Ford Ranger - specifications, owner reviews

2024 Author: Erin Ralphs | [email protected]. Last modified: 2024-02-19 11:42

Ford Ranger appeared in 1982, replacing the outdated Ford Courier, which was produced since 1952. Initially, the new car was not much different from its predecessor. Like the Courier, it was assembled on the chassis of an ordinary passenger pickup truck with a slight increase in the undercarriage. However, due to the demand of the time, the Ford Ranger gradually turned into a high-style car. He confidently stood on a par with fashionable SUVs of the Ford family. Three years after its appearance on the market, the Ford Ranger was no longer perceived by the public as an ordinary household helper. The machine could well represent the interests of its owner in any field of activity.

Packages

Ford Ranger has improved over the years. Evolutionary changes concerned both the technical characteristics of the car and its appearance. Ford's designers worked tirelessly to give the car an ultra-modern look. The Ford Ranger did not have a salon as such. However, in terms of cabin comfort, he could compete with any middle-class passenger car. Before 1985 FordThe Ranger was available in four trim levels: base, premium (XL), comfort (XLS), and supercharged (XLT). The latter turned the car into a sparkling handsome man. The abundance of chrome moldings and all kinds of lining, velor seat upholstery, expensive plastic in the console and dashboard trim testified to the sophistication of the style. The running qualities of the car were also kept at a fairly high level, speed qualities were combined with good cross-country ability.

Improvements

In 1985, the STX version appeared with a radical change in the configuration of the seats, which took the form of a wide and comfortable bucket. At the same time, 14-inch wheels switched from stamped wheels to alloy wheels. Two years later, the two-seat Ford Ranger in the STX trim became known as the STX High Rider, due to the increased ground clearance and tire tread upgrades, which became closer to the off-road standard. In 1988, the GT version came out, putting the pickup truck on the same level as the small jeep in terms of basic parameters. However, complete certainty in the status of the machine did not work. Pickup GT Ford Ranger was produced in the amount of 2 thousand units and then discontinued due to low demand. Ranger modifications allowed manufacturers to maneuver in the tumultuous conditions of the automotive market and find the right niche for the pickup.

Powerplant

The power plant for the Ford Ranger was not particularly powerful, there was no need for it. At first, the car was equipped with a Ford Pinto OHC engine,developing a power of 86 liters. With. at 4 thousand revolutions per minute. This was quite enough for an average car load. But at full load there was a shortage of traction. Therefore, in 1983, the Ranger began to install a Cologne V6 OHV engine with a volume of 2.8 liters, with a capacity of 115 hp. with., and at the same time, a four-speed mechanical gearbox from Toyo Kogyo or a three-speed automatic Ford C-3 was attached to the motor - to choose from at the request of the buyer. In 1985, the Mitsubishi FM1 45 manual five-speed gearbox was already offered. Starting in 1986, the Ford Ranger was equipped with a 2.9-liter Cologne V6 OHV engine with a capacity of 140 hp. s.

In 1989, the second generation Ford Ranger was widely introduced with a radically redesigned exterior and a new cab. ABS was installed on the rear wheels. The rear-wheel drive Ranger began to be equipped with a Vulcan V6 OHV EFI engine, a three-liter, with a capacity of 142 hp. with., and all-wheel drive installed Cologne V8 with a capacity of 160 liters. s.

Third generation

Ford Ranger cars of the third generation appeared in 1992. The updated Ranger was significantly different from all previous versions. External changes affected primarily the front end of the car. The radiator grille has become much more modern, the front fenders have changed, the indicator lamp has been abolished, now it was in the block headlight housing. The range of engines has expanded, gearboxes have also increased their range to five options. And enginesand gearboxes could be chosen, and thus the buyer received a car that fully met specific tasks during operation.

Enter foreign market

In 1996, the question arose of re-equipping the Ford Ranger, reviews of which were not always positive, in connection with the model's entry into foreign markets. This process included an increase in the wheelbase, increased passive safety, optimization of the chassis through the installation of an ABS system on all wheels. The Vulcan V6 engine was adopted as standard in European and Latin American vehicles, and the Ford 5R55E five-speed manual transmission was also standardized.

And in 1998, the Ford Ranger, whose characteristics were adapted to the hot climate, went to a wide stream in Asian countries. At that time, the car was produced for the US domestic market and for some European countries, and in order for the car to be delivered to Asia, Ranger assembly plants had to be opened in Thailand.

Fourth Generation

The next, fourth, generation of Ford Ranger cars, after a deep modernization, received a wheelbase of 2832 mm, which increased the level of comfort on a scale of the entire car. The changes affected the front suspension, the wishbones were combined with torsion bars, while one gearbox was used - Dana 25. Ranger wheels were standardized to 15 inches, and deep-tread tires were placed on alloy wheels. The latest version of the wheels - 235 / 70R16 on titaniumdiscs.

Ford Ranger today

The Ford Ranger celebrated its 30th anniversary with several events at once. The US market closed for the car due to insufficient demand. How did the start of the campaign for deliveries of the sixth generation Ranger to European countries look like a compensation for this. The car was completely updated, it was felt that a deep restyling was carried out, and the potential for further improvements was also visible.

The latest equipment of the Ford Ranger Wildtrak is an ultra-modern appearance of a self-confident car, a bright red corporate color that has turned from a pickup truck into an SUV while maintaining the price of a business class car. The cabin is double, five-seater, convenient for boarding passengers due to the design of hinged doors. The wheels impress with 18-inch polished rims and chrome-plated roll bars that span the entire front end. Arab countries are also willing to buy a stylish car, for them the car is supplied in the Ford Ranger Sahibinden variant.