If the Ranger lives on redesigned how will it differ?

[fixizin]

I'd like a lighter stronger Ranger made of stainless steel and anodized aluminum (and carbon fiber) w/ the 2.3 "Lima" TURBO w/ cockpit-adjustable boost and the option of full-time AWD, plus lockers when in 4LO, and an M5R2 with the correct gears and synchros to handle up to 400HP/400 ft lbs... this is actually what the small truck world needs... yepper.


PS: Sounds like over half you guys actually want an F-150, but would feel better if the badges said "Ranger", lol.

I mean really, some of these desired combos with the crew cab + 4 big doors + long bed + 4WD + SFA + diesel + wet bar + missile defense + useless mushbox auto trans, are gonna have a curb wt. of 6,400+ lbs. Good luck with the MPGs on that rig.

 

[Planemech]

Apparently you haven't seen the European, Central and South American or Australian/Asian Rangers then. Nor noticed that auto trannys are rated higher in towing than manual trannys.

 

[Simple_serf]

Even a crappy 80's type na diesel would make some of us happy. Gas is still around $2/gallon here.

Get rid of the damn drums... Mine have been rebuilt, and rebuilt, and then rebuilt a few more times again (twice by me, 3 times by three separate shops), and they still lock, squeal, bang and grab. I know that disc parking brakes suck (my dad's 01 f150 has had constant problems with the pb, but nothing that a block of wood behind the tire doesn't fix)

 

[badbronc92]

I don't care so much about the 4 doors as I do the wider stance. Give it more stability and the ability to fit a 4.6L V8 and maybe those turbo V6s they are talking about for the "F100." I think if they change it too much it's going to turn off a lot of old ranger drivers. One thing that is a MUST is getting rid of the Torsion bar front suspension. It doesn't necessarily have to go to a solid front but keep it simpler and sturdier. More like the 04-Up F150s front suspension. With just a couple of tweaks and a slightly higher/wider stance, i think a lot of new drivers would turn to the ranger market.

 

[jasonl]

If Ford updates it before they bring a "global" version over (if they ever do)I think they will do a moderate face lift and change the powertrain. As pacodiablo said I think you will see the 4cyl EcoBoost and one of the current 3.5 or 3.7 V-6 offered with a 6speed tranny. The eco boost is said to give diesel like torque curve and great fuel economy. I have read the 4cyl should be rated atleast 250hp. Imagine a more powerful Ranger getting 20 city 27 Hwy in 4x4 ext cab. I think this alone would ignite sales. The current truck is rated at 14city 18hwy is sad. An F-150 that is way bigger and heavier actually gets better fuel economy. I like the current size as it has remained about the only compact truck left. It wouldn't hurt my feelings if the stretched the cab 6 inches or so. A 4door probably won't happen unless they kill the Sport Trac.

 

[RacinNdrummin]

Lets get serious here-

Solid axle will never happen.

4 door most certainly will, but why??? I would never drive one, If I wanted four doors, I would buy an explorer or a car, I have no need for a 2.5 ft bed, not to mention it looks goofy.

Why a 6 speed manual??? There is no point, the 5 speed does the job just fine, The auto already exists, so why not, but a 6 speed manual is unecessary.

Keep the SOHC 4.0, its got plenty of life left in it. Maybe build a DOHC version for both the mustang and ranger to compete with the toyota powerplants.

Even though I would love a diesel, most of the american public doesnt really care for them, they would rather have a hybrid, so put the escape setup in the ranger and have the first compact hybrid truck.

The duratec is fine and would be a good transition engine into the ecoboost.

Put disc brakes on all 4 corners, it would be easily done with parts they have on the shelf.

Offer a lifted 4x4 from the factory with nice wheels and tires- it would sell like hotcakes.

Offer a Base base model for an uber low price (under 10k msrp). would be good for business and gov. too (think crown vic)

Make financing easier, Id go out and get a new truck tomorrow if they'd finance me, but bacuse I have a few late credit card payments from 2 years ago, Yet 5 years of good truck payments and the money to do so, they still wont finance me. If they can get loans from the gov. so easily, why shouldnt I be able to get a loan through them.

First and Foremost make it look tough and not like it came off of a spacecraft.

 

[Beanmachine7000]

Lets get serious here-

Solid axle will never happen.

4 door most certainly will, but why??? I would never drive one, If I wanted four doors, I would buy an explorer or a car, I have no need for a 2.5 ft bed, not to mention it looks goofy.

Why a 6 speed manual??? There is no point, the 5 speed does the job just fine, The auto already exists, so why not, but a 6 speed manual is unecessary.

Keep the SOHC 4.0, its got plenty of life left in it. Maybe build a DOHC version for both the mustang and ranger to compete with the toyota powerplants.

Even though I would love a diesel, most of the american public doesnt really care for them, they would rather have a hybrid, so put the escape setup in the ranger and have the first compact hybrid truck.

The duratec is fine and would be a good transition engine into the ecoboost.

Put disc brakes on all 4 corners, it would be easily done with parts they have on the shelf.

Offer a lifted 4x4 from the factory with nice wheels and tires- it would sell like hotcakes.

Offer a Base base model for an uber low price (under 10k msrp). would be good for business and gov. too (think crown vic)

Make financing easier, Id go out and get a new truck tomorrow if they'd finance me, but bacuse I have a few late credit card payments from 2 years ago, Yet 5 years of good truck payments and the money to do so, they still wont finance me. If they can get loans from the gov. so easily, why shouldnt I be able to get a loan through them.

First and Foremost make it look tough and not like it came off of a spacecraft.

Solid axle will never happen, unless Ford decides to give the Wrangler some competition (I'm dreaming new Bronco here , but on a Ranger... I highly doubt it too...

I highly doubt 4 doors will happen as long as Ford has the Sportrac (I don't care for a 4-door truck either)

I could see a 6-speed manual behind one of the optional more powerful engines (to reduce emissions at highway speed), I don't think a 4 banger would have the low end torque for a 6-speed tranny...

The diesel option I think we could see before a 4-door Ranger... The American population is just starting to warm up to diesel power, look at all the 3/4 and 1 ton trucks with diesels, I have seen more and more of the VW diesels around, I don't think a small diesel in a Ranger is that far out of the question, maybe not next year, but in 4-5 years I think we could see it...

I think an FX4 Level II with maybe 3" of lift and some 31" AT's, with a rear locker, and manual transfer case would sell really well...

My first Ranger was a 1990 Ranger with nothing... no power steering, no A/C (dealer added), manual tranny, 2.3, it had an AM ONLY radio, rubber floors, no head rests, it wasn't even an XL model... If they offered one of those with 4x4, I would buy 3 of them... That way I'd have spares, lol...

 

[jasonl]

I was refering to a 6 speed auto since this seems to be the future of Ford. 6 speed manual would be an unnecissary cost. The current 4.0 SOHC as mentioned gets a rated 14/18mpg in 4x4 ext cab so it would be foolish to keep it around unless they can find a way to squeeze some serious mpg's out of it. Plus the current 3.0 duratech in the escape or the 3.5 would give better fuel economy and hp. I want the 4cyl Ecoboost myself. If it puts out 250hp and get's mileage comparable to the current 2wd ranger I will be in line. For a lot of us the days of averaging 16mpg in a "new" vehicle are long gone.

 

[Beanmachine7000]

I don't see why a 6-speed manual would be an unnecessary cost... If anything I could see a 6-speed auto being unnecessary... I think everyone is going to be going to 6-speeds soon enough... You don't see any 4-speeds around anymore do you? I think in the base model with the 4 cylinder Ecoboost, Ford should give the option of a 5-speed manual or 5-speed auto, and with the optional engines, the 6-speed manual, and 5-speed auto... It only makes sense to help with the emissions restrictions... Plus, I think they would have to design a completely new tranny to get 6-speeds from an auto...

 

[jasonl]

I was thinking along the lines of using the same 6 speed auto tranny in the Explorer/Sport Trac. I know it is used with the V-8, but a different bell housing should be all that's needed. It would be over built for the smaller V-6, but that isn't a bad thing.

 

[Beanmachine7000]

Shows how much I know about new cars... Honestly though, I couldn't care less about an auto transmission... As long as Ford keeps a manual option, I'm happy...

 

[jasonl]

Oh I agree 100% definately need to keep a manual tranny.

 

[nels1954]

I just bought my 2008 Ranger. I am a previous owner of a 1999 F150 XLT 4X4 looking for better gas milage. I bought the Ranger XLT 4 cylinder 5 speed rear wheel drive. Would of bought the 4X4 Ranger if it came with the 4 cylinder engine. Ford should offer the 4 cylinder engine in the 4X4.

 

[DSFD505]

I just bought my 2008 Ranger. I am a previous owner of a 1999 F150 XLT 4X4 looking for better gas milage. I bought the Ranger XLT 4 cylinder 5 speed rear wheel drive. Would of bought the 4X4 Ranger if it came with the 4 cylinder engine. Ford should offer the 4 cylinder engine in the 4X4.

2008 is the last year you could get a reg cab with 4wd and 4.0L. Now you have to get an ext cab model so I don't think Ford has any plans for a 4 cyl 4x4.

 

[prefab08]

diesel, regular cab 4x4, heavy spec front diff like a 8.8 ifs cause we all know a solid is out of the question, drum rear brakes with the option of disk cause canadian winters with the salt and -35c kills rear disks. oh and a good set of bucket seats hell i had to rob a mustang set of buckets for my 2008 just so i can sit right in it.