Next Generation Ranger Discussion [Archive]

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Matt S

Mar 12 2005, 06:07pm

Figured it was time to make a thread for thoughts/comments/ideas on the next gen Ranger. I'll make this a sticky.

I'll start with posting a mockup I made awhile ago that was shown to a handful here, but never posted until now. If you've seen it already then you must know someone here. :E

http://rangerpowersports.com/images/nextgen.jpg

**edit - if your interested, here is the original and mockup together. Obviously based on the Explorer but a number of changes and some styling cues from the F-150. Spot the differences...

http://rangerpowersports.com/images/nextgen2.jpg

That's my idea on what it might look like, what's yours?

Also, we have a new feature, the Ranger Death Watch (http://www.rangerpowersports.com/blog/?p=75), where we track the monthly decline of the current Ranger.

TheKidWithAEdge

Mar 12 2005, 06:18pm

sweeeeeeet i would so buy one! but why hasnt ford made a 4 door ranger??

nickg239

Mar 12 2005, 06:19pm

Thats pretty hot

Martiangod

Mar 12 2005, 06:38pm

One big question is, will they still call it the Ranger, or will they retire the name....Hope not

I think it will be based somewhat off the current f150 appearance wise.
I think it will have lots of plastic body panels and a bit of a prerunner look and a wider stance so they can call it a Midsize. And I'm hopeing the chop down side windows, 2.8 Diesel, and a 4 door option.
So, Heres what I came up with, If you can see the hood edge, the grill shell goes up with the hood.
XLT
http://ontarioranger.gotdns.com/drag/19.jpg

FX2
http://ontarioranger.gotdns.com/drag/17.jpg

BTW, nice chop on the explorer

TheKidWithAEdge

Mar 12 2005, 09:24pm

what i would like in the next generation ranger would be a 4 door ranger... and maybe they'll drop in a small 250hp v8....and what would be sweet if they can make a svt ranger... id hit it

thecause17

Mar 12 2005, 10:01pm

I think the next generation Ranger will be the first Ranger with an available V-8....at least if Ford is smart that's what they'll do to stay in the market. I like the trucks, but they definately need to do something with them already, dimensions have changed little since it came out, while pretty much all of the others have gotten bigger with even more powerful engines.

What I would like to see happen is for Ford to use the current platform from the new body style Explorer, but keeping the live rear axle of course. I think this is a big possibility, since just a lot of things that have appeared on the Ranger have come out on the Explorer first (ie. torsion front suspension, sohc, etc...)

They are already going to discontinue the Explorer Sport, which is currently the only Explorer still using the same frame as a Ranger. Looks to me like they're phasing it out...

I think the only way you will see a 4-door Ranger is if they drop the Sport Trac...it pretty much takes up that spot.

So what I vote for is a larger overall Ranger, using the new Explorer platform, live rear axles and the same available V-8. At least to me this seems to be the most likely and feasable thing for Ford to do, short of totally starting from the ground up. Any takers?

Fetus

Mar 12 2005, 11:10pm

hell yes v-8

metalmessiah187

Mar 12 2005, 11:58pm

ok if ford wants to keep up then a v8 option is a necessity. both chevy and dodge will have v8 sport versions of both the colorado and dakota and with the colorado puttin out at least 400hp and the dakota having a 5.7liter Hemi. (see Sport Truck march05). I hope frod doesnt take this lightly.

2.3'dranger

Mar 13 2005, 12:02am

hey i have to agree. I would love to see an update on the ranger. Its too out dated. I was gunna buy a new 05 but it just like my 96 inside and almost out. It needs an update badly. I would also like to see them use the explorer platform. Even the front end and such. Of course they need to still have a fx4 package, stx and so on. But i'd also like for them to let you buy say the tremor audio sytem on all of the trucks. It sucks they made you buy a certin type just so you can get it. It should be offered throught out the line up. I also think an 4.6 v8 would be awsome too. They could then go up against trucks like the dakota, ect and or have an advantage on the smaller engine disabled ones like the colorado. They should maybe take some cues from their sport trac v8 concept they had at sema too for a sport truck version. I.E STX. Another thought is maybe have an f150 style interior. My buddy just bought an 05 and i love the styling inside them. I really like the new explorers inside and out and if they made the ranger its truck twin i'd buy it in a heartbeat. I vote for an explorer style ranger. It be the easiest way for ford and the cheapest i think. P.S we should all some how send this to ford so their lazy ford ranger neglecting asses get it into production by 06 so i (and we) can buy one when it comes out.

ochatesme

Mar 13 2005, 12:36am

I sure do hope Ford plans on making the next generation Ranger a mid-size truck, they need to keep up with Dodge, and Toyota, as well as Nissan. In addition to a larger truck Ford also needs to keep into consideration several small details to add to the interior ambience of the truck. It wouldn't hurt to have an overhead console as an option, stereo controls on the steering wheel, some sort of built in navigation system, leather interior. Not to say that I don't like the interior of the Ranger right now but Ford definitely needs to keep in mind all the small amenities that people admire in other trucks.

Warren

Mar 13 2005, 12:59am

honeslty i like the size of the ranger now! if you price a ranger and f150 they are pretty close. but the ranger is geared towards the compact truck market. if you want bigger, shell out a few more clams and get the f150. i agree that the v8 option would be nice, as well as offering tremor systwm in all the trim levels. also id like to see the LS a standard in all but the XL. i would like to see the rangers updated to look more like the brazilian cousins. oh yea that'd be pimp!

moreover for has responded to the midsize market with the sport trac. id like to see it more 'sport'-ier. more similar to the concept. also, ford doesnt have to play 'catch-up'. they've dominated the compact market for so long that the competition gave up. now its time to spice up the ranger and sport trac. i say make them the twin trucks.

the current interior of a ranger is fine for my tastes. not too over the top, not to many gadgets. just truck and driver. i few minor details here and there and all will be gravy!!

Martiangod

Mar 13 2005, 01:06am

I have to agree with Warren on the size, I don't have room for a full size to park, and most of the mid sizes are to big for my spot. An extra inch or two on width would be nice, but not neccesary.
I could easily have bought a full size, but bought the ranger for its size, and I loved my 97, and 87 and my 86, B2
Just a good honest update, enuff grill changes already

Matt S

Mar 13 2005, 01:40am

The difference size wise between the old Explorer and new Explorer isn't that much, so I would say the next Ranger probably won't be that much bigger than the current one. I ran the numbers awhile ago, I'll have to look to see if I still have them.

Chico

Mar 13 2005, 07:36am

what i would like in the next generation ranger would be a 4 door ranger... and maybe they'll drop in a small 250hp v8....and what would be sweet if they can make a svt ranger... id hit it

I took this picture in California, I think the truck was from Mexico? I guess they make a 4 door ranger just not here??

http://www.carolinadatasolutions.com/chico/4door.JPG

thecause17

Mar 13 2005, 09:10am

2005 Ranger Exterior Dimentions:
Wheelbase - 125.9" (Ext Cab)
Length - 202.9"
Width - 70.3"
Height 69.4"
Track front - 58.6"
Track Rear - 57.3"
Ground Clearance - 7.4"

2005 Ford Explorer Exterior Dimentions:
Wheelbase - 113.8"
Length - 189.5"
Width - 72.1"
Height - 71.4"
Track front - 60.9"
Track rear - 61.2
Ground Clearance - 8.5"

The numbers to pay attention to are basically the width and track, which is an 2-3" difference between the two each way. It's bigger, but not huge so don't think that if they went with this, that the Ranger would be some huge monster. This wider stance though will make for a more roomy interior, bed space, better handling(probably why ford made it bigger to try and counter rollovers maybe?)

2005 Ranger Interior
Front headroom - 39.3"
Front legroom - 42.4"
Front shoulder - 53.8"
Font hip room - 52.7"

2005 Explorer Interior - listing front data since you can't compare rear data
Front headroom - 39.9"
Front legroom - 42.4"
Front shoulder room - 59.1"
Front Hip Room - 55"

See the difference, and even a couple inches can be a noticable difference in comfort in an interior. Like I said, if they use this platform, you won't be getting a huge monstrous truck, but it will be a little bigger, and I'm hoping they add that Explorer SOHC 4.6 they are using now. ;)

I honestly look for this to be their next step, whether or not they will keep the name I dunno, to drop a name that's been around selling this well for so long would be weird, but hey, Chevy just dropped the Cavalier too. *shrug*

pinheadjay

Mar 13 2005, 09:50am

well i think that making it slightly roomier and droping a V8 in at would be perfect, but a DOHC not SOHC, i know that may be pushing it. i don't like 4 door tucks, i'm more of a single cab guy, but 4 doors should be an option, dodge, chevy, nissan, toyoda all have them, so should ford.

Ju5t1n

Mar 13 2005, 10:19am

i dont like seeing the same front end on all the vehicles. i like different vehicle having its own unique front end style.

Matt S

Mar 13 2005, 04:54pm

Looking over the numbers I have, this is my guess for the dimensions.

Width: 72.1"
Tread Width: 60.7" to 60.9"
Wheelbase: 113.8" to 128.2"
Height: 69.5" to 72.5"
Length: 189.5" to 203.9"

Ranges cover reg. can to ext. cab and different suspensions.

GearHeadJLM

Mar 13 2005, 05:20pm

One thing to remember is the ranger is a great work vehicle. It's simple, and the same basic design has gone in development for so long it's dependable and cheap. Companies use the ranger has a cheap little work horse. So to much changed can be bad. I would say keep the same idea of a small, simple, dependable truck, but have a v8 svt ranger (like a mini lighting) and other packages. The Sport trac should be expanded to keep up with the mid size market. The ranger owns the mini truck market right now why give that up. If you change the ranger, there will be no aftermarket parts, and no interchangeable parts.

2.3'dranger

Mar 13 2005, 05:50pm

GearHeadJLM The ranger owns the mini truck market right now why give that up. If you change the ranger, there will be no aftermarket parts, and no interchangeable parts.
The after market will always have parts for anything and everything. Right off the bat there wont be much for it but if they use the explorer platform theres a start that the parts from the explorer can be used. Like headers, intake, so on. Also the only reason the domainate the small truck class is its by itself now. right? all the others have gone to mid size. the ranger is the only one left as a mini. If they use the explorer platfrom it won't be huge. I'd say it would rigth on. Just a little bit bigger. You'd barely notice it. look at the dimensions matt gave. You'll only really tell by parking them side by side but in the same respec when you sit inside and don't bump elbows all the time you notice the dfference too. A couple of inches can mean the world in comfort. Like the others are saying too. I'd like to see and full length consule and over head maybe too. Maybe even a sunroof of some type for the extended cab. Now if they make the ranger have a full length consule they need to still have a 5spd option. Same goes for the 4.6l V8. Could they use a 5spd from an F150 or something? I Know they'd probably only offer the v8 with auto because its simple and fast for them since the explorer uses that combo already. Probably the only you way you could get a 5spd is if you got a 3.0 or 4.0. Another thing is they should maybe drop the 2.3/2.5's and make the 3.0 the base engine and the 4.6 the big boy for them. Just an idea. i was looking at the sport trac in an article today and they got a spy shot of the sport trac using the explorer platfrom. Its just like the concept a little different. Only in the respect they are gunna use the explore chassis for 2006. So hopefully like its been said on here they are changing the ranger with them and phasing out the platform. Also like Ju5t1n said they need to separate it from the rest by giving it its own front. Something like matts or like maybe still have a power buldge hood to it with matts front too. Im not dissing the old styling but its old. It needs an over haul. I know everyone likes them how they are and i do too but sometimes change is good. If nothing changed we'd still be drving model t's for trucks. Ryan.

TheKidWithAEdge

Mar 13 2005, 05:58pm

I took this picture in California, I think the truck was from Mexico? I guess they make a 4 door ranger just not here??

http://www.carolinadatasolutions.com/chico/4door.JPG

Ohhh man hahah i did a complete double take on that picture... lol but i think it looks good! i think ford should do that

tonon

Mar 13 2005, 07:53pm

those 2 concepts are ok. thats probably what the ranger will look like in 2010 anyway.

premierranger99

Mar 13 2005, 08:11pm

maybe they will put the explorer IRS on there too, but i don't think that would be to practical. It's nice to dream

ex90ranger

Mar 13 2005, 08:36pm

pinheadjay

Mar 13 2005, 08:45pm

The ranger owns the mini truck market right now why give that up.

well, dare i admit it, but the S-10 owns the mini truck competition.

Matt S

Mar 13 2005, 09:26pm

Depends what you mean by owns. As far as aftermarket support, GM has had that advantage for awhile. In sales the Ranger is still ahead but nowhere near the lead it used to enjoy. Big drop in sales last year from the previous and so far this year it's dropping even more. I'll quote myself from an earlier thread:

And yes, they are about to lose #1 to Toyota which came within less than 4000 units of outselling the Ranger last year. Ford lost 24.9% from the previous year, Toyota was only 1.1% off the previous year. 2005 will be a telling year for who will lead the market for awhile.

Some quotes from the media:

"Old, tired and completely outclassed by its competition, the Ranger only deserves a look if you're content with a cheap price and passable performance." - www.edmunds.com

"Dated platform, weak engines, choppy ride, lack of modern features and amenities, no crew cab body style." - www.edmunds.com

"If Ford doesn't do something dramatic for this truck, and soon, it might as well rebadge it as the Lone Ranger." - www.pickuptruck.com

"Analysts said Ford's new Ranger STX, a low-rider geared at urban buyers, will not be enough to rescue the Ranger." - Associated Press

"Ranger has been the forgotten vehicle at Ford in recent years..." - Popular Mechanics

"Ford's popular compact pickup does not move to a wider, redesigned platform until at least the 2006 model year. But Ford is considering delaying the redesign until at least 2008." - Automotive News

"Thought to be on track for a 2003 redesign, the Ranger may wait until 2005 or 2006 for design update. Proper ground-up redesign not expected for a few years." - Motor Trend

"The aged pickup that Ford shares with Mazda soldiers on. Because the Ranger won't be redesigned until 2009 or later, expect no changes on the Mazda side either." - Automotive News

"So, the next time you ask yourself - where's the new Ranger or what happened to the Lincoln brand, etc., - you'll already have the answer: Ford's senior management pissed away the money on recalls and screwed up product launches." - www.blueovalnews.com

On the engine side of things, I think they might drop the I4 and have two V6s to choose from. I don't see a V8 as an option, not at this time.

thecause17

Mar 13 2005, 09:42pm

Probably in favor of a "truck" built on the 500 chassis. Probably the free style with a bed on the back of it..

Umm, ok. Where are you pulling that out of other than the obvious? Got any info on that?

ex90ranger

Mar 13 2005, 10:28pm

Umm, ok. Where are you pulling that out of other than the obvious? Got any info on that?

Just personal feelings along with the fact that ford has continually stated that the compact truck market is not going any place. Also, I don't see ford making the ranger any bigger if/when it gets redesigned because they are afraid that it would steal sales from the f-150. Also, ford is looking for ways to build multiple vehicles off a single chassis. The ranger is going on 13 years with no major updates and there is no word on if/when it will be updated. Bill seems more concerned with the mustang, f-trucks, SUV's, C1 cars, D3 cars, and super cars. He doesn't care about the Ranger or the CV and has continually takin money away from them to put into something else. He views the D3 platform (I think that’s what it is called. the one that the 500 is built on) as the future of ford building more then 4 vehicles off it now and always looking to put more on it. The ranger has not had a positive sales month in over 5 years with no end in sight so I don't see him putting any more money into a platform that he doesn't give a rats ass about to start with.

Just stuff that I have started to realize in the last 2 years, agree or disagree I don't care. You’re more then welcome to have an opinion and this is mine.

I personally would love to see the Taco outsell the ranger in total sales finally just to see what kind of move ford will make. They have been outselling the ranger in 4x4's for a couple years now and fords response was the FX4. If they take the total sales crown finally *and they will by the end of May at the rate they are going* ford might get off its ass and do something. Until then I don't think there is going to be anything for the ranger as sad as that makes me. I have been a dedicated Ranger owner for 8 years now and am on my 3rd. But if there isn't anything for me in the ranger for a sport model when I go looking again then I am probably going to get an x-runner. 300hp in a SC 4.0L is enough to switch me when the time comes.

ex90

GearHeadJLM

Mar 14 2005, 12:12am

Well, my opinion is that we are American and should buy American. I don't have anything against foreign cars, I'm not gonna say that they are all junk because that's not completely true. I just think if we have a problem we should do something other then supporting Japans economy. It shouldn't be American keeping up with Japan, It should be Japan Keeping up with America. No one supporting Japanese companies should be complaining about our economy, they should be helping it. Ford needs to do what the consumer (that's us) wants, it's our job to let them know what we want.

Chico

Mar 14 2005, 07:52am

Ohhh man hahah i did a complete double take on that picture... lol but i think it looks good! i think ford should do that

They do, just not here! I wonder how hard it would be to get on like this over here with a diesel??? I guess i should have waited and found the guy that owned this one and asked him about it?

Here is a link to one!

http://www.conrico.com/pdfs/pdf2004/Ford%20Ranger%202.9%20without.PDF

kev_1669

Mar 14 2005, 08:56am

Man, That first pic looks hot!!!!! I love it!

96Violet3.0

Mar 14 2005, 10:03am

sweeeeeeet i would so buy one! but why hasnt ford made a 4 door ranger??

They do, it's called the Explorer Sport Trac :pimp:

96Violet3.0

Mar 14 2005, 10:09am

96Violet3.0

Mar 14 2005, 10:12am

maybe they will put the explorer IRS on there too, but i don't think that would be to practical. It's nice to dream

If Ford use the Explorer's chassis w/a solid 8.8, then you could easily bolt up an IRS from the junkyard :rocking:

dood

Mar 14 2005, 10:34am

I think the V-8 should be offered, but not just in a lowered, "performance" package. I think it should be offered with the XLT 4x4. I know I could sure use one in my '94, and I have the 4.0l! I still feel lacking in power. That's why I'm planning a mustang engine swap.

And yes, I realise that the OHV makes less than the SOHC, but still... the V-8 should be an option like it is in the explorers.

Fordman4life

Mar 14 2005, 11:08am

2.3'dranger

Mar 14 2005, 11:49am

Martiangod

Mar 14 2005, 12:41pm

Just remember its Ford we're talking about.
I'm wondering if they are gonna Kill the Ranger Name?
The STX, lots will be full of them, unable to be sold, great argument in head office to kill the Ranger altogether. All you have to remember is Ford in all its wisdom was gonna kill the Stang. If it wasn't for loyal and very vocal customers, the Stang would have been gone long ago:(
Does the same fate stand before the Ranger?

Tate

Mar 14 2005, 08:03pm

last time i checked dodge did put the hemi in the dakota but the v8 colorado was a sema only thing. you know concept. Also i didn't see them putting the ranger onto a 500 frame. Come on think logic. the sport trac is gunna use the explore chassis for 2006 or 07. So whats the next thing to use it. The ranger. It'll will be the last to switch over to it but if ford doesn't care to much for the ranger why would they spend more money to redisgn a 500 to be a truck. the have the frame and crap to do it. All they have to do is use the explorer platform. and the taco is even bigger now. they all are. The ranger is the last mini out there. I personally wouldn't mind a ranger with a few more inches bigger for leg n' shoulder width my self. it wouldn't be huge like some people on here are thinking. And a few inches of room will not take away that much from the f-150 market too. There not gunna make the ranger huge just a little more comfortable.

Last I heard, the dak was using the 4.7 V8, not the Hemi. They say the Hemi is too big to fit in the Dakota. And before you say it, the Dakota and Durango are on different platforms. As for the 400 hp V8 Colorado, you're probably thinking of the SSR, which has a 390 hp LS2 in it. The Next mini truck could very well be a car based platform. Remember the Corvair? They had 4 or 5 different vehicles off of the one chassis, including a truck and a van.

2.3'dranger

Mar 14 2005, 10:13pm

i'm probly not right on this one but i thought i saw a hemi powered dakota round here. Not sure. My bad. As far as the colorado they did make a 400 horse ls2 ss concpet which is what metalmessiah187 is probly thinking of. It looks like a silverado ss. it's in i think trucking mag. I'll look tomorrow for it. It was black in color. As far as using the 500 chassis they could like the covair but why. I hope not. but like i said why waste more money on a redesign for the ranger if ford doesn't care for the truck that much. It'll waste less time and money for them to use the exp platfrom. But i have to admit ford has some nuts idea and i could see them doing that on a 500 chassis the more i think of it. :thumbsdow .

thecause17

Mar 14 2005, 10:24pm

ex90ranger

Mar 14 2005, 10:46pm

you want to know why ford would do it? because they are looking to do anything and everything with the new flex plants. and it wouldn't take much to chop the top off the back of the freestyle and turn it into a bed.

stic-o

Mar 15 2005, 01:32am

Ahhh The Ranger...

The main reason why Ford has not redisgned it yet it because it keeps selling, mostly due to Price. The new Colorado isn't selling worth Crap, yet the Tacoma has to be gaining fast on Ranger #1 selling small truck title. Ford likes to keep the gap between the Ranger and the F-150. Why would you buy a redesigned Mid-sized Ranger for 20k when you could buy a Full size F-150 for a little more? But the Truth is, .... yes they will have to redesign it soon, it's way over due. As for a 4-door? I don't think it will happen due to the redesign of the Sport Trac. I think it will go Mid-size however. I know ford as thought about bringing back a FWD version of the Courior, which would be smaller then the Ranger and based off a Focus platform or something. It would also look more like the old Suburu Brat's of the 80's Now as for the name? I think the Ranger will keep it's name, there is alot of brand reconition there, and it's coming up on it's 25th b-day ;) ......and then there is the issue of the V-8? This is a tuff one! We all know we have been asking for it forever and the New Sport Trac will get a V8. But the Ranger? We run into the the F factor again....the F-150. You must understand, Ford will do anything, ANYTHING, to protect the F-150 crown. Even if that means the Ranger fell off the face of the earth. It's sad, but it's the truth. The New Ranger will have to be designed to out sell the other mid size trucks but not compete with the F-150.

Matt S

Mar 15 2005, 12:51pm

The new Colorado isn't selling worth Crap, yet the Tacoma has to be gaining fast on Ranger #1 selling small truck title.

The Colorado finished in third last year with 117,475 sales and so far this year is in 2nd. Looks to be selling pretty good.

Tacoma

Jan - 9,435 (-12.0% from last Jan.)
Feb - 10,930 (-5.9% from last Feb.)
Year to Date - 20,365 (-8.7% from last year)

Colorado

Jan - 10,176 (+265.5% from last Jan.)
Feb - 8,258 (+45.3% from last Feb.)
Year to Date - 18,434 (+111.9% from last year)

Ranger

Jan - 7,634 (-31.3% from last Jan.)
Feb - 8,214 (-41.7% from last Feb.)
Year to Date - 15,848 (-37.1% from last year)

Dakota

Jan - 6,089 (+5% from last Jan.)
Feb - 8,250 (-2% from last Feb.)
Year to Date - 14,339 (+1% from last year)

Frontier

Jan - 5,899 (+37% from last Jan.)
Feb - 6,077 (+32% from last Feb.)
Year to Date - 11,976 (+35% from last year)

2wdn2.5n

Mar 15 2005, 02:15pm

i was just down in the carribean and the rangers are very different, they do have four doors down there and they are sweet, also, a lot of the small trucks, excluding the ranger, like izusu have diesels, a diesel in a ranger 5spd, with a turbo would be a dream come true if they every made one, haha.

thecause17

Mar 15 2005, 02:37pm

didn't they used to make one here back in the 80's?

pinheadjay

Mar 15 2005, 05:07pm

[QUOTE=Tate]Last I heard, the dak was using the 4.7 V8, not the Hemi. They say the Hemi is too big to fit in the Dakota. And before you say it, the Dakota and Durango are on different platforms.[QUOTE]

well the currently used dodge hemi is a 5.7L and the Dakota R/T had a 5.9L, so theres no reason a Dakota can't fit a hemi...

Ju5t1n

Mar 15 2005, 05:32pm

well the currently used dodge hemi is a 5.7L and the Dakota R/T had a 5.9L, so theres no reason a Dakota can't fit a hemi...
just because the dakota had a 5.9 doesnt mean the hemi will fit in there. the actual size of the motor may be bigger, just like the ford 4.6 is bigger in size than the 5.0.

pinheadjay

Mar 15 2005, 05:43pm

that makes very little sense and ur probly thinking of bored over, bolt ons, etc

2.3'dranger

Mar 15 2005, 07:06pm

hey not to be a **** here but who cares what a dakota or colarado can fit in its bay. this thread is for ideas for the next ranger. I know i got off topic too but lets not continue arguing about it. So lets continue with ideas for the ranger and what we might think it will look like if they still make the ranger (if ford don't kill it) and redisgn it also. I want to here everyones thoughts about this. So maybe we can all get a so called concept of our own and show ford-? i mean the best thing for ford to do is use ideas from actual ranger owners because thats what we want as buyers and owners of the ranger. Oh by the way at work yesterday we got a freestar i think. It is that wagon 500 thing. Well it got the roof done in on it and we cut the top off to replace it and omg. Don't let ford see it cause that might end up being the next ranger. it looked decent. Sorry no pictures. we welded a new top on today. forgot the camera. Ryan.

Tate

Mar 15 2005, 08:38pm

that makes very little sense and ur probly thinking of bored over, bolt ons, etc

Umm, displacement has little bearing on the physical exterior dimensions. Like Just1n said, the 5.0 is smaller than the 4.6. The 7.5 is actually narrower than the 4.6 motor. And the Dakota is on a different platform than the previous one, which means that some things may not fit from the previous truck.

stic-o

Mar 16 2005, 12:40am

The Colorado finished in third last year with 117,475 sales and so far this year is in 2nd. Looks to be selling pretty good.

Tacoma

Jan - 9,435 (-12.0% from last Jan.)
Feb - 10,930 (-5.9% from last Feb.)
Year to Date - 20,365 (-8.7% from last year)

Colorado

Jan - 10,176 (+265.5% from last Jan.)
Feb - 8,258 (+45.3% from last Feb.)
Year to Date - 18,434 (+111.9% from last year)

Ranger

Jan - 7,634 (-31.3% from last Jan.)
Feb - 8,214 (-41.7% from last Feb.)
Year to Date - 15,848 (-37.1% from last year)

Dakota

Jan - 6,089 (+5% from last Jan.)
Feb - 8,250 (-2% from last Feb.)
Year to Date - 14,339 (+1% from last year)

Frontier

Jan - 5,899 (+37% from last Jan.)
Feb - 6,077 (+32% from last Feb.)
Year to Date - 11,976 (+35% from last year)

I stand corected :hail:

I think every one on the Colorado was waiting for the 4 door, By the way the new Tacoma is ugly as hell I think

JediHacker

Mar 16 2005, 02:40am

i just want to see a stock 2.3T ranger with the engine out of the mazda speed 6

rune128x

Mar 16 2005, 03:46am

i got this pic off Ford.com.mx

http://www.ford.com.mx/Photos/FORD/RAN/2005/EXT/1BIG.jpg

If u look at their 360's u'll notice the back looks alot like the current F150 w/ the center blue oval and all that nonsense

and by the way that ranger that chico posted up was indeed from mexico. it had North Baja Cali plates on it.

Warren

Mar 16 2005, 06:57am

with the whole dakota 5.7 and 5.9 thing, remember this....ford puts a 4.6 v8 in a mustang and puts a 3.9 v8 in the lincoln LS. its the same block. the lincoln is smaller than the stang. :thumbsup:

and i agree about the whole "customer designed concept" truck. that'd be cool. GREGR's 4.6 project would be cool to send in! as well as GABRIEL's truck, well, i guess ALL of the TOTM's should be present to ford. so they can see what the customers are doing! they may just listen! :hail:

Ranger_Boy22

Mar 16 2005, 09:44am

ok here are my thoughts......i think they need to keep the edge suspension put a tow package on it make it a lil wider but not quite mid sized and w/a tow package offer the 3.9 v8 that is in the newer thunderbirds....not only will this change the style fo theranger but will also give it the all needed v8 power in a small package a 4 door model does sound good but ford could also do it the same waythe extened cab f150's do with the extra doors ne ways thats my .02

Martiangod

Mar 16 2005, 11:41am

What about the Oz models?
They could bring back the Courier name and ditch the Ranger lable on the remake, posibly even import it from Oz or South America. Now this wouldn't be so bad if they offer the Diesel that every other country that sells the Ranger/Courier has.
Oz offers the 2.5L Intercooled Turbo Diesel and the smallest gas is the 4.0L
Heres the Oz Courier
http://www.ford.com.au/showroom/lightcomm/courier/images/courier_hero.jpg
http://www.ford.com.au/showroom/lightcomm/courier/images/model_xlt.jpg
http://www.ford.com.au/showroom/lightcomm/courier/images/model_hurricane.jpg
There is another way Ford could go, ditch the mini truck and bring the Falcon Ute over from Oz and lable it as the new Ranchero
http://marks.4t.com/BA/xr8ute.jpg

GearHeadJLM

Mar 16 2005, 02:18pm

I would like to see a v8 or diesel 4x4 Ranger I really wouldn't mind the thruck being a little bigger I just think that if the truck got bigger then price might go up. also theres alot of people who just want a small economic truck that will get the job done. I think maybe 4x4's should have a larger interior and have a V8 offered or a diesel! As for name I think the name should stay. As far as block dimention goes, the displacement doen't matter for example a 455 pontiac block was the same block has the pontiac 350, it's just stroked, also DOHC and SOHC make the overall engine alot wider.

tonon

Mar 16 2005, 03:07pm

why didnt ford make the new f-150 a mid size?

Martiangod

Mar 16 2005, 04:15pm

why didnt ford make the new f-150 a mid size?
Because there is more money in full size

thecause17

Mar 16 2005, 06:41pm

why would they when it's always been a full size...and has sold great at that?

tonon

Mar 16 2005, 09:44pm

so why make the ranger a mid size?

2.3'dranger

Mar 16 2005, 09:54pm

why make the ranger a mid size. simple. demand for them. people want a mid size now. and to stay in the game thats what ford will have to do to keep up with the rest.

rune128x

Mar 17 2005, 03:38am

http://www.ford.com.au/showroom/lightcomm/courier/images/model_xlt.jpg
THAT is a nice f***in courier although theres already a courier on this continent

lemme show u the courier they make for the Mexican market
http://www.ford.com.mx/Photos/FORD/COU/2005/EXT/2BIG.jpg
thing looks like a festiva w/ a bed. its 1.6L zetec makes a whooping 95 HP and at current exchange rates costs about US$8,500

though now that i think about it
they SHOULD bring the subcompact courier over to the US
and make the new ranger a real Mid-size.

and everybodys happy.
except for the poor souls stuck driving a courier

Dcsports92

Mar 17 2005, 12:06pm

sweeeeeeet i would so buy one! but why hasnt ford made a 4 door ranger??

They have been for the last 6 or 7 years but its always been marketed in South America.

I thought the Ranger and the Explorer were based on the same platform?

Dcsports92

Mar 17 2005, 12:12pm

The only vehicles I can see sharing the 500 chassis are vehicles like the Freestyle, minivans, or if they decide to get into the AWD market a little more. I don't ever see them making a truck with IRS, it will be a flop just like the Honda truck will be...

I highly doubt the Honda truck will become a flop,,I mean yeah I do agree they need to produce a V8 and a bigger Ridgeline to compete but remember this is they're first foray into the mid size segment.

The last pickup truck they ever had was way back in the late 60s and it was really small.

Rizeman

Mar 17 2005, 12:16pm

sweeeeeeet i would so buy one! but why hasnt ford made a 4 door ranger??

They have:

Version 1: sport trac

Version 2: Brazilian Built Crew cab 2000 Ranger XL 4x4, I have picts somewhere of the one that was up here with a brazilian student (or since the rangers are built here in stpaul it could have been a prototype? http://tcstangs.com/forum/images/smilies/ne_nau.gif )

I think I also Have the pict somewhere of the new ranger prototype that they debuted in "Owners Magazine" a magazine from ford... I cussed up and down about it.... let me see if I can find it.

never mind you guys already found it... its built off a nissan platform with a explorer type front end treatment. I speculate.

Rizeman

Mar 17 2005, 12:22pm

I highly doubt the Honda truck will become a flop,,I mean yeah I do agree they need to produce a V8 and a bigger Ridgeline to compete but remember this is they're first foray into the mid size segment.

The last pickup truck they ever had was way back in the late 60s and it was really small.

To make things perfectly clear honda's truck is not all honda..

It was an exchange:

Honda builds engines for the saturn wing of GM and GM shares the R&D for the Avalanche with honda. Since the Avalanche is only in north america Honda now can import its dirivative of the avalanche in the growing sales segment in China. IE: Hyundai Tuscon & Kia Van

HarryTasker

Mar 17 2005, 07:28pm

I think that ford will keep the ranger or some type of compact to midsize truck.

It will most likely be built off the explorer. Which is only 2 inches wider than the ranger. But comes with 4.0sohc and 4.6L. This gives a small hope for a v8 in a ranger.

I think the new ranger will be revealed around early '07 and in show rooms in '08. Ford doesn't have to come out with a new one yet. While the sales have dropped for the Ranger, that doesn't mean that ford is loosing money on them. Has ford been keeping up the same production numbers on rangers over the past 3 years?

I think if you really want to see a picture of the new ranger, photoshop the back half of the concept Explorer ST down to an extended cab, and you will have a basic idea.

Houckster

Mar 18 2005, 08:37am

There seems to be a possibility that the Ranger might not be continued. As was pointed out above, this segment of the market isn't going anywhere but that seems hard to understand since GM and Daimler-Chrysler have had major updates in their competing trucks.

If Ford does do a major update, you can bet you'll be disappointed if you're looking for a V8 engine. With the margins on the Ranger being so low, they are not going to waste CAFE ratings on putting a V-8 in the Ranger. That's going in the higher profit models. Also, for those who love manuals, I don't think we'll see one in the next Ranger as it will follow the lead of the F-150 that doesn't offer one either. Ford's approach will be to match a smaller engine with a high-efficiency transmission, i.e. the 3.0 Duratec w/a new six-speed automatic. This will be the top level option unless Ford finds a way to give the Ranger the Duratec 3.5 which I consider very unlikely. The base will be the 2.3 Duratec with a 5-spd automatic. The CVT transmission is a possibility but I don't think it's very likely either.

If and when Ford does update the Ranger, I think I'll be glad I bought when I did.

tonon

Mar 18 2005, 09:00pm

that little truck you posted is a mini truck, the ford ranger looks huge compared to that thing.

what do you mean no manual, all trucks are suppost to have an optional manual. well, i guess ill have to go from repairing my truck to completely restoring my truck so it will last me a long time.

orangemini

Mar 20 2005, 03:13pm

easyranger

Mar 21 2005, 01:59pm

I think they need a ranger now that can compete with the new Tacomas and Chevy Colorados. So a ranger with more power and maybe more room would be pretty tight! And a special edition street truck with atleast over 250horses!

Dcsports92

Mar 21 2005, 02:20pm

To make things perfectly clear honda's truck is not all honda..

It was an exchange:

Honda builds engines for the saturn wing of GM and GM shares the R&D for the Avalanche with honda. Since the Avalanche is only in north america Honda now can import its dirivative of the avalanche in the growing sales segment in China. IE: Hyundai Tuscon & Kia Van

I forgot about the trade off for diesel engines from GM in exchange for Honda V6s (which to me was really pointless..I really hate Chevys)

Where do they build there new truck do you know? I always thought the Rangers were built in Louisville , Ky or NJ?

thecause17

Mar 21 2005, 09:41pm

Pretty sure my '94 was built in Loisville....my exploder I'm not sure about, I'll have to check the sticker on the rear window...it's still on there.

Warren

Mar 22 2005, 02:53am

ummm.... colorado ONLY comes with an I4 and an I5 - 'I' being inline.

and ford most likely will NOT upgrade the Ranger into the mid-sized market. of course they'd like to compete. but who will they compete more with? themselves. the ONLY way they'd mid-size the ranger is if they discontinued the Sport Trac (a midsize) and the 4dr F150. why do i assume this? because the f150, ranger, and -trac are all marginally different in $$$. People buy a Ranger because its the cheapest in the market, has the best all around bang for buck value (compared to other compact trucks) and because they dont NEED a fullsize. People buy the f150 for the same exct reasons only they NEED a fullsize. and the sport trac is bought because people like the comfort of an explorer but have a slight need for a truck. it doesnt make sense for ford to redesign the ranger to compete with chevy/dakota/nissan/toyota if they already do with other trucks.

sorry to say this but ford is more likely to give our beloved trucks the axe. course then again, they could possibly merge the ranger and sport trac? that'd be interesting. photoshop anyone??? Something like a Range Trac/Ranger Sport? a midsized competitor, a ranger, and an easier v8 conversion platform......oh wishful thinking at its best.

warren

ex90ranger

Mar 22 2005, 08:32am

For those of you that say there will not be another SVT truck because they don't want to take sales away from the lightning, and for those that think that they will do away with the sport track in favor of a ranger crew cab..... Read this

I am telling you guys. the ranger is on its last leg :(

http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do/Articles/articleId=105122

tonon

Mar 22 2005, 11:37am

any ford representitives on here, i heard there was.

i sent a letter to ford about, ohhhh i think a year ago, here it is:

Dear Ford,

I have a 1987 Ford Ranger. It’s getting old and beat up but it still runs great. I would definitely buy another one someday. I personally like lots of chrome, only options that I will actually use, and durability, even if it means the truck weighs more and gets less gas mileage. That’s just my opinion, but if you want to collect many ford ranger fans opinions, please take a look at the following sites, if you haven’t already: www.ford ranger.com, and www.therangerstation.com.

At the ranger station, go to TRS Forums-The ’Garage’, then the forum titled “Hey Ford!”, on here, you will find many opinions and requests towards ford, questions like: why wont Ford put a diesel in the Ranger, why wont ford make a crew cab Ranger with a short bed and a supercab Ranger with a long bed and a few people were wondering if you would ever bring back some of the old Ranger interior colors, such as blue and red. I think you would gain customers buy designing your Rangers using some of the thoughts from those sites.

I enjoy your products, I usually use Ford and Motorcraft parts on my truck when something breaks and even on regular maintenance. I figure, why take a chance with aftermarket products when your parts seem to last twice as long as they are expected to anyways. Maybe that’s why my truck still runs like its 5 years old.

i didnt mention this site becouse i didnt know about it at the time. about 4 months after i sent the letter, i got a call from bill at ford saying we'll look into this stuff and take a look at these sites. i heard there were representitives on some of these sites long before i sent the letter, any of you on here?

hotboxd

Mar 22 2005, 06:54pm

did anyone happen to catch the december(?) '97 issue of MOTOR TREND? i had it years ago, but my ass of a mom threw it away, and i recently found the article i was after...

it was a street test of the SVTRanger, a '97 XLT reg cab with an explorer front end and a '93 SVT Cobra 302, complete with matching Tremec. big 17 chrome 95 R's but a weak lowering job. anywho, it made me want a ranger, and i was curious how many others saw the article and got the chance to read it.

if anyone wants it, i'll scan it if you can't find it online.

props to the photochopping. and anyone been to stangnet.com recently and seen the "adrenalin" sport trac concept?

muy wicked.

edit***: ok i was a little slow, but what's all this about the ranger going away? whoever thinks that is retarded. despite what we've all read, the ranger will outlive any other compact truck. it already nixed the s-10/sonoma, so who's really left? i can't drive my truck 30 feet on any given road at any given time without seeing a ranger or 15. people love them. people will continue to love them. i refuse to believe that our beloved will be ousted.

my .02

Tate

Mar 22 2005, 10:23pm

edit***: ok i was a little slow, but what's all this about the ranger going away? whoever thinks that is retarded. despite what we've all read, the ranger will outlive any other compact truck. it already nixed the s-10/sonoma, so who's really left? i can't drive my truck 30 feet on any given road at any given time without seeing a ranger or 15. people love them. people will continue to love them. i refuse to believe that our beloved will be ousted.

my .02

Its already outlived all the other compacts, so whats keeping it alive? Very little.

Martiangod

Mar 23 2005, 07:45pm

One thing I am noticing around here is people are doing top notch rebuilds on any decent mini's they can get, datsuns, toys, Maz's, Sdimes, and Rangers. And I'm not talkin drop and slam, but building good solid daily runners that don't get 10 miles to the gallon.
There are a number of people out there who WANT a small truck. Its just a shame that everything has gone large size.
And now, with gas where it is, if you need a truck,even a small one will clean your bank account to keep it gassed.
I don't see where the Co's are seeing that nobody wants small, the main reason they are selling the mids and new fulls is because of lack of choice for the consumer.

Warren

Mar 24 2005, 03:53am

:werd:

Rizeman

Mar 24 2005, 11:55pm

I forgot about the trade off for diesel engines from GM in exchange for Honda V6s (which to me was really pointless..I really hate Chevys)

Where do they build there new truck do you know? I always thought the Rangers were built in Louisville , Ky or NJ?

The largest ranger producing plant is in my back yard but they are talking about shutting it down or already Have and thats the Twin Cities Ford Plant in St Paul's Highland Park neighborhood in MN.

For gosh sakes ford even owns a dam on the mississippi river which is adjacent to the plant.

any more tooling questions I can go down to the plant for a gander this week.

Ok... I am getting agitated...

The new sport trac is based off from what i can see, the f-150...

the other thing that really pisses me off is the idea of a 2.6L TD I4 acheiving 30 mpg in the F-150, which would null out any and all of the mini or mid size produx as in mileage and size. its simply cutting 2 cyl's off an International I6 TD.

gdyson

Mar 25 2005, 09:25am

While there's a lot of talk about a new Ranger and the possible demise of the Sportrac, I am not at all sure that you're going to see either. Ford is selling plenty of Rangers in the commericial market and it is a well-accepted truck. The Sportrac concept is already out there based on the Explorer including IRS.
In addition to all that, the new 500 and the Freestyle are not meeting customer satisfaction levels nor sales projections, which putsareal hurt on Ford. The quality level on the new F150 is marginal, which is a real problem for Ford. With Nissan, Toyota, and Honda selling new and/or upgraded products, Ford cannot drop ts guard on the 150.
Word is that Toyota is going to build a 3/4 & 1 ton truck in Texas. The Gm, Chrysler, and Ford offering in this market have been marginal from a quality standpoint and Toyota could deal all three a major blow by hitting a home run in that market. All Ford akes a ton of money on the Super Duty trucks.
Bottom line is that I think looking for a new Ranger may be wishful thinking. I don't think Ford is going to dump money into a line that doesn't offer a big bang for the buck, and I think they'll upgrade the Sportrac for the people who want something bigger. Ford may revise the Ranger's power trains, but I don't know if it will include a V8.
Ford blew it when they didn't put the 5.0 liter V8 in the Ranger years ago. It might have hrt Mustang sales, but they would have garnered a larger and mre excited ranger following.

Black_Jack

Mar 25 2005, 11:16am

My take on Ranger future:

At the time of any type of demotion/transition, the current body style remains with 2.3L (reg cab/short bed 2WD only) and 4.0L (ext. cab/short bed 4wd only) offerings - auto and manual on the 2.3L, auto only on the 4.0L. Think of these as the "Heritage" Rangers a la 2004MY F150. The remaining buyers of these will be fleet managers and people looking for cheap, utilitarian work trucks, although there will still be some optioning available to dress them up. The STX and FX4 trims would be cut.

Concurrently, if it happens at all, a new "F or E" nomenclature model is introduced to replace the Ranger. Seems like the 25th anniversary of the Ranger would be an appropriate time for this.

From market trend, its replacement would be similar in dimension, performance, cost to the current competition, but by then, where will the competition be? Maybe this is why Ford is holding back now, they were a day late on the jump, so it's just as easy to save the time/money and watch the competition burn themselves out fighting for the finish line. Perhaps there will be a market shakeout and only the Colorado, Tacoma, and Ranger are left in the end. The whole time, Ford played armchair quarterback and prepared for a time where they would have a fighting chance to have substantial share of this small market. The Imports have used their small/mid trucks in the past because they were great at building them. The NA market has shifted to wanting bigger, more powerful trucks, and the Imports are in a sweet spot in terms of historical performance with quality and value. The small trucks thhey build now are comparable in terms of utility and value to those built by Detriot's own 10 years ago. People are suddenly aware of the imports when it's time to get into a full-size--- enter the recent Tundra/double cab, Titan/double cab. All the advertising the American Big 3 did to promote big trucks for the last 20 years is paying off in huge divvidends for the Imports, without them directly investing a penny. Ford already has the best ranked fullsize ($$$) truck, so why do they need to maintain the forefront of a lesser profit, shrinking small truck market. They are rightly focused on keeping the F150 on top. The Ranger has been a great marketing workhorse for quite some time. There will always be a market for small trucks, yes, but in the consumer's mind, as someone else said - why would 75% of the people want to buy a $20K Ranger when you could get a lot more truck for just a little more (F150)? Ford will loosen up its wallet only when the current Ranger specific market screams, and that is just about where we are now....Ford should consider the other 25% of truck buyers who continue to fill their sales funnel for fullsize and car models later on though. The imports will own the small truck market soon enough, and whittle away F150 share in the full size market with their fullsize offerings. It's great for the consumer, though! Why should we put up with sub-par product just based on brand allegiance. Most of the import trucks are built in the US by US labor anyway. I love the style, functionality and size of my 96 Ranger, but damn, when a new truck purchase comes around for me, I'm going to cross shop import small and full size vs american full size only. If you don't, then you're doing yourself a disservice as a consumer in a global market. There's a lot more out there now. I can't wait till somethihng from China comes along :blink:

*disclaimer, all # figures here are non-proven, non-researched and as such, I am open to interpretation/refutation of what I've said by anyone here with real world data .

96Violet3.0

Mar 25 2005, 02:12pm

Tate

Mar 25 2005, 09:58pm

the other thing that really pisses me off is the idea of a 2.6L TD I4 acheiving 30 mpg in the F-150, which would null out any and all of the mini or mid size produx as in mileage and size. its simply cutting 2 cyl's off an International I6 TD.

Don't count on that. Ford killed the contract with International/Navistar over the poor quaility of the 6.0 diesel. Look for a real diesel in the near future, ala Cummins, Cat, Detroit, etc.

ex90ranger

Mar 26 2005, 12:48am

Don't count on that. Ford killed the contract with International/Navistar over the poor quaility of the 6.0 diesel. Look for a real diesel in the near future, ala Cummins, Cat, Detroit, etc.

Not true! the v6 diesel that was going to be put into the f-150 but couldn't because of the emissions standards couldn't be reached, found its way into a panel van after 2 years of trying to figure out what to do with it. Witch means when the clean diesel gets here there is still a possibility that it will find its way into the 150, but at the moment there are no plans for it.

ex90

BassnTruck

Mar 26 2005, 07:09pm

While we are on the subject of Diesel, full size trucks. I Just bought another truck to be the work pig. Well it was not a Ford or even new. It is a 98 2500 cummins ram with over 185k on the clock. I don't think I will ever buy another ranger to be honest. I like mine but for me I just do not see the need. I would love a f350 with a cummins and an allision trans tho. Since we are dreaming as well.

povertyranger

Mar 28 2005, 10:38am

wow!! see this is lame... what happend to "mini" trucks.. seriously.. ranger is the only one left.. i hope they dont make them bigger.. if u want a bigger truck then buy a
f-150. seriously.. s-10 is gone and has a colorado.. i like it but its not a mini truck and the new tacoma is the smae size as a Tundra. Theres not much of a size difference. ya that would be nice to make a little body change and the interior. but still keep it simple. new interiors look like spaceships and are just a little overdone. so ranger needs to keep mini truckin alive.

Warren

Mar 28 2005, 11:34am

needs to, should do, would do, hope to see...... :blahblah:

the only thing that may make a difference in fords marketing strategy for the ranger would be the consumers takning initiative. we all love our ranger for differning reasons. why not do a massive RPS wide submission of emails to Ford? that approach (fan intervention) saved the 'stang. why not the little truck that could? we send them the TOTMs to show the execs how much we change and how much we dont. we send them little 'love you' letters and very politely explain the absolute sorrow we would feel with the inevitable Ranger name axe. :bawl:

all this talk of what ford should do.... :uhoh:

why not talk of what WE WILL DO TO HELP? :judge:

warren

tonon

Mar 28 2005, 12:39pm

checkmyvitals

Mar 28 2005, 05:28pm

hey guys. yeah, i think the new gen of ranger is gonna be a big step for ford. first of all, they ARE eliminating the sport trac as the 4door pickup. the new sport trac is going to be a low slung, sport truck. so the new gen of ranger will be seeing 4 doors. as well, ford is in desperate need of a V8, rumors have been that ford was waiting until they finished developing the 4.6... which is now finished and sitting in the 2005 stang. in my opinion, ford will GREATLY benefit from throwing the SVT team at the ranger and releasing a production version this time (can anyone say... 5.4L?).

2001 dub ranger

Mar 28 2005, 08:16pm

What year is ford thinking about comming out with a new one?

mackintire

Mar 28 2005, 09:49pm

Jiminy crickits...

I am sick of people complaining about the ranger getting bigger. If you measure the new explorer track vers the older ranger platform you will see it is less then 2 inches larger. Heck the fender flares on my 2001 xlt stick out farther then that. Seriously go drive one. If you go out and drive a new explorer with that 2 extra inches of interior width and still think you wouldn t want it there is something seriously wrong with you. That said I would describe my 4.0 liter engine adaquate and thirsty. Ford can do better, The friggen explorer weighs 1000lbs heavier and gets the same mileage with a V8. SO... bring on the next ranger with the 4.6L V8 and the 3.5L V6 I am looking forward to it. In fact I have $28k waiting on it. HINT HINT FORD!

Mackintire

Warren

Mar 29 2005, 01:34am

i dont understand the connections between an svt inspired sport trac,the definitive rise of a 4dr ranger, and the demise of the sport trac. if ford is guaging interest in an svt trac, wouldnt that suggest a BIGGER lineup of tracs, as opposed to dismantling the whole lineup? i havent heard from any of my friends (who are ford master certified techs and service clercks) or my mother (works at the Group One Regional home office - Group One owns like 100+ ford dealships) about ford discontinuing ANYTHING for certain. now thats not to say they arent. just that id like to knwo where you get that from, checkmyvitals?

LILBLUE04FX4L2

Mar 29 2005, 07:28am

screw the V8 Rangers need a diesel !!

ex90ranger

Mar 29 2005, 07:50am

SuperRanger00

Mar 29 2005, 08:47am

I have to agree that we should band together to try and save the Ranger. I love my Ranger and will be on the market in the next couple of years seeing as my 2000 is getting some miles on it. I would love to buy another Ranger but they are just not doing anything right now and I cant see buying basically the same exact truck again. I would buy a 4 door short bed ranger with a 4.6 and a 5 or 6 speed manual in a heartbeat if it were available. I am also a fan of the deisel idea. I work for Mercedes and I know that a diesel can pass smog with some work and outperform a gas car with some work from our boys at the factory. Like I said before dont let the ranger die but give it a revamping and let it live on as the new little truck that can do just about whatever you need it to.

tonon

Mar 29 2005, 10:32am

some one mentioned how the mustang was saved by going retro. what would you think of a retro ranger (probably looking nothing like the drawing i made, so dont think about my drawing when i ask this, if you even saw it)?

Warren

Mar 29 2005, 01:14pm

id pimp a retro-ranger in a heartbeat!!! whether it comes with a v8 or diesel or not!!!

Martiangod

Mar 29 2005, 01:58pm

tonon

Mar 29 2005, 06:05pm

well, thats different, i hope it doesnt look like that though. but hey, its an idea.

what did you not like about the truck i drew? seriously, i draw antother rough sketch but lets hear some specific things.

grille ford emblem off to the drivers side?
square headlights?
too bubblie looking (i slipped when drawing the tail lights, thats why they are so big)?
ford letters or emblem on the tailgate?

http://www.cardomain.com/memberpage/668206/11

Martiangod

Mar 29 2005, 07:38pm

well, thats different, i hope it doesnt look like that though. but hey, its an idea.

what did you not like about the truck i drew?
I never said anything about what you drew....????

As for going off the Sporttac platform, I can see Ford going that way. The basics are in place and i don't think they are going to remake the 1982 Ranger, good in its time, but not today.

And a 1st/2nd gen Rango is NOT a mustang, so the whole retro thing is out

2.3'dranger

Mar 29 2005, 09:46pm

i have said this too that we need to band together and stop thinking of what could be and should be and fight for our beloved truck the ranger. We need to save our little ranger from being put out to pasture and save it. gain the respect back for them instead of the (well it looks like last years) saying. We need to send them our ideas of what we feel as ranger owners and future owners what we feel is needed from the ranger and prove that people still want a small truck. I feel matts drawing would be awsome to send them. It would give them a start as they have some of the parts from the explorer already. And personally i like a v8 but with gas the way it is i don't even care if i don't have an 8 in it. Just as long as it gets a refresh. Now i have started talking with my local dealer and head boss (work at a dealer) about ideas for the ranger and what we feel should be done and he's going to call them very soon to talk with a ford rep. He will be calling me down to his office when the reps come in for their so called check ups and ideas thing they do. And i also have to agree. go drive a newer explorer and if you still think its too big its not. our fx4 ranger looks the same size but inside i don't feel as cramed. go drive one and see. some times change doesn't hurt. Ryan.

Matt S

Mar 29 2005, 09:59pm

What about taking the SVT ST and using that platform to replace the Current Ranger.
I've been chopping away at it and think it would converge into a neat looking small truck

The SportTruc

http://mars1.gotdns.com/drag/49.jpg

I like the idea but would they would do it? The Ranger is the bastard child of the Ford truck line-up, I just don't see them making the effort. I'm betting on just enough to stay relevant and priced to move (cheap). After the initial launch, bring in some gimmick packages. Rinse, repeat.

Martiangod

Mar 29 2005, 10:32pm

I like the idea but would they would do it? The Ranger is the bastard child of the Ford truck line-up, I just don't see them making the effort. I'm betting on just enough to stay relevant and priced to move (cheap). After the initial launch, bring in some gimmick packages. Rinse, repeat.
Unfortunatly, I don't think Ford take the Ranger seriously.

It's not the Mustang, so no retro comeback.
But is is a big seller, when it comes back/redesign, it needs to set the pace, Mileage is where its at, Deisel?
Ford held off when everyone else went the redesign, why?
Ford has alot of real world experience, and real world, I mean the WHOLE world.
Every other place the Ranger is offered, fuel milage is a BIG concerne, yet they still sell.
I don't think For is ready to give up o the small truck market, they want it all.
So I think when they have beld the Ranger for all its worth, we will see a small Diesel, a decent 4 banger and quite possible on the Sport Trac platform, using the Trac as their logo.
SportTrac
OffTrac
DesertTrac
GroceryTrac
SnowTrac
I think the Ranger name is dead for a few years

rortegaz3

Mar 30 2005, 12:15pm

damn i should have waited for that ranger than be i debt for 4 yrs with my ranger.

tonon

Mar 30 2005, 03:23pm

i never said "you" did "martiongod". i ment who did.

96Violet3.0

Mar 30 2005, 03:51pm

xDAVEYMACx

Mar 31 2005, 08:11pm

First of all...s10's are lame...second...i think the new generation is sick

xDAVEYMACx

Mar 31 2005, 08:12pm

v8 a must...maybe a 5.0?

ex90ranger

Mar 31 2005, 09:48pm

5.0 is gone people, it isn't coming back. The crate 5.0 isn't even in the same class as the 302 and isn't ever going to be put into a production car. Also, it was mentioned earlier that the 3.4 v8 out of the LS should be put into the ranger. Granted it is a small displacement v8, but it isn't anything that would do any one any good in a truck. It has no torque and produces all its power in the upper RPM range. Not going into a truck.....ever.

The ranger really needs to get the 3.5 v6 when that is released. In a truck configuration that engine could do 250hp 250+ tq. In a street truck configuration it can do 275hp and unknown at this time tq. In a 4x4 truck or towing configuration it will do 200hp and 300tq. All of this can be done in the computer, so if you had a tow/haul switch you could go from a nice v6 to a torquey v6 that would put the 4.6 to shame.
The next size down should be the 24v 3.0 with VVT. 220hp and 235tq.
Then base should be the 2.3 I4 VVT. 165hp should be enough to move a reg cab short bed out nicely.

Just my thoughts.

ex90

Warren

Mar 31 2005, 10:10pm

:headbang: 3.5 v6!! id rock it. its sad how the newer sedans and family wagons are getting more umph in the ass than our beloved ranger! :rant:

warren

tonon

Apr 01 2005, 10:17am

i say, new 2.3l, scrap the 3.0l and the 4.0l for the 3.5l and the 5-speed manual and automatic for the first 6 months-year of the new ranger, then a diesel and v8 option along with a 6-speed for everything except maybe the 2.3l? what do you think?

Warren

Apr 01 2005, 11:18am

well, if they drop a 3.5 then production costs become an even BIGGER ISSUE WHEN IT COMES TO THE v8. if the engine already pushes 220+ with the v6, why even need a v8? ford would look at it like this, 'our customers would probably want the power ov a v8 over the gas mileage of one so.....3.5 is it.' and the diesel....id have to say the 3.0l diesel thats hopefully a true rumor and then our mini would have some big 'ole balls!! id like it if they offered a v8, nothing beats the SOUND OF A V8!!

tonon

Apr 01 2005, 02:50pm

yea, i would either want a diesel or most likely the 3.5l in my next ranger with either a 5 or 6 speed manual or automatic.

Jerad

Apr 03 2005, 06:21pm

Ohhh man hahah i did a complete double take on that picture... lol but i think it looks good! i think ford should do that

It's real. They're everywhere in Honduras. I could probably go through my pictures and find one. Four door trucks are everywhere. And notice the clear turn signals. They come from the factory like that. You can also get them with a PowerStroke diesel... Diesels are the norm in Honduras.

I'll try to find some pics with Rangers in them...

tonon

Apr 04 2005, 09:09am

the reason i wouldnt want a diesel is becouse it has to be plugged in when its cold.

Martiangod

Apr 04 2005, 09:44pm

the reason i wouldnt want a diesel is becouse it has to be plugged in when its cold.
10 - 15 years ago, in these modern days they have things called Glow Plugs to prewarm the cylinders, takes about 30 seconds.
Also with the Common rail diesels and electronics, they work awesome

Tate

Apr 05 2005, 07:18pm

the reason i wouldnt want a diesel is becouse it has to be plugged in when its cold.

Gas engines need to be plugged in when its cold too. Diesels have come a long way in the past few years, all the bad attributes to them have nearly gone out the window.

tonon

Apr 05 2005, 09:21pm

well, then maybe i would like a diesel.

SuperRanger00

Apr 07 2005, 05:55am

This weekend I rented a Mercedes e class with a Diesel and it performs just as good if not better that the 6 cyl gas motor that they run in the e class. It is also very quite, most people would not even be able to tell that it was a diesel if you did not tell them. They have also been able to pass U.S. emmisions with the type of common rail injection that they are now using. I know that the engine that ford would be putting in the ranger, if they did indeed put one in it, probably would not be as nice but even if it were a little bit as good I would buy one. I am somewhat of a environmentally conscious person and I am pretty sure there are a few websites that even tell you how to make your own envirodiesel as they call, which is a organic diesel that you make from some sort of vegetable for pretty cheap. Just an option if they were to release a diesel in the U.S.

tonon

Apr 07 2005, 06:47am

id like a diesel in a ranger that works as good as or better than a gas engine but loud enough to tell its a diesel.

karrbass4life

Apr 07 2005, 09:00am

Does ford realize how many people are wanting a Four Door (Crew Cab) Ranger? The Toyota Tacoma now comes in a Crew Cab, Dodge has a Crew Cab mini, and so did Chevy (The Colorado doesn't have one does it?). What im trying to say is Ford should do their homework, and see that there is a huge market for the crew cab minis. People use a crew cab for family cars, ford look into that on the F-150 and now is is bigger and more family friendly according to them. Why not the Ranger? And the F-150 design is the best since '97. When the current gen Rangers cam out then the F-150 came out I thought they tried to design them to look alike. Now this next gen model is dead on an F-150. they overall durability of the Ranger will go up, and they could do the sexy shock mounting system :D like the F-150 has. Maybe a V8 to get those people that dont care about $3.00 a gallon gas prices. Sorry for the ranting, just some ideas to throw around.

tonon

Apr 07 2005, 04:06pm

you never know, ford may surprise us.

Ponyguy

Apr 08 2005, 01:30pm

Does ford realize how many people are wanting a Four Door (Crew Cab) Ranger? The Toyota Tacoma now comes in a Crew Cab, Dodge has a Crew Cab mini, and so did Chevy (The Colorado doesn't have one does it?).

Chevy Colorado and GMC Canyon both have Crew cabs. They have a bewildering array of options available. Their brochure is difficult to read if you aren't already somewhat familiar with GM's trucks.

GM makes a Regular Cab, Extended Cab, (Like Ranger SuperCab) and Crew Cab, but no 6 cylinder engine. (Yet...) I guess their 5 cylinder engine is pretty stout, though. They have several suspension options, interior combinations, and trim levels, but the front of the GM trucks is still butt-ugly. If my dog looked like the front of a GMC Canyon or a Chevy Colorado, I'd shave its ass and make it walk backwards.

Dodge Dakota has a Crew Cab and an Extended cab, but no Regular Cab or 4 cylinder engine, which is what I wanted...

Toyota and Nissan are Ricer Trucks... I don't drink tea or sake... :angry:

I still liked the Ranger better than any of the competitors. (So, I bought one!)

Ford has the "Sport-Trac" which ought to fill in the slot for a Crew Cab, shouldn't it?

t3ch_9

Apr 08 2005, 05:11pm

what i would like in the next generation ranger would be a 4 door ranger... and maybe they'll drop in a small 250hp v8....and what would be sweet if they can make a svt ranger... id hit it

Ford did have a SVT ranger, even thought it never did go into production.
http://www.trucktrend.com/roadtests/performance/163_0406_bolt/

TheKidWithAEdge

Apr 08 2005, 09:00pm

sweet ranger! ya they did a good job on that one! :driving:

GreySteelFox

Apr 09 2005, 11:38am

oh sweet christmas! they both look radical and the white one is just an explorer with a bed

tonon

Apr 09 2005, 05:49pm

ford made a saleen too, its very rare.

2.3'dranger

Apr 09 2005, 09:46pm

hey is there a web site, pictures, articles anything that u know of that contains info on that saleen ranger. i'd love to see that. its probly wicked.

pinheadjay

Apr 11 2005, 03:31pm

i have bad news...

on FOX26 Houston this morning they showed crash tests for the colorado, ranger, datoka, frontier, and taccoma.

they said the dakota and the ranger had the worst crash scores and that they wouldn't be in production next year. :(

i can't find it on their website tho. did ne one else see this?

tonon

Apr 11 2005, 08:35pm

thats bull ****, they probably rate them badly if they have less than 10 air bags and are just built too well for those pinko crash testers to get it. lol

pfutz

Apr 13 2005, 05:01pm

What I've read is that Ford keeps pushing out the re-design date for the Ranger. It was going to be 2008 but is now slated not until 2011.

pinheadjay

Apr 14 2005, 04:54pm

i don't think it's even gunna make it to 2008. :(

TheKidWithAEdge

Apr 16 2005, 03:53pm

well, if thats true... ill save up my money for a 06 harley davison f150..

TheKidWithAEdge

Apr 17 2005, 10:13pm

also... i think ford has forgotten about the mazda B series truck.. which also runs on the same platform...and man,that thing is outdated..

tonon

Apr 18 2005, 06:10pm

outdated can be good, i hate abs, air bags, and any other crap you dont really need.

bigz1001

Apr 19 2005, 12:34pm

First off, this is my second Ranger. My first being a 1999 4.0 Supercab 4X4 5-spd that was green. I am currently in a truck that is 4 years newer, but is almost the same. My fuel mileage has improved from 16mpg to 21mpg, and it does run a little better. Given the cost of fuel, and having drove the Dakota with a HEMI in it for several weeks as a rental car, I am not interested in a v8 for my Ranger. However, a small diesel engine similar to the one being used in the Liberty would be awesome. Also I want a sun-roof as an option. Or perhaps an overhead information center of sorts.

Ponyguy

Apr 19 2005, 01:02pm

Frankly, the rising fuel costs are one of the main reasons I bought my Ranger. I'm a student and I drive 100 miles a day three days a week to school. I was driving a 1995 Sable station wagon, and gas costs were eating my budget. I needed something fuel-eficient that could still, on occasion, haul stuff. Ranger 4 cylinder/stick shift is rated by EPA at 24/29, the best on the market. I bought my 2004 Ranger used, but only 4 months since it was originally sold new. I got a good deal (because it's a stick shift) and it's still under factory warranty for at least a couple more years.
Ford would do well to freshen the Ranger and tout the fuel economy aspect of this little trucklet. I wouldn't consider making it significantly larger, because that would probably hurt the fuel economy.
I find it interesting that Chevy Colorado and GMC Canyon are offering "high-ride" suspension packages, like Ranger did back in about 2000 with their "Trailhead Group". This was the 4x4 torsion bar suspension installed on a 4x2 truck, giving it the tough 4x4 look, but without the 4-wheel drive.

pinheadjay

Apr 21 2005, 07:18pm

Fat Ping Cat

Apr 30 2005, 07:23am

http://www.thecarconnection.com/images/gallery/9443_image.jpg
http://www.thecarconnection.com/images/gallery/9444_image.jpg

(SPY SHOTS FROM THECARCONNECTION OF THE 2005 RANGER)

"We've been waiting and waiting and waiting, and time after time the scheduled remake of the Ford Ranger has been put on hold - and this is no exception.

Although there are yards of vinyl covering crucial styling details, the model year 2006 only brings a facelift and freshening to the aging Ranger.

An all-new Ranger, codenamed P273, is now expected to arrive around 2010."

and I doubt that there will be a 4 door ranger because of the sport trac... and the sport trac isn't going anywhere because they have already made plans to redesign it after the 2006 hiatus.

http://www.fordnewsonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sport%20trac/sportrac1.jpg

TheKidWithAEdge

Apr 30 2005, 09:17pm

http://www.thecarconnection.com/images/gallery/9443_image.jpg

That sucks.. but that test ranger... looks almost exactly like my ranger:wiggle:

thecause17

May 01 2005, 06:14am

Exactly, they keep changing grills and headlights, other than that, that truck there might have a slightly different bedside, that one looks like it has something similar to the B-series on it.

They need to actually start a new platform with it, they wonder why sales are going down when all they do is change a couple little parts on it and call it a new one. They're pretty much the identical trucks they've been making since '93, with some very minor changes since.

Matt S

May 04 2005, 10:42am

Site note: Pictures of the 2006 Explorer update if you follow the link in the article blurb here (http://www.fordnewsonline.com/?p=122).

TheKidWithAEdge

May 05 2005, 11:21am

that explorer is kinda uguly!

bagged97

May 05 2005, 06:21pm

As a minitrucker, I would hate to see the last compact truck on the market go away with either a bigger Ranger or a new truck all together. But no matter what, Ford is gonna follow the money, which could be good or bad. All I know is I have both a 1997 and a 2003 Ranger, and I wouldn't drive any other truck. The size, the power, and the features of the current Ranger are perfect for buyers like myself. Also just a little note to GEARHEADJLM, your Ranger is mostly a Mazda and all Japanese trucks sold in America are built in America!

bagged97

May 05 2005, 06:25pm

TheKidWithAEdge

May 07 2005, 03:51pm

I have one question.. if ford has a while to redesign the ranger... like to 2010 why doesnt ford make like a harley davison Ranger or a svt ranger like the svt sport trac... even though i have mentioned it before..

Matt S

May 13 2005, 11:51pm

Hmmm....

Ford Won't Redesign Ranger, May Dump it in 2010 (http://www.fordnewsonline.com/?p=135)

And a picture of the 2006 facelift.

http://www.fordnewsonline.com/wp-content/uploads/ranger/ranger2006.jpg

TheKidWithAEdge

May 14 2005, 12:32am

Ah well. at lease i have a nice truck . But til, 2007-8 i might get someting else

BRealistic

May 15 2005, 07:11pm

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid168/p79f58fe1e972c44254d3f09c198c4974/f41ba869.jpg
-
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid168/p9e865778029d7972203fec22ca06b548/f41ba867.jpg

heltrskeltr

May 20 2005, 05:15pm

The European Rangers Also come in a four door version, with a slightly different grill and a slower stance, so Ford Does have the capability to make the four doors here.
There's probably a reason why they don't make the U.S. four door.

heltrskeltr

May 20 2005, 05:16pm

Sorry, I meant to say lower stance and not "Slower stance"

JDugan4859

May 25 2005, 09:11am

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v482/haze459/06ranger1.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v482/haze459/06ranger2.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v482/haze459/06ranger3.jpg

Ju5t1n

May 25 2005, 12:22pm

its a mini f-150

dross93ranger

May 25 2005, 07:31pm

I like the grille...not sure til I see one in person tho

TX Ranger

May 25 2005, 07:52pm

There's probably a reason why they don't make the U.S. four door.

There's really no market for it. Due to our pollution standards, they can't offer any kind of engine that would reasonably move that truck around, and based on the mediocre success of Chevy's 4dr s10, I doubt Ford would want to plunge a lot of money into the Ranger with another version of it that isn't promised to sell very well.

Ponyguy

May 25 2005, 07:59pm

There's probably a reason why they don't make the U.S. four door.

There is such a reason. It's called the Sport Trac.

2.3'dranger

May 25 2005, 08:28pm

I personally don't like it. thats way to much f150 for me. personally if thats what a next gen ranger could look like. a mini f150. i could live with the ranger looking the way it has for 10 years now for a long time. If i wanted to get the f150 look i'd buy an f150. it may sound dumb too but i hate the taillights too. i like the all red 02 up tails. i love them tails. these look like the old ones from like 94 up. Also the big emblem on the tailgate looks out of place to me too. the front bumper looks a little 98-00 explorer-ish to me. yeah well. they're gunna run the ranger into the ground i can feel it. they better be keeping some sort of big secret that will suprise us all for the ranger while they play this face game. Deffently not. they'll dissapoint us.

tonon

May 26 2005, 06:09pm

i mentioned an idea of mine on here to make a sport package, maybe ford is watching. come on ford, stamp "F""O""R""D" the tailgate.

TheKidWithAEdge

May 27 2005, 07:29pm

i mentioned an idea of mine on here to make a sport package, maybe ford is watching. come on ford, stamp "F""O""R""D" the tailgate.

yeah, F.ound O.n R.oad D.ead! :friday:

Ponyguy

May 28 2005, 12:28pm

yeah, F.ound O.n R.oad D.ead! :friday:

You sacreligious dork! This is a Ford Ranger forum! :rant: :angry:
First
On
Race
Day

:headbang:

tonon

May 28 2005, 09:28pm

You sacreligious dork! This is a Ford Ranger forum! :rant: :angry:
First
On
Race
Day

:headbang:

For
Only
Radical
Drivers

:nutkick:

(green guy = ford ranger)
(yellow guy = compitition)

oh wait, isnt the ranger the last small truck in america.

but anyways, ford, if your listening, its just an idea i just thought of but how about sending out like a 10 question form to people who recently bought a ranger and basically ask them what they think about it and ask them what they would change. then after you get the forms back bill should call every one of these people and thank them and say he will look into it... lol, just kidding about that last part. but seriously, just an idea. in my opinion, thats where your business is, the new customers. some will trade them in after their lease ends in a few years and possibly lease or buy a new ranger.

hey, how about calling this new ranger the "SPORT off-road" and creating another ranger called something like the "SPORT saleen" or something like that. with like sports car like rims (mustang???), 5-speed manual, 4.0l or v8 engine, posi-trac, fiberglass bed cover (maybe a fiberglass hood???) and lowered (some what). basically a sports car ranger.

JDugan4859

May 28 2005, 10:00pm

For
Only
Radical
Drivers

:nutkick:

(green guy = ford ranger)
(yellow guy = compitition)

oh wait, isnt the ranger the last small truck in america.

but anyways, ford, if your listening, its just an idea i just thought of but how about sending out like a 10 question form to people who recently bought a ranger and basically ask them what they think about it and ask them what they would change. then after you get the forms back bill should call every one of these people and thank them and say he will look into it... lol, just kidding about that last part. but seriously, just an idea. in my opinion, thats where your business is, the new customers. some will trade them in after their lease ends in a few years and possibly lease or buy a new ranger.

hey, how about calling this new ranger the "SPORT off-road" and creating another ranger called something like the "SPORT saleen" or something like that. with like sports car like rims (mustang???), 5-speed manual, 4.0l or v8 engine, posi-trac, fiberglass bed cover (maybe a fiberglass hood???) and lowered (some what). basically a sports car ranger.

The stupidity emitted in this single post has been enough for me to start drinking tonight.

tonon

May 29 2005, 08:24pm

The stupidity emitted in this single post has been enough for me to start drinking tonight.

tanks man, im wetarded yu know.

thecause17

May 30 2005, 12:43pm

There is such a reason. It's called the Sport Trac.

Exactly....

There's really no market for it. Due to our pollution standards, they can't offer any kind of engine that would reasonably move that truck around, and based on the mediocre success of Chevy's 4dr s10, I doubt Ford would want to plunge a lot of money into the Ranger with another version of it that isn't promised to sell very well.

I dunno what you base that on, especially when the Sport Trac is in the product line, which is basically what a 4 door Ranger would be, and uses the same motor. Can't offer an engine to move that truck around? Umm ok.

rebelranger05

May 31 2005, 05:09pm

well i bleed blue and my first word was ford. i love the ranger but if ford does decide to dicontinue that particular line i will still stay with a ford vehicle (truck) like an f-series, you gotta upgrade sometime right!!

Bigred86

Jun 02 2005, 05:19pm

i think it looks like a t100

pinheadjay

Jun 03 2005, 06:37pm

hey, how about calling this new ranger the "SPORT off-road" and creating another ranger called something like the "SPORT saleen" or something like that. with like sports car like rims (mustang???), 5-speed manual, 4.0l or v8 engine, posi-trac, fiberglass bed cover (maybe a fiberglass hood???) and lowered (some what). basically a sports car ranger.

please give me an amen... followed by a HELL YEAH!!

Moctezuma05

Jun 03 2005, 07:11pm

lownrangr

Jun 14 2005, 12:01am

Ponyguy

Jun 14 2005, 01:22am

does ford even make the fx4 LII anymore? I never see them on the lots. I'm glad I have mine though. Oh and BTW, I saw the 'new' 06 ranger on the road the other day. It looked like the one posted above, kinda.

Yup, the FX4 Level II still exists, at least as of the 2005 model year. But, it's quite an expensive truck; prices with options are getting close to $30k. For example, the MSRP of a Ranger FX4 Level II with the only option an automatic transmission, is $28,430. Since the market for Rangers has softened, dealers just aren't stocking too many high-end Rangers.
Ford would do well to spend a dollar or two on advertising the Ranger, especially the 4 cylinder model which has the highest gas mileage of any pickup truck on the market. It's a damned good little truck, even when compared to the "all-new" GM small trucks.

XLTFX4

Jun 17 2005, 03:02pm

Good point about the advertising. When was the last time anyone ever saw a Ranger ad? I thought so. If the public doesn't even know you are making a product, how would you expect them to buy it??? Ford REALLY needs to advertise the Ranger!!!!

Larson

Jun 19 2005, 12:23am

Ford really does need to advertise the ranger. in a market that's dwindling, they need some advertisment to kickstart things. A more powerful powertrain is really what I am looking for, at least for the 3.0l option. My ranger is a 3.0l and the power just seems inadequete, although, I love my Ranger and wouldn't have anything but a Ford in my driveway. I did choose the 05 Ranger over the 05 Frontier, mainly bc i'm a diehard ford truck fanatic since i knew what a truck was. Well enough with my life story...advertisement is what the Ranger needs, among a more powerful engine lineup.

lownrangr

Jun 22 2005, 10:52pm

in a world where you see commercials for everything, especially all the cool commercials for other trucks, we see absolutely nothing for the poor little ranger. Any marketing person will tell you that that's not a good thing.

Grimtrek

Jun 25 2005, 08:03pm

If you go to the Ford Mexico website Ford Mexico (http://www.ford.com.mx/vehicles/pricesvehicles.asp?idModel=RAN) you can see a 4 door Ranger. If they can sell it there, they can sell it here at home. Ford just needs to know there's a market for the product.

Smorrison1

Jun 30 2005, 12:52pm

Ok.....how about an off-roader, slightly lowered suspension, for center of Grav. but with a wider wheel base, for more clearance, taller/wider wheel wells, upgraded tires, like 31's? and all new front design, similar to Chris Taunton's, but with a rear end similar to the new F-150, however keep the ranger's light duty appeal, and light duty size. This will mainly make it fairly easy to lift, lower, or make it an all out off-roader, or a street racing hot rod, whatever your hearts desire

joshua022

Jul 08 2005, 01:55pm

they already have a 4-door ranger in brazil and other parts of south america. they wont bring it here because it'll kill the sport trac.

Ranger19984x4

Jul 11 2005, 08:49am

Here is an interesting article I found on BON: http://www.blueovalforums.com/index.php?showtopic=19329

precaud

Jul 11 2005, 08:58am

Here is an interesting article I found on BON: http://www.blueovalforums.com/index.php?showtopic=19329

Yeah, I posted that over there. The article gives some additional insight as to why the Ranger has been "ignored." It's a pretty complex decision Ford have to make. I sure hope the Twin Cities plant survives the ordeal.

Ranger19984x4

Jul 11 2005, 09:31am

Yeah, I posted that over there. The article gives some additional insight as to why the Ranger has been "ignored." It's a pretty complex decision Ford have to make. I sure hope the Twin Cities plant survives the ordeal.

That is a good article man, although it made me interested reading it. I'm also a member of the BON forums, though I rarely post there. Later.

precaud

Jul 17 2005, 06:31pm

Here's a followup article, which goes into a bit more detail about what's at stake at both ends:

http://www.detnews.com/2005/autosinsider/0507/17/B01-250138.htm

If this goes through, there won't be any more Rangers built in the US.

n2jmk

Jul 17 2005, 08:59pm

I'm new to this Forum, but have enjoyed its content for many months. I read a few gripes and comments about Ford not putting any developmental dollars into our aging beloved Ranger. The news report below may shed some light....

The story is from Detroit News (detnews.com)

Thai pickups threaten Big Three

Free trade agreement could add a new Asian rival in what's been a Detroit stronghold.

By Lisa Zagaroli / Detroit News Washington Bureau

U.S. production

The United Auto Workers and some lawmakers are concerned that a free trade agreement with Thailand might lead to increased competition and imports of pickup trucks, resulting in lost jobs for Americans who build trucks. Here are some pickup truck production plants in the United States.

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WASHINGTON -- A free trade agreement being negotiated between the United States and Thailand could place the Asian nation alongside Japan, Korea and China as a major threat to U.S. automakers and American manufacturing jobs, officials say.

Thailand is the second-largest producer of pickup trucks in the world. The United States currently has a 25 percent tariff on all imported light trucks.

If the tariff were removed on vehicles exported to the United States from Thailand, Japanese and other automakers with assembly plants there could compete much more effectively for American truck buyers.

Meeting with Thai negotiators this past week in Montana in the latest round of bilateral talks, U.S. trade negotiators acknowledged the significance of the issue by reserving discussions on removing the tariff for the most intense final rounds of negotiations, said Rep. Sander Levin, D-Royal Oak, a leader on trade issues in Congress.

"Truck production is so critical to the Big Three," Levin said. "Thailand presents such a big threat. The concern is they could shift from the small trucks they now produce to a larger truck, and all the implications that could have."

Pickup trucks have been steady business for U.S. automakers. For example, the Ford F-150 is the best-selling vehicle in America and pickups account for 33 percent of Ford Motor Co.'s total production.

The F-150 is built in three North American plants including the Dearborn Truck plant at Ford's Rouge complex.

About 582,000 of the 928,000 vehicles that were assembled in Thailand in 2004 were light pickup trucks, according to the Automotive Trade Policy Council, which represents the Detroit's automakers on trade matters.

Due to import tariffs and taxes in place in Thailand, a vehicle imported into Thailand for sale would cost more than twice a vehicle produced there, said Stephen Collins, president of the trade policy group.

Most of the pickup production there is by Japanese companies Toyota, Mazda, Mitsubishi, Isuzu and Nissan, but General Motors Corp. and Ford also build trucks there for sale and to export to other parts of Asia.

"Thailand is an offshore pickup truck subsidiary of the Japanese auto industry," Collins said. "That is driving the pressures they are bringing to bear on the debate about wanting to secure duty-free access to dramatically increase, we believe, imports of pickup trucks from their offshore subsidiary, Thailand, to the United States.

"We are looking at substantial disruption of the U.S. pickup truck market, which has obvious plant and job implications."

While most eyes are on the heated debate in Congress over a free trade agreement with Central American nations, the United Auto Workers has made the Thai talks one of its top priorities for keeping jobs in America.

"We just see essentially the same pattern being repeated, without any regard to what that's going to do to auto production and jobs in this country," Alan Reuther, legislative director for the UAW, said of U.S. trade agreements. "We hope we will get a different result in Thailand. That's the biggest trade battle we are in currently."

The union contends not only that sales of UAW-built vehicles will drop with heightened competition, but that there will be less incentive for companies like Toyota to invest in plants like its new pickup facility in San Antonio, which opens next year, and that U.S. car companies could start importing vehicles they make in Thailand.

Reuther said he thinks that would be harmful to the ailing domestic steel industry as well.

"You'd see a huge shift of pickup truck production to Thailand; that's less American steel that would be used in the pickups. There'd be a ripple effect on other sectors as well," he said.

Dennis Fitzgibbons, director of public policy at DaimlerChrysler, said Thai capacity to build trucks is actually 1.3 million, twice its own market for the products.

"It has the UAW spooked -- us too," Fitzgibbons said. "We're not opposed in principle to eliminating the tariff, but it's a question of what do you get in return."

Fitzgibbons said officials from the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative have asked the automakers for a proposal of what it would take to get them to support a trade agreement with Thailand, but the companies haven't responded yet.

"It's premature," Collins said. "It's hard to create a scenario in which there's a substantial gain or really any net gain on the U.S. side. But we're open and we're reviewing and working with the government on various options and strategies."

The fourth round of U.S.-Thai trade talks wrapped up Friday in Great Falls, Mont., and the next round is scheduled for September in Hawaii. Negotiators are hoping to reach an agreement, which would need congressional approval, by September.

The pending agreement is so significant to the auto industry that it has even affected product design, said Steven Szakaly, an economist at the Center for Automotive Research in Ann Arbor.

He said Ford delayed a remodel of its Ranger in part because of the possible threat from Thailand, where a version of the Ranger -- as well as trucks it competes against -- is built.

"The pickup trucks from Thailand are very, very inexpensive," Szakaly said. "You don't want to invest a couple billion dollars in designing a new truck that you might not be able to sell profitably."

Most of the world pickup truck production is concentrated in North America because of the 25 percent tariff, or so-called "chicken tax," that stands in the way of the profitable U.S. market, he said.

The tax originated in the 1960s when the Germans placed a tariff on U.S. frozen chicken. The United States retaliated with a tariff on four items that included trucks because Volkswagen was exporting a small pickup at the time, said Jessica Potts, manager of public and industry affairs at the American International Auto Dealers Association.

The group, which represents dealers that sell international vehicles, is aggressively lobbying to have the tariff repealed. Representatives from the organization attended meetings last week in Montana and found the discussion promising, Potts said.

"First and foremost, it's a consumer choice issue," Potts said.

It's also an economic issue for some of its 11,000 international nameplate car dealers who aren't able to compete in the thriving pickup truck market because their manufacturers can't offer competitive choices in the United States due to the tariff, she said.

"To build a truck plant in the U.S., it can cost around a billion dollars," she said, referring to Toyota's new plant in San Antonio. "It's such a significant investment. They want to be able to test a pickup truck in the U.S. market before they make such a huge investment."

GM spokesman Chris Preuss said the company is concerned about the negotiations at a time when U.S. auto companies are struggling with health care, pensions and other costs that foreign competitors don't face.

"We're concerned a rapid repeal of that tariff could lead to further pressure on U.S. manufacturing and thus take what's already a pretty tough situation relative to our competitive position and the impact of imports," he said.

"It could make a tough situation harder. We are watching this unfold, and we are again expressing at certain levels of government our concern with how that develops."

Preuss said the company supports free trade but wants to see a gradual repeal of the tariff.

Levin said he thinks the tariff shouldn't even be on the table for discussion. He said it belongs in a multilateral trade negotiation because it involves the Japanese, Koreans and potentially other foreign automakers.

"I support free trade," Levin said. "The problem is the Japanese companies would be able to use Thailand as a platform when they haven't opened up their own markets to American competition. The problem is it would be a one-way street. And that's why it has to be done multilaterally.

"We've got to keep the heat on these countries that don't practice two-way trade. ... This would be unilateral. Our agreement would be with Thailand, not Japan or Korea. It's totally inadvisable for us to negotiate a change with Thailand. It's totally indefensible."

You can reach Lisa Zagaroli at (202) 906-8206 or lzagaroli@detnews.com.

JDugan4859

Jul 18 2005, 08:05am

blah blah blah

Thanks for copying and pasting the whole article from the guy who posted RIGHT ABOVE YOU.

BlueTooth

Jul 26 2005, 04:22pm

Ponyguy

Jul 26 2005, 05:30pm

I hope that the new ranger will offer a v6 and a v8, because both are awesome. I on the other hand wish that they do not offer a 4-door, it would weigh to much adn suck up more gas, and it would take away from the performance. Maybe they could offer a Lighting/thunderbolt model with a supercharger, bigger ports, adn heads, all aluminum block with a mean sounding cam that will sound almost like a muscle car computer programs that will allow the owner to upgrade the truck. but the down side to this would be higher insurance, but hey its all apart of owning a ranger.

Frankly, I love my 4 cylinder Ranger. I have no trouble at all keeping up with traffic, and I get extremely good gas mileage with it. I drive well over 300 miles weekly to school and back, as well as trips around town. I need good gas mileage, and to be able to haul stuff, too. I wouldn't even consider a 6 or 8 cylinder engine, or an automatic transmission.
If you don't want the true 4 door model (like they offer in Mexico & South America), don't buy it. Many folks would welcome a 4 door Ranger instead of the expensive Sport Trac.

Matt S

Jul 26 2005, 06:00pm

I love how the unions and the big three still think they deserve government protection from competitors. God forbid that they actually have to compete based on merit. A very un-American attitude if you ask me.

I like how they sometimes cloak that in patriotic themes and make it sound like a good deal for the US. Yeah, less choice is always good, I mean I'd love to go to the store and only find one brand of bread or one brand of beer... oh wait. They need to wake up and realize that people aren't buying it anymore. They have to heavily discount their products just to move them. It's high time they stopped crying and expecting the govt. to prop them up and started bringing **** to the market that people want to buy.

Thanks for copying and pasting the whole article from the guy who posted RIGHT ABOVE YOU.

haha

Tennesseeduck

Jul 30 2005, 03:56pm

Ford uses the Ranger to help it meet C.A.F.E. requirements so it is extremely unlikely you will ever see a V-8 ranger anytime in the near future. It seems the USA is the only place Ford does not market a 4 door Ranger. I am about to buy another truck for my girlfriend so I can have my '03 Ranger FX4 back and as of right now its going to be a Toyota 4 door 4x4 Tacoma. She loves the Ranger but wants a 4 door and the Toyota is what she likes best. Anyway, here is a link to some Rangers for sale in Venezuela, click on some of the pics and you will see that some are 4 doors, girlfriend loves them but Ford doesn't seem to want to market them here.

http://www.redfind.com/ofertas.php?pais=Chile&producto=Ford+Ranger

Larson

Aug 01 2005, 02:07pm

well, about lifting the tax on vehicles from thailand, the problem is, if the Big Three start struggling, cut backs are made, which means less jobs, and higher unemployment. so it could have a negative effect on the econemy, but the bottom line is that the Big Three must suck it up and bring in something competetive and inexpensive. There are mixed views here, but whether or not it happens, the Big Three still has some work to do. How about putting some duratec v6s in the Ranger? like the 30, and the up and coming 35.

mcweber12

Aug 25 2005, 05:03pm

sweeeeeeet i would so buy one! but why hasnt ford made a 4 door ranger??

Ford has made a 4 door Ranger...just not here in the US. I live in San Diego and have seen a handful of 4 door Rangers with MEX license plates. It's a pretty sweet lookin' truck. :yup:

Ponyguy

Aug 26 2005, 12:00am

Ford has made a 4 door Ranger...just not here in the US. I live in San Diego and have seen a handful of 4 door Rangers with MEX license plates. It's a pretty sweet lookin' truck. :yup:

If I'm not mistaken, the US Army has Ford Ranger 4 doors, too.

rutherk1

Aug 26 2005, 08:29am

http://www.ford.com.mx/Photos/FORD/RAN/2005/EXT/1BIG.jpg

Ford needs to import these.

I wonder if I could go to mexico and buy one and drive it back.

I cant fathom why ford is being stubborn with the ranger.

I can, and may, get another brand 4 door truck. I hate to do it as this is my 4th ranger.

No, the sport trac will not do. I need 4x4. On or off. Not all wheel drive.

Larson

Sep 01 2005, 03:58pm

and now that the Sport Trac is moving to the Explorer platfrom, and growing in size and such, it might not be too bad of an idea to make a 4 door Ranger, being small in size, as well as your wallet.

Matt S

Sep 04 2005, 08:45am

Too much yakking, not enough concept art. :E

2.3'dranger

Sep 04 2005, 10:29am

yeah i agree. i stopped posting once everyone went off track and why does everyone beg for a 4door ranger. BUY A SPORT TRAC. gezz.its a ranger that has some explorer styling. same truck. swap the front end if you must have a ranger looking front. all i can say is the new ranger will more then likely be on the same frame as the new-07sport trac and current explorers. the sport trac will be going to the new explorer frame also for 2007. that truck will probly havea reg axle spring combo and not the irs like the explorer so we'll get that setup more then likely. if the do it this way. i'd say engines will stay the same but just think you could find a wrecked newer exp and swap all the componets out to make it an 4.6L v8. that my 2 cents. oh and it'll look like a mini f150. look at the 06 and what they are trying to do. big mirrors, emblem, grille. all f150ish.

suruat98

Sep 10 2005, 08:29pm

Well Im of Ford owner of two now I have a Taurus and a 2002 Ranger Edge. Latly in the past year or so I have seen and heard Ford declining and see that they are producing a lot of junk latly. Just yesterday I saw not 1 but 2 F-150 on fire because of the cruise control problem. And another thing is that all the 2006 Explores have major problems, including not turning off. And the next thing is that all the 500's had to have there transmission either replaced or over hualed at the factory lot even before they had 1 mile on them. I believe Ford needs to get there act together and look at there future. If Toyota can make a vehicle to last for freakin forever why can't Ford. Ive always like Ford but am seeing that they are falling and producing some real junk latly.

Larson

Sep 13 2005, 10:45pm

OMFG!!!! I JUST HEARD THE RANGER ON A COMMERCIAL!!!! It was one of them family discount ones, showed many vehicles, one being a Ranger, in which is said that it was the best selling truck and has up to $3,000 cash back. I said I heard, because i didn't see it, TV was in another room. BUT FINALLY, THE RANGER WAS MENTIONED IN A COMMERCIAL, SOME FORM OF ADVERTISEMENT!

Doitinthedirt01

Sep 14 2005, 11:48am

Just wondering if someone someone could shed some light on something for me. Which way do I turn the adjustment bolts for the torsion bars on my '01 XLT 4X4?

JDugan4859

Sep 14 2005, 12:32pm

Lefty loosy, righty tighty

Freelander

Sep 23 2005, 01:59pm

This is gorgeous...I want this!

http://www.autogazeta.com/g/389/ranger03.jpg

Larson

Sep 23 2005, 03:18pm

it's nice, but i like our US version better. much more aggresive looking here in the states, while that version is downplayed.

KentuckyRanger

Sep 29 2005, 06:25pm

robsocks

Sep 29 2005, 07:05pm

There's something about new trucks that just doesn't appeal... but I'd still drive it.

ChrisF

Sep 29 2005, 07:43pm

Hate to say it but there will be no next generation ranger. At least no changes big enough to call it a generation change. I truly believe at this point ford is going to kill the ranger in less then 4 years. Probably in favor of a "truck" built on the 500 chassis. Probably the free style with a bed on the back of it..

As of right now yes there is a next generation Ranger coming out. It will not be called Ranger though. Hasn't came across my desk yet at work. Big talks about it though having the work come through. I have seen that is a quite big design though. Motor changes are coming but any old motor will be replaced here in a couple years anyways due to new fuel/emissions regulations.

ChrisF

Sep 29 2005, 07:44pm

I really don't like the European Ranger :thumbsdow
As for a diesel in a Ranger, I don't think it will happen in the U.S. for many more years. Now a V8 I could see happening and I would like to see it happen. Ford does need to make some changes to the old Ranger, maybe even make it a mid-size like the other brands. I just hope they don't ruin it's looks like Chevy did when they went from the S-10 to the Colorado, that thing's freakin' ugly.

V8 is coming in the '07 sport trac so im guessing why wouldn't they follow suit with the ranger. But my guess is it won't be till after the major redesign becuase they would have to modify the front frame of it.

satan

Oct 03 2005, 08:40pm

photoshop

Larson

Oct 03 2005, 09:09pm

As long as there is a Diesel Ranger when it's time for me to replace my current Ranger, i'll be happy:-D. Maybe something to look up to, brag about to people, get them to buy ford. And not called the Ranger? Then what would it be called, the Ranger is a great name! I wonder what they would call it if not our beloved Ranger.

Freelander

Oct 05 2005, 10:27am

photoshop

Why hello Satan. I'm normally not one to argue with someone from the underworld, but the pic I posted isn't Photoshopped. It's the European version of the Ranger. They make different versions of it in different parts of the world. I can post more pics if you like, your evilness. :)

For example, a South American Ranger looks like this: (Admittedly, this one's got a lift and 33's.)

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v477/butek/DSC05518.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v477/butek/DSC05522.jpg

Larson

Oct 05 2005, 05:23pm

that's a sweet euro ranger. i think if they can blend the style of the euro ranger and american ranger, add in some new things, and they'll have a winner.

Ponyguy

Oct 05 2005, 10:49pm

That South American Ranger would fit nicely into the Gringo showrooms... :bawl:

Got some gnarly wheels, too...

xDAVEYMACx

Oct 06 2005, 12:59am

that red one looks like a gen. 1.....im not really diggin it(no offense to gen. 1 owners)

JDSting

Oct 07 2005, 09:23pm

Many of you might already know, but I was just reading the Ford News Online(link featured on our homepage), and they stated that the Ranger might be cut loose after 2010. They may give it some face lifts between then and now, but nothing more than that. That's basically all they said. You think they would replace it with something else, but who knows this day and age.

Larson

Oct 08 2005, 12:08am

they'll probally replace it with somethign else, just as the S10 was replaced by the Colorado.

KentuckyRanger

Oct 10 2005, 07:11pm

Let's just hope that it isn't something as ugly as the Colorado.

Larson

Oct 10 2005, 08:13pm

or as crappy! those colorado's aren't very good trucks...

KentuckyRanger

Oct 10 2005, 08:27pm

Really? I didn't know that. Don't they have an inline 5 cylinder? Kinda wierd for an American engine. Would have thought they would have just gone with a V6 or inline 6.

xDAVEYMACx

Oct 10 2005, 11:34pm

idk ive heard they have v6's but i dont know for sure. i have heard horror stories about how much they suck tho. as for a new small truck from ford...theyll have to make one...the rangers been the best seller since it was made....you think fords willing to give up that market...i dont. however some changes are needed. Anyone see that new mitsubish small truck? It makes tacomas pee themselves in the commercial :)

Ponyguy

Oct 11 2005, 01:21am

Colorado and Canyon both have inline 4's standard, and inline 5's optional. Those engines are sawed-off versions of the DOHC aluminum inline six developed for the TrailBlazer. No V-6's in the General's midsize trucks.

Ponyguy

Oct 11 2005, 01:40am

as for a new small truck from ford...theyll have to make one...the rangers been the best seller since it was made....you think fords willing to give up that market...i dont. however some changes are needed.
Ford is waiting to learn about some international trade-restrictions deal with Thailand; if Ford can build their Ranger a lot ¢heaper in Thailand, guess where our new Rangers will come from? :( Ford already builds their European and Asian Rangers there.

Anyone see that new mitsubish small truck? It makes tacomas pee themselves in the commercial :)
If you like the Dakota, you'll absolutely LOVE the Meetsoobeeshy Raider; it's a rebadged Dakota.
Read: http://www.thecarconnection.com/index.asp?article=7745

Larson

Oct 11 2005, 11:24pm

i believe that it is a Frontier that pees itself in the commercial, and at least it's not an american make, which they probally did bc it's based off of the dakota, so that would be like making it's brother pee himself.

JDSting

Oct 15 2005, 10:33pm

That is a pretty awesome looking truck. But I think I'll keep my Ranger.

xDAVEYMACx

Oct 21 2005, 10:30pm

haha mitzu, nissan, toyota.....there all jokes anyway
and as for the raider....itll last about as long as those old mitzu small trucks...u know the ones you see parked in the backs of peoples houses holding the flowers...theyll realize that they have no chance, not as long as ford sticks in it

Larson

Oct 22 2005, 12:02am

haha, yeah. Once the trade talks clear out among other stuff, Ford will update the Ranger, and it'll blow everything else out of the water, I mean, I don't think Ford will let it's long standing best-selling record with the truck be taken away without getting their revenge!

66fairlane

Oct 22 2005, 04:48am

I like the new 2006 Ranger, other then the big Ford logo on the tailgate. But I see why they did that. Plus you can get the 4.0 in a Reg Cab with 4x4 and a 5-speed manual on the XLT or Sport. As so as I can get the money together I'm buying one(XLT, 4X4, Reg Cab, 4.0, 5-speed manual, BFT Package, Sonic Blue).

Larson

Oct 22 2005, 10:25am

nice, i wish i could have afforded a 4x4, or the 4.0L...but alas, i still love my 05.

thecause17

Oct 22 2005, 03:01pm

orangemini

Oct 22 2005, 07:44pm

Have they changed the interior yet its been the same since what '96?

thecause17

Oct 22 2005, 08:30pm

'95....I think in '03 or '04 they changed the gauge cluster a little...maybe the center trim vents too...hardly at all though. It's a nice interior, I could care less if they change it, it's one of the nicest interiors I've had in any vehicle I've had.

precaud

Oct 23 2005, 07:25am

What's the single most important part of the interior? The seats. The ones in my 05 are excellent, except perhaps the headrest tilts forward a tad too much for my taste. (I'm told that was fixed in the 06's) In comparison, the Colo seats really suck. The Tacoma's aren't great either.

Frankly, I don't understand the preoccupation with the style of truck interiors. It's a truck; I'm not trying to impress anybody! I want it to be comfortable, rugged, functional, and easy to maintain. My only real complaint about the interior is, I'd like to have some pockets in the doors and any other place there's unused accessible space.

Larson

Oct 23 2005, 08:53pm

my 05 has a lil space in the door to pu tstuff in. And my 05 has two-tone seats, which is really nice. it gives you what other people buy seat covers for, only stock. the interior is nice, sure, it's plastic heaven, but that's what u want in a truck, plastic, so it's easy to clean when you get it dirty.

YellowRange

Oct 27 2005, 03:26pm

hey this is prob just a rumer but someone told me that they are thinking of closing the plant in St.Paul,MN and importing the one they make overseas and rebadging it

Larson

Oct 27 2005, 03:40pm

well, a guy over at BON did report seeing the 'other' Ranger here in the states with manafacturer plates on it, with a diesel. only thing is though, that diesel, i believe, does not meet US Emmisions...and personally, i like the current ranger better.

landdriver

Oct 31 2005, 03:45pm

Just got done reading all the posts in this thread; some really slick artist renditions of concepts!

Original owner of an '83 Toyota longbed in the market for a new truck. What drew me to the Ranger is it's the only compact pickup available with a 7' longbed; all the others have 6' beds or shorter. Thus if and when the Ranger is redesigned, I hope Ford keeps the 7' bed option! At least one other person in this forum bought the Ranger for this same reason.

I also prefer the smaller pickups of yesterday to the larger compact pickups of today, so my plug is to keep the Ranger size largely unchanged and retain the excellent fuel economy of the 4cyl. Keep the manual transmission too. Maybe make the truck just a tad larger to satisfy those longing for something bigger just because everybody else is doing it, and completely redesign the interior to give it a fresh new look. Keep it cheap, keep it small, keep it fun.

JohnNetzlof

Oct 31 2005, 05:48pm

As of right now yes there is a next generation Ranger coming out. It will not be called Ranger though.

Well, then, it's not a Ranger, is it? How can you honestly say "there'll be a next Generation Ranger" and follow it up by "It won't be called a Ranger though" Thats not a Next Gen. Ranger, thats a new truck.

Larson

Oct 31 2005, 11:40pm

I wish they would stick with the Ranger name. And as landdriver states, i hope they keep it small, maybe a bit larger, but only by a couple inches here and there, not too much bigger, just slightly. And keep large beds! Do not shorten the bed for more cab room!

tonon

Nov 01 2005, 06:08pm

i wish they had long bed extended cab or a short (6 foot) bed crew cab. but i guess i could cut and weld two trucks togather.

AlfredB18

Nov 04 2005, 01:04am

hey this is prob just a rumer but someone told me that they are thinking of closing the plant in St.Paul,MN and importing the one they make overseas and rebadging it

Well, the "one they make overseas" is a Mazda B truck made by Mazda. Yes, the opposite of how it's done in North America with the Ranger being cloned to make Mazdas.

Who is "someone" in this case and who up the line is it that "someone" knows? If it ain't Billy F himself, I'm not sure I'd believe it. The Ranger line has long since paid for itself, so no real need to close it, I suppose.

That being said, I have absolutely nothing against Mazda or Nissan or anyone else that Ford has done biz with in the past or present. If Ford thinks that that version of the B-truck is up to US standards and the diesel is as well, then since I own less than half the company (zero) stock, they can do what they wish.

(Satan himself chiming in...I need to catch this thread more often.:newburn: )

Indy5Brad

Nov 09 2005, 10:51pm

What they really need to do is make the Flareside bed an inch wider because my Quad's wheelbase is .25 inch wider then my bed. I was so pissed when I tried to take my quad to my buddies house. The bed is long enough so I can close the tailgate but I can't get the damn thing in there. I have a 2002 Polaris Scrambler.

I am thinking of getting a truck in the spring though, this time with a fleetside bed and four wheel drive.

gregghealy

Nov 14 2005, 07:26pm

I heard an ad for the 2005 Ranger. The ad boasts seeting for 5 adults.

Are they serious...

Larson

Nov 15 2005, 04:05pm

it has seating for five, but five adults...well, maybe they can fit, but not comfortablly, unless you count throwing some in the bed(legal in Arizona).

tonon

Nov 15 2005, 05:51pm

even a crew cab ranger wont fit 5 adults. where i live what you said isnt legal but its done often anyways.

myforddreams

Nov 15 2005, 10:08pm

Hi, I'm new to this forum. First I have to say I like the "concpets" you guys have posted here. Can I copy those photos and post them to my blog?
Second, have you seen a "concept" by FUD on BlueOvalNews based on the Explorer? It's the best I've seen so far.

I'm not so sure I agree with the move towards a V8 in the Ranger that many have mentioned. I think the 4.0 SOHC V6 needs a little more power, but what would really set the Ranger apart is the Diesel they sell in overseas markets. Did you know that the Ranger is the best selling pickup in the UK? Did you know that anywhere in the world excpet US and Canada, Ford sells a Crew Cab Ranger? One of the posters mentioned seeing one near the Mexican border, that's more than likely, as I said this is available everywhere but US and Canada.

Has anyone here ever heard of the Ford Everest? It's a Ford Ranger based 4 door SUV like the old Toyota 4Runner, truck based sold in Asia and Middle East. I've posted on all of these on my blog www.myforddreams.blogspot.com there's a lot of ways to improve the Ranger and I'm hoping that Ford will not let the Ranger die.

Larson

Nov 15 2005, 11:15pm

As far as the name Everest has in NA, it will be a lengthened version of the Expedition, replacing the Excursion, so no, it's not based on the Ranger, and it doesn't compete with the 4Runner. As far as engines, perhaps they could bring in a truck version of the new Duratec 35. And as far as FUD's Ranger is concerned, yes it's nice, but it's not aggresive enough, FUD agreed on this with me.

Matt S

Nov 15 2005, 11:51pm

Hi, I'm new to this forum. First I have to say I like the "concpets" you guys have posted here. Can I copy those photos and post them to my blog?

OK with me, I have one without the big text on it but still has a small mark at the bottom.

http://www.rangerpowersports.com/matt/nextgen3.jpg

Thanks for the complement on your blog about the sales tracking section. It can be a headache but hopefully people get use out of it. :thumbsup:

MrRngr94

Nov 17 2005, 10:49pm

As far as the name Everest has in NA, it will be a lengthened version of the Expedition, replacing the Excursion, so no, it's not based on the Ranger, and it doesn't compete with the 4Runner.

The original overseas Everest was based on the European Ranger and did compete with the 4Runner in the overseas markets. It also had a 4cyl turbo diesel. We used them when I was in Afghanistan.

http://www.bilrevyen.no/aktuelle_modeller/ford/images/Ford_Everest_0001_M400.jpg
2003 Everest

http://www.automotriz.net/2003/salones/iaa-2003/ford-ranger_2.jpg
2003 Ranger

Martiangod

Nov 17 2005, 11:20pm

Hi, I'm new to this forum. First I have to say I like the "concpets" you guys have posted here. Can I copy those photos and post them to my blog?

www.myforddreams.blogspot.com .
Thanks here also.

Just had a read through of your blog, Good write ups, I'll keep and eye over there

Post away as long as the artist mark is left intact on the pics

http://ontarioranger.gotdns.com/drag/19.jpg

http://ontarioranger.gotdns.com/drag/17.jpg

http://mars1.gotdns.com/drag/49.jpg

http://mars1.gotdns.com/drag/51.jpg

Freelander

Nov 17 2005, 11:30pm

http://www.automotriz.net/2003/salones/iaa-2003/ford-ranger_2.jpg
2003 Ranger

Umm..maybe I'm missing something here...that's quite obviously the European Ranger...so why is the steering wheel on the left side of the truck?

MrRngr94

Nov 17 2005, 11:32pm

They make them in RHD and LHD. Same with the Everest.