How about making the 3.5 ecoboost engine available for the Ranger. It would be a screaming machine IMO. I certainly would love to see that come to be.

 

The Ranger Raptor 3.0 EB has the same HP as the F150 3.5 EB but less torque.

 

And, the 3.5L is heavy as hell. It's in the same weight category as the 5.0L V8.

I mention this because I've seen the payload and towing specs on the 2026 Ranger. The ratings drop by 200 pounds when equipped with the optional V6. 200 pounds may not seem like a lot but it is when comparing the Ranger's capabilities to the other mid size trucks in it's class.

With the 2.3L, it can tow 7500 lbs and has a payload of up to 1788 pounds which dwarfs many F-150's.

Regarding MPG's, the V-6 powered Ranger averages about 20 MPG's which is what the 5.0L F-150 averages. Boosted engines are thirsty when you push them hard.

 

The 2.7 V6 in my 2025 Ranger averages about 17 mpg around town and an easy 23 mpg on the highway with A/C on and cruise set for 70. If you get it with the FX4 option you get a lower axle ratio and combined with the Sport Mode setting it moves pretty well. I actually get better gas mileage around town in Sport Mode than in Normal Mode.

If the loss of 200 pounds of payload capacity is the deciding factor for you then you're buying the wrong truck. Get an F150.

 

If you're buying a Ranger for payload, you've bought the wrong truck anyway. I find it fascinating that a 2.3L Ranger and a Maverick can have a higher payload then some high end F-150's.

We've had our 2020 Explorer since new. The only time I feel that we needed more engine than the 2.3L is in the W. Virginia mountains......the 2.3L was adequate in that scenario. The 2.3L has already proven itself to be more reliable than any of the V6 eco's. But I do agree, more engine is always more fun.

 

Not sure how accurate the sources are but the 5.0 Coyote comes in at 445 lbs and the 3.5 comes in at 449 lbs. Not a big difference. Both engines are rated at 400 HP. The big difference is in torque. The Coyote is rated at 420 @ 4600 RPM. The 3.5 is rated at 500 @ 3100 RPM. Big difference there. My previous truck was a 22 F-150 TREMOR with the 3.5. All stock no tunes or add ons. Being the Ranger is about 1000 lbs lighter than the typical F-150 I would think the Ranger would be quite the performer. I am talking 4 x 4 trucks. My F-150 ate up Ram hemi's for breakfast, lunch and dinner. No comparison. The lighter Ranger would be quite the performer I would think. I would love to see a Ranger with the 3.5 motor.

 

Well a 3.5 Ranger is something pretty cool to dream about but I'm guessing it's no more than a dream. The 3.5 is a 65% increase in horsepower and 60% increase in torque over the base 2.3. That means a beefed up transmission, a new transfer case, stouter drive shafts and U joints and upgraded axles to handle the increase. Probably need to stiffen up the frame and suspension as well to handle the increased weight and torque.

When all is done you now have a Ranger that will cost considerably more than an F-150.

Oh, and don't forget insurance. Anybody old enough to remember how the insurance companies basically caused the demise of the muscle cars of the 60's and 70's?

But it is fun to dream!