Ford Ranger / Ford Bronco / Gladiator / Solid Axles

[Jim Oaks]

Soon it will be January, which means it's time for the automobile manufacturers to debut their new models in Detroit.

Everyone is excited about the return of the Ford Bronco, and waiting to see if it will follow in the steps of the early Bronco, and have a solid front axle. Since the Bronco is suppose to share a platform with the Ranger, I figured the new Bronco would be based off of the Ford Everest, which also shares the Ranger platform. We've even seen a photo of a Ford Everest with the front covered, which I figured would become the Bronco with the Ford Ranger front end styling. Could this merely have been a decoy??

Then I learned about the Troller, and wondered if the Troller would be the foundation for the new Bronco. Especially since it also uses a shortened Ranger chassis, but comes with a solid front axle, or what Ford calls a monobeam.

I think it would fit under this cover better...

After learning that Ford has been putting the Jeep Wrangler through its paces at its proving grounds in Michigan, it seems that Ford is in fact looking to compete with the Wrangler.

That would be great for Ford. That vehicle would likely do well.

But what else could that mean for Ranger enthusiasts?

Ford has said that it will not be bringing the Ranger Raptor to the US. At least not now. The Ford F-150 Raptor is a unique beast.

I see it as:

A desert truck
A hot rod pickup
A status symbol for people wanting an expensive pickup (at least in Texas)

I do not see the Raptor as a true off-road truck. Raptor owners may argue with me, but I don't think that's what Ford intended it as. That truck is best suited speeding across the desert.

The Ranger on the other hand is the idea size for a true go anywhere off-road truck. Ford apparently has already put the solid front axle in the Ranger chassis they use for the Troller.

I think instead of a mini Raptor, Ford should give us something different. I think Ford should create a special off-road package Ford Ranger that has a monobeam (solid) front axle.

Especially now that Jeep is introducing the Gladiator.

I also think that this off-road Ranger should have a steel front bumper with a winch hidden behind it like the Dodge Powerwagon.

I also think that if Ford debuts a Bronco with a solid front axle in January, the whole thing is doable.

Question is, what do you think?

 

[6.2]

I just dont see how an everest copy would fit with the escape and explorer.

and unfortunately I doubt the bronco will have a solid front. as much as I want it to. we'll see.

 

[bobbywalter]

there have been jeeps visible on the hill periodically.

 

[Bird76Mojo]

It'll be a cold day in Hades before the Ranger gets a solid front axle, but the lil Bronco on the horizon could end up with one. If Ford does it, they've hit a home run with all true offroad enthusiasts. If it happens, I'll go to the dealership and order my first brand new vehicle ever.

BUT, I also want a larger Ecoboost engine or a diesel, and front and rear selectable lockers if I'm gonna pay around 50k.. 100k powertrain warranty and a manual transfer case would seal the deal but that's highly unlikely.

EDIT: Just read an article from 2017 on the Troller (super crappy name) being the Bronco platform but the US version being a 4 door! YUCK Ford!! Just no!



GB

 

[Ranger850]

That Everest in disguise could be the new Rwd Explorer that is coming

 

[Pt_Ranger_V8]

As much as I want to believe, I don't see Ford offering what a small niche audience wants. If they do, I'll probably go buy one. The new Ranger almost made me go to the dealer and order one.... The price is right, and most of the features are spot on.

 

[bobbywalter]

what was more niche then the raptor.?.?.? factory hotrod 4x4 gas guzzling impossible to park pig...??? the very basis of trs, the rough riders team...wanted a raptor type truck since the 80's.


look at in the light of 2013 dollars and previous svo/svt options and come forward. compare it to gen 1 and gen 2 lightening and thier respective product cycle spans......actual costs and actual sales.

getting the pig bastard raptor through over the lightening was seemingly impossible. 90 percent of buyers will never use it for what it is...and it makes a shitty commuter car.


but look at how it sells. its expensive as hell too...in cost to build.

of course...i am shocked it has kept selling. i would never have guessed it possible. its senseless. should have run its course in buyer market after a year or so.

how about the ford five hundred...??? now theres a winner!!!! its what the market demanded, unlike the raptor...the freestyle...yeah.


looking at the way this ranger platform is constructed i can do whatever i want easy enough. so no worries in that respect.


though with the new bronco i would think more land rover with a troller twist....the explorers may squeeze out the expedition, split/built on, and grown larger with the everest setup.

none of it makes sense to me.

 

[6.2]

The Raptor isn't that niche....

 

[bobbywalter]

The Raptor isn't that niche....

are you being funny?

or talking noun verb or adjective specifically?

today?? or when this thing debuted???....i seem to remember people scoffing at the very idea of such stupidity...now its passe...but back then......be the guy trying to get ford to build and sell one.


who else sells a 100 mph prerunner all n the lap of luxury as prime delivery?

it is its own. even after all f these years.


niche is exactly what it was when the lightening, srt, and ss were prowling the streets.

likely the most niche thing ever done with ford trucks....hell any truck.

and if it only sold a few copies for the outrageous price the originals were offered up at we would all be laughing about it...


glad it turned out the way it has. raptors are bad ass.



the way the ranger is constructed...i have my suspicions. but like i said...its open enough for me to do what i want. and thats a good thing. if th bronco is similar as they said it is to be...more bonus.

 

[sgtsandman]

Raptors are for those who don't want to do the work themselves. Either way, one is probably going to spend about the same amount of money in the end.

Me personally, if I'm going to have an expensive, gas guzzling beast, make it a early to mid-70's F-250 crew cab. To each, their own preference.

 

[bobbywalter]

i am on the 79 ford crew cab with a ridiculously overpowered but not smokey...super diesel wagon.


but...a raptor is not simply a 150 with seperate shocks and springs with a sticker.

to build one starting with a factory 150 would be huge dollars.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

Raptors are for those who don't want to do the work themselves.

Moreso people that want a big overpowered truck that screams for attention.

They have no other real purpose here in Iowa yet they are everywhere.

 

[4x4junkie]

F-150 Raptors are very popular here is So. Cal., though indeed here in the desert is where they are best-suited (if one were ever to make it through Rubicon trail or the like, I doubt it's gonna look much like a F-150 afterward (it won't even fit on Dusy/Ershim).

As for that "small niche audience", they buy more solid-axle Jeep Wranglers than the majority of SUVs in it's size class... The Explorer, Grand Cherokee, and occasionally the Toyota Highlander (none of which are really comparable anyway) are about the only ones outselling it (and not by real huge margins, nor for every model year either). Top that off with that "small niche audience" tolerating Chrysler's (Fiat's) reliability & quality issues to have that solid front axle too.
Niche or not, it's FAR from a small audience.

You can view Wrangler vs. 4Runner here... It's about 2 Wranglers for each one 4Runner (when the FJ Cruiser was still around, it was approx 10:1 for Wrangler sales).

http://www.goodcarbadcar.net/2011/01/jeep-wrangler-sales-figures/
http://www.goodcarbadcar.net/2011/01/toyota-4runner-sales-figures/

 

[Ozwynn]

I would take an FJ Cruiser over a Wrangler any day ....... but that Troller looks like it has potential, I might take that over an FJ Cruiser.

as far as the first possibility that looks like a butt raped Explorer...... If that is what the Bronco is I will walk away from Ford forever and start driving Chevies.

 

[bobbywalter]

F-150 Raptors are very popular here is So. Cal., though indeed here in the desert is where they are best-suited (if one were ever to make it through Rubicon trail or the like, I doubt it's gonna look much like a F-150 afterward (it won't even fit on Dusy/Ershim).

As for that "small niche audience", they buy more solid-axle Jeep Wranglers than the majority of SUVs in it's size class... The Explorer, Grand Cherokee, and occasionally the Toyota Highlander (none of which are really comparable anyway) are about the only ones outselling it (and not by real huge margins, nor for every model year either). Top that off with that "small niche audience" tolerating Chrysler's (Fiat's) reliability & quality issues to have that solid front axle too.
Niche or not, it's FAR from a small audience.

You can view Wrangler vs. 4Runner here... It's about 2 Wranglers for each one 4Runner (when the FJ Cruiser was still around, it was approx 10:1 for Wrangler sales).

http://www.goodcarbadcar.net/2011/01/jeep-wrangler-sales-figures/
http://www.goodcarbadcar.net/2011/01/toyota-4runner-sales-figures/

the most important note for the lesson here is this. look at the 90's explorer sales...unreal. they smoked the whole combined market segment a few years.







then look at the wrangler sales for 30 years. for the most part it is steady for a single line deal.



then look at wrangler sales since they have had

four doors.





just sayin......


its unprecedented. didnt really hurt normal wrangler sales....but goes between better then doubling to almost tripling total sales some years. if the gladiator mostly adds to sales and takes a minimum from the wrangler sales that will be some noteworthy lesson building...


overall the four door has spanked two door sales. so a four door and two door bronco would indeed be wise....but if only one choice is to be had...four door wins.



raptors outsell the complete porsche line some years...so niche today maybe not....but if ford cracks 900000 total f units for the year...then niche it is. and that was with supply side issues with the fire and stuff.


jeep overall is pretty impressive sales wise this year.