’06-’11 Sport Identification

[TWolff]

As I said elsewhere, I’m looking for another Ranger. I’m looking at 8-9 different sites and quickly found out that dealers are saying they have Sports for sale, when they actually have XLTs, XLs, etc. So I’m trying to determine what they have right away from the pics, if there are any definite clues, without having to do a VIN lookup (which are sometimes wrong) all the time. Now, the simplest thing is to see if they have Sport decals.

Do all Sport level trucks have Sport decals? If so, that’s that.

If not, I’ve come up with a few other items that it seems all of them have, but correct me if I’m wrong:

• Aluminum alloy wheels
• Grill painted body color
• Fog lights (yes, it seems the XLT trim level can have them, but not along with the other items. And a Sport should have fog lights.)

So am I right, or do I have to do a deeper search to see if some bozo dealer is trying to pass off an XLT/XL as a Sport?

Thanks.

 

[Uncle Gump]

I think that the Sport models had white face gauges.

I don't think I've ever seen a Sport with a 4 door super cab either... always a 2 door.

 

[TWolff]

Hi, Uncle Gump.
Yes, I think you're right about the gauges being white, and XLTs/XLs are black. Both of my Edges are like that, so why not the Sports?
As far as the suicide doors, that is something my '05 had and this '03 doesn't. One of the reasons I don't like it. So my new Sport will have them. They are still common despite the Edge/Sport name change. The rustbucket 2011 I saw today had them. Rusty on the inside bottom, but they were there! The sales kid acted as if that cancer was normal down here in NM/AZ. *laughs*
Thx.

 

[2011Supercab]

Besides the grill, one of the other things I've noticed that I've only seen on the Sports, The door handles are smooth and painted the body color, all others are textured and unpainted black.

Wheel lip moldings are smooth and body color on the Sport, all others are textured and black.

I'm pretty sure the white face gauges are also on the FX4's

Aluminum wheels are on other models.

 

[sgtsandman]

Sport is a trim package. XLT and so on it the build level of the truck. Not the right word but the best I can come up with at the moment. While I didn't pay a lot of attention when I bought my 2011, the Sport models that were on the lot had 16" aluminum wheels and I'm pretty sure, but not positive, that they had four doors and not just two. I bought the XLT because I wanted a manual transmission. The Sport models on the lot only had automatic transmissions.

 

[TWolff]

2011 Supercab,
Thanks for the tips and, yes, the XLTs have the *option* of aluminum wheels here and there. I'm just thinking they are standard at the Sport trim level. So far that seems to be true. *winks*

Hi again, Sarge.
Yes, I'm clear on XL/XLT/SRT/FX... and Sport/Edge being the trim/package levels (choose your term). From https://www.cars.com/research/ford-ranger-2011/specs/327087/ and https://www.carsdirect.com/2011/ford/ranger (the best specs sites I've found so far) it seems that in 2011, 2dr/4dr, auto/manual, and 15"/16" are all available, with the 15" being the default for the Sport. But I've also seen the 16" aluminum wheels like you have, so ... ? *laughs*

Well, I started this thread out to determine if there were ways to quickly, positively eyeball a top-of-the line 2WD Sport (or fake) among these dozens of ads, and you gentlemen are definitely helping out and/or giving me new ideas. I've wasted a LOT of time on promising but dead-end ads.

Bottom line, it is a ROYAL PITA to sort these trucks out, and it's not any easier when the VIN lookup from 2 out of 3 VIN sites is obviously wrong (ex.: truck VINs said Sport while the front fender badge says Ranger XLT!).

I still haven't found out if the bed decal is THE simple and defining trait, so I hope that is resolved soon. Otherwise, I'll let this thread gather dust soon and let the answer come when it does.

Thanks.

 

[2011Supercab]

Sport while the front fender badge says Ranger XLT!).

The Sport is an XLT + Body-color H-bar grille Body-color wheel-lip moldings, door handles

Anything else on the Sport is also an option for any other model/trim so you can't go by anything else.

So in reality, there is NO way to tell a true Sport from a fake, unless you can get the original window sticker.

One other thought, a Sport will NOT have carpet, it will have a vinyl floor

 

[Uncle Gump]

Good point on the vinyl floor...

My Sport also has the a-pillar grab handles... don't think that's unique to the Sport though... just part of the package.

 

[ekrampitzjr]

Sports usually have the moldings over the wheel openings. Those are the ones with (phony?) fasteners to look bolted on.

 

[Uncle Gump]

 

[sgtsandman]

Good point on the vinyl floor...

My Sport also has the a-pillar grab handles... don't think that's unique to the Sport though... just part of the package.

My 2011 has the grab handles. So, I think it’s part of the 4X4 rather than a package.

 

[2011Supercab]

@Uncle Gump
Does the Ranger badge on the front fender say XLT?

 

[Uncle Gump]

@Uncle Gump
Does the Ranger badge on the front fender say XLT?

It does not...l

 

[ekrampitzjr]

My 2011 has the grab handles. So, I think it’s part of the 4X4 rather than a package.

My 2011 2WD XLT has the grab handles too.

 

[sgtsandman]

My 2011 2WD XLT has the grab handles too.

Well, I stand corrected.