Choosing a new tug

[plusnq]

Hi All,

Looking at buying a new tug. I know everyone will have their thoughts about their own v other brands. I am looking at with a Ford Ranger XLT or a Landcruiser GXL dual cab. Interested in your opinions. Thanks

Shane

[callmejoe]

Landcruiser (All) 70 style series = Farm truck
Ranger = not my cup of tea but it would be a heap more refined and comfortable.
Joe

[alnjan]

What are you towing?  I know which I would be choosing but that's just my choice, the Cruiser every time. 

[Bird]

Could you pick 2 more opposite kinds of 4wd?

[plusnq]

What are you towing?  I know which I would be choosing but that's just my choice, the Cruiser every time.

Just a camper. Usually it's just me and the kids, with the camper when the wife comes along.

[plusnq]

Could you pick 2 more opposite kinds of 4wd?

Possibly. I could have put a Mahindra in there as well.

I have had a few 4wd but I want a dual cab ute and the choice is limited these days if you prefer a live axle vehicle.

[Oldandslow]

Take a look at the Isuzu D Max, unbreakable motor, unstoppable in the bush and nearly perfect reviews from everyone that owns one.

[Garfish]

Two
Different vehicles, but take them for a drive and then decide.   

[prodigyrf]

Just caught this review on the new Ranger XLT-
http://www.caradvice.com.au/308057/ford-ranger-xlt-review-wet-weather-weekender/

[Supersi]

Having owned a PX Ranger wildtrak for 2 years and 70,000km I can say they are a good and capable vehicle and would recommend them to you, having said that so is the Mazda BT 50, same vehicle mechanically, at a more attractive price.  I am in the process of ordering one - the revised/updated model, freestyle xt.

[Rumpig]

Everyones thoughts on the subject will differ, so it all comes down to your personal choice IMHO.
I seriously looked at getting a BT50 (which as said already, is a Ranger basically) and almost bought one, but ended up getting a 79 series dual cab instead. For me, a lot of it came down to the fact i tow a trailer for work and a camper for holidays, and that i plan to keep the vehicle for many many years.... i just don't reckon the smaller engines will last the time i want them to.....but hey you never know do you. I was also underwhelmed wth the BT50 after test driving a mates new one he'd bought, just didn't do it for me for various reasons, but others have mentioned on here they quiet like the ones they have, so everyone is different. The Landcruiser is serious old skool in many areas , and that's just how i like my vehicles actually. If you look at what you get inside the Landcruiser for the price it's pretty sad really, and the Workmate ones are worse still (no central locking, no power windows, no front and back lockers, no clock on the dashboard, etc, etc, for example). I don't want nor need the latest and greatest gadgets, they'd never get used by me, so the agricultral thing they have going on is fine with me.
Take them for a drive and see what you like the feel of best, if all you are doing is occasionally towing the camper trailer with it, then either will do the job fine

[plusnq]

Everyones thoughts on the subject will differ, so it all comes down to your personal choice IMHO.
I seriously looked at getting a BT50 (which as said already, is a Ranger basically) and almost bought one, but ended up getting a 79 series dual cab instead. For me, a lot of it came down to the fact i tow a trailer for work and a camper for holidays, and that i plan to keep the vehicle for many many years.... i just don't reckon the smaller engines will last the time i want them to.....but hey you never know do you. I was also underwhelmed wth the BT50 after test driving a mates new one he'd bought, just didn't do it for me for various reasons, but others have mentioned on here they quiet like the ones they have, so everyone is different. The Landcruiser is serious old skool in many areas , and that's just how i like my vehicles actually. If you look at what you get inside the Landcruiser for the price it's pretty sad really, and the Workmate ones are worse still (no central locking, no power windows, no front and back lockers, no clock on the dashboard, etc, etc, for example). I don't want nor need the latest and greatest gadgets, they'd never get used by me, so the agricultral thing they have going on is fine with me.
Take them for a drive and see what you like the feel of best, if all you are doing is occasionally towing the camper trailer with it, then either will do the job fine

Thanks. Those thoughts pretty much parallel mine. I have always had more basic 4wd ( series 3 Landrover , lada niva, Toyota 100 series) over twenty five years until recently when we have had a Landrover Discovery 4. The Disco is a great vehicle when it goes, but when it stops due to an electrical issue, I'm stuffed.

The Ranger and 79 series may seem opposite ends of the spectrum but it refects my confusion between the reliability of modern vehicles v the older design, more agricultural types. Thanks for contributing.

[Darcy7]

We have a Ranger at my SES unit.  At first I hated it...!  I thought the motor was rough and the transmission all over the place.  I honestly couldn't see what everyone was raving about.

The missus and I took one for a test drive when we were searching for a new tug and that one felt worse again.

We took a Colorado for a test drive afterwards and it felt much better.

Well...after having driven the Ranger some more now that it has a few thousand ks on it, I have to admit it drives much better than it did from new.  The engine has smoothed out and I think once you get used to the feel of the 5 cylinder and the way the auto works, it is a reasonably pleasant vehicle to drive.  Its also very economical.  I still don't know that I would buy one but I certainly wouldn't be upset if someone gave me one for nothing.

I think the reason the Colorado felt better was that it felt and drove familiar to other cars we've driven.  ie 4 cylinder turbo diesels all drive very much the same. 

I've never driven a cruiser dual cab with the current V8 but I can tell you the 200 series V8 is nothing short of stunning.

If you are concerned about reliability long term, talk to some diesel tuning experts.  They may be able to give you an idea of what comes through their workshops and what the common problems are. I get my Patrol serviced and tuned at Turbo Engineering in Thomastown here in Melbourne and I can tell you he's had some very interesting experience with both the vehicles you're thinking about.

Cheers

Darcy

[Jakster1]

Easy... (My personal opinion)

Heavy duty 4wd and tow vehicle = cruiser
If you regularly go looking to push the limits of your truck offroad, And take the hard line for fun


Everyday tow vehicle and beach runs = ranger
If you use your truck as a means to get there and generally take the easy line, with a play here and there.

Both are  very capable tow and 4wd vehicles.

Personally I'd have the cruiser.

[cheif carlos]

We have a ranger at work and biggest issue I have with it is the foot well, seems cramped compared to hilux otherwise couldn't say much more than that as it doesn't do more than 25kmph

[Oldandslow]

My brother-in-law is a pro fisherman and needs to tow some quite heavy boats daily. He had a cruiser and loved it but when it came time to update a new one was outside his budget so he went for a BT50, basically the same car as the Ranger. He has had it for about a year and can't fault it, he said it does everything better than his cruiser did and uses much less fuel. The new V8 turbo diesel cruiser is a very impressive car but uses a lot of fuel and is ridiculously expensive.  I looked at both these cars as well as all the others and went with an Isuzu MUX but that was mostly because their current motor is in a completely different class when it comes to lasting.

[Me]

On my 3rd dual cab ute & love them, but no way I'd have one as my main drive if I had kids. People will tell you that this one, or that one has more room in the back, but in the end, none of them have the room in the back that a 4WD wagon has. They are a compromise if you have kids.

[paceman]

On my 3rd dual cab ute & love them, but no way I'd have one as my main drive if I had kids. People will tell you that this one, or that one has more room in the back, but in the end, none of them have the room in the back that a 4WD wagon has. They are a compromise if you have kids.

have to disagree there, to a certain degree...

i have a 2012 bt50 and the back seat room is very favourable, compared to most, if not all, of the 4wd wagons on the market...

i'm about 6' 3" and i fit very comfortably in the back... the seats might not be as comfy... but there is plenty of room...

[plusnq]

On my 3rd dual cab ute & love them, but no way I'd have one as my main drive if I had kids. People will tell you that this one, or that one has more room in the back, but in the end, none of them have the room in the back that a 4WD wagon has. They are a compromise if you have kids.

Thanks. Definitely going the dual cab. I have had wagons for years and they definitely have downsides for touring as well. The kids fitted in the back ok when test driving so I am not too concerned about that. Even I (at 6'4") fitted in the back of the Ranger which I was surprised at. I wouln't want to do a 1000k day trip in there though

[Dueller]

If you like driving a truck get the cruiser. If you like driving a sedan get the ranger/ bt50. Two different vehicles all together. If it's not needed to tow heavy weights all the time, needed as a daily driver, the missus needs it for a shopping trolley and your worried about how much diesel it needs to drink per 100ks then get the Ranger. My preference was the cruiser. Apart from the purchase price it's the best 4wd, ute, wagon I have driven/ owned apart from my old troop carrier. But I'm pretty biased towards them. Good luck with it but best advise is to spend some amount of time in each to get a handle on what your going to pay for.

Cheers,
Matt

[prodigyrf]

From the Toyota website with the GXL lowdown-

"Mounted above the engine there’s an air-to-air intercooler
which cools the air going into the engine, by drawing cold
air through the bonnet scoop. So with cooler, denser air
going into the engine, you get more power out of it.
The intercooler also means increased reliability through
lower air intake temperatures. A cross over pipe draws
boost from one bank of cylinders to the other, for a
balanced turbocharging eff ect. There are also two fuel
coolers, to keep the fuel charge concentrated.
Electronic direct injection and water cooled ‘Exhaust
Gas Recirculation’ (EGR) help reduce emissions. Further
effi ciencies are gained by using lighter weight aluminium
alloy pistons which reduce friction. Of course with less
rotating weight, the engine revs freer and easier while
engine wear is also reduced. Roller rockers also reduce
friction improving fuel effi ciency and reducing wear.
This advanced V8 is also equipped with a catalytic
converter which optimises exhaust fl ow and further
reduces emissions. For longer life, the V8 features
Toyota’s fi rst ever oil scavenging pump which works together
with the primary oil pump. The aluminium cylinder heads
have been carefully heat treated for durability. Even the
engine block has been cast using a higher grade graphite
iron for greater strength but lighter weight. The crankshaft
has been engineered using a special high strength carbon
steel to reduce weight, while balance weights limit vibration
and noise. Also helping it run quieter is an advanced gear
and chain driven timing system.
So if you think an engine that gives you more power from
less fuel, while satisfying Euro IV emissions regulations
sounds too good to be true, better take one for a test run
and find out for yourself."

Cant find any mention of whether they're fitted with a DPF to meet Euro IV emissions standards or is this the last Cruiser that won't be fitted with them?
http://www.motoring.com.au/news/2012/commercial/toyota/landcruiser/toyota-to-kill-off-70-series-31309

Edit: Perhaps time to pick up a current non DPF one with resale value in mind?
http://www.motoring.com.au/news/2015/large-4x4/toyota/landcruiser/toyota-unveils-fresh-faced-landcruiser-53242

[plusnq]

Thanks everyone for your help and advice.

[Team Evil]

quote Rumpig

" If you look at what you get inside the Landcruiser for the price it's pretty sad really, and the Workmate ones are worse still (no central locking, no power windows, no front and back lockers, no clock on the dashboard, etc," 

( and dont forget vinyl floor and live axle)...


Thats why I bought my 76 workmate   

[prodigyrf]

quote Rumpig

" If you look at what you get inside the Landcruiser for the price it's pretty sad really, and the Workmate ones are worse still (no central locking, no power windows, no front and back lockers, no clock on the dashboard, etc," 

( and dont forget vinyl floor and live axle)...


Thats why I bought my 76 workmate   

Gotta say out travelling again I've certainly noticed the MN Triton utes about and no wonder with the price differential-
http://www.caradvice.com.au/346914/mitsubishi-posts-a-sales-record-in-q1-2015/
although they must have exhausted the stocks by now. Once I realized what they were normally asking for Jap diesel utes and fourbies I could understand why junior came home with a shiny new MN dual cab last Xmas.

[prodigyrf]

Speak of the devil-
http://www.carsguide.com.au/car-reviews/top-10-vehicles-for-towing-12094#.VewbWc7ovIU
but perhaps it belongs in the electrical section under wiring gauge selection