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NEW 2004 RANGER BUILDS ON 16 YEARS OF LEADERSHIP
- The 2004 Ranger features a sporty interior with all-new
seats and tough exterior styling
- America’s best-selling compact
pickup for 16 years running is getting even better for 2004
- All-new Pioneer® Sound System delivering 290-peak watts of power
through an in-dash 6-disc MP3 player
DEARBORN, April 14 –
The best-selling compact pickup for the past 16 years is building on
its Built Ford Tough heritage with all-new seats, audio system and
aggressive exterior styling for the 2004 model year. Ranger,
which appeals to young and active customers, is known for its
packaging variety and easy customization. “Ranger has always
offered special packages tailored to changing customer needs,” said
Matt O’Leary, Ranger chief engineer. “It is an affordable, reliable
and fun-to-drive product that meets the demands of a very diverse
customer base.” Calendar sales of Ranger totaled over 226,000 units
in 2002. By offering five trim levels (XL, Edge, XLT, Tremor and
FX4), Ranger stays a step ahead of its competition. “Ranger has
captured the Polk Automotive Loyalty Award for compact pickups since
2000,” said Shawn McDermott, Ranger marketing manager. “We have
been able to retain our customers because of our unique and diverse
package offerings.” Exterior
The 2004 Ranger
improves on its already sharp exterior styling, featuring design
cues of the all-new 2004 F-150. An all-new front fascia with power
dome hood and nostril grille highlight Ranger’s aggressive stance in
three new Clearcoat Metallic colors: Dark Shadow Grey, Dark Green
Satin and Silver. Interior
Inside, Ranger boasts
all-new seats with optional all-new leather-trimmed seat surfaces
with late availability in both split bench and sport bucket seat
configurations. “We did extensive market and internal research to
develop a seat that feels great when you first sit in it as well as
after you’ve been in it for hours,” said O’Leary. “We have also met
future safety regulations to provide our customers a seat that is
comfortable, safe and attractive.” Sculpted bolsters and
adjustable options hold you in place off-roading. Rally-style gauge
clusters are added for 2004. FX4 offers black-face clusters and
brushed aluminum gauges, while Edge and Tremor sport a white-faced
display. XLT
In 2001, Ranger became the first
vehicle in its segment to introduce an AM/FM CD/MP3 player. It
continues to lead in audio options for 2004. Brace yourself for
thumping bass and excellent sound quality thanks to an all-new
Pioneer® Stereo System delivering 290-peak watts of power through
nine speakers. The system also features an integrated power
subwoofer unique to its segment. Your music can go from online to
on-road with the standard AM/FM in-dash 6-disc MP3 player.
Tremor
Also from Pioneer®, Tremor continues to knock
sound quality out of the park with a built-in subwoofer delivering
510-watts of power through a new in-dash CD/MP3 player. New for
2004, Tremor will be offered with a 4×4 drivetrain, in addition to
the 4×2 offered in previous years. “The Tremor audio system
delivers great sound quality and is very popular with our
customers,” said McDermott. “The addition of a 4×4 drivetrain will
allow us to expand into many new markets.”
FX4
New
for 2004, FX4 will have an optional manual transmission with late
availability. Ride and Handling
Off-roading poses
no challenge for Ranger. Its suspension is revised with improved
bushings, springs and tires. Retuned shocks are optimized for
improved ride without sacrificing handling. Ranger’s two off-road
packages feature proven heavy-duty equipment. “Ranger is true to
the Built Ford Tough legacy. Its strong 4×4 stance and off-road
capability is outstanding,” said Matt O’Leary, Ranger chief
engineer. “I receive many letters from satisfied customers who have
well over 100,000 miles on their Rangers and they’re still going
strong.” The FX4/Level II is fitted with retuned Bilstein
shocks that improve control, handling and performance. BF Goodrich
All-Terrain T/A Tires and Alcoa forged aluminum wheels round out
Ranger’s rugged profile. Tremor and Edge models feature improved
shock tuning and 16-inch aluminum wheels and tires.
Power
Under the hood, the 2004 Ranger offers three
engines, including a recently introduced 2.3-liter I-4 and two V-6
engines. The 2.3-liter I-4 produces 143 horsepower at 5,250 rpm and
154 foot-pounds of torque at 3,750 rpm, thanks to new intake and
exhaust camshafts, throttle body, exhaust manifold and engine
calibration.
Ranger’s 3.0-liter V-6 engine produces 154
horsepower at 5200 rpm and 180 foot-pounds of torque at 3900 rpm.
The torque profile of the 3.0-liter was modified in 2002 to provide
better drivability and improved fuel economy and towing capability.
This engine is standard on all 4×2 SuperCab models equipped with the
five-speed automatic transmission. Ranger also is available
with a 4.0-liter SOHC V-6 that produces 207 horsepower at 5,250 rpm
and 238 foot-pounds of torque at 3,000 rpm. All three engines are
available with a five-speed automatic transmission or a heavy-duty,
five-speed manual transmission. While Ranger hardly shies at
tearing up dirt roads, it stands as the segment leader in fuel
economy and emissions for the standard pick-up truck according to
the Department of Energy and the Environmental Protection Agency.
Classified as a Low Emissions Vehicle, the 2.3-liter I-4 engine has
even lower emissions for 2004 than in previous years.
Ranger is built at Twin Cities Assembly Plant in St. Paul, Minn.
and Edison Assembly Plant in Edison, N.J.
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