The 2019 'Loan Ranger', and 2019 Ranger Adventure

[Jim Oaks]

So This Got Annoying:

When I got the truck, it wanted to access Wi-Fi to do an update, so I let it.

But then I got this message every time I started the truck. So to fix it I:

Clicked 'No' and then clicked 'Settings':

Then scrolled to the right and clicked 'Automatic Updates':

And then slid the switch on the screen to the left to deactivate them.

No more annoying message.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

Might not be a bad idea make a mental note to let it update once in awhile if you are going to use the WIFI so it doesn't get out of sync with your electronics as they continue to update.

Every startup is a bit ridiculous though.

 

[Jim Oaks]

Driving In Sport Mode:

The last couple of days I've been playing around with 'Sport Mode'. And when I say play, I literally mean I felt like a big kid playing in the street.

The 'Sport Mode' is activated by pulling the shifter all the way back to 'S':

You'll notice the the button to deactivate the automatic start / stop of the engine has lit up on the console....

And the 'S' is now highlighted on the instrument display:

Once I was in 'Sport Mode', the truck instantly felt like it had more torque, accelerated quicker, and the truck shifted at higher RPM's. It reminded me of older automatics that have B&M shift kits installed. It will drive and shift normal under normal conditions, but if you gas on it, the transmission will shift at a higher RPM to get you hauling a$$ faster.

The 'S' is where you can also use the 'SelectShift' and manually shift the transmission up and down from the buttons on the side of the shift.

Speaking of Auto Stop / Start:

I found myself deactivating the auto stop / start feature with this button on the console:

As I mentioned, it's not used in the 'Sport Mode'.

If you simply don't want to wait that brief second for the engine to start before you leave the traffic light, just lightly let off on the brake peddle. The engine will start, but there's usually still enough brake pressure to keep the truck from moving. Unless of course you're on a steep hill.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

I have heard a lighted hitch plug can trick it into thinking it is pulling a trailer and kill the stop start, do you have one to test?

 

[Jim Oaks]

I have heard a lighted hitch plug can trick it into thinking it is pulling a trailer and kill the stop start, do you have one to test?

I do not, but if I come across one, I'll check it out.

 

[sgtsandman]

Thanks.

If anyone has questions about the truck, or just something they're curious about, I'll try to get the info, photo, etc for them.

Any info on the offset/backspacing and center bore size on the rims? I want to eventually get a second set of rims for mine (when I get it) and would prefer something in steel. The rims are heavier but easier to fix if they get bent while on the trail. Aluminum tends to not like being bent back without a proper shop to fix them, assuming it can even get bent back without cracking the metal.

 

[sgtsandman]

So This Got Annoying:

When I got the truck, it wanted to access Wi-Fi to do an update, so I let it.

But then I got this message every time I started the truck. So to fix it I....

...No more annoying message.

That would get very annoying. I'll have to see if the STX/FX4 package setup is the same way.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

Any info on the offset/backspacing and center bore size on the rims? I want to eventually get a second set of rims for mine (when I get it) and would prefer something in steel. The rims are heavier but easier to fix if they get bent while on the trail. Aluminum tends to not like being bent back without a proper shop to fix them, assuming it can even get bent back without cracking the metal.

Wheels look the same as what is on the global truck.

 

[Jim Oaks]

So after washing it after my first trip off-road, I wanted to share a couple of things....

The Grill:

Whoever designed this grill, never saw it getting dirty from off-road, and it's a pain in the ass to clean.

It would be great if the FX4 package came with it's own FX4 grill that had bars more like the F-150 grill below.

The Fricken Wheels!

You better be have some well honed off-roading skills if you take these wheels off-road, or you're going to scratch the heck out of them. While they may look great on a street truck, they're going to suck on that FX4 package you bought to go off-road.

Here's why:

Using a metal yard stick, I took a tape measure and measured 3/8" spacing between the surface of the rim, and the sidewall of the tire. That means when you're truly off-road and having to negotiate around or over obstacles, there's a serious risk that you could scrape up the surface of your wheel.

Looking through the wheel at the rotor, you can see that there's very little room to try and make the wheels dished more so the face of the rim isn't at risk off-road.

You can also see that the tire already comes pretty much to the edge of the bedside.

I think the FX4 should use a different style of dished wheel that would probably need to stick out a little wider, and use a fender flare if necessary to cover it.

For those buying a new 2019 Ford Ranger that think they may want to take it off-road from time to time, or get different wheels, this is something that you're going to have to take in to consideration.

Bushwacker is coming out with fender flares for the new Ranger, and you may want to consider a set so that you can have a wider wheel that sets the face of the rim further back from the sidewall of the tire.

@sgtsandman:

The bolt pattern is 6x139.7
The center bore is 93.1 mm
55mm offset on a 7.5x17 rim

 

[snoranger]

I have heard a lighted hitch plug can trick it into thinking it is pulling a trailer and kill the stop start, do you have one to test?

It can also shut off the back up sensor system (if it has it), make the blinker flash 5 times instead of 3 with the tap to change lane feature, and count every mile as a "towing" mile in the odometer.

The rental F250 I had, if you put the Hvac fan on high, the start/stop deactivated.


If you're ever in NJ, I can turn it off permanently with the IDS.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

It can also shut off the back up sensor system (if it has it), make the blinker flash 5 times instead of 3 with the tap to change lane feature, and count every mile as a "towing" mile in the odometer.

The rental F250 I had, if you put the Hvac fan on high, the start/stop deactivated.


If you're ever in NJ, I can turn it off permanently with the IDS.

Just a crap deal any way you want to cut it then.

My brother can do it but the dealer he works at is scared of upsetting the warranty gods so you have to wait until after the warranty times out.

 

[Jim Oaks]

Ford really doesn't want me to scratch their off-road truck.

Remember back when commercials use to show trucks getting abused, so you knew they could take a beating?

No, I didn't scratch it...

 

[Jim Oaks]

​

I don't want a truck that get's me to the adventure, I want a truck that can be part of the adventure. I also don't feel right having the TRS logo on a stock truck.

Fortunately, our friends over at Rough Country hooked me up with this:

​

https://www.roughcountry.com/ford-leveling-lift-kit-50100.html

​

I plan to install it this coming week, and post the photos and details on the installation in this thread.

 

[Jim Oaks]

I need to put the Rough Country leveling kit on so I can fit these:

LT265/70R/17 (31.97x10.70x17) Cooper Discoverer SST PRO mud terrains.

http://us.coopertire.com/tires/discoverer-stt-pro.aspx

Ford says "Set a date for your next adventure. Your Ranger is ready to get you there!"

Well, I don't want a Ranger to just get me to an adventure. I'm going to take this Ranger to the next level, so it can be part of the adventure!

 

[ericbphoto]

Those look good.