Ford may keep building Ranger
Thread Starter
|
Posting Guru
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 1,290
Likes: 1
From: Edgerton, WI
Ford may keep building Ranger
Ford may keep building Rangers
IMO, this would be one of the smartest things Ford could do. Now if only we could convince them to build the T6 in the United States...
With record gasoline prices undermining sales of its full-size pickups, Ford Motor Co. is considering extending the life of its elderly Ford Ranger compact pickup for another two years, according to people familiar with the company's plan.
Under the plan now being weighed by Ford, the Ranger would stay in production until 2011 when a new global version is ready. That truck will be produced overseas.
The review of the Ranger is part of a broader rethinking of Ford's entire truck program triggered by skyrocketing fuel prices and a consumer shift to smaller, more fuel-efficient vehicles.
The review of the Ranger is part of a broader rethinking of Ford's entire truck program triggered by skyrocketing fuel prices and a consumer shift to smaller, more fuel-efficient vehicles.
With high gas prices, the Ranger is looking a lot more attractive," said analyst Erich Merkle of IRN Inc., adding that he was aware that Ford was considering keeping the truck alive.
The Ranger debuted in 1982 as a 1983 model, replacing the Ford Courier. The truck has been lauded for its quality and capabilities, but Ford has not made a significant investment in the Ranger for more than a decade, leaving it to languish.
But at 21 mpg city and 26 mpg highway, the Ranger is the most fuel-efficient compact pickup on the market today. And despite going more than a decade without a significant redesign, it is still the nation's No. 2 compact pickup after the Toyota Tacoma.
The Ranger debuted in 1982 as a 1983 model, replacing the Ford Courier. The truck has been lauded for its quality and capabilities, but Ford has not made a significant investment in the Ranger for more than a decade, leaving it to languish.
But at 21 mpg city and 26 mpg highway, the Ranger is the most fuel-efficient compact pickup on the market today. And despite going more than a decade without a significant redesign, it is still the nation's No. 2 compact pickup after the Toyota Tacoma.
Ranger sales have posted a modest gain this year. The 36,421 trucks Ford had sold by June represented a 2.3 percent increase over the same period last year. That may not be much, but it is a lot better than the 18.7 percent decline in F-series pickup sales that occurred during the same time.
"Whatever they're selling, it's with zero marketing," said analyst Jim Hall of 2953 Analytics. "And all of the tooling was paid off a long time ago."
However, Hall said keeping the Ranger alive is not without cost. The truck lacks side-impact airbags, which will become mandatory by the end of next year. He said the question that will decide the Ranger's fate is this: How much is Ford willing to spend to update a design that will, in any event, be replaced with an entirely new truck in three years?
Design work is already well underway on a new global Ranger platform. Codenamed T6, the new Ranger will be manufactured at factories outside the United States -- including one in South Africa, which is exempt from U.S. import tariffs on small pickups.
"Whatever they're selling, it's with zero marketing," said analyst Jim Hall of 2953 Analytics. "And all of the tooling was paid off a long time ago."
However, Hall said keeping the Ranger alive is not without cost. The truck lacks side-impact airbags, which will become mandatory by the end of next year. He said the question that will decide the Ranger's fate is this: How much is Ford willing to spend to update a design that will, in any event, be replaced with an entirely new truck in three years?
Design work is already well underway on a new global Ranger platform. Codenamed T6, the new Ranger will be manufactured at factories outside the United States -- including one in South Africa, which is exempt from U.S. import tariffs on small pickups.
IMO, this would be one of the smartest things Ford could do. Now if only we could convince them to build the T6 in the United States...
Super Moderator
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 34,491
Likes: 2,805
How hard is it to put in side hair bags? Some come out of the seat. Hello??
Yea, it's sales are UP. Maybe one of those EcoBoosts would fit?
BTW, I'm all for new stuff, but "outdated design". OK, it's a small PU. Cab, bed, powertrain. Same suspension as Exploder up front. It works. What else you want?
Wait and see, I guess.
Yea, it's sales are UP. Maybe one of those EcoBoosts would fit?
BTW, I'm all for new stuff, but "outdated design". OK, it's a small PU. Cab, bed, powertrain. Same suspension as Exploder up front. It works. What else you want?
Wait and see, I guess.
Elder User
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 727
Likes: 0
From: north shore, minnesota
The Ranger gets the same fuel milage as the F-150 so I don't see the point in the quoted reasons. 21 city - lol yeah right maybe the 2WD 4 cyl but the V6's are just as bad as the full sized trucks for mpg.
Post Fiend
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 13,873
Likes: 3
From: Atlanta GA
> but the V6's are just as bad as the full sized trucks for mpg.
I agree, it is the automatics.
A 2.3L with 5 speed is good for 27 mpg highway, I use to get 21 mpg highway with my 4.0/5 speed/4x4 and a heavy foot. I knew people with the 3.0/auto and besides being a dog, the things were lucky to get 18 mpg. Usually 12-15 city, might as well get a F-150 and enjoy the extra cab room and cheaper insurance.
There are pickups that get better MPG then the Ranger.
I agree, it is the automatics.
A 2.3L with 5 speed is good for 27 mpg highway, I use to get 21 mpg highway with my 4.0/5 speed/4x4 and a heavy foot. I knew people with the 3.0/auto and besides being a dog, the things were lucky to get 18 mpg. Usually 12-15 city, might as well get a F-150 and enjoy the extra cab room and cheaper insurance.
There are pickups that get better MPG then the Ranger.
Elder User
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 798
Likes: 1
From: Alma Arkansas
Wow! what a great idea to bolster sales against record fuel prices, Keep making an outdated model that gets bad gas mileage.
The Ranger deserved either a complete overhaul or quick mercy killing a decade ago.
The Ranger deserved either a complete overhaul or quick mercy killing a decade ago.
Trending Topics
Posting Guru
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 1,292
Likes: 0
i took my ranger out of mothballs and have been running it to save gas and it helps out quite a bit i hope they do keep building it its a phenominal truck
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)
Brett Foote
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies
Joe Kucinski
AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make
Brett Foote
Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!
Michael S. Palmer
Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home
Verdad Gallardo
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!
Joe Kucinski
2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?
Brett Foote
2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package First Look: 12 Things You NEED to Know!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Most Surprising 2026 Ford Truck Features!
Joe Kucinski
Postmaster
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 3,724
Likes: 0
From: Clarksburg WV
I don't know why Ford doesn't still make the 4WD ranger available with a four cylinder (maybe with the 5 speed only?) I would own one of those, but I wouldn't bother getting a Ranger with a V6...the mileage sucks, just like every other compact truck with a V6.
Post Fiend
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 5,228
Likes: 5
From: Running Springs CA
With updated engines and a minor styling facelift, it could be a winner. Toyota still offers a 4-cylinder, 5-speed, 4x4 basic Tacoma, so why can't Ford? We had two Rangers in the family over the years. The 4.0 Automatic was terrible on gas mileage. That engine has needed replacement a long time ago, in the Mustang as well. The 2.9 (not 3.0) 5-speed Ranger on the other hand was good on power and mileage. If you want bad mileage and power in a compact truck, try a GM with the I-5 engine.
Jim
Jim
Elder User
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 727
Likes: 0
From: north shore, minnesota
Some of them did have head gasket issues and tranny issues with higher milage, but they did have good power and milage for the Ranger.
I had an 86 Ranger 2.9 that went 210,000 before being retired, never been apart.
I had an 86 Ranger 2.9 that went 210,000 before being retired, never been apart.
Thread Starter
|
Posting Guru
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 1,290
Likes: 1
From: Edgerton, WI
Look at it this way though, as outdated as the Ranger is, it still outsells the Chevy Colorado.
The Ranger still has a very loyal following and in 4-banger regular cab 4x2 it will pull nearly 30 mpg on the highway.
The Ranger may be outdated, but that doesnt make it a bad vehicle. Rangers are durable, reliable and fuel-efficient. Also, because they havent changed much over the years, parts are inexpensive and easy to find.
Besides guys, keeping the Ranger around is only a band-aid to get Ford by until the new Ranger comes out in 2011.
The Ranger still has a very loyal following and in 4-banger regular cab 4x2 it will pull nearly 30 mpg on the highway.
The Ranger may be outdated, but that doesnt make it a bad vehicle. Rangers are durable, reliable and fuel-efficient. Also, because they havent changed much over the years, parts are inexpensive and easy to find.
Besides guys, keeping the Ranger around is only a band-aid to get Ford by until the new Ranger comes out in 2011.