Ford Ranger

Ford Ranger (North American)

Manufacturer	Ford Motor Company
Production	1983–present
Assembly	Saint Paul, Minnesota, United States Edison, New Jersey, United States Louisville, Kentucky, United States
Predecessor	Ford Courier
Class	Compact pickup truck
Layout	Front-engine, rear-wheel drive / Four-wheel drive

Ford Ranger is a name used on two distinct compact pickup truck lines by the Ford Motor Company and by a marketing arrangement with Mazda.

• A Ford-designed compact pickup truck, which is sold and manufactured in North America as well as Brazil, Chile, Argentina and South Africa. It is also currently marketed as the Mazda B-Series (North America) by Mazda dealers. In North America it is built in St. Paul, Minnesota.
• A Mazda-designed compact pickup known as Mazda B-Series sold in more than 130 countries, and also sold with a Ford Ranger nameplate.^[1]

The use of four-wheel drive in light trucks and the Ranger name began in May 1950 when Marmon-Herrington announced a four-wheel drive conversion of a Ford panel truck with windows added to it. In 1965, the "Ranger" name was introduced as a premium styling package for the F-Series full-sized pickup trucks. The name was moved to this line of North American compact trucks for the 1983 model year.

North American Ranger

First generation

Production	1983–1988
Engine(s)	2.0 L OHC I4 2.2 L Perkins 4.135 Diesel I4 2.3 L OHC I4 2.3 L Mitsubishi 4D55 Turbodiesel I4 2.8 L Cologne V6 2.9 L Cologne V6
Transmission(s)	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
Wheelbase	107.9 in (2741 mm) 113.9 in (2893 mm) 125 in (3175 mm)
Length	175.6 in (4460 mm) 187.6 in (4765 mm) 192.7 in (4895 mm)
Width	66.9 in (1699 mm)
Related	Ford Bronco II

In North America, the Ranger is Ford's compact pickup truck. 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 2011. They were also assembled in Louisville, Kentucky until 1999 and in Edison, New Jersey until the plant's closing in 2004. It was reported in 2005 that an all-new Ranger, codenamed P273, was in the works to be introduced by 2010.^[2] 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. According to a recent article in the Car and Driver, there are three alternatives for Ford: 1) to redesign and continue to build the next generation in North America; 2) to import a smaller version from the plant in Thailand; and 3) to discontinue the Ranger line and exit the compact pickup market in North America.^[3] There are rumors that Ford's future product plans in the compact pickup market segment will be announced closer to the end of Ford Ranger production at the Highland Park, Minnesota plant in 2010-2011. There are reports that the plant will be sold and redeveloped once the production is ceased.^[4][5]

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 (1.2 m) sheet of plywood is a common standard for trucks. In the compact Ranger, however, the space between the wheel wells was less than four feet; Ford designed the box with provisions to allow hauling of a standard sheet of plywood.^[6]

1983 Ranger production began January 18, 1982 at the Louisville Assembly Plant,^[7] hitting showrooms in March.^[8] Available engines were the 72 hp (54 kW) 2.0 L and 86 hp (64 kW) 2.3 L OHC four-cylinders, a four-cylinder 59 hp (44 kW) 2.2 L Mazda/Perkins diesel, and a 115 hp (86 kW) 2.8 L Cologne V6. In 1985, a Mitsubishi-built 2.3 L turbodiesel with 86 hp (64 kW) replaced the Mazda diesel engine, and in 1986, the 2.8 L engine was replaced with a 140 hp (104 kW) 2.9 L Cologne V6. The SuperCab was introduced in 1986, offering an extra 17 inches (432 mm) 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.^[9]

Second generation (1989–1992)

Second generation

Production	1989–1992
Engine(s)	2.3 L OHC I4 2.9 L Cologne V6 3.0 L Vulcan V6 4.0 L Cologne V6
Transmission(s)	Manual 5-speed Mitsubishi FM132 5-speed Mitsubishi FM146 5-speed Mazda M5OD-R1 Automatic 4-speed A4LD
Wheelbase	107.9 in (2741 mm) 113.9 in (2893 mm) 125 in (3175 mm)
Length	176.5 in (4483 mm) 188.5 in (4788 mm) 193.6 in (4917 mm)
Width	66.8 in (1697 mm)
Related	Ford Bronco II Ford Explorer Mazda Navajo

The truck received a facelift in 1989, which included flush composite headlamps, new front fenders, hood, and grille, along with some upgrades to the frame. Inside, there was a modern new dashboard and steering column. Rear-wheel antilock brakes were added, and a 21 US gal (79 L; 17 imp gal) fuel tank was now optional on extended-cab models.

The 2.0 L engine was discontinued, and the 2.3 L now had a distributor-less ignition system with two spark plugs per cylinder, giving it a 14 hp (10 kW) boost. The three-speed automatics were dropped, leaving only the A4LD. The new 160 hp (119 kW) 4.0 L Cologne V6 was added to the option list for all models in 1990. The 145 hp (108 kW) 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 powered by a 3.0 L SHO V6.

Third generation (1993–1997)

Third generation

Production	1993–1997
Engine(s)	2.3 L OHC I4 3.0 L Vulcan V6 4.0 L Cologne V6
Transmission(s)	Manual 5-speed Mazda M5OD-R1 Automatic 4-speed A4LD 4-speed 4R44E 4-speed 4R55E 5-speed 5R55E
Wheelbase	107.9 in (2741 mm) 113.9 in (2893 mm) 125.2 in (3180 mm) 125.4 in (3185 mm)
Length	184.3 in (4681 mm) 196.3 in (4986 mm) 198.2 in (5034 mm) 182.7 in (4641 mm)
Width	69.4 in (1763 mm)
Related	Ford Explorer Mazda Navajo Mercury Mountaineer

In 1993 there 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 flare side bed, unique aluminum wheels, a special paint scheme, and what looked like a lowered suspension. 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. For the 1995 model year, the Splash trim had options which all included; a lowered suspension, flare side bed, an extended cab, and unique aluminum wheels/paint job.

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.

Typical Ford Ranger dash panel

Standard Ford Ranger Jump Seat closed

Standard Ford Ranger Jump Seat open

Fourth generation (1998–present)

Fourth generation

Production	1998–present
Engine(s)	2.3 L Duratec I4 2.5 L OHC I4 3.0 L Vulcan V6 4.0 L Cologne V6
Transmission(s)	Manual 5-speed Mazda M5OD-R1 Automatic 4-speed 4R44E 5-speed 5R55E
Wheelbase	111.6 in (2835 mm) 117.6 in (2987 mm) 125.9 in (3198 mm)
Length	188.5 in (4788 mm) 200.5 in (5093 mm) 202.9 in (5154 mm)
Width	70.3 in (1786 mm)
Height	68.3 in (1735 mm) 69.4 in (1763 mm)
Related	Ford Explorer Mazda B-Series Mercury Mountaineer

For 1998 the Ranger got another redesign, giving it a longer wheelbase and a three-inch (76 mm) longer cab for the 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 engine was bumped up to a 2.5 L SOHC I4 giving it a 6% increase in power than the old 2.3 L. It put out 120 hp (89 kW) and 149 lb·ft (202 N·m) of torque. 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. In 2001, the Ranger received a facelift, including a new grille, hood, and front bumper, as well as updated headlights and taillights. In 2004 the Ranger received minor updates to the grille, hood, and front bumper. New front bucket seats were also added in 2004 to meet the new U.S. Federal safety requirements. In 2006 the Ranger received more minor updates to the grille, front turn signals and taillights, along with a bigger rear Ford logo that was now centered in the middle of the tailgate.

2001-2003 Ford Ranger extended cab

2004-2005 Ford Ranger extended cab

2006-present Ford Ranger regular cab

The current Ranger is offered with a 143 hp (107 kW) 2.3 L I4 and a 207 hp (154 kW) 4.0 L V6. The 3.0 Vulcan V6 was discontinued as of the 2009 model year. The FX4 Level II version comes with a special 31-spline 8.8-inch (223.5 mm) rear axle equipped with a Zexel-Torsen limited-slip differential, 3 skid plates, upgraded tow hooks, 31" BFGoodrich All Terrains, 15" Alcoa wheels, 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.

Future

Ford chose to invest improvements in the Ford Explorer SUV which was branched to a more advanced platform than the Ranger, letting Ranger's 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. However as a result of the drastic shift toward smaller and more fuel efficient vehicles in North America, Ford has said it will continue to produce the Ford Ranger through 2011 at its Twin Cities, Minn. plant, which was scheduled to close in 2009.^[10]

Since then, all of its competitors from the Nissan Frontier to the Toyota Tacoma have been redesigned and enlarged towards the mid-size market, leaving the Ranger and its twin, the Mazda B-Series, the only compact trucks on the market. For example, the 2005 Nissan Frontier offered up to 28% more power than a Ranger (265 vs. 207), and the entry level model was over a foot longer.^[11] Since 2004, the Toyota Tacoma has taken a commanding lead (93% higher sales than the Ranger in 2006) in the segment.^{[citation needed]} 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.^{[citation needed]} The Ranger still remains a fairly decent seller for Ford, with companies like Auto Zone buying them regularly as well as individuals seeking good fuel mileage in a compact truck (Ranger gets better MPG than any other pickup with its Mazda-built 4cyl engine).

Ford initially considered two new, smaller-than-F-150 pickup trucks, one based on the F-Series (following the older F-100 offering) and the other a replacement for the current Ranger compact, which is unchanged, save for facelifts, since the 1998 model year. The F-100 has since been tabled, in favor of offering an EcoBoost engine in the F-150 product line.^[12]

The Ranger replacement, codenamed T6, is being designed and developed by Ford Australia ^[13] and was originally intended only for world markets other than the U.S. However, T6 engineering prototypes are being tested in the U.S. ^[14] This new Ranger will be launched in 2012 and will be similar to the new international version.^[15] It is reported that the new truck will come with two engine choices: a 1.6 L EcoBoost four-cylinder, and the 3.0 L Duratorq diesel for models sold outside the U.S.^[14]

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 four-wheel drive Ranger's chassis, however, it was RWD only and employed an independent rear suspension unique to the Electric Ranger.

References

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Ford Ranger

• Ford Ranger official web site
• Specifications and technical data