The Edge appeared in 2001 and offered a 2WD Ranger that had the ride height of a 4×4 Ranger. In 2006, Ford switched from using the Edge name to using ‘Sport’. In 2007, ‘Edge’ became a vehicle all in itself as a Ford midsize crossover SUV.
Mid-model-life face lifts are routine in the car business. You know, after the initial showroom novelty has worn off, the company goes back and makes some alterations. Maybe they add a body-color grille, put on some new wheels, and slap on an interior treatment — anything that doesn’t much alter the overall mechanical architecture.
Ford’s freshening of the 2001 Ranger is one of the farthest-ranging exercises of the type. Most notable is the scrapping of the wimpy Splash name and replacing it with Edge. On this model, a pronounced power bulge on the hood — necessary anyway for an optional 4.0-liter SOHC V-6 engine made available for 2001 (last year’s 4.0-liter V-6 used pushrods) — is teamed with a black honeycomb grille and body-color front bumper with incorporated push pads and driving lights.
The result is a new snarling face aimed at younger truck buyers. Ride height on Edge Rangers is the same higher 4×4 configuration regardless of if the Ranger is a 2WD or 4×4. The Edge also gets a molded bed rail; an easily cleaned vinyl floor interior; a 60-watt, four-speaker, CD-player stereo system; and 15-inch wheels and 235/75R-15 tires. Also, the familiar 3.0-liter V-6 pushrod engine with five-speed manual transmission comes as standard equipment.
Edge Rangers slot between the base model XL — powered in standard form by a 2.5-liter in-line four — and the high-trim-level XLT series.
Edge adds to XL:
3.0-liter V6 engine.
Air conditioning, cloth/vinyl slit bench seat, rear jump seats (SuperCab), AM/FM/CD player.
Color-keyed bumpers, fog lights, wheel lip moldings (Styleside), bed rail covers.
Front tow hooks, Class III Trailer Tow Pkg., raised ride height, 235/75R15 all-terrain white-letter tires, 4WD models add: 4-wheel drive, 2-speed transfer case, sliding rear window.
Edge Plus adds to Edge:
5-speed automatic transmission (SuperCab).
Tilt steering wheel, cruise control, AM/FM w/in-dash 6-disc CD player.
Alloy wheels, 4WD models add: 4-wheel drive, 2-speed transfer case, 5-speed automatic transmission, step bars (Flareside), 245/75R16 all-terrain white-letter tires.
4WD Edge Plus 4.0-liter adds to Edge Plus regular cab/2WD Edge Plus SuperCab:
4.0-liter V6 engine, 5-speed manual transmission, 4-wheel drive, 2-speed transfer case.
Power mirrors, power windows, power door locks, remote keyless entry.
Sliding rear window, step bars.
245/75R16 all-terrain white-letter tires.
Edge Suspension Kits:
Question – So why is it when you are shopping for 2WD suspension kits, they list kits for a 2WD and a 2WD edge? What’s the difference?
Answer – The 1998-2009 Ford Ranger 2WD uses a coil spring A-arm front suspension. The 2001-2005 Ford Ranger 2WD Edge has a torsion bar A-arm front suspension. Remember, the 2WD edge has the same ride height as a 4×4 Ranger which is higher than a normal 2WD Ranger. The 2WD Edge uses a similar torsion bar a-arm front suspension as the 1998-2009 Ford Ranger 4×4’s.
About The Author
Jim Oaks is the founder of The Ranger Station (TRS), one of the longest-running Ford Ranger enthusiast communities on the web. He has spent over three decades owning, modifying, repairing, and driving Ford Rangers on the street, trail, and overlanding routes.
Since launching TheRangerStation.com in 1999, Jim has documented thousands of real-world Ranger builds, technical repairs, drivetrain swaps, suspension modifications, and off-road adventures. TRS has been heavily referenced by enthusiasts, mechanics, and off-road builders looking for practical, experience-based information.