So, I am "abroad" right now, and I've seen multiple trucks that I can't believe we don't have in the states. Light diesel trucks are everywhere, and they are very capable.

The ford ranger here in the 'Stan has much more agressive styling, and it comes with quad cab short bed configuration. It has 6 lug wheels, huge ground clearance, and a snorkel, all stock. Manual trans is optional, even with 4wd.

The Toyota hilux is very similar.

The ford everest is like a brute version of the explorer, with more ground clearance, a rear gate mounted spare tire, and a turbo diesel.

I don't know the tow specs for any of these, but If the tow rating were 5k lbs, I would buy any of them if they were for sale in the us.

 

Good question...

 

Is it the new 2011/12 Ranger you are seeing?

They do pretty good in water.
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Here in the States trucks are more for suburban daily-driving more than anything else. And, the diesel stigma still exists.

Anything that is very capable, like the Ford Raptor, is a high-priced macho, bad ***, tough, testosterone status symbol. A neighbor has had a Raptor for a year now and it still has not seen as much as a dirt road. But, as he says, "It's great in the snow."

 

Any pics? These sound kinda cool.

 

Does "capable" include a frame that has a tendency to bend when used offroad?

 

The frames only bend when people are being stupid in them.

 

Even a monster truck frame will bend when used incorrectly. Raptor is an awesome off road vehicle but it isn't Big Foot. There isn't an infinite amount of suspension travel.

 

Stupid as in driving them like Ford shows in the brochure for the truck?

-Geoff

 

I'm a huge GM guy but those Raptors are very nice trucks! I parked next to one yesterday with my Sierra and I felt that urge to "need something bigger"

 

That looks cool, but it's not what we have here. The Toyota hilux suv looks just like a mid 90s 4runner. The ranger here has a more boxy look. I wish I could snap pics for you guys, but that is discouraged here.

 

Odd though that no other trucks seem as prone to frame bending as the Raptors ... I'm sure lots of other brands of trucks have been through the same trails at similar paces.

Also Ford's explanation was a joke: basically they said that it was designed to do that instead of breaking suspension components like a shock or a spring. I dunno, I'd rather replace parts designed to be replaced, rather than having to straighten a frame.

 

The people bending those frames are jumping the trucks like Ironman Ivan Stewart, not rock crawling. That's a different type of stress on the frame.

 

I'm sure it's the global Ranger. US military has bought/leased quite a few of them out here and you'll see them in many middle eastern bases.


EDIT: more appropriate picture.

 

Here is a Silverado hitting a jump, lets see if the frame bends.

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Hitting jumps isn't the same as rock crawling.