Ford Ranger
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Ford Ranger (North American) | |
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| Manufacturer: | Ford Motor Company |
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| Production: | 1983–present |
| Assembly: | Saint Paul, Minnesota Edison, New Jersey |
| Predecessor: | Ford Courier |
| Class: | Compact pickup truck |
| Similar: | Chevrolet Colorado Dodge Dakota Toyota Tacoma |
The Ford Ranger name is used on two distinct and unrelated pick-up truck lines by the Ford Motor Company:
- The Ford-designed compact pickup truck (documented here), which is sold only in North America
- The Mazda-designed compact pickup (documented at Mazda B-Series (International) sold in more than 130 countries
Contents |
North American Ranger
In North America, the Ranger is Ford's entry-level pickup truck. In the 1960s and 1970s, the name was an option package on the Ford F-Series. The truck has been the best-selling compact pickup in America since 1987.
The Ranger and related Mazda B-Series are manufactured at Ford's Twin Cities Assembly Plant in Saint Paul, Minnesota, which is scheduled to close in 2008. They were also assembled in Edison, New Jersey until the plant's closing in 2002. Ford's future product plans in the compact pickup market segment are expected to be announced closer to the end of Ford Ranger production at the Highland Park, Minnesota plant in 2008.
First generation (1983-1988)
| First generation | |
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| Production: | 1983-1988 |
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| Engine: | 2.0 L OHC I4 2.2 L Diesel I4 2.3 L OHC I4 2.3 L Diesel I4 2.8 L Cologne V6 2.9 L Cologne V6 |
| Transmission: | Manual 4-speed Mazda TK4 5-speed Mazda TK5 5-speed Mitsubishi FM132 5-speed Mitsubishi FM145 5-speed Mitsubishi FM146 5-speed Mazda M5OD-R1 Automatic 3-speed C3 3-speed C5 4-speed A4LD |
| Related: | Ford Bronco II |
Ford began development of the Ranger in 1976, focusing on quality and fuel efficiency. The intent was to build a truck that was as capable as the full-size F-series, but in a more economical package. The compact Ranger had styling similar to the full-size Ford pickups, used a similar architecture, and was offered with four-wheel drive. The ability to haul a four-foot-wide sheet of plywood is a common standard for trucks. In the compact Ranger, however, the space between the wheelwells was less than four feet; Ford designed the box with provisions to allow hauling of a standard sheet of plywood.
The Ranger was introduced in mid-1982 for the 1983 model year. It replaced the Ford Courier, an American version of the Mazda B-Series. Available engines were the 72 hp 2.0 L and 86 hp 2.3 L OHC four-cylinders, a four-cylinder 59 hp 2.2 L Mazda diesel, and a 115 hp 2.8 L Cologne V6. In 1986, the 2.8 L engine was replaced by a 140 hp 2.9 L Cologne V6, and a Mitsubishi-built 86 hp 2.3 L turbodiesel with replaced the Mazda diesel engine. The SuperCab was introduced in 1986, offering an extra 17 inches of storage space behind the front seats, with a pair of jump seats available as an option.
Mid-year 1986 saw the introduction of the Ranger GT. Only available as a standard cab short bed, it had the 2.9 L Cologne V6 with either a 5-speed Mazda manual transmission or an optional A4LD automatic transmission putting power to a Traction-Lok differential with a 3.73 gear ratio. Inside, the truck was equipped with special bucket seats, full instrument cluster, and an optional center console. Front and rear sway bars were installed, and 14x6 aluminum wheels completed the package. A long bed option was added for 1987, and a new ground effects package was introduced in 1988.
Second generation (1989-1992)
| Second generation | |
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| Production: | 1989-1992 |
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| Engine: | 2.3 L OHC I4 2.9 L Cologne V6 3.0 L Vulcan V6 4.0 L Cologne V6 |
| Transmission: | Manual 5-speed Mitsubishi FM132 5-speed Mitsubishi FM146 5-speed Mazda M5OD-R1 Automatic 4-speed A4LD |
The truck received a facelift in 1989, which included flush headlamps, new front fenders, hood, grille, and a modern new dashboard and steering column, and some changes to the frame. Rear-wheel antilock brakes were added, and a 21-gallon fuel tank was now optional on extended-cab models.
The 2.0 L engine was discontinued, and the 2.3 L now had dual spark plugs, giving it a 14 hp boost. The 4.0 L Cologne V6 was added to the option list in 1990. The 145 h 3.0 L Vulcan V6 was introduced to replace the 2.9 L Cologne in rear-wheel drive trucks later in 1990. With the new engines, the only manual transmission available was the M5OD-R1.
The Ranger GT was discontinued, although Ford did build a prototype for 1990 that had a 3.0 L SHO V6.
Third generation (1993-1997)
| Third generation | |
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| Production: | 1993-1997 |
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| Engine: | 2.3 L OHC I4 3.0 L Vulcan V6 4.0 L Cologne V6 |
| Transmission: | Manual 5-speed Mazda M5OD-R1 Automatic 4-speed A4LD 4-speed 4R44E 4-speed 4R55E 5-speed 5R55E |
1993 was another redesign, with a shape more aerodynamic than before. Overall the truck had smoother lines, and other changes included flush-mounted door glass, wider doors, and slight fender flares. The 1989-style dashboard remained, but the seats and door panels were new. The 2.9 L engine was discontinued. A new "Splash" model was introduced, which had a flareside bed, unique aluminum wheels, and a special paint scheme. The 1993 Splash models were only available as a regular cab, later models could have either cab. The Mazda B-Series became a rebadged Ranger for the 1994 model year. The trucks got a new dashboard in 1995, which allowed room for the passenger's side airbag, installed in 1996. Also in 1995, the front brakes were changed to use the same 2-piston brake calipers as the second generation Explorer.
Fourth generation (1998-present)
| Fourth generation | |
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| Production: | 1998-present |
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| Engine: | 2.3 L Duratec I4 2.5 L OHC I4 3.0 L Vulcan V6 4.0 L Cologne V6 |
| Transmission: | Manual 5-speed Mazda M5OD-R1 Automatic 4-speed 4R44E 5-speed 5R55E |
| Related: | Ford Explorer Mazda B-Series Mercury Mountaineer |
For 1998 the Ranger got another redesign, giving it a longer wheelbase and a longer cab. The 1995 interior was retained. The twin I-beam front suspension was replaced by a wishbone-style system. The four-cylinder was bumped up to a 2.5 L SOHC I4 rated at 119 hp. That engine was replaced by a new DOHC 2.3 L Duratec I4 in mid-2001. 2001 also saw the pushrod 4.0 L V6 replaced by the SOHC version from the Explorer. For 2001, the Ranger received a minor facelift with a new grille and hood, another minor grille and hood alteration in 2004, and another exterior refresh appeared for 2006.
The current Ranger is offered with a 143 hp 2.3 L I4, a 148 hp 3.0 L V6, and a 207 hp 4.0 L V6. All transmissions are 5-speed w/overdrive and come with a choice of manual or automatic. The FX4 version comes with a special 31-spline 8.8 inch rear axle equipped with a Zexel-Torsen limited-slip differential, 3 skid plates, and Bilstein shocks. This truck uses code R1 (for 2-door) and R4 (for 4-door) in the 5th and 6th positions of the VIN.
Electric Ranger
The Ford Ranger EV was a battery electric vehicle produced by Ford Motor Company. It was produced starting in 1998 through 2002 and was built on the rear-wheel drive Ranger's chassis.
External links
- Ford Ranger official web site
- Ranger-Forums.com
- The Ranger Station.com
- Ranger Power Sports.com
- Engines and power ratings
- Ford Ranger user manuals archive 1996-2005
| Ford light truck timeline, North American market, 1980s-present - | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Compact SUV | Bronco II | Escape | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Mid-size SUV | Explorer | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Full-size SUV | Bronco | Expedition | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Minivan | Aerostar | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Windstar | Freestar | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Pickup | F-Series | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Courier | Ranger | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Van | E-Series | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
