The 2019 Ford Ranger is yesterdays F-150

[Jim Oaks]

We've all noticed that the horsepower and towing capabilities of pick-ups seems to increase all the time.

With the recent release of the 2019 Ford Ranger Specs;

https://www.therangerstation.com/forums/showthread.php?t=178562

I decided to see how they compare to a Ford F-150 produced around the time the Ford Ranger was first introduced.

2019 Ford Ranger Specs:

270 HP & 310 LB FT Torque
7,500 LB Towing Capacity
1,860 LBS Payload Capacity
Unknown MPG - Likely over 20 MPG

1986 Ford F-150 Specs:

185 HP & 270 LB FT Torque
7,500 LB Towing Capacity
1,500 Payload
12 MPG / 17 MPG

As you can see, the 2019 Ford Ranger actually has more horsepower and hauling capacity than the 1980's F-150 had. It's definitely going to get better MPG. Yet, people complain because the new Ranger ONLY has 270 horsepower.

So now that the Ranger has become the old F-150, what's next?

Well, there has been talk about a small pickup based off of the Ford Focus.

 

[ratdude747]

Well, there has been talk about a small pickup based off of the Ford Focus

Revival of the Courier? Or was this a joke?

 

[Jim Oaks]

These small 'Utes" as they're called do well in other countries.

However, Ford also has something going on with VW:

The Memorandum of Understanding signed by Ford and Volkswagen in June this year laid the foundations of a strategic partnership between two of the largest automakers in the world. Initially, the manufacturers are expected to just focus on co-developing an array of commercial vehicles, but will also work to “better serve the evolving needs of customers.” According to some industry specialists, this could mean that Ford and Volkswagen are pondering a full-fledged merger or an equity swap, which could form the largest single company in the industry.

An analysis by The Detroit Bureau points out that a partnership reaching far beyond the commercial vehicle market could be very beneficial for both sides. The German company could benefit from Ford’s strong positions on the American market, especially in the pickup and SUV segments, while the Blue Oval could use some help in Europe, Latin America, and China, where it’s currently weak.

Also, the two manufacturers could share successful platforms and help each other expand model lineups. For instance, Ford was once a pioneering brand in the EV technologies but is now lagging behind Volkswagen, which has an aggressive electrification plan. In return, Ford could help VW recover its image in the United States after the Dieselgate, for example, with a Ranger-based compact pickup.

 

[Ranger850]

As said in another thread somewhere around here : Current "Ranger " could be actually be an F100: escape based truck = Ranger : focus based truck = Courier
I paraphrased the original but that would seem logical since there like GMC now only making trucks and SUVS

 

[sgtsandman]

I'm trying to remember some of the specifics from the late 1980's. I can't remember if light trucks had all the power choking devices on them yet like the cars did at that time.

Whether they did or not, people were used to vehicles being slower and more sluggish then compared to now. We are kinda spoiled with the power and amenities today's vehicles have now.

Vehicle manufactures have gotten better at generating horsepower out of a given engine size compared to then.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

I'm trying to remember some of the specifics from the late 1980's. I can't remember if light trucks had all the power choking devices on them yet like the cars did at that time.

Whether they did or not, people were used to vehicles being slower and more sluggish then compared to now. We are kinda spoiled with the power and amenities today's vehicles have now.

Vehicle manufactures have gotten better at generating horsepower out of a given engine size compared to then.

My ‘85 had best in class horsepower at 110 raging Shetland ponies. And 55 is called out on the speedometer because that was the national speed limit at the time.

But F-150’s did not have more power than the new Ranger until 2004 and were a MUCH larger and heavier truck. With how ford gets power where ever they want it with an Ecoboost it should pummel the high winding competition.

 

[pjtoledo]

OK, it's obvious that about 5 people won't like the new Ranger. maybe Ford is targeting the other 69,995 potential buyers??

 

[bobbywalter]

not sure if i am just going to buy one....or lease one first till the bugs are worked out.




getting one though.

 

[Shran]

I'd add that the new Ranger is at LEAST 1000lbs heavier than the average '86 F150 and probably as much as a ton more than certain models. So there is the power to weight ratio thing although the torque curve is going to be drastically different between the engines offered in both trucks. 270hp will be plenty, and you know there will be tuners and stuff coming out to bump that up a bit.

That said, 185hp in my F150 is pretty snappy. Truly, a power to weight ratio issue.

My main complaint about the older half tons, especially in the 80's, is that their payload capacity just sucks. Half a ton of gravel will have mine sitting on the bump stops. Half a ton of gravel in my Ranger will also be on the bump stops but it'll carry the weight. I'm just usually disappointed with the older half tons in general, paired with all the smog crap, they were just turds in general.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

I'd add that the new Ranger is at LEAST 1000lbs heavier than the average '86 F150 and probably as much as a ton more than certain models. So there is the power to weight ratio thing although the torque curve is going to be drastically different between the engines offered in both trucks. 270hp will be plenty, and you know there will be tuners and stuff coming out to bump that up a bit.

I am betting a heavy bullnose '150 would weigh about the same as a new Ranger.

Heck my std cab longbox Ranger with basically an '86 F-150 powertrain (aside from D28 and BW1350) weighs 4k. No way a F-150 would weigh less than that and I don't see the new Ranger weighing a ton more. My scab F-150 with a cast iron block V8 and 9.75 rear axle is just over 5k.

EDIT:

According to Wikipedia curb weight on the T6 varies between 4100-4300lbs.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ford_Ranger_(T6)

 

[Shran]

I dunno man, my old '85 F250 weighed in at 6300... and it was a 4x4, extended cab long box with a 460. My '07 F250 is around 7800. It's been a while since my '86 half ton has been on a scale so I don't have an exact number but I'm guessing it's somewhere around 4500. Best information I can find about the new Ranger puts them just a hair over 6000.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

My 2002 F-150 which is physically larger is 5500 with a full tank of gas and me in it.

Adjusting for more saftey crap but with less than half the engine and smaller powertrain I don't think it would outweigh mine. Both have aluminum hoods but mine has a steel tailgate.

Overseas has diesels which will add weight too.

 

[bobbywalter]

f 150 goes 4100-5800 pounds. yaaaay for pop cans...


i have seen written where 2wd 150's in the 80's were to weigh 3500-3800...just never seen it on a scale. i know my ext cab truck when it was actually a ranger weighed 4200 and some change and was a few pounds heavier then a bullnose 2wd 302 with manual on the same scale. the ranger is supposed to weigh 3900 ext cab 4x4 auto..

last winter at the auto show


they told us it was to be quite a bit south of 5 k...i figured 5300-5500 and told them my ranger was right at 6k with road tools full size spare and jack......the one at the show was not even close to our yankee version.


it was to be slightly heavier then the row t6 iirc...like a few hundred max...and that was compared to row gas engines. our explorer is right at 5k...they said it was much lighter then that.

so i figured based on the 2.3 explorers i have driven it will be acceptable for sure.


spec will be out soon enough.

by the time i am done i can see it being 6300.

 

[ZMan]

I dunno man, my old '85 F250 weighed in at 6300... and it was a 4x4, extended cab long box with a 460. My '07 F250 is around 7800. It's been a while since my '86 half ton has been on a scale so I don't have an exact number but I'm guessing it's somewhere around 4500. Best information I can find about the new Ranger puts them just a hair over 6000.

You're probably looking at GVWR, which is NOT the actual weight. The '15+ aluminum body F-150 is under 5k, and my '13 is under 6k. No way a new Ranger is going to weigh more than my steel body F-150.

 

[don4331]

1986 Ford F-150 Specs:

185 HP & 270 LB FT Torque
7,500 LB Towing Capacity
1,500 Payload
12 MPG / 17 MPG

I'm surprised how much lower the US rating were than for my old man's '82 F-150:

1982 Cdn F-150 Specs:

210 HP & 330 LB FT Torque (351W)
2,530 lb Payload (Payload package #2)

Top of line Aussie Ranger SCrew 4x4 has curb of 2.1 tonne (4,600lbs) and GVWR of 3.2 tonne (7,000lbs). Knock off some for 2.3EB versus 3.2 PowerStroke, add some for American safety and numbers should be close.

I find it slightly strange that Volkswagen would sell Rangers when they have the Amarok (I know chicken tax; but how much assembly needs to be completed in US to avoid tax - one could ship pieces in from Europe/South America).

Saveiro G5, VW's Ute would have the same issue as they are currently manufactured in Brazil. Saveiro's I have seen in Mexico are inexpensive (dare I say cheap) - definitely a no frills ute. Other than unibody, a lot of what some of the forum's members say they are looking for.

What I think is VW is missing options in the CUV/SUV market with only Tiguan and Atlas that Ford could round out, while VW can supply sedans, should Americas love with SUV suddenly end.

Note: Ford Focus and Escape share the same starting platform, while Fiesta and EcoSport share the smaller one.

I don't think I would want a "Courier" off the EcoSport platform; "Escape" is small enough.