The 2019 'Loan Ranger', and 2019 Ranger Adventure

[sgtsandman]

My brother who works at the local dealer snagged me one. They didn’t even have them until a month ago.

I got the digital one when I ordered the Ranger. The physical one, not until the truck had arrived and I was signing the papers.

 

[Ranger850]

Dealerships are not what they used to be. When i was growing up, I constantly went to the Ford Dealership and got pamphlets and brochures for Mustangs, Rangers, and F150's. I loved seeing the wheel options and differences between trims. (I don't remember calling them "trims" back then) The good ones had the paint options on a piece of plastic when you unfolded it. Ah the good ol' days.
When i was car shopping, almost 2 yrs ago, I went to Ford first. Walked around the showroom, looking at the Shelby and for a pamphlet on it, or any car at all. Nothing. So i asked the next person i saw that worked there. He turned and asked a salesman, and that guys looks at him and says"Everything is online at either ford or the dealerships website, Take your Pick." The dude looked at me and started to regurgitate the exact same sentence to me. I shook my head, with a loom on my face that let him know that i heard and was disappointed. I bought a Hyundai Sonata, but nothing at that dealership either. Apparently this whole internet thing has taken over the world.


was that a rant?
if so...Rant over

 

[Jim Oaks]

I don't know why I care so much. The best way to avoid disappointment is to have no expectation.

I predict that the Colorado and Tacoma will continue to outsell the Ranger. That doesn't mean I think they're a better truck. I want to see how the Jeep Gladiator does in its first year of sales compared to the 2019 Ford Ranger 4x4.

Meanwhile, I'm driving this 2019 Ford Ranger that I setup for adventure on my own dime, and talking to people about it as I go. I'm doing the Trans America Trail to show its capability as an adventure vehicle in its stock configuration (except for the tires).

I've travelled 3,149 miles since I left Texas, and I still have a long way to go. Again, gas, food, and lodging has been on my dime.

I want to feel like there's other people that care about the Rangers success as much as I do.

Maybe when I get to the west coast, I can Uber to make gas money for the trip home. LOL.

 

[Jim Oaks]

Day #7 - Saturday June 8th, 2019:

I started Saturday by heading back to Moab to pick up the Trans America Trail (TAT), even though it would come through the area where I stayed the night.

​

How that rock didn't fall and crush this Yakima tent on the back of this truck, I'll never know..

​

Well, hello there!

https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=456135191454262

https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=328264441448389

When the TAT brought me back to Green River, I topped off the gas tank again. Even if I still had 3/4 of a tank of gas, I always topped it off in between the off pavement sections if I had the chance.

Let me just say that the horseshoe type section that heads south out of Green River (Road 1010) seems to take forever to complete.

​

 

[Jim Oaks]

Day #7 - Saturday June 8th, 2019 (Continued):

After stopping for lunch and playing Fetch with Marley for a while, we continued along the Trans America Trail west across Utah.

We finally came to Manti-La Sal National Forest, and that took us back up in Elevation. After several miles, I came across a sign indicating that the road was closed due to damage. I walked the road a little way and found snow on the road that seemed passable, but a guy came along in a Toyota pickup, told me that the snow gets deeper, and that it wasn't passable.

I turned around and headed south to Emery Utah. The original Trans America Trail route ran west of here. That section was a little rough in the early stages, but smoothed out.

https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=432239664263928

(Looks like the date is wrong on my dash cam)​

This section eventually brought me south to IS 70. It was late and I really didn't feel like messing with the tent, so I went to the Love's Travel Stop at US 50 & IS 70 in Salina, and slept in the Ranger. My plan will be to head north on US 89 to Ephraim in the morning to intersect with the other side of the TAT that was closed.

Total distance driven off pavement today was 216 miles.

Update: Here's a video highlight of the days trip:

 

[Ranger850]

I just went back to Post #1 and started looking at the pics of progression on the Ranger. Jim, you have proven to me that the truck is capable off road in any situation that I personally could ever get into or out of. The landscape out there is amazing, and if not for your pictures, I would die before seeing some of those, so Thank you for snapping pics along the way. The TAT looks fun and intimidating at the same time. I would definitely need a companion too. ?

 

[ericbphoto]

Glad you made through Moab without falling into one of Wile E. Coyote's roadrunner traps.

This thread is amazing.

 

[Jim Oaks]

Dude....

I have a bunch of in-cab video to go through, but I saw a coyote run in to the brush, and a rabbit run out. Real life looney tunes.

 

[ericbphoto]

Dude....

I have a bunch of in-cab video to go through, but I saw a coyote run in to the brush, and a rabbit run out. Real life looney tunes.

You met Bugs Bunny, too? I am sooooo jealous!

 

[Jim Oaks]

He was a whraskly little wabbit!

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

Seen a road runner yet?

For basically a bone stock truck really it looks like it is doing pretty good though.

 

[Ranger850]

This is what Jim sees on his adventures?

This is what I see on mine.?
wtf

 

[OldMan2]

I'm late to the party, but have gone through all 15 pages. You are experiencing a trip of a lifetime. Thanks for sharing this. Ford would be wise to use your journey to promote the new Ranger.

 

[Jim Oaks]

I'm late to the party, but have gone through all 15 pages. You are experiencing a trip of a lifetime. Thanks for sharing this. Ford would be wise to use your journey to promote the new Ranger.

Actually, Ford is in Portland Oregon doing a Ford Explorer Media drive this week like the one I went to for the Ranger in California. I just entered Oregon about an hour ago.

I've been putting the Ranger to the test. I'm sure I've shortened the life of the shocks LOL. The truck rides incredibly well, especially over the harsh roads I've been on. The new Ranger is about to be proven on the Trans America Trail. What Ford does is their business. Maybe we should create our own Ford Ranger commercial and put it on YouTube. LOL.

I wish it was mine to keep, I'd push it harder.

Calmini suggested that them and I build a Ranger together. If I was able to keep this truck, I think I could get enough support to build the ultimate off-road and adventure Ranger that could be the model for others to follow. Unfortunately, this truck goes back to Ford at the end of September. Unless I somehow destroy it before then. J/K.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

Maybe we should create our own Ford Ranger commercial and put it on YouTube. LOL.

I don't think you could ask for better scenery/terrain than what you have had...