Posted on 01/16/2018 2:37:10 PM PST by Red Badger
Ford has officially announced the 2019 Ford Ranger, the long-awaited return of this midsize truck.
From 1983 to 2011, the Ranger was one of the most popular pickups on the road. It disappeared as the car companies moved more and more toward oversized trucks, leaving a big fan base pining for the return of the Ranger ever since. The success of the Chevy Colorado has been a barometer for the mid-size truck market, and sales are up 83 percent since 2014. Now Ford is banking on the new Ranger as a Chevy rival and a solid alternative to its best-selling full-size F-150.
Ford has packed all of the tech and ruggedness of the F-150 into the smaller Ranger, which will boast better fuel economy and maneuverability compared to its larger sibling. A high-strength steel frame supports a mostly steel body, with the hood, front fenders, and tailgate being the only areas where aluminum is used (for now).
Ford's proven 2.3-liter EcoBoost engine and 10-speed automatic transmission provide a solid power plant and drivetrain. The F-150 will introduce a diesel option in 2019, but that will not be available on the Ranger.
The Ranger will be available in a slew of trims and packages to fit the budgets and needs of a variety of buyers. These options include the entry-level XL, mid-level XLT, and high-level Lariat series with available Chrome and Sport appearance and FX Off-Road packages, and in SuperCab or SuperCrew cab configurations. Although the FX4 Ranger will be a capable off-road vehicle, Ford has yet to announce a Raptor version of the Rangerwhich, if launched, should compete nicely with the ZR2 Chevy Colorado.
Production on the Ranger will begin later this year at Ford's Michigan assembly plant, the same location where the 2020 Ford Bronco will be built. Both new trucks should bolster Ford's already impressive truck lineup, and we look forward to seeing how each performs long-term.
I'll take two!
No 6-speed manual! ... Fagedaboutit.
My parents’ friend has a Ford Ranger...nice truck...
I got you beat - my 1998 Ranger has 361,000 miles and I still drive it every day.
I read Truck Trend and they might have a Raptor version of the Ranger and Bronco by 2021...
Just replace the speed sensor and the odometer and speedometer will start working again. Part is real cheap and you can do the job in about 10 minutes.
If state ever go to a mileage fee, it's very easy to disconnect the speed sensor on a number of vehicles. No operating speed sensor = no miles on the odometer.
“I have a 1993 Ford Ranger, 247,000 miles on it.”
My Ranger is a ‘96 with 180K miles on it. Same color as yours, it’s my trusty Ford 3-window coupe.
Roll Tide...
My ‘13 F250 alum truck bed is peeling like an onion. Rust setting in as well. It’s embarrassing how flimsy Ford made these.
You’re gonna be holding for quite some time.
There’s a 69 out back here for sale..................
Then where are your 10 coon dogs gonna sit?.................
Actually the name ‘Ranger’ was recycled for the pick-up truck line.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edsel_Ranger
This year.................
See post 90...............
I wonder what the towing capacity is.
https://www.autoblog.com/2018/01/15/2019-ford-ranger-tough-and-turbocharged-2018-naias/
https://www.ford.com/trucks/ranger/2019/
http://money.cnn.com/2018/01/14/autos/ford-ranger-reveal/index.html
I agree. Drop the curves. Give me a bench seat. Don’t want an interior that looks like a car. Make it SMALL - something noticeably smaller than my 2008 F-150. I’m probably a freak because I want a manual transmission with a granny gear, not a 10-speed automatic. And if they want $30K+, hell will freeze over first!
I realize government-imposed rules prevent consumers like me from having any choice. Get the government out of the car design business and Make Trucks Great Again!
BTW - still haven’t forgiven my son for totaling our 1998 S-10 pickup. It had 150K miles on it and was running like a champ when a drunk “undocumented worker” hit him sideways. Son was fine, but lost a good little truck. Damn California!
Mr. GG2 and I were just talking about the Ranger’s return yesterday. We are likely going to trade the Dodge 2500 in on one. I’m hoping they will be priced better than the Tacoma’s.
Notice that it’s being resurrected as a ‘Mid-size’, not a compact pickup like it was before................
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