More new Ranger speculation...

[Bird76Mojo]

It looks to have aluminum lower control arms. Does the the US Ranger currently have aluminum a-arms?

I do agree that there's something weird going on with that low-hanging dual exhaust, and when going over the speedbump, the squeaking could indicate it's undergoing some testing of new components.


https://www.motor1.com/news/315853/ford-ranger-raptor-spied-v6/

The rear suspension has some odd stuff going on too..

GB

 

[adsm08]

Aluminum lower arms are common. I know the F-150s have had them for decades now, I cant remember what the Rangers and Explorers had, but I think it was stamped steel.

 

[Ranger850]

Maybe the aluminum is to lighten up the front end for the v6

 

[Uncle Gump]

Looks to me like the rear suspension might be a three link on coils...

 

[Ranger850]

Looks to me like the rear suspension might be a three link on coils...

I'm dumb, so I have to ask. What is the difference and advantages

 

[sgtsandman]

The rear axle definitely looks different and has lateral control arms and trailing arms for locating the axle, so looks like coil springs. Coils tend to give a better ride. Though I think truck have traditionally went with leaf springs due to simplicity and it's cheaper to make. The axle itself almost looks like something of a 70 series Toyota. If so, that's a pretty tough axle.

The exhaust looks slapped on. Good enough for test and evaluation but definitely not the best looking.

Like adsm08 said, F150s have had aluminum lower control arms for a while. I think current Explorers do as well but I'm not sure.

 

[2002edgeplussupercab]

Could be a F150 Raptor exhaust bolted to the 2.3eco or a 2.3 eco HO.

 

[Bird76Mojo]

Looks to me like an Aussie spec Raptor without the diesel. It has aluminum lower control arms. The fender bulges/flares look like Aussie Raptor spec stuff..

Aluminum front lower arms: https://d3lp4xedbqa8a5.cloudfront.net/imagegen/max/ccr/1023/-/s3/digital-cougar-assets/whichcar/2018/09/20/-1/ford-ranger-raptor-wide.jpg

https://images.carscoops.com/2018/09/46c3da23-2019-ford-ranger-raptor-8.jpg

Here are some old shots of the rear on the SVT forum: https://www.svtperformance.com/threads/2019-ford-ranger-5-hits.1154832/

But if you search more, here's an old post about the Everest and it shows the same rear suspension: https://www.netcarshow.com/ford/2016-everest/1024x768/wallpaper_3a.htm

Same rear linkages: http://www.fourwheeler.com/news/1708-spied-20192020-ford-ranger-raptor-with-suspension-camo/

 

[adsm08]

The rear axle definitely looks different and has lateral control arms and trailing arms for locating the axle, so looks like coil springs. Coils tend to give a better ride. Though I think truck have traditionally went with leaf springs due to simplicity and it's cheaper to make. The axle itself almost looks like something of a 70 series Toyota. If so, that's a pretty tough axle.

The exhaust looks slapped on. Good enough for test and evaluation but definitely not the best looking.

Like adsm08 said, F150s have had aluminum lower control arms for a while. I think current Explorers do as well but I'm not sure.

Don't worry, they are testing it for being equipped with a Dana V-Drive system, front and rear.

 

[Bird76Mojo]

Notice the rear mounting point for rear axle linkage on this frame:

The spied vehicle is surely just an Aussie spec Ranger Raptor chassis/suspension being tested in the US, which as the article states, isn't out of the ordinary.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

The rear axle definitely looks different and has lateral control arms and trailing arms for locating the axle, so looks like coil springs. Coils tend to give a better ride. Though I think truck have traditionally went with leaf springs due to simplicity and it's cheaper to make.

It is harder to make coils variable rate and durable like leaf springs.

They have been attempted several times, 1960's GM's had coils and Ram's have since around '09 (whenever the last body style came out)

The axle itself almost looks like something of a 70 series Toyota. If so, that's a pretty tough axle.

ROWR's have a banjo style axle like a Toyota. So did the truck at the unveil in Detroit.

 

[Bird76Mojo]

NZ spec Ranger Raptor showing the same rear axle linkages: https://www.driven.co.nz/video/driven-news/ford-ranger-raptor-what-you-should-know-about-nz-s-latest-high-performance-ute/

 

[Bird76Mojo]

Don't worry, they are testing it for being equipped with a Dana V-Drive system, front and rear.

lol https://www.blueovaltrucks.com/tech-articles/axles/the_vemco_v-drive_system/

 

[Bird76Mojo]

Early 2018 article: https://www.foxnews.com/auto/the-ford-ranger-raptor-is-forbidden-fruit-for-now

"coil-sprung solid axle with a Watts linkage" - "Both axles are fitted with twin tube Fox 2.5-inch internal bypass dampers, which feature position sensitive damping and remote reservoirs"

In some of the pics I posted earlier, the position sensor linkages can also be seen on the rear end. They look like RC car steering tie rods.

Rear suspension designed for high speed driving:

 

[pjtoledo]

well I'll be damned. a couple of days ago while driving north from Toledo on U.S. 23 there was a load of 10 or so new frames. just a coincidence Michigan Assembly is only 35 miles from there. loads of frames are rarely seen on the hiways around here anymore. next time I'll run 'em off the road and snag a frame from the trailer.


or,,, the cab had a Texas location on the door, and Toyota has a facility only 25 miles ahead of my sighting.


this is in the same stretch of U.S. 23 where many test mule sightings occur.