Discussion concerning 2021

[Mp3sgt]

I have a 2021 Lariat 501A FX2 so 2WD black in color just over 500 miles. First, it is a significant upgrade in many things from my former 2011 Ranger. Technology, drivetrain, size, ground clearance, features, etc.

First some good news. The previously mentioned method to use Forscan to turn off the front signal bulb out is the same as 2019 and 2020 so they did not change that. Every bulb on my truck is now LED as it should be with no fast flash.

Next, I want to approach the transmission. I had smoother shifts in my 2011 manual even at high RPM. BUT, the shifts are notably better than when I got it delivered at 150 miles. I find that linear acceleration whether softly in town or trying to run the beans on the highway result in smooth but perceptive shifts. A weird issue is traction control that activates even at 50mph or better when you floor it in normal or sport mode. I doubt I am slipping tire with all terrain tires on dry pavement at 50mph+. The engine starts to cut power I guess thinking it is losing traction?
Other than the transmission, the engine is quite a bit peppy and I am using regular 87 unleaded. When that thing hits between 2500-4000 RPM it moves! If only the transmission would stop thinking I am losing traction!

The seats are comfortable. The lumbar is a bit aggressive even at its lowest setting though. The dead pedal on the left is quite a delight.

The steering is not the old school hydraulic but it's responsive enough.

Overall, at the 500 mile mark, I am satisfied so far. No issues needing to be brought to the dealer at this point.

 

[JohnnyO]

Tires could be slipping. I mashed the gas last week on a short on-ramp and the back tire broke loose and the traction control kicked in at 35 mph when the boost ran up.

 

[HenryMac]

I have a 2021 Lariat 501A FX2 so 2WD black in color just over 500 miles. First, it is a significant upgrade in many things from my former 2011 Ranger. Technology, drivetrain, size, ground clearance, features, etc.

First some good news. The previously mentioned method to use Forscan to turn off the front signal bulb out is the same as 2019 and 2020 so they did not change that. Every bulb on my truck is now LED as it should be with no fast flash.

Next, I want to approach the transmission. I had smoother shifts in my 2011 manual even at high RPM. BUT, the shifts are notably better than when I got it delivered at 150 miles. I find that linear acceleration whether softly in town or trying to run the beans on the highway result in smooth but perceptive shifts. A weird issue is traction control that activates even at 50mph or better when you floor it in normal or sport mode. I doubt I am slipping tire with all terrain tires on dry pavement at 50mph+. The engine starts to cut power I guess thinking it is losing traction?
Other than the transmission, the engine is quite a bit peppy and I am using regular 87 unleaded. When that thing hits between 2500-4000 RPM it moves! If only the transmission would stop thinking I am losing traction!

The seats are comfortable. The lumbar is a bit aggressive even at its lowest setting though. The dead pedal on the left is quite a delight.

The steering is not the old school hydraulic but it's responsive enough.

Overall, at the 500 mile mark, I am satisfied so far. No issues needing to be brought to the dealer at this point.

We have a little over 18,000 miles on our 2019 XL SuperCab FX-4. No issues thus far. We run 91 octane Shell fuel and our MPG is always better than 25. We did a 207 mile trip a couple weeks ago and got 32 mpg, mostly running 62 mph with the cruise control on. These new Rangers are pretty amazing.

 

[DeathRanger]

We have a little over 18,000 miles on our 2019 XL SuperCab FX-4. No issues thus far. We run 91 octane Shell fuel and our MPG is always better than 25. We did a 207 mile trip a couple weeks ago and got 32 mpg, mostly running 62 mph with the cruise control on. These new Rangers are pretty amazing.

View attachment 62665

Nice! I'm around a consistent 21 mpg for past few months. Before covid when I was driving highways @ 80mph all the time I usually got about 24 mpg.

 

[sgtsandman]

The girlfriend is still driving the 2019 while she works out issues with her clown car. Before she can fix the maintenance issues, she needs to straighten out her title. It seems they issued it to her old address out of state but mailed it to her current address in state. So, until she fixes the title/registration issue (paperwork has been done and sent in to the capital), the thing is dead in the water. In any case, I have no idea what it's getting on a regular basis and even when she does let me know, there is a lot of in town, stop and go driving with short trips. Not a good gauge to base mpg on other than it sucks. My 2011 right now is getting better mileage as a result.

 

[racsan]

can the traction control be turned off? sometimes a little wheel slippage is fun, last night on the way home from work with my 94 I rounded a wet corner in 2nd, halfway into the turn I floored it and spun the right rear but had enough traction I kept accelerating. I didnt let off until I needed 3rd gear. Im not sure of the distance but it was at least 100ft. Maybe I just watch “roadkill garage “ too much and this is as close as my 2.3 will ever get to doing burnouts for distance.

 

[Blmpkn]

The tranny will learn your driving habits and calm down so to speak over a few thousand miles.

I've read a lot of complaints about the new school steering setup. I like it, a lot. It's a truck.. not a racecar.. feeling every crack and pebble in the road through the wheel isn't exactly necessary. It's actually super nice off road.. really dampens feedback.

I'm getting a little over 20mpg with 32" mud terrains and a 2.5" level. Mostly rural driving.

 

[HenryMac]

can the traction control be turned off?

Yes

 

[Mp3sgt]

Funny thing is the traction control would cut fuel and light up during 50mph flooring of the accelerator. I feel no loss of traction but maybe it THINKS a loss may occur? Yes, I could easily turn off the basic wheel spin control portion of traction control by pressing the button next to the auto start stop but I just did not think I was losing traction at such speeds on dry pavement.

I will compare the vehicle indicated MPG with my fuel fill up MPG once it is time to fill up again. Still only on my first tank fill after the tank from the dealership.

 

[JMGlasgow]

Stability control is probably activating at that speed. It's the same light on your instrument cluster.

 

[Robertmangrum.rm]

They say the new trucks have a curve control feature. That maybe incorporated into traction control. I don't know exactly how it works.

 

[sgtsandman]

The fuel mileage calculator in the Ranger is off. Not by a lot but it is. It will give you a decent idea on how you are doing but I wouldn’t use it as a hard number. You’ll still need to do math if you want an accurate fuel mileage number.

My Scangauge II is the same way. Once in a blue moon it will be spot on but it’s usually lower than the actual mileage.

 

[HenryMac]

They say the new trucks have a curve control feature. That maybe incorporated into traction control. I don't know exactly how it works.

Depends on if the truck has "Lane Keeping System" technology.

Ours doesn't, we bought an XL to avoid as much technology as possible.

 

[Mp3sgt]

So a review now above 3300 miles. Performance is better and I have figured out to turn off the basic traction control for good performance above 4000RPM (it seems to detect slip maybe in the transmission and gets aggressive at reducing power during full throttle). The transmission is still a bit delayed when you want the beans but it is less clunky and smoother. There is some scary fuel smell when I check the oil so I am keeping a close sniff on that. Since I have the FX2 package, on road is a bit bouncy but off road is nice. I am liking it so far.

 

[sgtsandman]

Send a sample in to get tested by a company like Blackstone to make sure the fuel levels in your oil isn't too high at your next oil change. Some people have had issues with too much fuel in the oil. People who do a lot of stop and go driving seem to have more of an issue with it than those who make longer highway trips.