just wanting to know what everyone else thought about the new rangers. they came out with a new appearance. new tail gate with the big symbol in the middle and the new billet wheels flares match the color of the truck really set them off. but they shouldnt have tried to match the bumber with the color to that just looks tacky.

 

I think it would be real nice if Ford would actually throw some money at the Ranger line and come up with a new truck. The current Ranger is fine per say, Ford throws a few $ at it here and there to enhance things and they do pretty good with those few dollars, but in so many ways it's the same ride as presented to the world back in 1993. Good technology, proven technology, aging technology. IMO, the least they could do is improve the engine output. The current SOHC 4.0 with 207HP/238ft-lb torque is a night and day difference when compared against the vintage OHV 4.0, but the SOHC 4.0 engine has been around quite awhile now, having first appeared in Explorers. Hey Ford, how about 250HP/260ft-lb of torque in a 4.0? And I don't think I'm being too unreasonable in my request either. As for the tailgate, well, that Ford emblem is a bit on the large side . On the wheels, I thought they were the same ones that have been of FX4 Level II's for a few years now. Is there something different out there other than these (and I don't mean petty stuff like color change or center cap change):

 

I recently saw a couple of two-tone 4x4 Supercab's on the roads and thought that they looked pretty good. But you can only freshen an old design so much. Ford really, really, really needs a totally new design. If I'm not mistaken the last major redesign was in 1993, right? I think we're long overdue. In a better world we might be headed towards redesign number two since 1993. But for whatever reason, Ford is sticking to the same model.

 

I'm not crazy about the '06s. I think the front ends have been getting less attractive in the last few years; they're trying to make it look tougher and it's just not as clean as before. All across the board, the Ford oval is getting bigger and I don't like that, either. Never liked the big, centered oval on the tailgates of the F-150, and I don't like it on the Ranger. I don't like the BIG blue oval that's been on the steering wheel for the last few years; I think it looks tacky.

I guess I'm in a minority in not wanting a redesign of the Ranger. I like the current truck a lot, and I don't much like a lot of trends in cars/trucks today. If it ain't broke, why fix it?

On the other hand, if they'd come out with a six-speed stick built by someone other than Mazda with a clutch hydraulic system that a home mechanic could bleed himself...

 

I'd like to see Ford have enough manhood, to put a FULL set of WORKING analog guages in a Ranger, not remove them like they've done on the 06.

HEY FORD, this guy likes a FULL set, of REAL working analog guages!!!!!

Or at least the option to have them!!!!

If you want to back em up with idiot lights, thats ok, I just want my full set of working guages BACK!!!!!

Yah I know the old oil pressure guage was an "idiot gauge", but at least it could be fixed & made intelligent!!!!!!

I don't know whats up with Fords design folks, too many of their vehicles are loosing that nice clean look.

Some of the cars grills, with those awful horizonial bars, look like they came out of a Chevy or Toyota design studio, sure hope it doesn't carry over to the Ranger!!!!

Can't say I like the 06 Rangers grill work, although there is a 4X2 option package that looks ok.

So in general I don't like what Ford has done to the Rangers looks & dash instuments for 06, so I'll just keep my 99 4.0L, they got it mostly RIGHT that year IMHO & it's still doing just fine for me!!!!!

I'd like to see Ford do some serious work on fuel economy, for the Rangers engine line up, especially the 4.0L.

Maybe get the torque & HP curves lowered to where they belong for a TRUCK.
I don't need nor want to rev my engine to 5k rpm to make useable torque & HP. I want my GRUNT & GO available off the line!!!!!

Or at least give me the option to order a power train tuned for lug & tug, that'll also return good fuel economy at highway speeds.

And for goodness sake FORD, don't let the Asian auto makers eat your lunch on the Ranger, sit on your back sides long enough & they will!!!!!

 

i still say they need to give us a diesel engine option, a in-line 4 with about 200 c.i.d. they 1/2 tons now look like super-dutys and the ranger looks like a smaller super-duty. i'll drive my '93 as long as i can. i still prefer ttb over torsion bar i.f.s. and anyway it would be 2015 before icould afford a '06. i do think the big emblem on the tailgate is way too much.

 

Dont look for Ford to put out a diesel engine in a compact pickup.

I like the fact Ford hasnt redone the Ranger in a while...I have a '04 and I dont want it to look too outdated when/if a new design is made.

I like the big blue oval on the F150's and super duitys, on the '06 Ranger it kind of makes them look silly.

Im not quite sure why Ford dropped the "Edge" name in place of "Sport". The "sport" option package went from being called "Sport" in the late 80's & early 90's to "Splash" from about '93 to '98, then back to "Sport" again from '99-2000, then a beefy "Edge" model came out in 2001 to 2005, now where back to square one with "Sport" again for 2006.

I dont recall the cool STX's from the 1990's being refered to ever as the "sport" option, although I caould be wrong about some of my "facts". I think the new STX's look like that ugly Chevy X-Tream S-10

Does anyone have a picture of the 2006 FX4 Level 2? I'd really like to check one out.

 

i dont have a picture but will get one next time i see one on a lot. i think they look good. i tried to order the yellow level II but its already gone. i have seen the yellow, blue, and black in level II's. and i think black looked the best, the yellow was sweet as well. they look good, tough.
i am not big on the grill, but its not bad. the only thing i wish ford would have continued is the manual t-case with the stick.

 

Thanks!

I just saw a two-tone, grey/dark shadow grey FX4 Level 2 at the dealer today! Man that thing looked cool! I took a few pics with my camera phone but they came out kida fuzzy and dark (its always dark and fuzzy in Detroit winters )

It had the BF GoodRich tires on it that I want to get for my regular FX4, and the new dark shadow grey rims.

And ya know, the grille really didnt look too bad on the FX4, IMO. I think because its a little bigger. The STX's, XL's and 2wd's looked silly with the new grille AND GIANT BLUE OVAL ON THE TAILGATE.

 

the truck looks good. though if i purchased the first thing to go would be the tires. i am not a bfg/michelin fan.

http://img465.imageshack.us/img465/2540/fx4black1oz.jpg

 

Thats the same model I saw at the dealer that I talked about in my post! Is that yours? If so, you lucky SOB. The one I saw hed the leather interior option.

 

no. i tried to order the yellow in nov. it was too late ford no longer paints the ranger yellow. so i was looking for the level II on forddirrect.com so i could see what it looks like and i found some at a few dealers.

i found the black, blue, and a yellow all with the auto tranny. yellow looked good but the black looks great. i need to pay off some bills first but look to order one in the summer. black fx4 II stick with the black and red cloth, 6 disc, and trailor tow. looking to pay 22k out the door. level II's currently have a 2100 discount from ford plus any rebates.

 

I recently purchased a 2006 Ranger with 2.3 litre and reg. cab. This truck is solid and runs great with good gas mileage. It appears to me that the Ranger is moving toward becoming a mid-size truck in the future. The recent design changes are making the truck bigger with nicer looks. It's a nice truck with a good stiff ride. The 4.10 rear end helps a lot too!

 

Why does everybody keep harping about a new design? It's been stated by ford, and others in the know that there will be a new truck for 09, and not untill. Thier just not sure if thier gonna keep the ranger name or not. Myself, I like the current design, but nothing good last forever. I just hope they don't buther it like the colordo, or new tacoma.

 

^ amen brother. I would rather stick with the old design than have them do some ugly assed change over like toy and chevy did....