Ford Ranger, Dodge Dakota, Chevy S-10

[Freestylemxr]

Which truck would you guys say is the best for haulin around 4-wheelers and 50's, maybe a small trailer? Or should I go with something a little bigger like a f150, thanks ;)

[TGW_400ex]

Originally posted by Freestylemxr
Which truck would you guys say is the best for haulin around 4-wheelers and 50's, maybe a small trailer? Or should I go with something a little bigger like a f150, thanks ;)

get a s 10

[JOEX]

The Dakota has a larger bed;) :)

[Freestylemxr]

Originally posted by JOEX
The Dakota has a larger bed;) :)

haha thanks that would help out a lot! Is it any wider? Would it fit a yfz with a-arms and axle? :rolleyes: i know thats a lot to ask from a small truck :p

[JOEX]

A 400ex with +1 arms and stock offset rims will fit between the wheel wells:D

[JOEX]

And.... the gas can fits behind the rear tire and the cooler fits between them;)

There is much more room than the Ranger, not sure about the S-10 but I belive it's the same as the Ranger.

[Bobbs07]

I got a chevy s10 Zr2, plenty of power.. mines a 5 speed. i would suggest it.. and it comes with a factory lift kit so it looks big, mine stands up nice against even new f150s..

[Freestylemxr]

thanks for the info you guys ;)

[Woodsrider]

Get the V8 Dakota with 4WD, you wont be sorry. Bigger bed and more room in the cab too.

[Striker49]

The Dakota 4x4s with the 318s are beast...you cant kill em. We have an extended cab S-10 and the bed is roomy for a small truck IMO. Ive never had the ex in there, but I doubt it would fit since the offset stock wheels and +4 axle set bout 1/2 inch from the wheel wells in my 88 Silverado.

Hell, just take ya tape measure and hit a few dealerships. :p

Rangers IMO arent impressive...my friends 92 is rather small and another friends 98 sport isnt any better. Good trucks, just a little small for my liking. :)

[K2Snow]

I have a 2000 Ranger XLT with the extended cab. The quad fits perfect but I'd imagine anything wider than stock is pushing it, MAY fit though. I ride the sand dunes 4 times a week and the little truck does great in the sand with just some All Terrain/Trail tires. It's a 2WD by the way. Inside is roomy enough unless you have 3 passengers all 6'2''- 6'4'' in height, and are going a long distance (I speak from experience). Ah, and if you go with a Ranger, I' reccomend atleast newer than a 2000 so you can get the more aggressive looking hood, and try to atleast get a 4.0L.

[diesel-mech]

I hauled my tecate home in my dads V8 dakota(98) The tecate had stock rear axle 10"wide wheels and 12.5" wide spider tracs. I had about an inch on each side between the wheel wells.
My personal opinion is the dakota just feels like a higher quality truck than an s-10 or ranger. Not to mension a heavier drive train.

[86350x]

I'd get an s10. My bro's 1995 s10 has 250,000 on it. It's still going without any major failures. Never heard of a ranger or a dakota lasting that long................

[diesel-mech]

Originally posted by 86350x
I'd get an s10. My bro's 1995 s10 has 250,000 on it. It's still going without any major failures. Never heard of a ranger or a dakota lasting that long................

Same mileage on my old 87 4x4 dakota V6 when I traded it in on a 2000 quad cab 5.9 liter 4x4 dakota

[bulkdriverlp]

get an f-150. them little trucks are not my fav. if you get a trailer more than likely youll fill it up with bikes and id make a small truck sagg in the back and the little truck wheelbase is narrower. would pull like junk. just buy a full size be done with it.

[Bobbs07]

Originally posted by bulkdriverlp
get an f-150. them little trucks are not my fav. if you get a trailer more than likely youll fill it up with bikes and id make a small truck sagg in the back and the little truck wheelbase is narrower. would pull like junk. just buy a full size be done with it.

Not everyone has the extra money to get a nice full size truck, you can get a nice s10 or dakota tho for cheap..

[diesel-mech]

I would be willing to bet that my 2000 dakota w/tow package has a GAWR that is very close to a 1/2 ton ford or chevy maybe higher. The rear axle in my dakota(9 1/4) in bigger than a ford 1/2 ton(8.8) and equal to the gm 1/2 ton(corperate 10 bolt). My point is a dakota with a tow package will carry about the same weight that a 1/2 ton ford or chevy will. Remember the tow package includes heavier rear leafs

[Mxjunkie]

Originally posted by Bobbs07
I got a chevy s10 Zr2, plenty of power.. mines a 5 speed. i would suggest it.. and it comes with a factory lift kit so it looks big, mine stands up nice against even new f150s..

we had one, id deff recomend a zr2 :macho

[MY450R]

dude get a colorado its bigger than the s10 about the same size as a dakota but not junk like a dakota j/k
newer technology is better in this case 220hp 5 cylinder
is enough hp to do anything you want

[MY450R]

dodges are known for thier bad trannys

[Fender Bender]

Of the 3 you mentioned, definitely get a Dakota. The Sdime would pull it off if it were a 4.3, and the trailer was small.

WTF, did I just reccomend something other than an S-10? :eek2:

[diesel-mech]

Originally posted by MY450R
dodges are known for thier bad trannys

Only certain trannies, you have to know what your looking for!
Also new technology is not nessesarily a good thing! Its best to wait until they get the problems worked out before buying anything thats a new design.

[quadrcr161]

if your looking at a v8 dakota, go ahead and get a fullsize, you can find a reg cab pretty reasonable. you will have more room and power, which will make you happier.

[exatak199]

if you get a dodge watch out for front wheels bearings cuz my sister's 99 dodge the bearings went and ended up being $1700 to get the thing fixed it screwed up the U- joints brakes the front end was hooped she had to get everything sept the shell!:eek:
I still like dodge and all but just watch out oh yaa and the T-case is allmost gone in it and its only a 318! and the bad gas mileage like 11-13:(

[Mxjunkie]

Originally posted by MY450R
dude get a colorado its bigger than the s10 about the same size as a dakota but not junk like a dakota j/k
newer technology is better in this case 220hp 5 cylinder
is enough hp to do anything you want

we are picking up a 2005 crew cab gmc canyon or a colorado today, id deff recomend them over a s-10 just for size and everything, im still kinda eh about this inline votech 5 deal

[Woodsrider]

Originally posted by diesel-mech
I would be willing to bet that my 2000 dakota w/tow package has a GAWR that is very close to a 1/2 ton ford or chevy maybe higher. The rear axle in my dakota(9 1/4) in bigger than a ford 1/2 ton(8.8) and equal to the gm 1/2 ton(corperate 10 bolt). My point is a dakota with a tow package will carry about the same weight that a 1/2 ton ford or chevy will. Remember the tow package includes heavier rear leafs

I know this to be a fact. I had a 99 with the heavy duty tow group and the gavw was 11,600. Not to shabby for a truck that is in the "compact" class.


watch out for front wheels bearings cuz my sister's 99 dodge the bearings went and ended up being $1700 to get the thing fixed it screwed up the U- joints brakes the front end was hooped she had to get everything sept the shell!

Ive never seen a $1700 dollar bill for front wheel bearings and related damages. And Ive been a mechanic for a long time. Sounds like neglect to me.

[Chanman420q]

i have a F150 reg cab 8ft box and 4x4 and i got about 16miles to the gallon. my 400ex ith +2s 3/2 off set and +4 axle fits perfectly. i want an S10 extrended cab 5spd with the 4.3, but i can only find the 2.2 in 5spd. i have been looking at those colorados tho.. little expensive for a 17yr old. I got the 2003 F150 with the v6 and i can pull my enclosed snowmobile with 2 sleds behind it no problem. But i do suggest you get the 8cyl, my dad has it and it has an overall better transmission and smoother power.

[bulkdriverlp]

you dont have to spend a lot of money to get a full size, duh. get a couple model years older full size and put 2,500 pound over load springs under it and you can haul a lot.:rolleyes:

[diesel-mech]

Originally posted by bulkdriverlp
you dont have to spend a lot of money to get a full size, duh. get a couple model years older full size and put 2,500 pound over load springs under it and you can haul a lot.:rolleyes:


Yup and watch the wheels pop off cause your lug nuts just snapped!

I agree with the fact that you can buy a fullsize cheap enough. I'll agree that you can get decent milage from one if you drive it right.
But just because you put heavy springs on a truck doesn't mean you can overload it. The axles only take so much.
My friend had a 1 ton dodge with a dana 70 and he tried hauling 2 tons of gravel. 5 miles down the road he popped all eight lugs on the left rear and 4 lugs on the right.
My service truck in the marines had dana 60's. I popped 6 lugs on one side of the rear, I stopped before the wheel came off. It was loaded heavy. Those are heavy duty full floating axles, just think about what a semi floating 5 or 6 lug will do.:huh

[Freestylemxr]

I ended up getting a ford ranger 4x4, I really like the truck, its has good power and its a little bigger than an s-10 and big enough to pull a small trailer for my quad, thanks for all the help u guys!;)

[quadman440ex]

Good choice, my 93 ranger has 216,000 on it and still doesnt use any oil. Only thing that gave me problems was the damn hydraulic clutch and the electric motor that engages the 4x4.

[Rrider4life8]

i got an xtreme and i can haul 3 quads on a trailor no problem!

[Chanman420q]

Originally posted by Rrider4life8
i got an xtreme and i can haul 3 quads on a trailor no problem!

what engine does it have?

[Jellyrolls]

the zr2's are very nice...but a friend of mine has a 400ex and he has to drive over the little humps in the bed to get up in there...but they are very nice...
i dont know what the price of one of those coloradoes are but they are very quick i know that....
and for the same price as a s-dime you could probably find a older model z71(95-98). I have a 98 chevy z71 and i can pull any f-150 around...and it tows very nice

[Goat397]

oo ya all your trucks can pull everyine elses trucks ,right ? not likely ok plus i doubt any of these guys are buying their trucks to drag race , their using them for work and for hauling . i just bought a 98 f150 reg cab with a short bed and 8 cyl after my 16th b-day and its great i love it

[Chanman420q]

im 16 and i bought an 03 F150 v6, reg cab 8 foot box and 4x4, whish ida gotten something smaller or a extended cab

im selling it and getting an S10 extreme or getting an older chevy with the v8, i dont really care about power, im more of a "roomy" type guy, i wanna have space in the cab and be comperable, i cant stand the bench seat in my truck, i wish it had like a center concole, someithng to rest my elbo on, i dont always drive with 2 hands

[diesel-mech]

i cant stand the bench seat in my truck, i wish it had like a center concole, someithng to rest my elbo on, i dont always drive with 2 hands [/B][/QUOTE]


Come on driver. You gotta keep one hand on the wheel and one on your trucker clock! How bout ya now southbound, Talk to teddy bear!