Flareside Ranger was so Popular in 1993 that it got a Little Bigger in 1994
The Ford Ranger Splash was introduced in 1993 with a flareside bed design that was new to the compact pickup segment as a sporty alternative to the “normal” Ranger. The Splash package for 1993 was offered only as a regular cab with the standard flareside bed, unique polished 15-inch aluminum wheels and the Splash graphics on the bedside and on the tailgate. The Ranger Splash also included unique suspension components, lowering the rear end by one inch in the back and, on 4×2 versions, the front end was lowered by two inches. Even in 4×4 trim, the Ranger Splash was a popular option with buyers who wanted a sporty little pickup.
For the 1994 model year, Ford expanded the option list for the Ranger Splash, adding the extended cab option to the lineup . This week’s “Throwback Thursday” looks at the commercial introduction of the 1994 Ford Ranger Splash.
The extended-cab Ranger Splash had all of the same basic features as the 1993 Splash regular cab. So, for the commercial, Ford had to find some way to fill 30 seconds of airtime without any new details to discuss. They did this by showing both forms of the ’94 Ranger Splash driving back and forth through a waterfall, while tossing in a handful of clips showing young, pretty people having fun in the water – just like the Ranger.
With the news that the Ford Ranger will return to the U.S. lineup in the next few years, perhaps we will see a new Ford Ranger Splash. But until that happens, we can enjoy this classic ’90s Ford pickup commercial.
"Before I was old enough to walk, my dad was taking me to various types of racing events, from local drag racing to the Daytona 500," says Patrick Rall, a lifetime automotive expert, diehard Dodge fan, and respected auto journalist for over 10 years. "He owned a repair shop and had a variety of performance cars when I was young, but by the time I was 16, he was ready to build me my first drag car – a 1983 Dodge Mirada that ran low 12s. I spent 10 years traveling around the country, racing with my dad by my side. While we live in different areas of the country, my dad still drag races at 80 years old in the car that he built when I was 16 while I race other vehicles, including my 2017 Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat and my 1972 Dodge Demon 340.
"Although I went to college for accounting, my time in my dad’s shop growing up allowed me the knowledge to spend time working as a mechanic before getting my accounting degree, at which point I worked in the office of a dealership group. While I was working in the accounting world, I continued racing and taking pictures of cars at the track. Over time, I began showing off those pictures online and that led to my writing.
"Ten years ago, I left the accounting world to become a full-time automotive writer and I am living proof that if you love what you do, you will never “work” a day in your life," adds Rall, who has clocked in time as an auto mechanic, longtime drag racer and now automotive journalist who contributes to nearly a dozen popular auto websites dedicated to fellow enthusiasts.
"I love covering the automotive industry and everything involved with the job. I was fortunate to turn my love of the automotive world into a hobby that led to an exciting career, with my past of working as a mechanic and as an accountant in the automotive world provides me with a unique perspective of the industry.
"My experience drag racing for more than 20 years coupled with a newfound interest in road racing over the past decade allows me to push performance cars to their limit, while my role as a horse stable manager gives me vast experience towing and hauling with all of the newest trucks on the market today.
