Ford Ranger
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Ford Ranger (North American) | |
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| Manufacturer | Ford Motor Company |
| Production | 1983–present |
| Assembly | Saint Paul, Minnesota Edison, New Jersey Louisville, Kentucky |
| 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 pickup truck lines by the Ford Motor Company:
- The Ford-designed compact pickup truck (documented here), which is sold only in North America, Brazil and Argentina
- The Mazda-designed compact pickup (documented at Mazda B-Series (International) sold in more than 130 countries
Contents |
[edit] North American Ranger
| First generation | |
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| Production | 1983-1988 |
| 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 Toyo Kogyo TK4 5-speed Toyo Kogyo 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 |
In North America, the Ranger is Ford's compact pickup truck. In the 1960s and 1970s, the name was an option package on the Ford F-Series. The Ranger replaced the Ford Courier, an American version of the Mazda B-Series in a segment largely defined by the Toyota and Datsun pickup trucks. The Ranger was the best-selling compact pickup in America from 1987 to 2004.
The Ranger and related Mazda B-Series are manufactured at Ford's Twin Cities Assembly Plant in Saint Paul, Minnesota, which is now scheduled to close in 2008. They were also assembled in Edison, New Jersey until the plant's closing in 2004. In 2006, an all-new Ranger, codenamed P273, was in the works to be introduced by 2010. [1] The P273 was slated to be world pickup, presumably to be merged with the Mazda world pickups. A 2007 Ranger for the Thai market based on the Asian 4Trac concept was unveiled, but it is not scheduled to replace the North American truck. Instead rumours were that Ford may simply discontinue the Ranger line completely in North America. 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.
[edit] First generation (1983-1988)
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. 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 with 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. Many interior parts such as steering wheels and window cranks were shared with other Fords such as the Escort.
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 Toyo Kogyo 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.
[edit] Second generation (1989-1992)
| Second generation | |
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| Production | 1989-1992 |
| 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 |
| Related | Ford Bronco II Ford Explorer Mazda Navajo |
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 three-speed automatics were dropped, leaving only the A4LD. The new 160 hp 4.0 L Cologne V6 was added to the option list for all models in 1990. The 145 hp 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 5-speed M5OD-R1.
The Ranger GT was discontinued, although Ford did build a prototype for 1990 that had a 3.0 L SHO V6.
[edit] Third generation (1993-1997)
| Third generation | |
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| Production | 1993-1997 |
| 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 |
| Related | Ford Explorer Mazda Navajo |
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. The Mazda M5OD-R1 was now the sole manual transmission option. 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.
A number of changes were made for 1995. The dashboard was completely redesigned, and it allowed room for a passenger's side airbag, installed in 1996. The A4LD transmission was updated. 2.3 L and 3.0 L models got the 4R44E, while 4.0 L trucks got the 4R55E. The front brakes were changed to use the same 2-piston brake calipers as the second generation Explorer, and four-wheel anti-lock brakes were added as standard on 4x4 and 4.0 L models.
[edit] Fourth generation (1998-present)
| Fourth generation | |
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| Production | 1998-present |
| 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 three-inch longer cab for regular cab models. The 1995-97 interior was retained. The twin I-beam front suspension was replaced by a wishbone-style system and the front half of the frame was of "boxed", rather than C-channel construction. Rack and pinion steering was also added. 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, bringing with it a beefier M5OD-R1HD manual transmission. Also in 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.
 4th-gen Ranger with first facelift |
 4th-gen Ranger with second facelift |
 4th-gen Ranger with third facelift |
 2007 Ford Ranger with the off road package |
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.
[edit] Decline
Ford chose to invest improvements in the Ford Explorer SUV which was branched to a more advanced platform than the Ranger, letting Ranger sales decline. A similar strategy was applied to the Ford Taurus, another former best seller which was replaced by two new nameplates rather than redesigned, which some analysts believe contributed to Ford's current financial losses.
Since then, all of its competitors from the Dodge Dakota to the Toyota Tacoma have been redesigned and enlarged towards the mid-size market, leaving the Ranger the only original compact truck in its size range, with many offering V8 engines, and undergoing two generations of redesign. For example, the 2005 Nissan Frontier offered up to 28% more horsepower than a Ranger (265 vs. 207), and the entry level model was over a foot longer. [2] Since 2004, Toyota Tacoma has taken a commanding lead (93% higher sales than the Ranger in 2006) in the segment. In January 2007, Ford sold 4,652 Rangers, a decline of 25% from the previous year, one-tenth the number of F-series trucks, and about half as many as the Explorer.
[edit] 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.
[edit] External links
- Ford Ranger official web site
- The Ranger Station.com
- Ranger Power Sports.com
- Engines and power ratings
[edit] Notes
- ^ Future Cars: Ford/PAG/Mazda
- ^ [1] Forbes.com Ford Ranger Vs. Nissan Frontier Dan Lienert 08.10.05
| Ford Motor Company light truck timeline, North American market, 1980s-present - | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Type | 1980s | 1990s | 2000s | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | |
| Compact SUV | Bronco II | Escape | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Crossover SUV | Edge | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Freestyle | Taurus X | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Mid-size SUV | Explorer | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Full-size SUV | Bronco | Expedition | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Excursion | Flex | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Minivan | Windstar | Freestar | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Pickup | F-Series | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Courier | Ranger | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Van | Aerostar | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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