Posted on 02/18/2017 7:31:18 AM PST by Leaning Right
The Ford Ranger has returned.
Just a few weeks after the automaker confirmed it’s bringing back the small pickup model in 2019, a prototype has been spotted undergoing testing on public roads in Michigan.
The body of the camouflaged truck appears to be identical to the one on the Ranger that Ford currently builds and sells in other countries, which Ford is basing the new Michigan-made Ranger on.
(Excerpt) Read more at foxnews.com ...
I hope that Ford keeps the new Ranger as compact as the old one was. For many folks, including me, trucks like the F150 are just too durn big.
The Ford Ranger was my first truck...bought it brand new
I bought my ‘97 F150 because it was $5K cheaper than the rangers. Still running like a top. I had a small mitsubishi that died after 10 years.
Mine is a 2003 Ford Ranger 5spd manual That year they started making the Rangers slightly bigger. Still I would like to see an even bigger Ranger model but just a little smaller than the F-150. Mine is dependable but could use improvement in performance and suspension but it is a 4 cylinder. Would want a 6 cylinder next time.
If I needed a full-sized truck, I'd buy one.
I love my Rangers, easy to park, cheap to maintain - enough bed-space for Home Depot and dump runs, enough power for everything I need - and don't have to drag around all that un-needed extra steel.
So it’s official, Ford and Chevy now building butt ugly mid sized trucks.
I think it was Mazda that made the original smaller Ranger trucks before Ford started making them in the USA. Mine was made in St. Paul, Minn.
The small Japanese pickups sold in the rest of the world are usually rated at one ton - metric - payload. They carry those 2,205 lbs over all sort of rough roads. Many times they are loaded way over that.
Hey Ford, give us a Ranger with fold down sides and a selection of Drop-on modules. Built in Hardpoints these Modules and for 5th wheel hitches.
Limited slip diff or better a Torsen.
Ford has been selling them all along, outside of the USA.
Mine too, a new 1991 XL had been sitting on lot for 24 months w no takers, had flat tires to boot. They had to move 3 cars just to get it out to drive. No power steering w manual transmission. No carpet, just a vinyl floor. Got it very cheap, added power steering myself and dealer bumped up the tires to next size. Great truck, Firestone tires last 100k, AC was so cold that it would frost the windows on medium in the middle of a Florida summer day. A great Trump, never had a problem with it.
The newer “mid-size” pickups are like 7/8ths size. Scale them back to mid-size.
Yep, trucks you can work out of and not be worried about ruining a 50 or 60 k investment in looks. Trucks are for work not for making a fashion statement.
I’d like to see the Chevy LUV come back.
My dad had one and I learned to drive in it. The little truck was fun.
A guy that I went to HS with had a 4wd version.
I rarely see one, even on Ebay.
I’ve owned both a Ranger and and S-10 (ca 1990s).
Great little trucks in both 2wd and 4wd. Cheap enough used that you could own them as a second vehicle just to have for weekend trips to the home store or lumberyard.
I drive a FS GMC Sierra now, and while the compact pickup can’t come close to it in towing/hauling in a single trip, the amount of gas I go through driving it empty the rest of the time likely exceeds the cost of the odd double trip I’d need with a compact, and it’s rare I carry a load that couldn’t be divided in two.
About the only time I really need the FS truck is when towing - can’t exactly cut the trailer in half.
I just hope they offer the new Ranger in a stripped down version that’s affordable enough to buy as a second vehicle.
I am of the opinion that the only thing missing from the Ranger line is a compact diesel engine for the US market. Rumor has it that there is a 2.5L turbo diesel and crew cab config available for overseas markets. Wonder if you could special order for US.
Speculation says that the only available diesel would be the 3.2L which is a bit much for the city run around / haul home depot supplies type work that I would need. Still, not a thing wrong with “too much power”
Don't have to worry about that any more. Isn't Ford making the 150, at least in part, out of thick aluminum foil these days?
I currently have the big brother (Supercrew) of this and would much rather have the Ranger size but I refuse to buy another new car or truck so I may not get one for many years if ever. I only drive the truck when there's a need for it otherwise the old Saturn that gets 35 mpg gets the glory. :) The S'crew only gets 14 mpg.
I love my 97 Ranger, and agree the F150 is too big for my needs. It certainly filled a niche for guys like me.
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