2024 vs 2025

[bigb]

There is an article on this site about the "New for 2025" Ranger here: https://www.therangerstation.com/2025-ford-ranger/#gsc.tab=0 and I have screenshot the bullet points below. My question is, doesn't the 2024 have the same "fully boxed frame with a wider track" or did they actually change the frame between 2024 and 2025? It also says the 2.7 is available for 2025 but isn't this the same 2.7 available for 2024?

Reasons I am asking is because I am looking at 2025's but I ran across a 2024 Lariat with low miles and everything I want. Is there any reason the 2025 might be a better choice? I wasn't really looking for a Lariat but this one just came up. Thanks folks.

 

[Robertmangrum.rm]

The redesign was in 24. I dont think anything changed, but the introduction of the Raptor between 24 and 25. Someone else may have more knowledge. But im pretty sure there would be no difference in frame,motor, suspension, or anything.

 

[mrmike7189]

The 2.3 motor was changed to a better version (from the Mustang) in 2025
The brake booster system was changed to electronic braking system in 2025
The bed support system is stronger due to a new brace installed in late 2024 and all 2025 models.

 

[bigb]

If you were buying new would 18" wheels vs 17" wheels make a difference to you? I'm finding very few with 18" wheels, mostly only the Lariats.

 

[Robertmangrum.rm]

If you were buying new would 18" wheels vs 17" wheels make a difference to you? I'm finding very few with 18" wheels, mostly only the Lariats.

I think it would just be a preference.

 

[bigb]

I think it would just be a preference.

Yea so the 17's are 29.5" tires with a sidewall height of 7" and the 18s are 1.5" bigger at 31" with a sidewall height of 6.5". I don't think the 1/2" sidewall reduction will result in much of a ride difference and I'm kind of leaning toward the 18s for the extra height. The 18s in general seem to be a good bit cheaper that the 17s as well. The Wrangler A/T 18s are $40 less than the Wrangler A/T 17s.

edit: oops I made a booboo. The two different combinations have the exact same height of 31", the only difference is the 17s have a half inch more sidewall.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

17" tires are cheaper and i like more sidewall.

I would love to swap the 18's on my F-150 for 17's.

 

[SenorNoob]

Still waiting for the 7-speed in the Ranger...

 

[sgtsandman]

Like mentioned, the rim size is a preference thing. I always preffered less rim and more side wall, but I also don't have and aggressive driving style. If you are going to have an on road only truck, the 18" rims might be a better fit.

 

[mrmike7189]

Still waiting for the 7-speed in the Ranger...

The Bronco and Ranger are built on the same frame and in same factory and have same base engine ,the 2.3.........why cant they have the same transmission? A 7 speed could happen......someday?

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

The Bronco and Ranger are built on the same frame and in same factory and have same base engine ,the 2.3.........why cant they have the same transmission? A 7 speed could happen......someday?

For quite awhile they had issues with the 7 speed that almost made the A4LD look good...

 

[superj]

the changes mentioned above, new 2.3 engine, electric brake booster (that is part of that recall), and the bed braces which my 2024 built stx have, are the differences.

my father in law's 25 ranger has the new 2.3. its got more power and torque. it noticeable but is it enough to make me trade, no. i am very very happy with my 2.3 as it gets great mileage and i have never felt that i was underpowered or couldn't do something.

the brake booster, i am glad i have the vacuum booster because they last forever whereas the electric one in the 25s is already an issue.

the j braces for the bed started being installed on september 12th and never built trucks. my 24 has them from the factory but my son's august built truck doesn't. my father in laws 25 also has them.


the 17s and 18s depends on the trim level of your truck. my son and i have stx trim trucks, which is an xl with some visual stuff so we ahve 17s. my father in law got an xlt so his came with 18s. he immediately bought aftermarket rims so i now have 17s and 18s but since the xlt came with a shorter sidewall, the tire diameters are almost identical. both were 31s, if i remember right because i put them both into a tire size calculator online and they were almost the same

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

the brake booster, i am glad i have the vacuum booster because they last forever whereas the electric one in the 25s is already an issue.

We had a check valve screw up in the supply line for the vacuum booster in our Bronco.

It wouldn't do it all the time but it was like you had to break the pedal lose to get any brake out of it. You never knew if the pedal was going to be normal or weird which makes it hard to drive the stupid thing.

I grounded the thing for the two days it took to get parts in to get it fixed under warranty.

So yeah, boosters last forever but they have figured out how to make them not as great as they once were as well.

 

[superj]

technological progress. sometimes good, sometimes bad, ha ha ha.

thats one thing you think would get more testing than anything else, the braking system.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

technological progress. sometimes good, sometimes bad, ha ha ha.

thats one thing you think would get more testing than anything else, the braking system.

But then after how many decades of vacuum brakes... it should be pretty well figured out by now.