Why isn't the Ford Ranger a popular expedition vehicle?

Martinjmpr

Wiffleball Batter
It is still available here!:) I think it is the only model in its' "class", as the rest of the minis are not so mini anymore...


http://www.ford.com/trucks/ranger/

Last I heard, though, 2011 is to be the last year of the Ranger. :(

Do we have any ExPo folks in Argentina?

http://www.viarural.com.ar/viarural.com.ar/insumosagropecuarios/ganaderos/vehiculos/ford/ranger.htm

Specs on the double-cab Ranger:

http://www.viarural.com.ar/viarural...ehiculos/ford/ranger-ficha-tecnica-cd-4x4.htm

4 cyl turbo diesel, 5 speed tranny.

I don't care for the fender flares or the silly rollbar but this one is nice:

ranger-08.gif


Looks better without the flares IMO:

rangerdoublecab.jpg


If they offered ^^that vehicle^^ here with a 4 cyl/5 speed combo I would be driving one now.
 

RR1

Explorer
Last I heard, though, 2011 is to be the last year of the Ranger. :(
.

Was that the final decision? I thought Ford was hanging on since fuel prices are going up again, or are all their cards on the F150 Eco-Boost? Which yeah it has fantastic power, but the fuel economy still isn't all that great. 15/20 I believe, and talk about making a vehicle overly complicated, Oh Boy!

Would like to have a small truck that got high 20 to 30 mpgs.
 

Patman

Explorer
Is it just me, or do these trucks, at least the crew and the single cab pulling the trailer look an awful lot like the new world ranger, or maybe the mazda version. Being tested in the US, could mean they will be here. Looking at the picture some more, it may be Nissan, at least the one in the middle looks like an old body Fronty

attachment.php


The old body, 93 ish 4 cyl, 5 speed I beam crew could be built into an excellent rig, with a very reasonable use of the "money cannon"
 

RR1

Explorer
Is it just me, or do these trucks, at least the crew and the single cab pulling the trailer look an awful lot like the new world ranger, or maybe the mazda version. Being tested in the US, could mean they will be here."

Surfing the Ford forums, there is a rumor that we are getting the new World Ranger, (maybe with an eco-boost 4 cylinder) perhaps that is why the old Ranger is being left on the cutting room floor after the 2011 model year? Which would be great, could have a US available vehicle that is World parts supported.

As for a beamed Ranger, if 4WD you have to throw a bunch of money at if you want longer travel plus increased ride height. Well at least to do it "right". When done correctly they are awesome in the dirt at speed. There are bracket drops available but they amplify the quirks of the TTB.

Do this:

http://www.autofab.com/mdl28kit.htm

http://www.autofab.com/mdl_44_ranger.htm


Not this:

http://www.jamesoaksenterprises.com/products/skyjacker_brackets.htm
 
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Toyotero

Explorer
It's crazy $4 a gal gas and the new Taco is about the same size as the 1st gen Tundra! A good new small mini with decent mileage would get me to buy new again.

Don't overlook that the 2005 Taco gets about ~10% better fuel economy than the first gen.... along with bigger bed and more interior room, it makes for a better truck... now, had they kept the truck size as the first gen and put the advanced engine, composite bed, etc in it perhaps they could have gotten 20% increase in fuel economy in it but that's another discussion :-D
 

RR1

Explorer
Don't overlook that the 2005 Taco gets about ~10% better fuel economy than the first gen.... along with bigger bed and more interior room, it makes for a better truck... now, had they kept the truck size as the first gen and put the advanced engine, composite bed, etc in it perhaps they could have gotten 20% increase in fuel economy in it but that's another discussion :-D

I toy with the idea of swapping in the 4.0 in the smaller Tacoma. It can be done.

http://www.tacomaterritory.com/forum/showthread.php?t=76402

DSCF1102.jpg
 

mjmcdowell

Explorer
Ford Ranger..... not Expo worthy?????

I beg to differ on the matter of this little truck, I have many thousand miles on my 2009 and many nights sleeping in the cap. Many trips solo and I am very self contained. If you know your truck and your abilities to drive said truck then the Ford ranger is indeed a worthy truck for exploring. (see completed trips section for a write up/photos of some Rangers in DV and M desert) stay safe, mjmcdowell (ask Scott B or TBars on Ranger fourms :) )
 
I see those 4 door Rangers here sometimes. Usually on the 10.

I had an old ranger with the 2.3 I dont even remember the year. It was 4x4 and you could put it in low range and walk next to it. It had vent windows too! I miss those. It was a great truck, much better than the newer model I had later with the V6. That pinto motor has to be in the top 10 best automotive engines of all time. Up there with the ford 300 6 cyl. and I am by no means a Ford guy.
 

Caduceus

Adventurer
My 99 XLT is the most comfortable one I have had, well next to the 87 that I put Thunderbird seats in. I know Toyota makes a good truck but it is somewhat fad driven. The Ranger may not be the best but is a good usable rig for it's class. I've consistently had good results for mileage with the manual gear box.

I won't disagree about the Fad-driven...
Only reason I bought a Tacoma is they had better trade-in on my Explorer.
I come from a Ford family (Taurus, T-bird, Explorer Sport, my Explorer...). But my previous experiences kept me away from the Ranger, and an F-150 is just "too much truck."

Of course, a Raptor would be nice, but I think that's ME being fad-driven!
 

Quill

Adventurer
Don't overlook that the 2005 Taco gets about ~10% better fuel economy than the first gen.... along with bigger bed and more interior room, it makes for a better truck... now, had they kept the truck size as the first gen and put the advanced engine, composite bed, etc in it perhaps they could have gotten 20% increase in fuel economy in it but that's another discussion :-D

So you are a Toyota fan, I think the thread was about Rangers. There many Ranger fans. I am one. They were a compact truck that was easy to get when they started. Parts were easy to come by. The nice thing is they stayed a small truck. There were things that were not great about them, but they were still good and at a fair price. They were cheaper than many cars. In the US parts are easy to come by and since the 2.9 was a Cologne engine they are available in other places, the 4cyclinder has been around since the early 70s. They are a good serviceable small truck, inexpensive to buy. For singles, couples or even with small children there is room enough.
 

Witchdoctor Oz

Adventurer
I love my (Ford Courier) Ranger in the States.
We have taken our truck on all our desert expeditions with no issues, we have even had to help larger Tojo's & Nissans out of bog holes.
I was a Toyota fan with a SWB Hi-lux & a dual cab Hi-lux, but if the $ is important you get more truck for your $ if you look at other brands. We payed 30K for it with 20000 K's on the clock, for the same coin you get a Toyota hi-lux with 130000 K's on the dial, & that would be the base model.

http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=49195

I would go again with the new Ranger or Mazda BT-50 great trucks that can handle the Australian outback expeditions with ease.

Cheers
David
 

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