aircruiser

so im on the hunt for a DD again. i had a 1990 mustang LX with a 2.3 and 4 speed. was a decent car, body rotted to hell, ran perfect but beat on it and lost brakes and tranny at the same time and the car was rusted together so i sold it to a junkyard. dont get me wrong, i loved the car, but it was ssssssslllllllllooooooooowwwwww and no joke, it was really slow haha. it made my jeep with stock gears on 35s feel like a dragster. plus i also do tire runs for work, i get paid mileage and gas while on the clock so thats nice too. the mustang could hold 4 car tires if i was lucky..no room at all.

with school starting up in january, i really want to get a DD. i want to get a pickup but dont want to go fullsize. after reading mpg reviews on dakotas, i think they are almost out of the question, but if i got a ranger, id want the V6 cause the 2.3 was gutless. now im also curious about reliability. i always maintain my vehicles with oil changes, diff, trans, tcase fluid changes and grease everything as often as i can afford haha. the truck would be a DD, no offroading, i want to get one with a perfect body so i can keep it clean and good looking.

only mods i would really do would be some more free flowing exhaust (not loud) and snow tires. other than that all money would be going to school.

would just like to get others opinions on this, thanks!

caged

personally, i would take the dakota, it's a bit larger than the ranger and would be more comfortable.
also, don't be hesitant to opt for the v8 4x4, it's not as bad on gas as you would think.

96xj4x4

i'm a dodge guy so this is completely unbiased. i don't really have to much experience with the dakotas but countless friends of mine have owned rangers and i've been around, driven, and worked on all kinds. 4cl, 6cl, 2wd, 4wd, stick, auto, i've liked them all. they seem to be pretty tough little trucks.. i'm not sure what the dakotas have but the only problem i have with ranger is this crappy "scissor axle" they have up front. my buddy has had problems with it and the 4 wheel drive, if you can find one with a manual 4wd instead of electric that would be a lot better.

Destination XJ

I would get a 4x4 ranger with the extended cab, they are comfy and run good. Also look good lifted with big tires!


I also own a ram, and picking the ford over the dodge.
You should have also put a turbo on that lx! Would have been a fun car! To bad it fell apart. I also have a 89 gt 8)

aircruiser

yeah right before i blew the tranny, i was trying to sell the car and almost every other guy that looked at it wanted to turbo it, but nobody liked the body rot.

i have been leaning more towards a ranger..just for gas mileage..my friend has a 5.2 dakota and it was a beast, he swapped in a 5.9 and man that truck was fast! but it was horrible on gas even stock. he put in an 8" lift and some 33s and sold it.

Destination XJ

I seen some bad*** dakota's, but unless its the newer body style I hate them.

96xj4x4

with the rangers, 31s fit no problem if its 4wd. and with a 2inch little lift you can run 33s...just saying lol

Biceps McRipped

Ranger all the way. My dad used to have one and it was a great little truck. I have a friend that has one now and loves it.

XxXJ99xX

Heres my beater. Id recommend a Dakota with a V8 because there is nothing else that hauls more @$$ in the "compact" pick up catagory then that. But if you want gas mileage id say go with a ranger. Ive just got a 99 2.5 5-speed for $400. Also have a 88 single cab 4x4 with the 2.9 for a work truck with the factory front and rear lockers. Never got stuck once. But personally if i could id much rather have the V8 dakota any day.

Destination XJ

Tires are not to heavy tho!

rich

Buy what you can afford,even though you'll be at the repair shop with the ford alot.LOL watch how the bickering starts.Honestly there both good but I perfer dodge cause I have one.

caged

i have a 91 dakota 5.2L 4x4 extended cab.

aircruiser

yeah its been a constant battle for me to find the right truck. i love power, thats why i hated my mustang haha and i know i would get in more trouble with the truck. for what im looking for, both are in the same price range, ive been on te fence for awhile and i wont be able to afford a truck until winter so thats why ive been researching for some time. but yeah

godbrick

If you are going to be doing some heavy hauling like a boat or something, go with the dakota but if not then definitely go for the Ranger. I have had my ranger for 12 years and it is still running, even after my son wrecked it twice and totaled it. I barely put $300 back into it after it had been totaled and wrecked and it is still chugging along. They are incredibly reliable and pretty good on the gas mileage. Mine is a 4cyl, I would recommend something with a little more gusto, it gets you there just not fast.

jeepmanjc

it really depends on if you want to keep it stock or lift her up, stock i would say the dodge, lifted i would go for the ford.