TRS-3 20th Anniversary Ford Ranger

[wildbill23c]

Looks good...is that your next build LOL.

 

[Jim Oaks]

$$$$$$$$

 

[Jim Oaks]

I actually cut the blue to low. Should be more like this to match TRS-1 and TRS-2:

Actually, I don't think I would do it like that on the next truck. I'd probably go with a silver Ranger, and find a way to add paint and graphics (or a wrap) towards the back of the bed:

Just needs enough lift to clear some 33's, a winch bumper, winch, and some off-road lights.

What do you think?



.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

I actually cut the blue to low. Should be more like this to match TRS-1 and TRS-2:

.

I like to his one the best but I would play with having the blue follow the body line down the front more like maybe to point of the headlight.

It kinda messes it up, your line is level but the truck is a little nose high.

 

[Jim Oaks]

I like to his one the best but I would play with having the blue follow the body line down the front more like maybe to point of the headlight.

It kinda messes it up, your line is level but the truck is a little nose high.

Well I would, if I did it that way. I just pieced two pics together, so I was a bit limited LOL

 

[ryan]

Wrapping the bed like that seems like it would be a real economical way to do it

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

Well I would, if I did it that way. I just pieced two pics together, so I was a bit limited LOL

lol.

I didn't look at the line that close on the first one, I thought you were playing with photoshop.

 

[bobbywalter]

wow.

 

[AgPete139]

I like the rear wrap better. Maybe it's the color of the blue that doesn't look as good to me in the other design, or the body style. But, I see about keeping it looking similar to TRS-1 & -2.

 

[Bird76Mojo]

The only problem here is government. It's due to government regulations that Ford has to produce a truck like they have the new Ranger. You simply can't go back to the days of solid front axles like the Toyota's used to have, and leaf spring suspension all the way around. Trucks have to perform well in so many areas (pollution standards, fuel efficiency standards, handling standards, safety standards, material and waste standards, and there are lots more) that any manufacturer has to jump through so many hoops that it's a wonder they can produce a vehicle at all.

The trouble is its no longer an affordable truck for what people wanted. People wanted a simple compact truck to use around the farm, ranch, etc. Ford once again screwed up something simple by doing what they wanted and once again creating a vehicle that will fail due to its size and the price that they're going to want you may as well buy an F150 or F250. This is exactly why they stopped making the Ranger in the US to being with because it was outselling their oversized, overpriced F150. This time people are just going to look at the Ranger and the ridiculous price and buy the F150 with a slightly larger squirrel under the hood.

GB

 

[Bird76Mojo]

I'd seriously start contacting anyone at Ford who will listen and try to set up some sort of promotional thing with a new truck to represent the site. Even a 5% discount on a new Ranger for keeping interest in their trucks shouldn't be too much to ask. Special pricing, a special lease program designed for you, etc.. Maybe even a loaner truck like they do for MotorTrend's long-term vehicle tests..

This website has CLEARLY kept interest in Ford Rangers alive and well, and it's likely done more for Ford than they'll ever realize.


GB

 

[Jim Oaks]

I'm just some guy with a website. Ford could care less if I have a Ranger. They just like that there are enthusiast sites promoting their product.

I've had some great opportunities because of TRS though:

- Got to see the debut of the 2019 Ford Ranger.
- Got to test drive the FX4 Ranger before it was available to the public.
- Got invited to attend a BITD race with Rumble Goat Racing, and took a ride in a Ford Raptor before it was available to the public.
- Got to interview Chuck Johnson, a former Ford Rough Rider Ford Ranger racer.
- Chuck sent me some Ford Rough Riders posters.
- Steve Olliges sent me a letter along with a photo of the Rough Riders team.
- Had both of my Ford Rangers, and a few trail rides featured in Offroad Adventures Magazine.

I'm watching 'Desert People' and going in to withdrawal because I don't have a Ford Ranger. It doesn't have to be a 2019. I wouldn't care if it was a 1999 (TRS started in 1999). I can't believe I own The Ranger Station, and don't have a Ford Ranger. It makes as much sense as Henry Ford hitch hiking because he doesn't have a car.

It's my fault that I'm in this situation. I just need to find an economical solution.

 

[Bird76Mojo]

Jim, you find a way to get it to you, and I'll give you an 89 single cab long bed 2.9, 5spd, manual transfer case 4x4. It still runs but not the best. Likely has cracked heads again, or a head gasket issue, but comes with a spare engine in a BII..



GB

 

[wildbill23c]

Like Jim mentioned, Ford doesn't care about some little guy that has a website...they want those millionaire reviewer companies to boast about the vehicle even if its a total piece of shit...which is exactly what those review companies do, the automaker pays them big bucks to skip over the long list of terrible flaws a vehicle has...so guess who gets the cool loaner/long term test vehicles...yep those multi-million dollar testing and reviewing companies.

That being said, given TRS has been around for 20 years promoting the Ranger and Bronco 2, as well as other vehicles, Ford should do something even if its only for a few months to sport the new truck and show off TRS as the long running forum that's kept many RBV's out of the scrap yards, and/or salvaged many from the scrap yards.

Any way to set up some sort of crowd funding source to possibly help TRS get a Ranger? A 1999 and a 2019 Ranger would be awesome for TRS.

 

[Jim Oaks]

We have the GoFundMe page for the anniversary. If just the 7k followers on Facebook each donated $1, me and some of the members here could put together a pretty decent used Ranger. Doesn't have to be a new one.

Maybe I should just build a Bronco II. How weird would that be?? I'm sure my dog would love to have the room in the back to go with me on trips, and my daughter keeps wanting a Jeep. Maybe I can get her hooked on a Bronco II.