If the Ranger lives on redesigned how will it differ?

[thegoat4]

Not just the ranger, but all across the truck and van line

Diesel, gas, and natural gas motors
Standardized bell housings
Optional dual fuel tanks
Built-in support for a brake controller and a real hitch
The option of a higher load rating without having to go up to the next size truck--heavier rims, axles, brakes; lower gears
EV Ranger
Non-stupid options package restrictions

What would be really nice would be the ability to custom-configure a truck from the factory just like commercial vehicles. You choose the engine, horsepower, transmission, axle rating, gear ratio, 2wd/4wd, transfer case, whether it comes with a bed, how long of a bed, two door/four door, interior, optional passenger seat. Shit, make it the same as the overseas offering and you can even choose right or left-handed steer. Might seem useless in the US, but I'll bet the post office would be all over right-handed EV and LPG rangers with rubberized interiors and custom beds. Maybe even a few with 4wd.

I understand that level of customization isn't practical with mass production, but the way the auto market has been diving, there really isn't going to be a whole lot of mass production in the near future. As production slows down it becomes more practical to offer more options. For the next generation or two at least people are going to be looking for practicality and utility over almost anything else. So if your options boil down to a truck that allows you to get almost exactly what you want vs. a cookie-cutter with a trim option, the custom truck will win--especially if a good deal of that customization is stripping away things you don't need and lowering the cost to buy it.

 

[turtle3.0]

1. 4 REAL doors as an option
2. Engine options
Standard - fuel efficient dohc v6 (maybe 3.5)
Optional - small deisel (100-150 hp, 220+ fpt)
Optional - small v8 (lightning bolt anybody?)
3. 4 wheel disk brakes STANDARD
4. 8.8 standard
Optional L/S

 

[Beanmachine7000]

Not just the ranger, but all across the truck and van line

Diesel, gas, and natural gas motors
Standardized bell housings
Optional dual fuel tanks
Built-in support for a brake controller and a real hitch
The option of a higher load rating without having to go up to the next size truck--heavier rims, axles, brakes; lower gears
EV Ranger
Non-stupid options package restrictions

What would be really nice would be the ability to custom-configure a truck from the factory just like commercial vehicles. You choose the engine, horsepower, transmission, axle rating, gear ratio, 2wd/4wd, transfer case, whether it comes with a bed, how long of a bed, two door/four door, interior, optional passenger seat. Shit, make it the same as the overseas offering and you can even choose right or left-handed steer. Might seem useless in the US, but I'll bet the post office would be all over right-handed EV and LPG rangers with rubberized interiors and custom beds. Maybe even a few with 4wd.

I understand that level of customization isn't practical with mass production, but the way the auto market has been diving, there really isn't going to be a whole lot of mass production in the near future. As production slows down it becomes more practical to offer more options. For the next generation or two at least people are going to be looking for practicality and utility over almost anything else. So if your options boil down to a truck that allows you to get almost exactly what you want vs. a cookie-cutter with a trim option, the custom truck will win--especially if a good deal of that customization is stripping away things you don't need and lowering the cost to buy it.

If you notice on overseas Ford websites, the Ranger is a commercial vehicle... I wouldn't mind waiting a little longer, and paying a surcharge for them to build specifically what I want... To me, it would be worth a month or so's wait and $500-1000 extra to get a small diesel, manual everything heavy duty axles, and stuff...

 

[cappin90]

id want a straight axle or back to the ttb D35, and a small v-8 a 4.6 would be plenty

 

[bmacsys]

1. 4 REAL doors as an option
2. Engine options
Standard - fuel efficient dohc v6 (maybe 3.5)
Optional - small deisel (100-150 hp, 220+ fpt)
Optional - small v8 (lightning bolt anybody?)
3. 4 wheel disk brakes STANDARD
4. 8.8 standard
Optional L/S

I can't believe they still have rear drum brakes in this day and age. To me thats pathetic.

 

[RangerRock]

Get that 2.8L Powerstroke over here to the US from england.
3.0L or 3.5L Duratec V6, and 2.3L Duratec I4
Persoannly i love the current design, but 1 pull a mustang residesign, and buils a retro Ranger paying homage to the 83-88 style [i know just dreaming the Gen 1 rangers and the current Gen are my favorite body styles]

But for a real world design id say build it tougher, stronger, more aerodynamic. Baisially good power, good milage.

 

[ex91]

no rear disk stay drum rear disk may stop better but cause a lotof problems in canada and on dirt roads stay with rear drum its a must

 

[bmacsys]

no rear disk stay drum rear disk may stop better but cause a lotof problems in canada and on dirt roads stay with rear drum its a must

Most every pick up truck sold today has disc brakes all the way around. Every full size does afaik. I don't get it?

 

[JaBradt85]

Most every pick up truck sold today has disc brakes all the way around. Every full size does afaik. I don't get it?

I believe that the silverados and colorados still have drums in the rear.

 

[turtle3.0]

no rear disk stay drum rear disk may stop better but cause a lotof problems in canada and on dirt roads stay with rear drum its a must

What problems? So does that cause problems with the fronts. If so it must suck for you.

 

[bmacsys]

I believe that the silverados and colorados still have drums in the rear.

Another reason to avoid GM products. Even my 2003 Dodge XLT Sport had disc brakes all the way around. In fact I liked that truck. Not as much as my Ford's but all in all it wasn't a bad machine.

 

[pacodiablo]

GM went to rear discs for a while on their full size trucks, but they never could get the parking brakes to last, and there were some other problems too IIRC. Around 2004-2005 they changed back to drums.

Personally, I'd rather have rear discs, but the drums work well enough.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

Why I want a diesel?

1.) Fuel mileage
2.) More torque, and at a more usable RPM
3.) Reliability (I once heard someone say "Alot of things have to go right for a gasoline engine to start, alot of things have to go WRONG for a diesel engine to NOT start")
4.) Longevity (I've seen many 300k mile diesel engines still running and in great shape)
5.) WVO/WMO/Biodiesel, can you make your own gasoline? If you're stuck without gas, you're outta luck... A diesel will run on MOST anything that burns... I've heard of ATF/WMO/WVO... I'm probably forgetting stuff too...

With all the electrical crap needed to get a diesel past emissions, they have just as much stuff if not more to go wrong than a gasoline engine.

Forget running ATF/WMO/WVO through a modern diesel as well.

 

[Planemech]

Fully boxed frame, a couple inches wider like the larger sport trac, a 6ft box with a crew cab, 6 speed auto and manual transmissions, the 31 spline 8.8 in every truck, the Torsen diff as the LS and the 3.0 I4 PSD as an option.

A crew cab 6 ft box, 6 spd auto, 3.0 PSD 4x4 with 3.73's/4.10's and a Torsen differential in XLT trim would sell like crazy and be perfect for me. Oh and get like 28-30 mpg too if the European results have any bearing.

 

[JaBradt85]

Fully boxed frame, a couple inches wider like the larger sport trac, a 6ft box with a crew cab, 6 speed auto and manual transmissions, the 31 spline 8.8 in every truck, the Torsen diff as the LS and the 3.0 I4 PSD as an option.

A crew cab 6 ft box, 6 spd auto, 3.0 PSD 4x4 with 3.73's/4.10's and a Torsen differential in XLT trim would sell like crazy and be perfect for me. Oh and get like 28-30 mpg too if the European results have any bearing.

I highly doubt a small diesel but the other parts sound about right. Im pretty sure it will remain the same in most ways though which wouldnt be a bad thing. I get teased about having a small truck a girly truck what have you, but I say it suits my needs for a truck and Im not compensating like some. Make the ranger bigger keep it the same it wont matter Im on my third one so they must be doing something right to keep so many loyal fans.