Ford Ranger IV

jkidd2

I didn't see a "general" discussion thread on the Ford Ranger thread that was not "read only", so...

I own a 2002 Ranger XLT FX4. I have had no mechanical problems whatsoever with my truck. There are a few irritating design features, such as the overly sensitive turn signal indicator and the lack of window sill gutters (if I open my window after rain or even dew, my lap gets covered in water!), but its been a great truck.

Next year, I am gonna be in the market for a new pick-up. I am a loyal Ford owner, but frankly, Ford has absolutely nothing coming up in their future vehicles that interest me. I WANT a 4 DOOR SuperCrew RANGER! Its already sold in Mexico, so I don't understand why Ford won't bring it here. ???

I've heard the "well they have the SportTrac" before....frankly, I don't like the SportTrac....its a choppy design, has a nearly useless and small bed, and well, frankly its a "girl's truck".

I also understand that Ford has no plans on investing any big money on a Ranger redesign anytime soon. You'd think in order to keep folks interested, they'd introduce new models ala Toyota Tundra (Tundra, Tundra StepSide, Tundra Crew)....adding an MP3 and calling it a Tremor, is NOT a new model.

Almost every Truck maker selling in the USA has a REAL mid-size TRUCK to offer, except Ford. Meanwhile, Toyota and Nissan are about to release new versions of the Tacoma and Frontier and even GMC FINALLY got around to releasing the Canyon/Colorado....yet Ford sits on a pickup released in current platform in 1992.

Whats the deal?

jkidd

bolivar

There was a Topic with this name (or somewhat close), but because of a lack of postings, it pushed to the bottom and probably was archieved.

There are several message boards devoted exclusively to Ford Rangers with any postings. Edmunds just does not seem to attract many postings on this topic.

jkidd2

Well I think that should tell Ford something in itself....the Ranger has grown stagnet....its sales are down and people have grown tired of the same-old, same-old....thus a slow topic of conversation.

jkidd

atlgaxt

The Mazda B series board is even quieter, so I have to come to this one. I know my B series is basically a Ranger, but my personal preference was that I liked the styling tweaks that Mazda made. My Mazda has been a great truck, with my only complaints being some minor interior fit and finish issues, a slightly jumpy transmission, and noisy brake rotors. I've had my pads changed once already and that did not help. I have 47,000 and every time I take it in for service, I have them look at it, but they tell me the brakes look fine. Oh well. They seem to work fine otherwise.

IMHO, in 2002 the Ranger / Mazda were the cream of the small truck crop, with a smooth and torquey 4.0 V6 with OHC, a 5 speed automatic and the four doors on the extended cab.

Other than a larger size, I do not think that the GM twins moved things forward much. 4,000 lbs towing, a plasticy interior, and a low torque 5 cylinder with a 4 speed automatic are a joke. But things are really heating up in 2005 with the new Dakota and especially the new Frontier and Tacoma, which I think will blow everyone else in the weeds.

Between the new product and high gas prices, I hope the market pays more attention to smaller trucks. I firmly believe that most personal use users (with the exception of folks with serious towing needs) really do not full sized trucks, and big trucks are a pain to drive and park in the city. In any case, Ford had better put out some new product soon or their sales are really going to start slipping even more dramatically. And Mazda needs to decide if they want to keep a pickup truck. If so and if they rely on Ford, they need to try to differentiate as much as they can.

jkidd2

Yep, I'm disappointed in the Canyon/Colorado too. I suspect my next purchase is gonna be either the new Tacoma DoubleCab or the new Frontier CrewCab...the photos of the new Dakota haven't done anything for me either...

I like the look of the B-Series as well. I still think the Ranger is a great looking truck, but I want FOUR REAL doors on a REAL pick-up...

I'm really not sure what is up with Ford these days....other then the new Mustang....there is no excitement in any of their current or upcoming products.....the 500 is handsome, but boring looking....they have ruined the Focus with the update (?)....it looks like the last generation Escort now...just not alot to get excited about these days @ Blue Oval....very depressing.

jkidd

jkidd2

1,600 workers at the Ford Motor Co. plant in St Paul are being furloughed for three weeks this fall as Ford cuts production of the Ranger pickup truck.

Supervisors at the St. Paul plant distributed letters to employees Thursday confirming layoffs for one week starting Oct. 4, and for two weeks starting Nov. 15, said Rob McKenzie, president of United Auto Workers Local 879.
 
Ford had released a dismal monthly sales report earlier this week showing a drop across all Ford brands except Volvo. The Ranger suffered the steepest drop of the Ford brands in August, with sales falling about 47 percent from 23,438 trucks to 12,510.
"That Ranger sales are weak is hardly a surprise. The small pickup market peaked in the U.S. in 1986 and has been falling ever since as customers migrate to full-size trucks", said George Pipas, Ford's top sales analyst.

Or perhaps its because Ford hasn't invested any money into a new design like EVERY other manufactuer selling in the USA???

jkidd

tacomatacoma

Yeah. The Ranger was always the best-seller in the small truck market, because it offered decent features for a relatively low price. But now, features aren't the only thing that get people in seats. That's why the last-gen Tacoma was within 3,000 units of overtaking the Ranger for sales. . .even though the Tacoma is the priciest compact pickup out there. And to say that the compact market peaked in '86. . .that's a load of mularkey. It peaked in late 2000, well after Ford's last redesign. Ford just WANTS everyone to migrate to full-size pickups.

andyman73

Well, only die hard Ford fans will migrate to the F series, everyone else will shop the competition. My fatherinlaw is on his 4th Ranger in 25 years,(also owned a Datsun, and F-150), I like the Ranger. However, it will be the weakest of the bunch, probably by the time ya'll read this.

I just read that the Ranger will be getting a major "refreshing" for the 06 MY release. With a true redesign on hold for several years after that. Perhaps with the new Duratec 35, hopefully in 250hp plus trim. And maybe a 6A or 6M as tranny offerings. They could have dropped in the new 4.2l with 265 lb/ft torque, from Freestar, and that would be a step in the right direction.

Now, I am partial to the Ranger, because of Z plan discount. I would really love to see Ford bring out the Bronco concept, and a new Ranger that closely mirrors it. But a real all new model. Not just new sheet metal.

ncstewart

I owned a 2000 Ranger XLT Sport SuperCab 3.0 that I bought brand new, until this past April when I sold it and bought an '04 Explorer XLT Sport with everything the Ranger had and more--and I love it.

My suggestion is why not do the reverse of what they did in '02--design a Ranger on the Explorer chassis...it would be a hit. And THEN they could drop that silly Explorer Sport Trac.

andyman73

To think that Ford would have us believe the Sport trac would even be considered amonst the likes of the Avalanche. Just make a true 4 door Ranger.