Here's the Pontiac version of this that is actually going into production and will be on dealers lots by the end of the year. The Pontiac G8 ST. Is it just me or does Ford and Chevy both pull from the same design studio?
This one is a photoshop rendering of what a GMC Crewman ought to look like once it gets unveiled at the Chicago auto show. Can we say V8 Subaru Baja?
__________________
-Vince 94 Ranger Splash Supercab
3.0L Vulcan V-6 with M5OD 5-speed
3.45:1 Open Diff rear end
JL Audio 10W7 sub, JL Audio e1800D amp, Pioneer cd
Chrome gauges with Clear lenses all around
Body colored fiberglass tonneau cover
Do you think you would be satisfied with the UTE as your sole work/hauling/towing vehicle? I think that's really the essence of the question for most Ranger owners. It's like asking you whether you would you trade your 2006 Roush F150 or your 2004 F250 King Ranch for one....?
If I had to make the choice between the UTE and my Ranger as a sole work/hauling/towing vehicle I'd take the UTE.
It has more features, more power, better towing, more payload, better mileage, better safety.
- Traction control
- Intelligent safety system
- Variable cam timing.
- V8 available!
- Manual control with automatic transmission
- Turbo available
- LPG engine available
- Braking load distribution
- Available with a 1 ton suspension
- Available with a "heavy duty" 1 ton suspension
- Available with a sport suspension
- Higher tow capacity
Why wouldn't you want a Ranger to have those features?
Comparing it to the Ranger is an apples to apples comparison. Compariing it to a larger 1 ton or 3/4 ton truck isn't.
Don't get me wrong, I love the Ranger. Its a great truck and does everything our family bought it for. But that doesn't mean I'm so model blind that I won't acknowledge something better from an engineering point of view. The only thing I can see as a legitimate gripe with anyone is styling... but from a technical standpoint its a more advanced truck (and should be since its a new design and the Ranger is 20+ years old).
__________________ -Ken
If you need to get in touch with me email me at ftsservice at gmail dot com or via AOL IM: motorhavenken. The best is yet to come....
If I had to make the choice between the UTE and my Ranger as a sole work/hauling/towing vehicle I'd take the UTE.
It has more features, more power, better towing, more payload, better mileage, better safety.
- Traction control
- Intelligent safety system
- Variable cam timing.
- V8 available!
- Manual control with automatic transmission
- Turbo available
- LPG engine available
- Braking load distribution
- Available with a 1 ton suspension
- Available with a "heavy duty" 1 ton suspension
- Available with a sport suspension
- Higher tow capacity
Why wouldn't you want a Ranger to have those features?
I (along with 99.9% of all past and present Ranger owners) would love for the Ranger to have those features.
Quote:
Comparing it to the Ranger is an apples to apples comparison. Compariing it to a larger 1 ton or 3/4 ton truck isn't.
I disagree. I've always argued that my Ranger is as much of a truck as a standard F-150, and along those same lines, I also can't buy into the distinction that you are trying to make.
Quote:
Don't get me wrong, I love the Ranger. Its a great truck and does everything our family bought it for. But that doesn't mean I'm so model blind that I won't acknowledge something better from an engineering point of view. The only thing I can see as a legitimate gripe with anyone is styling... but from a technical standpoint its a more advanced truck (and should be since its a new design and the Ranger is 20+ years old).
I'm not getting the impression that you are putting down the Ranger. I think you are simply expressing your usual practical point of view. It seems to me like we disagree more as to the usefulness (utility) of the UTE. I could be wrong, but I just can't see it doing all the things that my Ranger can do.
Also, when it's time to move on, I don't get the feeling that very many present or former Ranger (or S-10, etc.) owners are going to migrate over to the Pontiac or GM version of the UTE when they hit the States. I suppose time will tell. I'm willing to keep an open mind.
Ken if you want to give up the 2006 Roush F150 I would more than happy to take that off of your hands!!!
But with the issuse at hand; I owned a 98 Taurus and it was a very good car. I put almost 150K on it in about 4 years. I sold it to my younger sister after she wrecked her car. I now own a 2003 Ranger. 3.0 2wd. I am more comfortable in the ranger on a long trip than I was in my Taurus. That is just my 2 cents. Take them as you will!!
I disagree. I've always argued that my Ranger is as much of a truck as a standard F-150, and along those same lines, I also can't buy into the distinction that you are trying to make.
Yes, is a standard truck. That's not in contention. However, a Ranger is not comparable to an F150 in capabilities, nor is an F150 comparable to an F250 in capabilities. There is a distinction, and if there were not, there wouldn't be a need for different sized trucks.
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It seems to me like we disagree more as to the usefulness (utility) of the UTE. I could be wrong, but I just can't see it doing all the things that my Ranger can do.
Can you provide an example?
Quote:
Also, when it's time to move on, I don't get the feeling that very many present or former Ranger (or S-10, etc.) owners are going to migrate over to the Pontiac or GM version of the UTE when they hit the States. I suppose time will tell. I'm willing to keep an open mind.
Who's going to migrate over to GM or Pontiac isn't my point. My point is the UTE is a more capable vehicle than the Ranger, yet is in the same class and to put it down simply because one owns a Ranger is looking at it through rose colored glasses. I own a Ranger and I'd love it to have the capabilities of the UTE! Putting pride aside and looking at it objectively... I can't help but think its a great small truck. The Aussies has some great things over there I'd love to see in the states (for instance, their versions of the V8).
If Ford were to start making this UTE over here, and badging it as a Ranger they wouldn't be able to keep up with sales demand, especially the 4 door version. Its perfect for small families who need everything: economy, room, towing, power, safety and capabilities. Ford has neglected the Ranger for too long.
__________________ -Ken
If you need to get in touch with me email me at ftsservice at gmail dot com or via AOL IM: motorhavenken. The best is yet to come....
The UTE reminds me a lot of the Sport Trac. I do not keep up with all the major specs but I do know that the Sport Trac comes with 4 door, 4x4, and also a V8. It seems to me that it is already here. Only difference I see is that the UTE sits lower, and smaller tires. Should we not be comparing the Sport Trac to the UTE???
like fte ken said, same ol ranger year after year. there behind other light pickup companies on whats offered. thats fords fault big time. it really sucks being a ranger owner and having literally a couple of options on the ranger. every other FORD truck and every other auto maker has more to offer on there vehicles.
heres a kicker talking about the sport trac----how come the 4.0 sport trac rides ten times better than the ranger? same engine and tranny and yet the shifting bewteen the automatics is night and day. more options on the sport trac, like every ford truck in comparison to the ranger. i test drove a sport trac 45 minutes before i bought the ranger. sport trac is not a truck per say imo, and was way more expensive.
not dogging the ranger, but it could have a few more options
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no ticky, no laundry
My name is Paul, and my ride is a 2006 ranger tremor 4x4
One in particular I've got in mind is a trip I have make every couple of months. I weigh my Ranger down real good with a load of metal and then head to the local scrapyard, which is better described as a mud pit for at least 8 months of the year. (I wouldn't be surprised if the place is mostly wetlands). So I look at the pictures of the UTE posted above and then I think of how many times I've almost gotten stuck down in the mud pit with my loaded-down Ranger, and I can't help but say to myself: no way.
The UTE reminds me a lot of the Sport Trac. I do not keep up with all the major specs but I do know that the Sport Trac comes with 4 door, 4x4, and also a V8. It seems to me that it is already here. Only difference I see is that the UTE sits lower, and smaller tires. Should we not be comparing the Sport Trac to the UTE???
Good point. I'm wondering if the UTE has the shorter bed like the Sport Trac does, which I personally am not fond of. I've been looking around for some LxWxH specifications regarding the bed on the UTE, but haven't come across any yet.
Gm's copied off of Ford for years here in the states, so it's not a stretch to think they do in other country's imho.
I'd have traded my Ranger for one in a heartbeat.
That's a beautiful truck, not to mention one that will appeal to both on road (V8, manual, and low-riding) and off road (V8, lift kit, and locker) enthusiasts. It will consistently outperform the Ranger in basically every aspect, and I imagine it won't be struggling to pull it's max load as the Ranger is.
We have a post on here about what people want in the Ranger, you all beg for V8's, crew cabs, lift kits, and lockers, and then when this shows up, you all whine that it's ugly and you'd never trade your Ranger for it. Oh yes...the, as Ken said, 20 year old design Ranger is obviously far superior to the Ute.
Designs like this are the way of the future. Aerodynamic to bring out the maximum in mileage from a performance vehicle. Top of the line, advanced inside and out. The Ranger is an "analog player in a digital world". It's old school technology, and it needs to become something along this lines if it wants to continue to be competitive.
Definately unibody on the UTE. But I do know that the G8 ST will have a partial frame grafted into the rear to better handle loads, maybe Ford's doing the same with this UTE?
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Originally Posted by towingparts32
The UTE reminds me a lot of the Sport Trac. I do not keep up with all the major specs but I do know that the Sport Trac comes with 4 door, 4x4, and also a V8. It seems to me that it is already here. Only difference I see is that the UTE sits lower, and smaller tires. Should we not be comparing the Sport Trac to the UTE???
Given the fact that the UTE is unibody and not body on frame it'll probably under cut the Sport-Trac by 1000 lbs. That's a huge plus in my book! Physically the Sport-Trac is bigger than either the Ranger or the UTE also, so there wouldnt be an apples to apples comparo there.
__________________
-Vince 94 Ranger Splash Supercab
3.0L Vulcan V-6 with M5OD 5-speed
3.45:1 Open Diff rear end
JL Audio 10W7 sub, JL Audio e1800D amp, Pioneer cd
Chrome gauges with Clear lenses all around
Body colored fiberglass tonneau cover
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-Ken
It seems to me like we disagree more as to the usefulness (utility) of the UTE. I could be wrong, but I just can't see it doing all the things that my Ranger can do.
