Ford May Keep Building Rangers

[TheGeneral]

The ranger really need powertrain improvements too. Some MPG's couldn't hurt. 2.5 I4 would be good fit.

[GMfan1111]

The interior could use some sprucing up but otherwise its a good move by ford to give the ranger a reprieve from the chopping block. its the most fuel efficient truck they got and with the way the market is right now I'm sure ford will sell a good number of them

[Hitman1970]

Originally Posted by Ming

Still, I remember the 80's when "Rock you Like a Hurricaine" or "Rock of Ages" would play from the open windows of a passing Camaro, and that was considered bad ass, not some hotted up farm vehicle.

Both of those are staples in my Zune and other people can't hear me blare them due to my Quiet-tuned interior and a/c keeping me cool these days. Huntsville summers do not give me a lot of opportunity for windows down and sun roof open.

[psece]

Just a reminder that the Ranger came in second in sales to the Tacoma in 2007. So while the design is dated, it is still selling in good numbers. With gas the way it is, how many do you think will buy the Ranger instead of a F-150? Most people a couple of years ago saw a F-150 base as not costing that much more than a Ranger so they moved up in size. Now, it will probably be the other way around.

[red_rider]

Originally Posted by Ming

Whoa that's pretty cool looking. Forget the colorado, bring this back and revive the S-10.

As for the ranger, Ford should definitely keep it and do whatever enhancements they can do until a new small pickup arrives.

[paul8488]

They should add Sync... seems to have created a great buzz with the Focus. There's no reason the Ranger can't have a good couple more years... Ford just has to put some effort into fine-tuning what is already a finely-tuned truck (it should be after over a decade)! It really would be great if they could eek a few more mpg out of it. If they keep the price in line and make sure that base-level and mid-level models are available (try to find anything but a loaded 4x4 4-door Colorado / Canyon on a dealers lot), they might be able to entice some people that would liked to have bought an F-150 but are scared to now.

My mom's husband traded his '99 F-150 in on a 2004 Ranger last month. He found that he didn't need such a large truck and thinks that the Ranger is just great. He drives alot and uses his truck for work (no really heavy loads, but he uses it like a truck should be used) and sees some noticeable fuel savings. Ford should really do whatever they can to wring a few more miles out of the Ranger. It's much better placed to succeed now than the Colorado and Canyon.

[napolron]

I put my order in on a new ranger before what I was told was the final date. The dealer said he had a tough time getting any kind of ranger.

A nice before and after picture, my '04 in 70,000 miles had a dpf sensor go bad, and a front diff cover that leaked bother were covered with the dealer without question, they even replaced a tensioner I told them squeaked once in a while. The only difference with my new ranger is a 5speed. With around 500 miles on the clock all city driving and not being light on the right pedal I got about 17mpg, the sticker says 15.

Im gonna hate to see the ranger go, a darn fine truck IMO.

[napolron]

Oh and in those 70,000 miles if any of you think I babied my truck here is what it use to do about every weekend with me. The pic of it in my driveway was after I cleaned it up from my off road fun that weekend, notice the body lines, no wimpy toyota frame under that ranger

[doh]

The dude in our town, that bring the News Paper from the closest City, travels 750 km's per day.

He hit a moose with his last Ranger and was disapointed. It had 800,000 km's and he wanted to go for 1 million km's

I use the line while selling a "Ranger" they are "Ford's best kept secret"

[ausrutherford]

Originally Posted by napolron

Oh and in those 70,000 miles if any of you think I babied my truck here is what it use to do about every weekend with me. The pic of it in my driveway was after I cleaned it up from my off road fun that weekend, notice the body lines, no wimpy toyota frame under that ranger

Whats up with that back wheel?

[doh]

Originally Posted by ausrutherford

Whats up with that back wheel?

I think the RR just found a hole.

[ausrutherford]

Originally Posted by doh

I think the RR just found a hole.

o ok, it just looks like a broke.

[blank disk]

The current Ranger is still the best looking small truck on the market, and talk about value.

Glad to see it stay. I bet it gets powertrain upgrades as well. Perfect.

[F14CRAZY]

Powertrain wise I think it's fine, at least compared to the Colorado/Canyon...

-Manual trans:

Ford: any trim level, powertrain level, engine, cab/box config

GM: FAIL...only base trim levels, 4 cyl


-5 speed auto:

Ford: has

GM: 4 speed...FAIL


Engines:

Ford: 2.5L four, 3.0L and 4.0L SOHC V6

GM: 2.8(?)L four, 3.7 I-5...FAIL...GM forgot that some buyers want a V6

[Ming]

Well in the Colorado/Canyon's defense:

GM: Quad Cab, even with a 4-cylinder
Ford: no 4-door Ranger (super cab with the little jump seats)....FAIL

I have a 3 person family and would not subject the 3rd to a jump seat. At least not the one I experienced back in the late 90's. Maybe they're not so bad now... Can child seats be installed in the jump seats?