Help me not buy a Ranger Tremor

[Sazabi19]

If you don't need as much capability as a Rubi then why not a Sport S with Max Tow? Most of the goodies that are important without some of the ones that are just more flashy. That'll bring the delta between the 2 down even more.

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[BamaJeepTruck]

Look man, no one "needs" a Rubicon. I cruise 20,000 acres of compacted back dirt roads on a regular basis. I don't need to prove shit to anyone and I can tell you for certain that the Ridgeline can handle every single one of those roads, with ease except for a select few, which I also wouldn't even hesitate to bring it on, just wouldn't be as "comfortable" in a more capable off-roader.

I'm one of the last people, including among a message board of Jeep owners, that needs to be lectured about my off-road vs. on-road use. In fact, over 20 years on these conditions is the thing that tells me the Ridgeline would be fine.

People who go on these roads once every 3 years justify owning a Rubicons and Raptors, let's not get into "what people really need"

"Need" is a subjective word. I think the real question is where you want to be on the capability vs use spectrum. Do you want the ridgeline operating close to the edge of its limits, or do you want more in the tank if you need it. Like a .22 could get the job done 99% of the time, but I carry a 9mm. Not because I "need" it but because I have more confidence in it when things get dicey. If you like the ridgeline or Ranger or whatever buy what you like. A skilled driver in the ridgeline would get through things a moron in a Rubicon couldn't. To each their own.

 

[RacerX00]

If you don't need as much capability as a Rubi then why not a Sport S with Max Tow? Most of the goodies that are important without some of the ones that are just more flashy. That'll bring the delta between the 2 down even more.

Because part of what makes the Gladiator worth looking at in general for me is what it affords over other trucks in its class in off-road capabilities. Otherwise, sorry it's just Ram's mid-size truck under a Jeep label (which is still cool!) :D

When you get down to it, it's all overbuying. I'm serious when I say I'm frequently in poor off-road conditions and that the Ridgeline would more than suffice.

As I eluded to elsewhere on this thread, if I really cared about best performance for my conditions I'd be buying a Mojave.

Friggin max tow? I don't know that I ever get over 3,000 lbs. Again, a friggin Ridgeline could do it! When I was first getting into this game awhile back I pined over the "Max Tow" package for landscaping stuff and actually really went back and looked at the weight of what I tow and I'm like... "ya so, lot of people have a lot of towing capacity they don't need."

I guess I feel like the Ranger XLT Tremor would be a better daily driver to live with and probably even better performance-wise for my real-world conditions but the Gladiator is just fucking cool. The adult says "Hey, Ranger XLT Tremor is a cool truck with oodles of potential, just be happy with it and be able to live with it better." Then the other side says, "fucking Jeep finally did it and I'm not in on the party."

 

[Solidaxle]

Nope, go buy it. A straight axle truck is a one of a kind. And for a discriminating buyer. The IFS car/truck is everywhere. The normal. Whatever.

 

[Sazabi19]

Because part of what makes the Gladiator worth looking at in general for me is what it affords over other trucks in its class in off-road capabilities. Otherwise, sorry it's just Ram's mid-size truck under a Jeep label (which is still cool!) :D

When you get down to it, it's all overbuying. I'm serious when I say I'm frequently in poor off-road conditions and that the Ridgeline would more than suffice.

As I eluded to elsewhere on this thread, if I really cared about best performance for my conditions I'd be buying a Mojave.

Friggin max tow? I don't know that I ever get over 3,000 lbs. Again, a friggin Ridgeline could do it! When I was first getting into this game awhile back I pined over the "Max Tow" package for landscaping stuff and actually really went back and looked at the weight of what I tow and I'm like... "ya so, lot of people have a lot of towing capacity they don't need."

I guess I feel like the Ranger XLT Tremor would be a better daily driver to live with and probably even better performance-wise for my real-world conditions but the Gladiator is just fucking cool. The adult says "Hey, Ranger XLT Tremor is a cool truck with oodles of potential, just be happy with it and be able to live with it better." Then the other side says, "fucking Jeep finally did it and I'm not in on the party."

Max tow was because it's arguably the most capable non Rubi. Better brakes, cooling, wide axels, 4.10s, and other goodies the other trims just can't get until you get to Rubi. I didn't get mine for the towing because I don't tow.

 

[ScottBeach]

When the ford works its great just dont expect it to most of the time
I had a ford. Trans replaced 3 times 35k
Sister has a 2020 ranger xlt. That turbo 4 is great. But heat soaks in florida quick. She regrets it. Suspension failure. Ford claimed warranty void because she drives on the beach. 7k miles. I guess i have become anti ford as a result. Hope it works for you and you have decades of fun with it

 

[Boomeribe]

I was in the same boat and went with Gladiator Mojave. Got it for $7k more than a maxed out Tremor. My final decision was I had to do less to the Mojave it to make a more capable truck for what I needed it for. They both have their pluses and minuses, but off the showroom floor the Mojave was my answer.

 

[RacerX00]

"Need" is a subjective word. I think the real question is where you want to be on the capability vs use spectrum. Do you want the ridgeline operating close to the edge of its limits, or do you want more in the tank if you need it. Like a .22 could get the job done 99% of the time, but I carry a 9mm. Not because I "need" it but because I have more confidence in it when things get dicey. If you like the ridgeline or Ranger or whatever buy what you like. A skilled driver in the ridgeline would get through things a moron in a Rubicon couldn't. To each their own.

Ok for the record the Ridgeline is "this is what responsible people would do" not what I'm personally, going to do :D

The Ranger Tremor would definitely not be at the edge of its capabilities at all times (and frankly, sigh, neither would the Ridgeline...)

I guess what I'm saying is, for people whose off-roading is just something they encounter from a point A to point B, not what is specifically sought after, the Ridgeline (and any Ranger/Gladiator) is beyond capable. No one crosses the Rubicon trail to get to their front door. Hell, a RWD Ranger is more than adequate for traversing "offroad", I know so, I've driven all manner of fleet 2WD trucks and van things on them.

So unless I start to seek out off-road specific adventures, my comments stand :D

 

[Sazabi19]

Go find an old El Camino and just have fun with that You'll save a ton of money and it sounds to be as capable as you're needing. Maybe some more aggressive tires if you want?

 

[Bonanza]

The Ranger's interior is hideous. Other than that it seems adequate. I have more discerning tastes for exterior and interior styling and quality, but others may deem it to be fine. Rangers look like they're straight out of 2012 because they are, and for me that's the big reason I wouldn't get one. Yesterday's global platform at today's American prices.

 

[RacerX00]

The Ranger's interior is hideous. Other than that it seems adequate. I have more discerning tastes for exterior and interior styling and quality, but others may deem it to be fine. Rangers look like they're straight out of 2012 because they are, and for me that's the big reason I wouldn't get one. Yesterday's global platform at today's American prices.

That's a little oversimplified, first I'd take the Ford power plant over the non-diesel Gladiator any day of the week because it's actually a modern engine platform with tons of HP and torque for its displacement and gas mileage. The "2012" rip only half holds up as when it came to the states it got overhauled pretty heavily. Also, Ford's global platforms are pretty stellar, world renowned even, they're just not popular in the states (Fiesta, Focus).

As for the exterior looks the updated Tremor face is pretty sweet and it's not a bad looking truck by any stretch of the imagination and is an improvement on the already improved American version of the global platformed Ranger:

As for the interior, I've said it before on this thread that the Gladiator interior is "fun" which is different than "better." Applying hard plastics with style is still applying hard plastics. Also, from what I hear the Ford Ranger comes equipped with some kind of fan/vent combo that keeps your windshield from fogging up, sounds like witchcraft to me.

 

[DanW]

I used to know exactly which truck I wanted, then a year passed and Ford's decent offering took a front seat with the Tremor. I know it's not a Raptor but I'm also not too keen on spending $70,000 for the smallest class of truck you can buy in the US. (also it doesn't exactly exist yet)

I love everything about the Tremor, it's a lot of what I would do aftermarket + it has those damn cool aux switches and angry but properly subdued accents (without gfx package obviously).

I'm feeling like right now I spend $45,000 on a decked out Ranger Tremor and make myself as happy as if I had a Gladiator, but $20,000 richer (over similarly equipped JTR) without feeling like I'm rolling around in an unfinished symphony constantly wanting to upgrade.

For some reason I look at the Tremor as a complete, small, perfect little truck and a Gladiator as a blank canvas. I know some people here gotta feel the same way even if it's illogical.

So, what are my reasons for wanting a JTR over a Ranger Tremor? I'm having a hard time making $20,000 price difference make sense.

Edit: Let's get the obvious out of the way, I don't need a front locker. I off-road probably more than 95% of the people here who don't go to off-road parks and I've needed a front locker a total of 0 times. If a road is even slightly engineered for actual vehicular use, our trucks are stupid capable and the front locker is a pretty damn expensive thing to not really ever need. Even if you're in those off-road parks, if we're honest.

Three words: Can't. Take. Doors. Off. Oh, and one more word: Ford.

(Actually, nothing against Ford. My Dad was a GM engineer for 45 years, so I am hard wired to say things like that! I just can't help it! Lol!)

 

[jc1986]

One more thing that no one has brought up is the ARB support for the Ranger from the dealership. ARB teamed up with ford to develop and release products for the ranger and the new bronco to be dealer options... just a thought. Yes, the JT has a massive aftermarket, but dealership and warranty go along way when it comes to peoples purchasing decisions.

 

[Sazabi19]

That's a little oversimplified, first I'd take the Ford power plant over the non-diesel Gladiator any day of the week because it's actually a modern engine platform with tons of HP and torque for its displacement and gas mileage. The "2012" rip only half holds up as when it came to the states it got overhauled pretty heavily. Also, Ford's global platforms are pretty stellar, world renowned even, they're just not popular in the states (Fiesta, Focus).

As for the exterior looks the updated Tremor face is pretty sweet and it's not a bad looking truck by any stretch of the imagination and is an improvement on the already improved American version of the global platformed Ranger:

As for the interior, I've said it before on this thread that the Gladiator interior is "fun" which is different than "better." Applying hard plastics with style is still applying hard plastics. Also, from what I hear the Ford Ranger comes equipped with some kind of fan/vent combo that keeps your windshield from fogging up, sounds like witchcraft to me.

Ya but the Pentastar is a proven engine. Down on power a bit for extra longevity.

 

[FitfulGoat]

It looks like a basic fleet truck with a lift and aggressive tires… obviously subjective but there is nothing “cool” looking about the Ranger even in the Tremor trim.

The Toyota Tacoma has more personality than the Ranger and I see them in hoards every day.

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