Throwback: 5 Cool Ford Rangers From SEMA 2018
The reintroduction of Ranger to the US market was a big deal and Ford had some inspired build ideas for those keen on the compact truck.
Color matching side graphics and differential. Clever.
This is the Ranger Project Nightfall and it is a project truck aimed at the urban user. With its contrasting matte Grey and vivid Green paint scheme, it certainly strikes a unique appearance.
Huge Black Rhino Mint wheels roll in its wheel arches, measuring 20-inches in diameter. Those wheels are shod with 305/55 Cooper Discoverer STT Pro tires and considering the size and tread pattern of that rubber, rolling noise could be an issue. To counter this and ensure that those seated in the Project Nightfall’s cab aren’t driven insane by road-noise, there is Lizard Skin spray-on wheel well insulation.
Addictive Desert Designs' Xbox off-roader
This Ranger is built for gaming. Or perhaps, game viewing? Wild game or Xbox, it’s your choice. With a cabin reconfigured to support wireless Xbox game controllers and screens which enable you to play, if you are seated in the rear. Two Xbox One X consoles are integrated into the cabin, with screens in the front seatbacks enabling those rear bench passengers to play.
If you are not that keen on in-car gaming, the Addictive Desert Designs' Xbox Ranger is a hugely capable off-roader. It rolls 17-inch Rev 883 wheels, with BFGoodrich Mud-Terrain KM3 tires for ultimate traction, irrespective of the terrain. There’s a beefy Addictive Desert Designs’ front bumper too, with an integrated winch for recoveries.
Project X to go where few others can
If you require a Ranger to get away from it all, this Project X truck is your answer. It features a BDS Suspension six-inch lift kit, with proper balance provided at all corners by Fox 2.5 Factory Series DSC coil-over dampers.
The utility box on the back carries tenting and tools aplenty, and there’s a clever motorcycle stowage solution too. To counteract all that potential mass in the back, there is a rear axle AirLift airbag system Which can be inflated to ensure that nose-to-tailgate vehicle balance is optimal.
Keeping this Ford Ranger project truck rolling into the wilderness are BFGoodrich Mud-Terrain KM3 tires, seated on KMX XD Series Grenade off-road wheels. The tire diameter is 35-inches, which should provide plenty of terrain-taming air volume. With a custom lengthened wheelbase of 136-inches, which required extended rear driveshaft, this is the biggest Ranger you could imagine.
Make any destination Base Camp
For those who prefer their adventuring to last weeks, instead of days, the very appropriately named Ranger Base Camp was revealed at SEMA. It’s a truck designed and outfitted to be as independent as possible, enabling owners to venture into the wilderness and stay there, without having to even consider the thought of an Air B&B.
The load area accessories include a Skinny Warrior roof basket, by Yakima, and a matching heavy-duty rack kit to mount it on. There’s a Slim Shady awning, also sourced from Yakima, and Lumen lighting systems ensure that you don’t trip over the SkyRise tent corners at night. Balancing the rig is a three-inch Fox suspension sourced self-leveling damper kit.
Scooping up the EcoBoost
It might not feature a heavy-duty off-road bumper with an embedded winch, but this Airdesign Ranger project truck is the stylish interpretation of an adventure vehicle.
Airdesign’s brief was to show the standard Ranger could be improved with styling upgrades which are not from the extreme realm of rock crawling. The tally of exterior changes is front bumper flares, fender vents, a rear cab spoiler that flows air onto a matching tailgate spoiler, and a rather neat hood scoop. Considering that all American market Rangers will run 2.3-liter turbocharged engines when they arrive at dealers in 2019, the hood scoop is an item that has the potential to become popular.
Beyond the tidy design detailing, the truck rides on Fox 2.5 Factory Series DSC coilover dampers up front and Fox 2.0 rear shocks. Wheels are 20-inch Fuel Rippers, rolling Nitto Ridge Grappler tires.
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