AbleGuy
Officious Intermeddler
Hey Guys....I’m starting to shop for a replacement of my current ride (a low mileage ‘03 Ex Cab SB K2500 hd). I need to get something smaller (mid sized) so I can park it inside my garage with a pop up shell, like a GFC, Drifter, TreeHouse, etc. Apologies in advance for the long ramble...but I’m trying to be clear enough ahead of time as to my intended use, etc, to make it easier to get focused, helpful responses.
So, to start off...I’m not considering the Gladiator. I want to get preferably an ex cab/king cab, 6 foot bed, 4wd, gasser with auto tranny. My use will be for two not huge adults (no pets, no kids, no guests in the back), using it for mild off road (dirt/mud/snow forest roads), daily driver and in a few years maybe to pull a smallish camp or gear trailer. Not interested in a diesel.
I plan to put a pop up shell on it, so no Ridgeline= no thx, carry the basic backcountry camping gear in it, and also try to squeeze in a double inflatable kayak and two mt bikes. Maybe some solar for a 12v refer and power fan vent, but otherwise very little is planned for electrical gadgets.
My comps are a new or low mileage used, newer Taco, Frontier, Ranger or ZR2.
Basically, I’ve read a ton of reviews and comparisons from the “we just had it for a day” automotive writers, and so I’ve distilled some the below pros/cons from these comments. My below is mostly done as a raw, simplistic comparisons among these rigs and doesn’t include a lot of what I’ve read...just a few things that stand out.
But what I really need from you all is input from actual owners on their real life experiences.
So, without further.....
Taco....great aftermarket for mods and good resale values (not big deals for me), uncomfortable driver seat position for a 6 footer (a big deal for me), not too great gas mileage, saggy ass rear end (would need mods), maybe a bit underpowered for driving with a load in the high Rockies, low cargo weight capacity;
Frontier....worst crash test ratings of the group, but points for being the most affordable, has primitive style design and interior, unimpressive gas mileage probably due to the old school too few speeds tranny, also has a rather low cargo weight capacity;
Ranger....generally gets some high marks overall but consistently gets dinged for having a very uncomfortable ride on/off pavement, suspension wise (rocks and rolls too much), allegedly has the best cargo weight capacity, may have the best gasser engine;
ZR2....kind of leading the pack for me at the moment basically just for its reportedly great off/on road ride, but seems to be already displaying a myriad of mechanical problems including tranny issues, but it also has good mpgs, and 2nd highest CCR numbers and a pretty nice off road package (although admittedly that’s a more of robust build than I might ever need)....and, hmmm, what else?
Sooooooo.....any and all comments are encouraged and welcomed here from you members who have actual experience owning, driving any of these rigs or have had professional experience working on these rigs.
thx mucho, in advance guys??
So, to start off...I’m not considering the Gladiator. I want to get preferably an ex cab/king cab, 6 foot bed, 4wd, gasser with auto tranny. My use will be for two not huge adults (no pets, no kids, no guests in the back), using it for mild off road (dirt/mud/snow forest roads), daily driver and in a few years maybe to pull a smallish camp or gear trailer. Not interested in a diesel.
I plan to put a pop up shell on it, so no Ridgeline= no thx, carry the basic backcountry camping gear in it, and also try to squeeze in a double inflatable kayak and two mt bikes. Maybe some solar for a 12v refer and power fan vent, but otherwise very little is planned for electrical gadgets.
My comps are a new or low mileage used, newer Taco, Frontier, Ranger or ZR2.
Basically, I’ve read a ton of reviews and comparisons from the “we just had it for a day” automotive writers, and so I’ve distilled some the below pros/cons from these comments. My below is mostly done as a raw, simplistic comparisons among these rigs and doesn’t include a lot of what I’ve read...just a few things that stand out.
But what I really need from you all is input from actual owners on their real life experiences.
So, without further.....
Taco....great aftermarket for mods and good resale values (not big deals for me), uncomfortable driver seat position for a 6 footer (a big deal for me), not too great gas mileage, saggy ass rear end (would need mods), maybe a bit underpowered for driving with a load in the high Rockies, low cargo weight capacity;
Frontier....worst crash test ratings of the group, but points for being the most affordable, has primitive style design and interior, unimpressive gas mileage probably due to the old school too few speeds tranny, also has a rather low cargo weight capacity;
Ranger....generally gets some high marks overall but consistently gets dinged for having a very uncomfortable ride on/off pavement, suspension wise (rocks and rolls too much), allegedly has the best cargo weight capacity, may have the best gasser engine;
ZR2....kind of leading the pack for me at the moment basically just for its reportedly great off/on road ride, but seems to be already displaying a myriad of mechanical problems including tranny issues, but it also has good mpgs, and 2nd highest CCR numbers and a pretty nice off road package (although admittedly that’s a more of robust build than I might ever need)....and, hmmm, what else?
Sooooooo.....any and all comments are encouraged and welcomed here from you members who have actual experience owning, driving any of these rigs or have had professional experience working on these rigs.
thx mucho, in advance guys??
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