Thread: Replacement vehicle

Driving a modern common rail diesel will surprise you, I went from a 304 V8 to a 2 litre common rail and it out tows the V8 in every way.

Originally Posted by luppy

Hi all,
i've been thinking its time to retire my old F250 work truck and get something a tad easier to park in the inner suburbs.

I'm thinking of a new Ranger 2.2 diesel Super cab, but am a bit worried the engine is too small.

does anyone have one or even an opinion on one.

i don't keep up with makes and models so don't know the specific vehicle, however i have a 3.2l V6 petrol car and a 2.2 common rail diesel wagon ... the car is definitely faster off the mark but for towing and hills teh diesel WELL outperforms the V6

hope that helps

regards david

I have a 3.2 4x4 6 speed manual diesel XLS model. Heaps of power and 5 cylinders. It's my first Ford and is 3 weeks old.

Personally, I would not go for a 4 cylinder in this vehicle regardless of what the specification states re torque/power. It is a heavy vehicle.

My nephew has one similar to mine, and regularly goes hunting from Melbourne to Cobar NSW. The other vehicles in the group is a Hilux and Mitsubishi (?). He is always chosen to be the vehicle that is loaded up with refrigerators/campling, four (4) people etc, and tows a tandem trailer with a Suzuki on it. He out accelerates the others, and can climb hills easier than the others and get the same if not better economy.

Seriously consider the bigger motor.

The Ranger is quite a heavy car, I would be reluctant to get one of those with a 2.2 diesel, I have driven the 3.2 and it is awesome.

My dad recently got a 4x4 Ranger to tow his caravan which is a high wheel base twin axle with the lot. He said it tows very easily. I've also followed one towing a horse float with stock in it up a big hill near home. I have a Triton diesel ute which struggles to get up this hill and the Ranger picked up speed going up the hill. I think they are a great piece of kit from what I've seen and heard.

Thanks for the responses guys, I test drove a 2.2 auto Ranger on saturday, a 2.5 auto navara and a 2.8 colorado on sunday.
the 2.2 was nice to drive if you ignore the fact that it really sounded like it was struggling.
The 2.5 Navara was marginally better, a little slower off the mark tho.
the 2.8 colorado was really nice, but looking on the web seems to have shocking resale values.

I've found a ranger 3.2 to test drive during the week, so i'll see how it performs.


also does anyone know of a motorbody place that can make a welded ally tray? the last ally tray i had was rivetted and was super rattly after a few months of abuse.

Originally Posted by luppy

also does anyone know of a motorbody place that can make a welded ally tray? the last ally tray i had was rivetted and was super rattly after a few months of abuse.

That would depend somewhat on where you are in Australia luppy, it is a reasonably big place

Sorry guys, would have to find a Tray supplier in or around sydney....
Having said that i'd happily drive to Brisbane,melbourne,canberra etc to find a decent company to deal with