Pros and Cons - Ranger or Toyota

[Evoac05]

I am looking to buy a cheap (sub $2,000) truck that I'll use for hunting, trips to the dump, and picking up lumber/material for projects around the house. In my price range it looks like I'll be getting something from the 80's to the early 90's. I am looking around and found a couple trucks and was hoping to get some input. I found a 93 Ranger manual transmission with a 4.0 v6 4x4 and an 89 Toyota pickup manual transmission with a 3.0 v6 4x4. Are there any red flags right off the bat on these vehicles/engines? I am looking for either a Toyota pickup or Ranger and could use some help from people who own, have owned, or who works on them on a regular basis (mechanic). Anything I need to be aware of? Which model years to stay away from? Which engines to stay away from? Auto or manual, is one better than the other? Any tips would be great. Thanks!

[jackmaster]

I am a Toyota guy and all I can say is toyotas almost seem indestructible , you can lose a couple cylinders and still keep going..

[Woodchuck]

I usually say Toyota every time but those 3.0's like to eat some head gaskets...

[jdb]

We've had 4 of the 3.0 toyotas and n I t lost a head gasket yet but it is an issue for sure. I've never seen a ranger that the mpg was very good.

[Bean Counter]

 I currently have two Toyotas in my household, with a combined mileage of half million miles.

 I used to own an old Celica when I was in high school. It may have had the same motor as one of those old pick up trucks. The 22R. The 22re is also  in a lot of the pick ups, but I don't know how it's different from the 22r  that I had.   Mine did blow the head gasket around 200,000 miles.  It was pretty easy to replace with my uncle's help.

[Fl0und3rz]

It was an issue on the Toyotas, but I had 170K on my 1990, with the head gasket replaced around 100K, before I sold it. 

I never understood the 3.0 hate, personally.  It never left me stranded.  It skipped a timing belt notch and still ran.  Ran like crap, but it got me home. 

But Toyotas seem to go for a premium over Rangers, for sure.

[buglebrush]

Have owned both, and vastly prefer the toyota.  However, used Toyota's hold their value like crazy so if you are going to stay at 2,000 you are probably going to have to go ranger.  The old Nissan's are awesome too. 

[Jonathan_S]

The Toyota is a Pro

Ranger is a Con

[Timberstalker]

The Toyota is a Pro

Ranger is a Con

 

[blackveltbowhunter]

Milieage? If similar, im gonna go out on a limb and say the yota is a trouble motor. That said lotsa variables. The ranger is a good truck as well but no competition to the yota in longevity.  IMO.

[jackmaster]

Also you can still get a crate motor for cheap for Yotas not sure about the Rangers !!

[fish vacuum]

I'm a Toyota guy but wouldn't buy one with a 3.0. On top of the head gasket issues, they don't produce much power for the amount of fuel they burn. And the 3.0 is a PITA to work on compared to the other Toyota engines.
In that price range I'd look for an 85 or later with the 4cyl as that's when they started with fuel injection. The 22r(re with fuel injection) didn't have a head gasket recall like the 3.0, but it can also have head gasket issued. But the 22r/e is much easier to repair.
If you can find one in your budget, the 2.7 is a great engine.
They came out in 95 or 96. Same power as the 3.0 with better mpg and fewer headaches.
An automatic transmission robs a lot of power from them all, so a manual tranny will give you the best bang for your buck.

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[Goldeneye]

I know I am in the minority here.  I have a Ranger.  It has 180,000 miles on it and is still running strong.  It has the 4.0 liter motor and a manual transmission.  I had a Toyota before this truck.  It was a good truck too.  Just remember to change the oil on time and keep it in good running condition.  Whatever you choose should be a good truck for you.

[blackveltbowhunter]

  exactly. Thats a "not so desirable" yota and a good ranger. It sounds like either would serve you well, im a yota guy, but in this case it would boil down to mileage and individual history.

[Bean Counter]

My 22R was a 2.4L, so whatever this 3.0 is, we're obviously not talking about the same engine.