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This article is about the North American car model. For the models sold internationally, see Ford Ranger. Ford Ranger Overview Manufacturer Ford Production 1982–2011 Model years 1983–2012 Body and chassis Class Compact pickup truck Layout Front-engine, rear- / four-wheel drive Chronology Predecessor Ford Courier Successor Ford F-150

The Ford Ranger is a compact pickup truck that was manufactured and marketed by Ford between 1982 and 2011 for the 1983 to 2012 model years. Introduced as a replacement for the Mazda-produced Ford Courier sold from 1971 to 1982, the Ranger was produced in three generations. Introduced a year after the Chevrolet S-10, the Ranger would go on to become the best-selling compact truck in the United States from 1987 to 2004.[1]

Production of the Ranger was sourced from three different assembly plants. Twin Cities Assembly Plant in St. Paul, Minnesota produced the Ranger for its entire model run; the last vehicle produced at Twin Cities Assembly was the final 2012 Ford Ranger. But from 1983 to 1999, production was supplemented at Louisville Assembly Plant in Louisville, Kentucky and from 1993 to 2004, Edison Assembly in Edison, New Jersey.

Although Ford began to use the Ranger name on all compact trucks worldwide starting in 1998, global export of the North American version was primarily limited to South America, including Argentina, Brazil, and Chile;[1] South American versions of the Ranger were produced in Argentina from 1998 to 2012.

Rebadged variants of the second-generation Ford Ranger were marketed by Mazda as the B-Series with Mazda using engine displacement for their model designation: the B2500 had the 2.5-liter inline-four engine and the B4000 has a 4.0-liter V6. For 2002, the B-Series was renamed to simply Mazda Truck in the United States.

Contents

Ford began development of the Ranger in 1976, focusing on quality and fuel efficiency. The intent was to build a truck that was as capable as the full-size F-Series, but in a more economical package. The compact Ranger had a similar styling to the full-size Ford F-Series, used a similar architecture, and was offered with a four-wheel drive capability. This ability allowed the Ford Ranger to haul a 4-foot (1.2 m) wide sheet of plywood, which is a common standard for a pickup truck. In the compact Ranger, however, the space between the wheel wells was less than four feet; Ford designed the box with recesses to insert supports across the bed, allowing it to haul a standard sheet of plywood above the wheel wells.[2]

In addition, a key factor driving the development of the Ford compact truck was the 25% ''Chicken tax'' on imported trucks. Although Japanese truck manufacturers had circumvented the tariff by importing vehicles as cab-chassis trucks and installing the truck beds separately, building a truck in North America was a more practical option.

Inline-four engines

V6 engines

Diesel engines

Manual transmissions

Automatic transmissions

Model year 1983 Ranger production began January 18, 1982 at the Louisville Assembly Plant,[4] hitting showrooms in March.[5] Available engines were the 72 hp (54 kW) 2.0 L and 82 hp (61 kW) 2.3 L OHC four-cylinders, a four-cylinder 59 hp (44 kW) 2.2 L Mazda/Perkins diesel, and a 115 hp (86 kW) 2.8 L Cologne V6. In 1985, a Mitsubishi-built 2.3 L turbo-diesel with 86 hp (64 kW) replaced the Mazda diesel engine, and in 1986, the 2.8 L engine was replaced with a 140 hp (104 kW) 2.9 L Cologne V6. The Super-cab was introduced in 1986, offering an extra 17 inches (432 mm) of storage space behind the front seats, with a pair of jump seats available as an option. Also in 1986, the gauge cluster was modified to allow fitment of a factory tachometer. A lot of the parts of the interior such as the steering wheel, door handles, and the window cranks were similar to those in other Ford vehicles like the Bronco, Escort, and the F-Series.

Mid-year 1986 saw the introduction of the Ranger GT. Available only as a standard cab with a short bed, it had a 2.9-liter Cologne V6 with either a 5-speed Toyo Kogyo manual transmission or an optional A4LD automatic transmission putting power to a Traction-Lok differential. Inside, the pickup was equipped with special bucket seats, full instrument cluster, and an optional center console. Front and rear sway bars were installed and 14x6 aluminum wheels completed the package. A long bed option was added for 1987, and a new ground effects package was introduced in 1988.[6]

The truck received a facelift in 1988 for the 1989 model year, which included flush composite headlamps, new front fenders, hood, and grille, along with some upgrades to the frame. Inside, there was a modern new dashboard and steering column.

The new steering column included, on automatic transmission-equipped models, a column-mounted gear shift, and key removal on manual transmission models became a simpler, one-handed operation. Manual-equipped 1983–88 models had the key release button beneath the column on the left-hand side, requiring drivers to use both hands to remove the key.

Rear-wheel antilock brakes were added, and a 21 US gal (79 L; 17 imp gal) fuel tank was now optional on extended-cab models.

The 2.0-liter engine was discontinued, and the 2.3 now had a distributor-less ignition system with two spark plugs per cylinder, giving it a 10 hp (7 kW) boost and better fuel economy.[7] The three-speed automatics were dropped, leaving only the A4LD. The new 155 hp (116 kW) 4.0 L Cologne V6 was added to the option list for all models in 1990. It was introduced to replace the 2.9-liter Cologne in rear-wheel drive and 4x4 trucks. With the new engines, the only manual transmission available was the five-speed M5OD-R1.

The Ranger GT was discontinued, although the Ford Truck Public Affairs office did build a prototype for 1990 powered by a 3.0 L SHO V6.[8][9]

The redesign in 1992 for 1993 featured mild restyling, flush-mounted door glass, wider doors, and slight fender flares. The 1989-style dashboard remained, but the seats and door panels were new. The 2.9-liter engine was discontinued. For the first time, every model was produced with a flareside bed. The engines offered were offered in displacements of 2.3-, 3.0- and a 4.0 liters. The Mazda M5OD-R1 was now the sole manual transmission option. A new "Splash" model was introduced, which had a flare side bed, unique chrome wheels, 1 inch (25 mm) lowered rear suspension and a 2 inch lowered front suspension (on 4x2 models), and special vinyl "Splash" decals on the sides and the tailgate.

The 1993 Splash trim level was offered with regular cab in arctic white, gloss black, red orange, and sky blue. The Mazda B-Series became a re-badged Ranger for the 1994 model year, but the Mazda B-Series did not offer an equivalent to the Splash model. While 1993 Rangers used R-12 Freon, 1994 model year saw the transition to CFC-free air-conditioning systems in compliance with the Clean Air Act. For the 1994 model year, the Splash trim had options which all included; a 1 in (25 mm) lowered rear suspension and 2 inch lowered front suspension (on 4x2 models), flare side bed, an extended cab, and unique chrome wheels. The decals also underwent subtle changes. While the 1993–1994 models sported red, yellow and blue stripes, the 1995–1996 models had lime green stripes. Additionally, the available colors for the Splash model changed from the 1993–1994 models to the 1995–1997 models. The latter were offered in Maroon Red, Gloss black, White, and Canary Yellow.

Ford Ranger jump seat closed

Ford Ranger jump seat open

Fall 1994 production (1995 model year) included a steering wheel modified to include a driver's side airbag and a redesigned dashboard which included a double DIN radio head unit. Also for 1995 (model year), SuperCab trucks could have a power driver's seat. The A4LD transmission was updated. 2.3 L and 3.0 L models got the 4R44E, while 4.0 L trucks got the 4R55E. The front brakes were changed to use the same 2-piston brake calipers as the second-generation Explorer, and four-wheel anti-lock brakes were added as standard on 4x4 and 4.0 L models. From October 1995 (1996 model year), an optional passenger airbag (the first compact truck to offer one) became available, with a key-operated cutoff switch that allowed the airbag to be turned off for smaller passengers riding in the front seat. In October 1996, the 1997 model year brought in the first ever five-speed automatic transmission to be used by an American manufacturer. The 4.0-liter models were equipped with the 5R55E, while the 3.0-liter was still mated to the 4R44E.

For 1994, the third-generation Mazda B-Series was introduced. While the company continued to manufacture its own trucks in Japan and internationally, the North American version of the B-Series was now a badge-engineered version of the Ranger. The new B3000 and B4000 boasted Ford V6 engines, and the M5OD-R1 manual transmission returning to the options sheet. Extended cab models were available, as was four-wheel drive; Mazda made the B-Series available in two trim lines, LE and SE. The 3.0 L B3000 was dropped for 1997.

Engine options:

In 1995 Ford began exports of the Ranger from the United States to Argentina; initial exports started with two-door SuperCab equipped with the 4.0-liter gasoline Cologne V6. As demand increased, Ford made the decision to produce it locally in Buenos Aires, Argentina at the Ford General Pacheco Assembly Plant for the local market and subsequently for the rest of Latin America.[10] The first Rangers produced at General Pacheco were built in 1996 with a single cab, gasoline engine version. By November 1997, supply was increased with both diesel and gasoline engines, two-wheel and four-wheel drive and different levels of equipment.

In 1998 year model the Ranger got a major update to the same body design in 1997, but giving it a longer wheelbase and a three-inch (76 mm) longer cab for the regular cab models (part of which provided more room in the interior). The styleside bed returned in production since 1993. The 1995–97 interior look was retained. The twin I-beam front suspension was replaced by the wishbone-style system found on the Explorer and the front half of the frame was of "boxed", rather than C-channel construction. Rack and pinion steering was also added. The four-cylinder engine was bumped up to a 2.5 L SOHC I4 giving it a 6% increase in power over the old 2.3 L. It put out 117 hp (87 kW) and 149 lb·ft (202 N·m) of torque. Also, for the 2000 model year, amber rear turn signals were discontinued. 4x4 models were equipped with a PVH lockout system for the front axles. This system proved to be rather unreliable and was changed to a live axle setup in mid-2000.

The 2.5L engine was replaced by a new DOHC 2.3 L Duratec I4 in mid-2001. 2001 also saw the pushrod 4.0 L V6 replaced by the SOHC version from the Explorer, bringing with it a beefier M5OD-R1HD manual transmission. Also in 2001, the five-speed automatic transmission that was introduced in 1997 for the 4.0 V6, was now also available with the 2.3 I4 and 3.0 V6. The Ranger received a facelift, including a new grille, hood, and front bumper, as well as updated headlights and taillights. SLP produced a version of the Ranger called "thunderbolt". This model included different options such as a unique front and rear bumper, air intake, exhaust and even a spoiler.

In 2004 the Ranger received minor updates to the grille, hood, and front bumper. New front bucket seats were also added in 2004 to meet the new U.S. Federal safety requirements. It retained the dash lines of the previous years trucks with an instrument cluster change. In 2006 the Ranger received more minor updates to the grille, front turn signals and taillights, along with a bigger rear Ford logo that was now centered in the tailgate. It also received new larger mirrors similar to those found on other Ford trucks and SUVs.

Ford Ranger double cab (South America)

2001–2003 Ford Ranger extended cab

2004–2005 Ford Ranger extended cab

2006–2012 Ford Ranger regular cab

The latest Ranger offered a 143 hp (107 kW) 2.3-liter I4 and a 207 hp (154 kW) 4.0-liter V6. The 3.0 Vulcan V6 was discontinued as of the 2009 model year. Ford uses code "R10" through "R19" in the 5th, 6th, and 7th VIN positions for all Rangers; R10, R14, and R18 are ALL 2wheel drive; regular cab, 2-door SuperCab, and 4-door SuperCab respectively. R11, R15, and R19 are ALL 4-wheel drive; regular cab, 2-door SuperCab, 4-door SuperCab respectively.

In December 2009, Ford announced that specially-designed custom graphics would be applied to the Ranger beginning with the 2010 models. The feature was exclusive to Ford Dealers and allowed customers to pick a design that they wanted customized for their Ranger trims.[11]

For the 2011 and 2012 model year, the level trims were adjusted. The XL trim has the standard level, followed by the XLT and Sport trims. The latter two included Sirius radio as an optional feature.[12]

The Ford Ranger was the first small pickup to introduce dual air bags as safety features.[citation needed] It received an "acceptable" frontal crash test rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety when they were first tested in 1998, while many of its competitors received "marginal" or "poor" ratings at that time. The exception was the Toyota Tacoma, which also got an "acceptable" rating.[13][14]

The 2010 model year brought the addition of front seat combination head and torso airbags to improve passenger safety in a side-impact collision and earned Good rating through the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety's Side Impact Test. Also Electronic Stability Control was added for the 2010 Models as Standard Equipment.[15]

In the Roof Strength Test conducted by Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, the Ford Ranger earned an Acceptable rating.[16]

The FX4 Level II version comes with a special 31-spline 8.8-inch (223.5 mm) Ford 8.8 rear axle equipped with a Zexel-Torsen limited-slip differential, three skid plates, upgraded tow hooks, 31" BFGoodrich All Terrains, 15-inch forged Alcoa wheels, and Bilstein shocks. Inside, the Level II package added two-tone cloth seats, optional leather and rubber floors along with a six-CD MP3 headunit as standard options. The FX4 level II package was first available in 2003, though, in 2002 the very first "FX4" package, however not Level II, was available. The 2002 FX4 offroad package is identical to the 2003+ FX4 Level II package, since there wasn't a FX4 Level II package offered. The FX4 offroad package did differ from the FX4 level II package after 2002. The 2002 FX4 offroad and 2003 FX4 Level II are often referred to the "Holy Grail" of rangers, since there were limited production of these trucks with both a manual transmission and manual 4x4. According to Ford, 17,971 Level IIs were built through 2007 (including the ’02), and 45,172 of the Off Roads were built from 2003–2009. The FX4 Off Road was available into 2009, but the Level II was stopped after 2007, though many Level II goodies could be ordered a la carte. In 2010 the Ranger discontinued the FX4 trim level for the US market but remained available in the Canadian market.

The Ford Ranger EV was a battery electric vehicle produced by Ford Motor Company; it was produced from 1998 to 2002. The chassis of the four-wheel drive model was used, but the Ranger EV was strictly a rear-wheel drive vehicle. Unlike other versions, the EV featured a de Dion rear suspension. 1998 models employed lead-acid batteries while subsequent models used Nickel metal hydride (NiMH) batteries.

The Ranger EV is largely indistinguishable from a standard Ranger except for its grille. On EV models, a door for a charging port is located on the right third of the grille.

North America saw a redesigned B-Series again for 1998, with a larger base engine. A five-speed automatic transmission was available.The 1999 B-Series added four doors, a first in the extended-cab pickup truck market. In 2001 a more powerful SOHC version of the 4.0 L V6 replaced the old OHV engine, while Ford's Duratec engine replaced the ancient Lima engine in four-cylinder models the following year. 2007 was the last year for 3.0 L B-Series trucks. For 2010, the B4000 Cab Plus SE model was discontinued in the United States market. The full B-Series lineup was discontinued, in the United States, at the end of the 2009 model year, while the Ford Ranger remains in production.[17] The B-Series was sold in the Canadian market for one more model year.

The last one rolled off the assembly line on December 11, 2009

Engine options:

After two years of local production of the 1995 updated model in Argentina, Ford introduced the same version of the newly updated 1998 Ranger. Along with the single cab (the North American SuperCab), South America received an exclusive double cab body variant.[18] The crew cab was not sold in North America, as it was essentially similar to the Ford Explorer Sport Trac undergoing development.

There was a choice of two powerplant options including a 3.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder diesel with 163 horsepower and 280 lb-ft of torque mated to an Eaton FSO-2405-A five-speed manual transmission.

In 2007 Ford invested US$156.5 million in its facility in General Pacheco, Argentina.[19] For 2008, the Ranger received a makeover with a grill and headlights similar to the 2006 North American version; bed extenders became available for all boxes.[20] The 2010 Ranger was updated further with new sheet metal giving it a more aggressive stance; it also received its own version of the corporate three-bar grille completely different from its North American counterpart. Other changes included redesigned outer door skins with pull-out door handles and wider wheel arches, though the 2008 interior was retained as well as the two engine choices.[21][22]

The other Ford Ranger available for the rest of the Latin American market is a badge-engineered version of the Mazda B-Series (to 2006) and the BT-50 (2006–2011) being assembled in Colombia and Ecuador (in CKD form). As the Ford designed Ranger became the basis of the first-generation Explorer, the Mazda designed Ranger is the basis of a body-on-frame SUV named the Ford Everest sold in markets outside of North America, Europe, Middle East, Africa and Australia.

The version of the Ford Ranger produced in Argentina for the markets of Brazil,[23] Chile, and Mexico will continue to be manufactured and in 2010 it was modified and updated starting on the original second generation model of North America with a restyling giving it a more aggressive stance and is distinguished by its new corporate three-bar front grille, although the appearance of 2008–10 interior remained as the two engine options.

In 2010 Ford also introduced a new optional engine to run exclusively on compressed natural gas, which makes it the first pick up to offer a factory-built natural gas vehicle (NGV) commercially available in Argentina and Brazil.[21][24]

After 2012, the Ranger T6 designed by Ford of Australia will be produced in Argentina, it will replace both the North American and Mazda-based versions.

Ford Ranger (Argentina) Wheelbases and bed lengths:[25]

Engines:[25]

It was reported in 2005 that an all-new Ranger, codenamed P273, was in the works to be introduced by 2010.[26] The P273 was slated to be a world pickup, presumably to be merged with the Mazda world pickups. A 2007 Ranger for the Thai market based on the Asian 4Trac concept was unveiled; in the end, it did not replace the North American truck.

In the years leading up to the Ranger's demise, its competitors, from the Nissan Frontier to the Toyota Tacoma have been redesigned and enlarged towards the mid-size market, leaving the Ranger the only truck in the US compact market segment. The Ranger remained a decent seller for Ford,[27] with fleet customers buying them regularly as well as those individuals seeking good fuel mileage in a compact truck (Ranger gets better MPG than any other pickup with its Mazda-derived 4cyl engine).

Ford initially considered a smaller-than-F-150 pickup truck, one based on the F-Series (following the older F-100 offering). This proposal was cancelled in favor of offering an EcoBoost engine in the F-150 product line.[28]

The decision as to why the Ranger will no longer be available in the United States is that the new global platform Ford Ranger (T6) is simply too close in size to the F-150. Another factor is due to declining sales, as Ford's Vice President of Global Product Development, Derrick Kuzak, notes that the compact pickup market in the United States has been declining for the past 15 years, dropping from eight percent of the industry in 1994 to around two percent in 2010. The ending of the Ranger in the United States also marks a departure for Ford from the compact truck segment after 30 years.[29]

On June 22, 2011, a report from the United Auto Workers 879, which represents workers at the factory where the North American Ranger is produced, was released which stated that production of the Ranger was planned to end by December 22, 2011.[30] The final North American-built Ranger, a white, extended cab Sport model purchased by pest-control company Orkin, was produced at the St. Paul plant on December 16, 2011.[31] 2011 was the last model year of retail Ranger sales, while 2012 was the final model year of fleet sales.