold air intake gave me another 1 mpg, so with the tune I avg 20 city, 22-23 highway at 70 mph. Seat jackers fixed my drivers seat, no more feeling like i'm sitting the floor and I cannot recommend them enough. I bought the amazon replicas for abt $60. I also did the kicker speaker upgrade for all 6 speakers. Now im looking at wheel/tire packages, but again no urgency. The Tacoma is a tried and true bullet proof warrior. It will eat shit for breakfast lunch and dinner, and politely ask for more. Too soon to determine if the new model Ranger will have that kind of a reputation. Edit" Did those windshield wipers give you an extra 30hp to get over the rock garden? lolll, seriously guys.. Hard to take you seriously when you drive through obstacles with your wipers on.
@@Jtwizzle for sure. C load is the worst though, and I went with a RR7-H wrapped in 115t (48lbs) wildpeak 265/70 17. I don't really need big tires personally, but if you go 285 with neg offset yea deff losing some mpgs.
@@user-ej1bq4bq2w I went with the same tires in 2019 but 265/75/16 which are the same diameter, also SL(4 ply). 1 inch taller and 7-8 lbs heavier dropped mpg by about 2. Early this year put on 255/85/16 (33 inch E load 10 ply and ~20 lbs heavier than stock) and the mpg dropped another 2-3. Gotta pay to play I guess. 😆 New tires and wheels really make the truck look good though!
Ford recognized that the vast majority of their customers never go off-road or they are not hard core wheelers. So the side steps appeal to most customers. The rest can remove the steps.
@@pat8988 For a regular Ranger, or any "regular" trim truck or SUV, sure. Absolutely that makes sense. This one is the FX4 with all the off-road goodies, so that is specifically tailored to an off-road buyer. Just interesting is all. Great little truck.
OMG Ryan! Take those ridiculous steps off of that Ranger. 4 bolts/screws on each side and the steps are gone. I definitely wouldn't have taken that Ranger out there with those steps on your truck. Otherwise, that Ranger is definitely my choice out of these two.
So you know, you can remove the steps on those rails. The actual step comes off. It leaves some holes, but people seem to fix it by putting grip tap over the holes.
I've driven both trucks for a long time... the Tremor (and currently own) and the TRD Pro.... Everything about the Ford is better. EVERYTHING. But man, the looks, crawl control, and after-market...market.....keep the Toyota in the discussion of which to buy.
I've owned both an FX4 Ranger that I switched over to Fox 2.5 suspension and now own a Tacoma TRD Pro. I have Zero brand loyalty. I definitely miss the powertrain of the Ranger, but I could just never fall in love with the styling of the truck. The Tacoma is a better looking truck it's just a pig when it comes to laying down the power. I think i'll keep the Tacoma for the long run, but definitely going to be cool to see what the next gen ranger can pull off. Hopefully the aftermarket picks up for both the new ZR2 and new Ranger over the next gen.
I'm a Ford guy but that taco in that green is gorgeous. Plus those running boards on the ranger gotta go. I also hate that Ford only makes it in a turbo 4. I'd take the standard V6 taco.
rock sliders,additional underbody armour,trail cam and 2” lift would make the ranger tremor unstoppable. I have a 21’ tremor and usually remove the side steps when doing serious wheeling,big difference in clearance esp when going thru deep washouts or river beds with big rocks.
Awesome content. You both provide wonderful information and useful opinion. Ordering my Maverick Tremor and would hope to get half of what the Ranger Tremor can do on the rock garden area. Thanks
These comparisons are one of the best parts of this channel. I hope you do a 2023 Pilot Trailsport, Telluride X-Pro, and Ascent comparison; I’d place an order based off that video.
Great video! I have been intrigued by the Tacoma lately but the prices on used ones are ridiculous. I am surprised at the Ranger's capabilities. I had no idea and I'm a Ford guy. I don't have money for either one and I'm not selling my '04 Super Duty 6 liter for towing our camper. Now I want a Ranger as a daily and to haul mountain bikes and fly fishing trips up the river.
Just so you know you can remove the steps and use the steps "frame" like sliders, well sort of lol... The steps have 4 10mm bolts per side so pretty easy to remove before an off-road trip. People often slap some grip tape over the holes and leave the steps off. I have a 2022 Ford Ranger Lariat FX4 but have steps and they also bang on rocks. Definitely will go to sliders in the future sometime. I didn't know about this ORV park so its a great option if I'm ever in that area on that side of the sound.
Great duel. The Taco did appear to be the superior truck of the two on pure off-road performance, but I think I prefer the Ranger for its better perceived versatility (comfort and road handling vs the Toy’s V6 woes Nick described). (I also prefer the subdued grey to the in your face lime green but colors are not an objective criteria) Minus the steps! 😆
Got a '21 Lariat FX4 Ranger with every option (included block heater and heated seats) other than the aux dash switches, including a toolbox for the back for only 2500 more than that Tremor. Can't justify that setup for what it costs, especially for what the FX4 does.
I have a 20 Ranger all the same as yours. I gotta say the tremor does look amazing. I am not ditching mine for it, but it does take it to the next level.
The ranger is a no brainer if you live anywhere near higher elevation or plan to go off roading there. Having a turbo motor is a big plus, making it more efficient up in the mountains.
I love my Ford Ranger Tremor! Perfect size for the narrow trails. Ultimate overlanding truck IMHO. Awesome review! Oh yes, gotta get some rock sliders stat
Except the rail is attached to the body and doesn't protect anything. Hit it and you can still cause body damage. You need frame mounted sliders if you want protection.
The Tremor owner was simping hard for his purchase. Skipped the challenge, was slowest on challenges. Tacoma also looks way better. But cool truck bro. Edit: need to move 5' or so for the locker to 100% come on. Turn it on if you think you could use it.
Lol. Noticed the exact same. Kind feel like the Toyota would have at least attempted that one section until the ford wimped out. Btw, does it truly have better clearance if those stupid side steps are so low? But ya, the TRD seemed so much more comfortable. Plus resale value and reliability. If cost is an issue, I’d much rather do the TRD OR than a ford.
Main downside is that underpowered V6. You start towing near it's max capacity and you'll be struggling to accelerate. Only main complaint about the Tacoma
I really enjoy my '21 Lariat Tremor. I think the cluster gets too much hate, I like it and has everything I want/need. I'd like to get rid of the steps, but I'm short and need them. hahaha! Oh, and I enjoy the heated seats. Speaking of seats, I LOVE the Tremor seats! I like the LED headlights too. I just really like the truck I guess. Yeah, it was too much, but for once in my life, I got something I wanted. Come at me bro! heh.
Without going and checking, I believe heated seats on the Ranger are only available in the Lariat. Could be wrong, there are 2 XLT trim levels available and the one you do not have may have heated seats as well.
Love the shirt choice you got there Ryan. 1 of many vehicles I would like to own. Tahuya, been there MANY times. And in short, it is best for vehicles you don't mind body damage on. OR side by sides, quads. Motorbikes can do it, and I have done it all. lol When it comes to my preference, it would probably be a side by side. As for your vehicle choices, I am not a fanatic for either. I like what I hear about the Tremor for comfort. The Tacoma I hear a lot of cons in regards to comfort and that rear lock situation sucks big time. Difficult choice. I would probably take the Tacoma if I could be comfortable in it and was 1/2 my age and expected to keep it for 20+ years. I like the Tremor better with 2 cons, engine and lack of cameras. Cannot fix the engine, but I reckon you could put on after market cameras.
Awesome video my 2018 nissan frontier pro4x will run with you guys it has front and rear locking differential of course i put in the front locker it transformed the truck completely
It seemed like the Tremor was aired down slightly. I think the Tacoma would have faired even better if it was aired down more to around 18-20PSI. And Tacomas actually call for truck to be in neutral to engage. As a Taco owner I engage it at the start of the trail as it can be a bit of a diva when you really need it.😂. You can keep it on up to 15-20MPH. And those are side steps so the dealer did inform🙃. And I think the reason he struggled to “go slow”/crawl because he did not put MTS in rocks and having the tires aired so high really effects the speed of a truck off road as aired down tires increase tire foot print, grip, and slow down the wheel speed due to drag IMO. And yes, the Tacoma needs many things to make it a pure all around trail weapon. But in any form you buy a Taco because it will take you anywhere it can reach and back almost 99% of the time in a 3rd Gen and 100% in years past😂😅🤣! I think the Tacoma is the ultimate midsize truck because it is the most reliable platform to build a milf to wild trail weapon and know when it’s time to trade up if you desire it will still have bulletproof resale value due to the high reliability of it.
the side steps for our tremors are extremely easy to take off, they're just bolted to the running board. I take mine off while i am airing down when off roading, only takes a few minutes.
Awesome video ranger all day every day I’ve driven the taco and I hate it that’s why I went with a 2019 ranger I’m in limbo to get a ranger tremor or wait for the ranger raptor to come
I'm pretty sure you can take those steps off the rail. My biggest complaint about the Ranger is the plastic transmission pan, and the fact it has no drain plug.
The Ranger has above average reliability and the powertrain is pretty stout. The 10R80 transmission is bolted to F-150 Raptors, 5.0 Mustangs, and Super Sport Camaros. The 2.3 EcoBoost in the Ranger is a detuned Focus RS engine with some improvements so if you want more power the headroom is there with tuning and it won't cost you a $7K supercharger
Suggestion: left and right are not effective ways to identify sides when giving directions. "your right or my right" begs for mistakes. Using terms like "driver" and "passenger" leave no room for questions in heat of the moment
$44k for a midsize truck is just insane. Guess I’m stuck in the past.
That Tacoma was shown as $51K, what in the actual fuck.
I bought my Hilux Gazoo Racing Dakar edition for 51k.
@@layne4376 why would I?
@@layne4376 i completely agree! Stuff is out of control. I wish some of the TH-cam channels like TFL would call these companies out.
@@thomasabbottjr lol don’t buy it then. Everything is worth exactly what people will pay.
Nick was a good addition to the team. He seems like a knowledgeable asset.
I can’t imagine the channel without him
@Ryzen
Like when he put it in loose rock mode on embedded rocks?
@@ZepG my thoughts exactly😂
Like when he said he, I don't even know what those steps are bolted to.
He's a good addition but is most definitely not a knowledgeable asset. He hardly knows anything about cars.
Have a '19 Ranger XLT FX4. Had it 4yrs so far an been impeccable. I've owned all brands of trucks & Ford by far builds the strongest 4wds. They are the #1 truck maker on earth for good reason. *Just ordered a '23 Ranger XLT Tremor cause im huge fan of this 4th Gen Ranger. New 5th Gen coming end of '23. Not selling my '19 Ranger though* . Keep truckin!! -NY
I drove both back to back while looking to get the toyota. Bought the ranger with a smile on my face
32:10 The Ranger does have an amazing crawl ratio, but unless it was off-camera you were in second gear crawling those rocks. When you shift it into low range, the transmission actually defaults to second gear. One has to drop into sport mode, and manually select first gear because it’s so low.
I have similar steps on my Bronco. Ford supplied a tool kit which allows you to take the steps off and also supplied a sets of rubber plugs to close the holes.
Ive had my FX4 Ranger for about a year now and put 15,000mi on it. Plenty of off road time and a cross country road trip already. Its performed flawlessly. Great truck, im sad to see ford completely change the design for the ranger as this platform is awesome. Also TAKE THE SIDE STEPS OFF. I have a set of true rock sliders on mine, the difference in clearance and breakover angle is night and day. Great video guys!
Fords are great for about 4 years..
Have fun with the turbos when they go out lol
Love my '19 Ranger XLT FX4. 4yrs & been impeccable. Owned a Taco in past & it has nothing on new Gen Ranger!
@@davedavid0 Haha far from it. Ford owns trucks for good reason. Tons old Ford trucks on rd. Where are the Yodas?
@@aidenarkham They don't! That's why Tundra copied Ford in its new truck which is weak...yet again.
Hands down...Tacoma TRD Pro for longevity and reliability!
They not built like they used to. They worse if not on par wit the ranger tho the engine of the Tacoma will last longer
Looks like you could probably tackle that terrain in 2 wheel drive
Yeah, when he put it in 4hi i was like wtf, why? It's just dirt dude
I did offroad way worse than that on a factory FWD old Ford Focus 1.6...
The road up to my cottage is way worse than this.
I hated how cautious they were. I was like "just go already!!"
Still happy with my 2021 Ranger Tremor. These are great trucks!
When I decided to buy a new truck- I test drove them both. Ranger was much more comfortable and unless you are a 4 wheel drive enthusiast, much better on the highway for my normal driving and it goes places I won't drive because I'm not tearing my vehicle up. Both vehicles are really good.
I love when you do these off-road videos and actually testing!
I test drove a Ford ranger base model brand new and the check engine light came on. Quite embarrassing for the sales guy
That's so cool that the Ranger's rock sliders have built-in shovels!
;)
I bought a 2022 Ford Ranger XLT Tremor a few months ago and love it. Mainly use it for towing and a bit of off roading. If you need to tow, and want something very off-road capable, in a midsized truck, it really is the only option. Only mod I've done to mine is a Ford Performance Pack for a bit more horsepower and torque. It can really use it when going uphill when towing 5,000+ lbs. Might have to upgrade for the Raptor version when they launch it next year with the nicely upgraded interior from the F150 and more power. Oh and for those side steps? They're great when people park next to your new truck and swing their door open. It ends up hitting the step and denting their door haha
I tuned my Tacoma & it tows pretty good (3,500lbs) fully loaded, I just worry about heat soaking the turbo if I'm pulling it uphill cuz I live in Phoenix up to cordes junction.. it's 120° in the summer & then cordes junction it's 110° naturally aspirated they run pretty damn consistent I've had other turbo vehicles get heat soaked & it's very difficult for them to cool down. I'm glad yours works good for you tho! Also I'm not towing nearly as heavy as you. I have manual transmission fyi lol
If I could suggest one thing as a spotter. Make sure when you are using left and right directions that it's from the drivers view, too many times I've seen guys say left but it's the drivers right and they damage something. Best to say "driver" (left) and "passenger" (right) to avoid any confusion. :)
Side note, halogen headlights in 2022??? Really Ford?lol
Thats why we call "driver" or "passenger". 😉
@@ISLANDSKIN that's what I said lol
I'll take halogens any day over the expensive and complicated LED units. Ease and affordability of maintenance are factors often overlooked, but are paramount on my personal list of consumer priorities.
And Ryan is the veteran on the show too so the other guy couldn't even correct him. LoL
He just said "Oh you were referring to YOUR right."
Will never understand how people don’t know how to use the Tacoma locker 🤦🏻♂️🤦🏻♂️ just like my first gen I turn it on and I just go. As soon as it slips a tiny bit it locks .
I personally would take the Ranger over the Toyota any day of the week, but with that said I wouldn't pay that muck money for either one.
Ranger got a huge disadvantage with it's operator
That's what I was thinking lol and also the worst spotter on earth now that I've watched the entire video.
Another great video Ryan. I just wish that sometime in the future you would be able to directly test the Crawl Control versus Trail Control. I think it would be so much fun to re-create the original demo that Toyota did by burying the truck in sand and letting the crawl control system, dig it’s way out and see which vehicle has the better system.
Kinda like Lone Wolf McQuade 🙂
you play at the same farm as ryan!
Lol this was cute.
Really makes me appreciate how much more capable a Jeep on 35s or 37s is.
Not even in the same league!
I love the look of these trucks tho. I’ll stick with my ugly rubicon.
However, kind of miss wheeling in a more or less standard pickup. A lot of trails are just so easy it’s almost boring. This looks like this trail would be just that in a Jeep… 😴 snooze fest.
Man I missed the episodes with dedicated offroad vehicles! I love everything you guys put out but these videos are *Chefs Kiss*
I've been looking at the Tacoma for about a year, and what has held me back from making the purchase is the price point and the 6-speed transmission. Don't get me wrong, this is a great truck. Now that I saw the Ford Tremor in action, the fact that the price resale value drops quicker, also means that I might get a better deal! Thanks for sharing the video and too bad you guys didn't take the trucks into that pass!
if resale and styling and brand doesnt matter. get a ford lol
I have an 18 year old taco with 6-speed, going strong 200k+ miles. Good luck with the ford!
@@lebrondog6 and build quality
That 6-speed is great
I looked long and hard at both (told the Ford dealer you can keep those ridiculous side steps) but still picked the TRD Pro in the end. If anything, in two years when something else is out there, the Tacoma will easily resale for the 3 and some change thousand more that the TRD cost me. Don't get me wrong I really liked the Ford, but Toyota is proven.
Great video, I also would like to see just regular 4X4's, not just Pro4X, FX4, etc, just basic and cheaper 4X4, maybe even against some AWD
I recently got a ‘23 Ranger Crew Cab XL 2wd, & added the locking rear diff option. I’d love to see how it’d do on trails against a 4x4 with open diffs.
Don't forget payload. The tremor can off road while carrying 1480 lbs while the PRO can barely hold 4 large people
Today's mid-size trucks are the full size trucks of 20 years ago, or larger.
They definitely are. They're not really even mid-size, they're closer to 3/4 size or larger. For the price of a loaded Ranger you may as well buy the F150.
Correct. My 2022 Trd Offroad DCSB is pretty much the same size as my 2000 f150 extended cab. If I would've gotten the DCLB, it would be bigger. The main difference is that my Tacoma still turns like a midsize truck. I can turn circles around the f150.
Or full-sized trucks in the UK.
Tahuya is probably one my favorite trail in PNW. The side step will definitely rip off in other sections of the trail.
The Ranger is so unrated. It did exceptionally well and they've been selling in Aus and other parts of the world for over 10 years without issues.
I lived in Brisbane for 3 years (moved back to the states in 2019). In AUS they are actually considered better than Toyota. Oh and I miss Australia.
So, with mirrors the Ranger Tremor is 85.8 inches wide. The Tacoma with mirrors is 84 roughly (can't find official numbers).
FYI, the reason the Toyota locker doesn't engage quickly is because the way its designed. The Toyota has always used what I think is a more robust design but its much slower. It actually uses an actuator to move a shift fork and collar. That means that the collar HAS to be aligned before it locks and there isn't a lot of force driving that allignment but once it is locked its an extremely positive action. With the Toyota system I've found that - despite explicit instructions from Toyota to NOT do this - You should drive very slow and very light to get the locker to engage. The key is to get some differential action happening to get the collar aligned. Ideally you do this before the obstacle, but honestly the fastest way to engage a Toyota locker is to wait until you have rear wheel slip, push the button, then GENTLY apply just enough power to get the slipping wheel moving. It slots right in the collar. Use force or speed and explode a diff - hence the warning. For unlocking its the opposite, you want to create ZERO friction between the locking collar and the side gear, so get as straight as you can. The Eaton locker Ford specs uses an electromagnet that drives a cam, which pushes shift rods to engage the collar to the side gear. The old designs used the ramp pressure to engage the collar so it would disengage between forward and reverse. The new design does this much faster. It would be interesting to test sometime. I think Ford lets you lock in 2wd. Get stuck in 2wd so you have a slipping wheel going forward and backwards and see if there is any delay going between drive and reverse. I would be really interested to know. The cool thing about the Toyota design is that the actuator is not inside the case so it can be repaired easier, plus you can retrofit them to be cable actuated.
@21:18 is why the seating position is terrible in the Tacoma. Even without the low side steps and a line further to drivers right you can see how much closer to the rocks the bodywork is on the Ford compared to the Toyota. I think Toyota could come down a little bit but I don't think they should do what everyone else is doing and bring them WAY down. Its a huge advantage off-road. I mean, @24:30 you can really see it. You hit frame before body and that's how it should be with something that has a long breakover like trucks.
Yes, you can engage the Ford locker in 2WD. Great info here. Thanks.
The TRD pro Tacoma how come you don't use your mirror cameras to see where you're going
Funny thing is, pretty much on a daily basis I see TRD Pro Tacoma's and 4Runners with that same style side step that's on the Ranger.
It’s a factory option, but it’s useless imo. The stock height of these trucks doesn’t require a step to get into.
Picking up my 22 trd pro next week. I love both not really biased to any particular brand. The new zr2 and the at4x for 23 look really great. I think toyota has some serious competition coming. Hopefully their 24 is exceptional. I chose the tacoma for reliability and resale value. Also seems like the toyota is a little better user friendly for mods and working on in general bacause of the lack of electronics compaired to the other brands. Great comparison keep the content coming.
New gen tacoma bout to come out. Ill wait if i were u.
@@jmarshall101 There's something to be said about going with a tried-and-true generation, new technology is great but I'd take known reliability over the newest creature comforts anyday.
Agreed I’d never buy a first model year of a new generation. Just buy this years model then upgrade in a few years. Tacomas hold their value so well.
@Julian Marshall new gens gona be a 4 cyl hybrid, fuck that
@@kyle2923 They do indeed. I made a 3 year Tacoma trade for $3000 dollars less than my uncle made a 2 year F 150 trade. Apples for apples on both trucks.
Ranger is more affordable to the public gas now days is a key.
Take those steps off and mount some real sliders. One of the first things I did when I got my Tremor and a super easy modification. Also you guys really love locking that rear diff when you don’t really need to.
I think that a Honda Civic could go through the same trails . Y’all need to get out in the country.
Honda civic haha hilarious 🤣 yeah right OK bud
These are press vehicles. They’re not going to risk damaging them.
The TRD pro is a fun trim level but you can essentially get the same capability and features with the off road premium trim for 5-6K less. The Toyota has been king of the midsized trucks for decades, it's nice to see all of the competition stepping up. Great video as always.
I see this argument all the time. Its far from accurate. An equally specd offroad to a pro is about $2000 difference.
For that price difference, you get fox shocks, special color, headlights, bed stamping, wheels, tires, hood graphics(exclusive things that cant be optioned onto an offroad)
Not even counting the fact of resale value and cool factor as well as exclusivity. Things that a price cant be attached to.
People attempt to compare a stripped trd offroad to a pro( That can only be purchased with every single option) when looking at cost.
@@TheBERGMAN253 well I'm not sure where you're from but where I'm from you're wrong. Even if you select the most expensive package on the off-road it's still 45k base compared to the pros 49K base. So in actuality a mid grade option off-road would be low to mid 40s compared to 51-52 for the pro. Most dealerships are asking for markups on the pros as well so the difference would be even more.
Yeah the fox shocks are great but most of the things on the pro are just for aesthetics.
Fact is, anywhere the pro can go an off-road can go.
Your numbers are factually incorrect. Its not a 2k difference.
@@LSX01Nation Cant post photos.
Directly from Toyotas website-
23 OR equally specd including trd exhaust, skid plate, shift knob.
4X4 AT
$48,029
23 TRD Pro
AT
$50,725
$2696 difference.
At equal spec, they are splitting hairs on cost. MSRP of course. But thats the only argument Im making.
You have to be missing options on your screen.
@@TheBERGMAN253 buddy, that's an off-road with the most expensive package with all of the accessories checked off. No one buys an Off road like that. You can get a mid grade off-road premium for 43-45k. Your average price difference between an off-road PRO is not going to be 2k. If you add markup the difference goes even higher. I've bought a 4runner and a Tacoma in the last year and a half. I've been watching the prices.
@@LSX01Nation Weird. I didnt pay markup for mine. That seems to be your only argument.
So like I said… Apples to Apples.
About 2k difference.
I went through this comparison extensively before ultimately purchasing my 21' TRD Sport 4x4 for $35k (4k off MSRP Thanks to Toyotathon). That being said, I did have to modify quite a bit and if we're talking factory only, The Ranger wins in comfort and the tacoma in capability and reliability. A $200 tune gave my truck another 2-3 mpg's, and killed the gear hunting uncoordinated trans. No more shift happy highway drives, stays in 6th unless I want it to go. $1400 gave me Bilstein 6112 adjustable coil-overs up front, and 5160 w/ external res in the rear. Did the instal in my driveway in about 6 hrs, without any kind of urgency. S&B cold air intake gave me another 1 mpg, so with the tune I avg 20 city, 22-23 highway at 70 mph. Seat jackers fixed my drivers seat, no more feeling like i'm sitting the floor and I cannot recommend them enough. I bought the amazon replicas for abt $60. I also did the kicker speaker upgrade for all 6 speakers. Now im looking at wheel/tire packages, but again no urgency.
The Tacoma is a tried and true bullet proof warrior. It will eat shit for breakfast lunch and dinner, and politely ask for more. Too soon to determine if the new model Ranger will have that kind of a reputation.
Edit" Did those windshield wipers give you an extra 30hp to get over the rock garden? lolll, seriously guys.. Hard to take you seriously when you drive through obstacles with your wipers on.
Say goodbye to that mileage with bigger heavier tires. Im lucky to get 16 combined now 🥲
@@Jtwizzle for sure. C load is the worst though, and I went with a RR7-H wrapped in 115t (48lbs) wildpeak 265/70 17. I don't really need big tires personally, but if you go 285 with neg offset yea deff losing some mpgs.
@@user-ej1bq4bq2w I went with the same tires in 2019 but 265/75/16 which are the same diameter, also SL(4 ply). 1 inch taller and 7-8 lbs heavier dropped mpg by about 2. Early this year put on 255/85/16 (33 inch E load 10 ply and ~20 lbs heavier than stock) and the mpg dropped another 2-3. Gotta pay to play I guess. 😆 New tires and wheels really make the truck look good though!
nick and ryan are awesome in this vid thanks guys love ya
Love my 19 Ranger. First thing I did was remove the steps. I'll never understand that logic on an off-road vehicle where ground clearance is key.
Ford recognized that the vast majority of their customers never go off-road or they are not hard core wheelers. So the side steps appeal to most customers. The rest can remove the steps.
@@pat8988 For a regular Ranger, or any "regular" trim truck or SUV, sure. Absolutely that makes sense. This one is the FX4 with all the off-road goodies, so that is specifically tailored to an off-road buyer. Just interesting is all. Great little truck.
OMG Ryan!
Take those ridiculous steps off of that Ranger. 4 bolts/screws on each side and the steps are gone.
I definitely wouldn't have taken that Ranger out there with those steps on your truck. Otherwise, that Ranger is definitely my choice out of these two.
The trees! The trees! jumping in front of me!!😁😀😂
Such a fantastic channel!
So you know, you can remove the steps on those rails. The actual step comes off. It leaves some holes, but people seem to fix it by putting grip tap over the holes.
We just wanted to keep it "as bought" of the sake of this comparison.
@@drivingsports EDIT: I didn't hear you say this at the end.
I have the tremor nice truck👍👍
I wish Toyota would put actual all terrain tires on the TRD Pro version. Tires make all the difference in these type of comparisons.
"Turn right, no right... you mean you're right?" When you tell someone directions you always tell them from their perception.
Yep, finally you said if the side steps get damaged, take them off and don’t replace them.
I've driven both trucks for a long time... the Tremor (and currently own) and the TRD Pro.... Everything about the Ford is better. EVERYTHING. But man, the looks, crawl control, and after-market...market.....keep the Toyota in the discussion of which to buy.
I love the Intercooled 4. 270 HP and 10 speed transmission is awesome. Great fuel economy on Mine.
I've owned both an FX4 Ranger that I switched over to Fox 2.5 suspension and now own a Tacoma TRD Pro. I have Zero brand loyalty. I definitely miss the powertrain of the Ranger, but I could just never fall in love with the styling of the truck. The Tacoma is a better looking truck it's just a pig when it comes to laying down the power.
I think i'll keep the Tacoma for the long run, but definitely going to be cool to see what the next gen ranger can pull off. Hopefully the aftermarket picks up for both the new ZR2 and new Ranger over the next gen.
" I WILL NOT LET DOWN FORD OWNERS!" Ford Dealerships "Hold my beer"
I'm a Ford guy but that taco in that green is gorgeous. Plus those running boards on the ranger gotta go. I also hate that Ford only makes it in a turbo 4. I'd take the standard V6 taco.
Why is it that you test top trim models? Have you tested any base or mid-trim models without software tech?
It’s what the manufacturers put into the test fleets. Mostly it’s so “all features” can be tested.
rock sliders,additional underbody armour,trail cam and 2” lift would make the ranger tremor unstoppable. I have a 21’ tremor and usually remove the side steps when doing serious wheeling,big difference in clearance esp when going thru deep washouts or river beds with big rocks.
I'd take the steps off and leave them off 😂
Agree! Its what I do. I have a 21’ xlt tremor. Despite his many offroad reviews the guy in the tremor seems like a newbie.
A Jeep JL is 74'' wide and even wider with high offset wheels and tires, and I'll rock those tight trails all day. Those trucks are fine.
Awesome content. You both provide wonderful information and useful opinion. Ordering my Maverick Tremor and would hope to get half of what the Ranger Tremor can do on the rock garden area. Thanks
"They know what they need to do but just refuse to do it." NAILED IT!!!
I love my 2020 tacoma TRD offroad it's my daily driver too with almost 40k miles i drive a lot on the highway and it's sweet I love my truck
Ive seen guys cut the steps off and then, smooth them out and powder coat them. Now they are sorta sliders and don't get hung up like the steps.
These comparisons are one of the best parts of this channel. I hope you do a 2023 Pilot Trailsport, Telluride X-Pro, and Ascent comparison; I’d place an order based off that video.
😅🤣😂
Great video! I have been intrigued by the Tacoma lately but the prices on used ones are ridiculous. I am surprised at the Ranger's capabilities. I had no idea and I'm a Ford guy. I don't have money for either one and I'm not selling my '04 Super Duty 6 liter for towing our camper. Now I want a Ranger as a daily and to haul mountain bikes and fly fishing trips up the river.
Man, that adaptive cruise control really helped you on the trail. PFFF
You finally made it to the fun part of the trail and you turned around and went back without even trying.
Get rid of those steps immediately!
Just so you know you can remove the steps and use the steps "frame" like sliders, well sort of lol... The steps have 4 10mm bolts per side so pretty easy to remove before an off-road trip. People often slap some grip tape over the holes and leave the steps off. I have a 2022 Ford Ranger Lariat FX4 but have steps and they also bang on rocks. Definitely will go to sliders in the future sometime. I didn't know about this ORV park so its a great option if I'm ever in that area on that side of the sound.
Done! th-cam.com/users/shortsQ3ABq4UkoQc?feature=share
@@drivingsports haha perfect!
The steps on the Ranger unbolt from the sliders with a few bolts per step. You can get heated seats in the ranger at the next trim level.
My XLT Tremor has heated seats. You can get them in the XLT. You do not have to jump to the Lariat trim level.
@@philroberts4231 You have to get another an additional package at the XLT where I am pretty sure they are standard on the lariat trim level.
Great duel. The Taco did appear to be the superior truck of the two on pure off-road performance, but I think I prefer the Ranger for its better perceived versatility (comfort and road handling vs the Toy’s V6 woes Nick described). (I also prefer the subdued grey to the in your face lime green but colors are not an objective criteria) Minus the steps! 😆
Got a '21 Lariat FX4 Ranger with every option (included block heater and heated seats) other than the aux dash switches, including a toolbox for the back for only 2500 more than that Tremor. Can't justify that setup for what it costs, especially for what the FX4 does.
I have a 20 Ranger all the same as yours. I gotta say the tremor does look amazing. I am not ditching mine for it, but it does take it to the next level.
Own a 22 pro myself. Did Tahuya a few weekends back primarily in 2wd save for trail 55.
Factory vehicles are just getting so capable.
The ranger is a no brainer if you live anywhere near higher elevation or plan to go off roading there. Having a turbo motor is a big plus, making it more efficient up in the mountains.
I agree. You'd have to have no brains to buy one over a Tacoma. 😂
this is not a show case of the trucks capabilities but the drivers incompetence.
I love my Ford Ranger Tremor! Perfect size for the narrow trails. Ultimate overlanding truck IMHO. Awesome review! Oh yes, gotta get some rock sliders stat
Ford is junk
That is where nissan got the steps right. Two bolts each and the steps are off but still a rail for protection
Except the rail is attached to the body and doesn't protect anything. Hit it and you can still cause body damage. You need frame mounted sliders if you want protection.
The Tremor owner was simping hard for his purchase. Skipped the challenge, was slowest on challenges. Tacoma also looks way better. But cool truck bro. Edit: need to move 5' or so for the locker to 100% come on. Turn it on if you think you could use it.
Lol. Noticed the exact same. Kind feel like the Toyota would have at least attempted that one section until the ford wimped out. Btw, does it truly have better clearance if those stupid side steps are so low? But ya, the TRD seemed so much more comfortable. Plus resale value and reliability. If cost is an issue, I’d much rather do the TRD OR than a ford.
I think the ford looks better.
Main downside is that underpowered V6. You start towing near it's max capacity and you'll be struggling to accelerate. Only main complaint about the Tacoma
Ryan,
Take the side steps off and when you go to trade it in, put them back on 😁
Thanks for the review. It was fun to see
Nissan has a good design..the step part has screws.
The tremor steps also come off.
The predator steps suck. I messed my passenger side step up. I put sliders with a kickout on it. No more issues.
@@Eastsidegeorgiaboy Have them on my Tundra...had them rewelded once already. They are a bad design.
Cool video. Would love to see, sometime in 2023, a Maverick Tremor vs that Ranger,
I ❤ my ranger . That turbo is sweet
Awesome video/comparison! I only wish a third truck was in the test. A 2022 Nissan Pro4x. I really like your channel!😃
We weren't able to get them together, but we did do a separate comparison of the Nissan and Toyota
@@drivingsports Great! Thanks.
@@drivingsports I won a prize? "How do I "hit you up"? 😀
@@frankENZC Those are scammers that are hitting TH-cam. Sorry no prize.
@@drivingsports Oh. Thanks for letting me know!
In the Ranger those parking sensors have an off button in front of the shifter.
I’m all about reliability and the Tacoma was obvious choice
that quad rider at the end though
I really enjoy my '21 Lariat Tremor. I think the cluster gets too much hate, I like it and has everything I want/need. I'd like to get rid of the steps, but I'm short and need them. hahaha! Oh, and I enjoy the heated seats. Speaking of seats, I LOVE the Tremor seats! I like the LED headlights too. I just really like the truck I guess. Yeah, it was too much, but for once in my life, I got something I wanted. Come at me bro! heh.
i got the same truck and love mine
Without going and checking, I believe heated seats on the Ranger are only available in the Lariat. Could be wrong, there are 2 XLT trim levels available and the one you do not have may have heated seats as well.
Yes, you can get heated seats in a Ranger XLT Tremor!!!
Well except for the last part of the video.
Smart move would be to just take the side steps off while you own the vehicle 🤷🏾♂️seems like a simple solution to me but other than that good video
Love the shirt choice you got there Ryan. 1 of many vehicles I would like to own. Tahuya, been there MANY times. And in short, it is best for vehicles you don't mind body damage on. OR side by sides, quads. Motorbikes can do it, and I have done it all. lol When it comes to my preference, it would probably be a side by side. As for your vehicle choices, I am not a fanatic for either. I like what I hear about the Tremor for comfort. The Tacoma I hear a lot of cons in regards to comfort and that rear lock situation sucks big time. Difficult choice. I would probably take the Tacoma if I could be comfortable in it and was 1/2 my age and expected to keep it for 20+ years. I like the Tremor better with 2 cons, engine and lack of cameras. Cannot fix the engine, but I reckon you could put on after market cameras.
Awesome video my 2018 nissan frontier pro4x will run with you guys it has front and rear locking differential of course i put in the front locker it transformed the truck completely
It seemed like the Tremor was aired down slightly. I think the Tacoma would have faired even better if it was aired down more to around 18-20PSI. And Tacomas actually call for truck to be in neutral to engage. As a Taco owner I engage it at the start of the trail as it can be a bit of a diva when you really need it.😂. You can keep it on up to 15-20MPH. And those are side steps so the dealer did inform🙃. And I think the reason he struggled to “go slow”/crawl because he did not put MTS in rocks and having the tires aired so high really effects the speed of a truck off road as aired down tires increase tire foot print, grip, and slow down the wheel speed due to drag IMO. And yes, the Tacoma needs many things to make it a pure all around trail weapon. But in any form you buy a Taco because it will take you anywhere it can reach and back almost 99% of the time in a 3rd Gen and 100% in years past😂😅🤣! I think the Tacoma is the ultimate midsize truck because it is the most reliable platform to build a milf to wild trail weapon and know when it’s time to trade up if you desire it will still have bulletproof resale value due to the high reliability of it.
Load'em up! 1 ton each
Kept those runners on the Ford to make sure that it wasn’t shown up too badly lol.
Thank you for the comparison!
You can take off the steps I believe there are 4 bolts per step my 2022 ranger tremor has heated seats
Between the two, i would still go for the taco, just for the fact that it is an unkillable machine.
100% Taco just looks better!!
@@jeffray2869 😆
11:44 the setup, shots, and well timed humor were PERFECT.
the side steps for our tremors are extremely easy to take off, they're just bolted to the running board. I take mine off while i am airing down when off roading, only takes a few minutes.
That’s what I’m saying. He’s constantly complaining about them. He’s using his personal truck. Why not just unbolt the damn things? It’s not hard.
Awesome video ranger all day every day I’ve driven the taco and I hate it that’s why I went with a 2019 ranger I’m in limbo to get a ranger tremor or wait for the ranger raptor to come
I'm pretty sure you can take those steps off the rail.
My biggest complaint about the Ranger is the plastic transmission pan, and the fact it has no drain plug.
You can. I mentioned we left them on in the video because that's how it comes from the factory.
The Ranger has above average reliability and the powertrain is pretty stout. The 10R80 transmission is bolted to F-150 Raptors, 5.0 Mustangs, and Super Sport Camaros. The 2.3 EcoBoost in the Ranger is a detuned Focus RS engine with some improvements so if you want more power the headroom is there with tuning and it won't cost you a $7K supercharger
You seem...happier! Love every EP!
Suggestion: left and right are not effective ways to identify sides when giving directions. "your right or my right" begs for mistakes. Using terms like "driver" and "passenger" leave no room for questions in heat of the moment
Both of them r good pick-up. Anyway my choose s Toyota Tacoma Tdr Pro
Just an fyi but i have an xlt tremor with heated seats. Love the video
Bingo!!!!!