Looks Like The New Ford Ranger Is Already Off-Roading In Moab

[Jim Oaks]

From Jalopnik:

An uncamo’d, production-spec-looking new Ford Ranger was spotted at what appeared to be a photo or commercial shoot in the off-roader’s paradise of Moab, Utah. Now that the 2018 Wrangler has landed, this can be our new 4x4 fixation for a bit.

As you can see, this pickup truck’s handlers have made an attempt to mask the vehicle’s identity with a sheet over its tailgate (which probably reads R A N G E R in big letters) but it didn’t fool the Jalopnik reader who sent us this photo. The cab silhouette clearly looks like the current “T6” Ranger sold internationally, and of course “FX4” is Ford’s mild off-road trim level for its U.S.-market truck lines.

The truck in our reader’s photo doesn’t have the cab skirts you see on the Australian-market Ranger WildTrak, but yeah, it looks like the same truck otherwise.

Resource: https://jalopnik.com/looks-like-the-new-ford-ranger-is-already-off-roading-i-1821660039/amp

 

[Jim Oaks]

According to Ford's page:

Off-the-grid adventures are just down the road.

Or around the lake. Or on the trail. Or up the mountain. And here comes the capability to do them right: The all-new Ford Ranger. Ford is bringing back the Ranger pickup to its vehicle lineup in 2019. So, line up your boards, your bikes, your coolers and your carabiners. And gear up for the newest way to be Built Ford Tough.®

I don't know that Moab is where I'd be showing off the new Ranger, or taking promo photos. The FX4 models are great off-road. I'd show this on an adventure like the Trans American Trail, or up on Imogene or Engineer pass in Colorado. Show people camping somewhere remote and beautiful. Someplace a mid sized Ranger was able to get them too, and haul their camping gear. No Jeeps pulling trailers, just a Ranger doing it all.

 

[stmitch]

The number of buyers that are going to drop 30-40k on a new truck and then thrash it on rugged trails has got to be pretty small doesn't it? For the average consumer, if they don't see pavement in the ad, then it meets their desire for a rugged, utilitarian, and capable vehicle that will rarely leave the asphalt.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

The number of buyers that are going to drop 30-40k on a new truck and then thrash it on rugged trails has got to be pretty small doesn't it? For the average consumer, if they don't see pavement in the ad, then it meets their desire for a rugged, utilitarian, and capable vehicle that will rarely leave the asphalt.

Tons of Tacos out there doing just that. TRD Pro can push $50k, lots popup tents on top of bed cages.

The scenery behind the truck probably won't be a dealbreaker for any but there are more people that wheel the crap out of midsize trucks than I thought before I started looking into them.

 

[blksn8k]

Aftermarket blacked-out tail lights will probably be a big hit. Those things are HUGE!

Too bad he didn't get a pic of the front. Curious to see how much they changed that from the ROW T6.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

Aftermarket blacked-out tail lights will probably be a big hit. Those things are HUGE!

Too bad he didn't get a pic of the front. Curious to see how much they changed that from the ROW T6.

The whole back end is kinda thick. Reminiscent of a second gen Sport Trac.

 

[BlackBII]

Looks like they didn't change it much at all. That's just an ugly T6 with an Fx4 badge.

Does this tell us anything about the new bronco? Will it just be a lame Explorer/Everest with a new grill?

We'll see soon enough I guess.

 

[Sublime]

Looks like they didn't change it much at all. That's just an ugly T6 with an Fx4 badge.

Does this tell us anything about the new bronco? Will it just be a lame Explorer/Everest with a new grill?

We'll see soon enough I guess.

I'd buy a Bronco if it looks like the show truck. Rebadged Everest, not a chance.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

Looks like they didn't change it much at all. That's just an ugly T6 with an Fx4 badge.

They said all along it was just getting a facelift and powertrain revamp.

 

[blksn8k]

Seeing as how the T6 has been sold in other markets since about 2011 it is a little disappointing that Ford could not have taken this opportunity to bring out a next generation truck. I just hope this isn't a sign that they are not really committed to the mid-size market and will let the "new" Ranger rot on the vine. It's not as if they haven't done it before.

 

[blksn8k]

I'd buy a Bronco if it looks like the show truck. Rebadged Everest, not a chance.

That rendering was not done by Ford. It was done by someone at bronco6g.com. The last time Ford had a "show truck" or Bronco concept was way back in 2004. I would be really surprised if the 2020 Bronco looks like either one of those but I also hope it is more than just a rebadged Everest.

 

[don4331]

Ford has been consistent that the new Ranger would just be RoW Ranger with a facelift and American drivetrain/interior.

They have also said Bronco wouldn't just be RoW Everest with facelift/America drivetrain/interior. So, I still hope for style closer to Expedition.

If my only choice for Ranger is SCrew/microbox, I might as well get a Bronco and trailer. Significant other passionately hates trailers, so a SCab/regular box is the ideal middle.

 

[Jim Oaks]

The 6G renderings are just fantasy BS.

A new Everest would most likely be an Everest with a new facial makeover for the U.S.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

Seeing as how the T6 has been sold in other markets since about 2011 it is a little disappointing that Ford could not have taken this opportunity to bring out a next generation truck. I just hope this isn't a sign that they are not really committed to the mid-size market and will let the "new" Ranger rot on the vine. It's not as if they haven't done it before.

Very true.

I think they are testing the market with minimal investment at the moment. If the thing takes off and runs they know it is worth more investment, if not it dies and they are only out a facelift.

Of course they stick pathetic engines in it and/or price it too close to a F-150 and it will won't take long to write it off.

I keep hearing from my wife I need a four door truck, I don't want an oil tanker of a truck... Supercrew with a 5' box would be about perfect.

 

[blksn8k]

I keep hearing from my wife I need a four door truck, I don't want an oil tanker of a truck... Supercrew with a 5' box would be about perfect.

The 4' bed on my Sport Trac hasn't been that big of a problem and I've had mine since new in Jan '07. I have an 8'x12' Aluma trailer for anything that won't fit in the bed and an 18' box trailer for big stuff that I don't want to get dirty.