Why don't we see more Ford Ranger builds

[ADVNTURR]

I know you have the Ranger, so I understand that sentiment.

However, in the 80's and 90' the Bronco II and the Blazer S10 were much smaller, built on the Ranger and S10 platforms to make people like you, who appreciate a more compact truck more apt to buy into the name. Doesnt have to just be 150/1500 size. There IS a Bronco Sport now that could have been built on the Ranger platform.

I really liked that it was "truck, SUV and small truck, small SUV." Swapability was so handy

The Bronco Sport is unibody, built on a "chassis" similar to what is used by the Maverick and Escape. The Bronco and Ranger are built in the same factory (at least NA Market ones) on the same line with no pattern with 2dr, 4dr, and Rangers in all trims completely random. There's a lot of shared tooling, but there's obviously plenty of differences.

 

[nickw]

Sadly not much "bolts on" from the Bronco. I've found this out after a year of ownership. However you can use the front differential out of the Bronco for 4.70:1 gearing and a front e-locker. However you do need to have custom CVs made since the Bronco frame is a bit wider to accommodate the V6 powertrains.

If the front diff does then you can use the HD front diff. I'm pretty sure the rear axle from Bronc can be used which mean you have option for HD rear axle. Too bad about axle shafts, but I know they make upgrades ones from the Ranger so maybe those can be used.

Do you have a current gen Ranger or last gen?

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

I know you have the Ranger, so I understand that sentiment.

However, in the 80's and 90' the Bronco II and the Blazer S10 were much smaller, built on the Ranger and S10 platforms to make people like you, who appreciate a more compact truck more apt to buy into the name. Doesnt have to just be 150/1500 size. There IS a Bronco Sport now that could have been built on the Ranger platform.

I really liked that it was "truck, SUV and small truck, small SUV." Swapability was so handy

My wife has a 22 Bronco, I dd a kind of newish (2016) F-150.

The nose on the 150 is tremendous. Long hood, super deep dash, super wide. Its made for big engines and keeping them cool while towing. Since they already make a F-150 based SUV I am assuming you basically want a 2dr Expedition. Half the vehicle you couldn't do anything with... it would be hood and dash lol.

It would be silly to build the Bronco Sport on the Ranger platform when they are already making the regular Bronco on the Ranger platform... which is a global platform.

The BII was a throwback trying to give the scorned EB owners an alternative to the fullsize Bronco, they are actually pretty similar in dimensions.

Ford Bronco & Bronco II Dimensions - Bronco Corral

Looking for dimensions for the 1966-1996 Ford Bronco or 1984-1990 Ford Bronco II? Check out the Ford Bronco dimensions on this page.

www.broncocorral.com

The BII eventually morphed into the Explorer which blew Bronco sales big and small out of the water and at the end of the day probably killed the Bronco (similar to the S-10 Blazer vs the K5)

I disagree somewhat. The Ranger and Broco are basically built for different purposes. As soon as you begin building them totally off of the same platform you begin having to deal with compromises. They do have similarities in some areas. Engines are pretty much the same. Transmissions likewise. I don't know enough about either of them to know of other similarities, but I don't think there is a need to have swappable stuff. If you need a part for a Bronco, get one for a Bronco. Same goes for a Ranger.

I think the only thing that using the same platform provides an advantage to is the manufacture. Having more parts that can be put on two of more different vehicles helps to lower the cost of making those vehicles. I doubt much of that is passed on the customer. The customer is the one ends up with the compromises.

Actually the Bronco's Ranger roots gives it the common 6 lug wheel bolt pattern. So it can use the same wheels as a Toyota or Chevy. Unlike the F-150 that can use any wheel it wants as long as it is for an F-150...

Swapability is a good thing though, one off stuff is less likely to be in stock. A starter that is only used on one model may not be stocked at a parts store, definitely not to the same inventory levels as a starter that fits five models that will see much higher demand.

 

[montechie]

While I like the idea of the new Bronco, theres a reason the first Blazer was but of the C/K platform, and why Bronco followed suit putting the Bronco on the F150 platform back in '78.

I was really hoping both Chevy and Ford would do the same in these most recent iterations of Blazer and Bronco - just build them off the respective truck platforms -as that way the most stuff possible is swappable.

Alas, alak, no such luck.

This is certainly a benefit owning a Gladiator, takes a lot of parts from the JL Wrangler, pretty much anything from the rear doors forward. Gave me confidence buying a 1st model vehicle, in case Stellantis cancelled the truck. Aftermarket support for my low volume Gladiator is significantly better than for the F-150. Which blows my mind a bit.

I've been cross-shopping Fords as a 2nd or a replacement truck, the main draw back I run into is the aftermarket support. You can find quality parts, but you really have to hunt for the Ranger or F-150 and piece stuff together vs a Ram or certainly Jeep/Toyota. Even mounting a winch is a bit of a challenge on the Ranger Raptor. Not sure how much of the European parts fit North American Rangers.

Anyone has a go to Ranger armor/bumper supplier? Someone like CBI for Toyota? I know RCI makes skids for the F-150 and Ranger, but no bumpers. There's some hide-a-winch plates for the F-150 (requires a wireless clutch) but haven't seen much for the NA Ranger, and only a few bumpers. Long Range America makes bigger fuel tanks for the Ranger. I've certainly used my armor and winches on my Jeeps and past Taco, so for me it's a requirement.

 

[montechie]

I disagree somewhat. The Ranger and Broco are basically built for different purposes. As soon as you begin building them totally off of the same platform you begin having to deal with compromises.

This is also certainly true, even though I really appreciate the amount of swappable parts on my Gladiator with the Wrangler, they did compromise a some on cooling through the grill for the truck. They increased the JL's grill from the JK with the Gladiator/JT in mind, but I'm sure they would've done something bigger if they just focused on the truck. Still managed 7700 lbs of towing on the gasser though, but the diesel is prone to overheating.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

This is certainly a benefit owning a Gladiator, takes a lot of parts from the JL Wrangler, pretty much anything from the rear doors forward. Gave me confidence buying a 1st model vehicle, in case Stellantis cancelled the truck. Aftermarket support for my low volume Gladiator is significantly better than for the F-150. Which blows my mind a bit.

I've been cross-shopping Fords as a 2nd or a replacement truck, the main draw back I run into is the aftermarket support. You can find quality parts, but you really have to hunt for the Ranger or F-150 and piece stuff together vs a Ram or certainly Jeep/Toyota. Even mounting a winch is a bit of a challenge on the Ranger Raptor. Not sure how much of the European parts fit North American Rangers.

Anyone has a go to Ranger armor/bumper supplier? Someone like CBI for Toyota? I know RCI makes skids for the F-150 and Ranger, but no bumpers. There's some hide-a-winch plates for the F-150 (requires a wireless clutch) but haven't seen much for the NA Ranger, and only a few bumpers. Long Range America makes bigger fuel tanks for the Ranger. I've certainly used my armor and winches on my Jeeps and past Taco, so for me it's a requirement.

A friend of mine has TJM bumpers pm his Tremor and likes them.

Post in thread 'Snoranger’s 2023 Ranger Lariat Tremor' https://www.therangerstation.com/fo...2023-ranger-lariat-tremor.199745/post-1979481

I don't know anyone with a Raptor though.

Warn, ARB and Rough Country make bumpers too. I just saw an ARB one the other day with with the side tubes and it looked sharp.



Actually in the days of old Ford themselves made a winch mount with a Ramsey winch. By the '91 accessory catalog it had been dropped though.

 

[RealRigsRattle]

If the front diff does then you can use the HD front diff. I'm pretty sure the rear axle from Bronc can be used which mean you have option for HD rear axle. Too bad about axle shafts, but I know they make upgrades ones from the Ranger so maybe those can be used.

Do you have a current gen Ranger or last gen?

I have a 2020, so last gen. Rangers 2019 to 2023 are rear leaf springs. Broncos are rear coils. Ranger's 2024+ are rear coils. The rear gear sets are the same on all modern Broncos and 2019 + Rangers, so matching the 4.7 HD front diff gearing is factory supported via Ford Performance Parts catalog.

 

[RealRigsRattle]

Actually the Bronco's Ranger roots gives it the common 6 lug wheel bolt pattern.

This is a huge boon to the Ranger as well. Tons of Bronco owners ditch their factory wheels and some times tires before they even leave the lot. Meaning factory wheel options that have proper load and safety ratings, with different offsets, reasonable weights, and even a few factory beadlock capable options! The Bronco having a matching full size spare is awesome for Ranger owners as well since all our spares are steelies. The wheels on the Big Bend trim Bronco for example are 6 lbs a wheel lighter than my Ranger "sport" wheels and I can find a set of 5 wheels all day for $200 or less! That means with certain tire selections I can lower the rotating mass on each corner and get a tougher, taller tire.

 

[RealRigsRattle]

This is certainly a benefit owning a Gladiator, takes a lot of parts from the JL Wrangler, pretty much anything from the rear doors forward. Gave me confidence buying a 1st model vehicle, in case Stellantis cancelled the truck. Aftermarket support for my low volume Gladiator is significantly better than for the F-150. Which blows my mind a bit.

I've been cross-shopping Fords as a 2nd or a replacement truck, the main draw back I run into is the aftermarket support. You can find quality parts, but you really have to hunt for the Ranger or F-150 and piece stuff together vs a Ram or certainly Jeep/Toyota. Even mounting a winch is a bit of a challenge on the Ranger Raptor. Not sure how much of the European parts fit North American Rangers.

Anyone has a go to Ranger armor/bumper supplier? Someone like CBI for Toyota? I know RCI makes skids for the F-150 and Ranger, but no bumpers. There's some hide-a-winch plates for the F-150 (requires a wireless clutch) but haven't seen much for the NA Ranger, and only a few bumpers. Long Range America makes bigger fuel tanks for the Ranger. I've certainly used my armor and winches on my Jeeps and past Taco, so for me it's a requirement.

Ford Performance and ARB made a pretty nice bumper that supports a winch and you can't beat the price at $495! Doesn't support the front parking sensors sadly, but their are plenty of people that have fixed that with a holesaw. Also this bumper can be programmed into the body control module to calibrate it for airbags.

ARB Ford Performance Bumper