Is the Ranger on its way out?

[85_Ranger4x4]

One thing I have noticed on the F-150 boards is alot of F-150 owners started out with Ranger, if they want to keep the F-150 on top they need a good, cheaper smaller truck to get people into the Ford camp.

 

[pacodiablo]

That is definitely true. My cousin owned three Rangers, all purchased brand new, before he ever bought an F-150. The only reason he upgraded was because he needed a larger truck for his business.

 

[Boomer]

I'm not comfortable in a F-150. I had to use one for about two weeks while my truck was getting a new engine. I was so happy to get back into my ranger. If Ford does away with the smaller trucks, I will probably buy a Jeep next time.

 

[racsan]

im happy with the current body style, i just want a small 4 cyl diesel, about 200 C.I.D. heck i'll run my '93 'till the body rolls off the frame when i take a corner too fast.
________
Hudson Motor Car Company

 

[LearjetMinako]

Born in 1983, New redsign in 1993, 1998 Chassis and suspension revised, 2001+ a bolder front grill look.

It would seem that the Ranger is on the back burner. But with the 2008 model on Ford.com. A lot of options have been taken away. Now you can't even get a 4x4 with a manual transmission.

I did have a dream for some strange reason, Ford actually did something smart. They installed a Duratec 3.5 with a tuned 5-speed automatic and made it to surpass the Tacoma in accleration and towing. FXII axle (8.8 31-spline), and the truck was a real blast to drive. But sadly, dream went away when that danm buzzer woke me up at 6:00am in the morning.

 

[JohnnyO]

A lot of options have been taken away. Now you can't even get a 4x4 with a manual transmission.

I dunno, I spec'd one out online with a manual. Regular cab, 3.0/stick.
It could be that when you get a Supercab, you have to take the 4.0/auto.
The FX4 Level II is gone but you can order the Torsen diff on an FX4 for $200.

www.fordvehicles.com, pick your vehicle and select Build And Price.

 

[warhawk]

They say its not selling well, But From what I see at work, they arent selling because they arent on the lots. Whenever we get one in at work, it usually sells right away.

Yeah I noticed that too. When I first moved to Grand Haven, the local dealer had about 4 or 5 Rangers on the lot, new, and a couple used. This was a little over a year and a half ago. Now when you drive by I think there might be one, used.

I do think that the Ranger will get a redesign soon. My thinking for this is Ford hasn't announced the death of the Ranger yet, and with all the models Ford has canceled in the past ten years we've had news of it happening a year or two a head of the end dated for the model.

 

[JohnnyO]

Bill Ford hisself said about two years ago that they were going to concentrate on building profitable vehicles (and hence NOT building unprofitable ones) and be less concerned with sales volume. He specifically pointed to dropping the 2 door Explorer as an example.
At the same time, nothing new Ford makes really turns my crank except for the Mustang.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

Two years ago they were still selling pretty good though.

 

[ozzy85]

It seems all the small trucks have gotten bigger or just disappeared. I live in town and don't really need a full size truck, especially with what has happened to gas prices (which I think will be permanent.) I don't see a Ranger as a stepping stone to an F-150. Don't like 'em. I sometimes get the same thing for riding a "baby" Harley. Don't want a big bike. I'm kinda done with big vehicles.

 

[jmzneal]

I like Rangers better than any other Truck..Full or mini...From the 93 model up i love the curves and body lines...their easy to work on and very dependable. If Ford snuffs the Ranger i will personally raise hell to every high falutin VP and Executive until I get my point across....

 

[JohnnyO]

I COULD have an F150. but for one thing I live and work in an older area with narrow streets and driveways and a full size would often be a PITA to get around in. For another, a full size is too wide to fit in my garage. The Ranger is a good truck but kind of superfluous in Ford's product mix because it gives up a good bit of interior and bed space and cargo and towing capacity to the F150 but unless you get a 4-banger, you save little if anything on gas.

 

[human5]

I wish Ford will do something to the Ranger soon. This truck really needs to be retooled. I personally wouldn't mind having a slightly bigger truck (I don't mean as big as a frontier or tacoma, but slightly bigger than it is now). I also think Ford should lean on Mazda a little bit with this. One of my co-workers just picked up a 83 diesel mazda pickup. We had it on a lift at his friends shop and were checking it out. This little beast has heavy duty axels and a fully boxed frame.

I do agree with the people saying a diesel would help out. They'd get 100% of the fleet market. Also people wanting a truck with better than average fuel economy will probably opt for one.

Speaking for a GM owner (my father) "I'd rather have your truck, it sits higher, the interior looks like a truck, and it's built better than my damn gmc." My dad bought a brand new Canyon around Feb. and already the door hinges squiel like it's a 1978 rust bucket. The way the truck sits annoys him a bit and the clutch feels too much like one out of a car. The interior is a joke, the carpet is pretty much felt taped to cardboard and the seats look like they came out of an impala.

 

[PARKINGLOT]

I still personally like the new rangers. They are easier to load/unload on my truck then F-150's, easier to see out of, etc. now, that is just something that appeals to me for work. I've test driven a couple while I was bored, and they still drive nice, have good power, built fairly tough, and they do have a good following. Hell, if I could get anything out of my focus (it needs some rust and key marks fixed and painted before I could ever trade it) I'd love to get a newer ranger, I just miss having a truck.

 

[ozzy85]

I bet if Ford lets the Ranger go, it would just be "on hiatus" for awhile like the Camaro. By then there might be more demand for a 4-cyl truck that's durable.