Im new here, but on every thread ive seen you're there lol

 

This would be awesome, then have a ranger package with some 4x4 upgrades factory lift?

 

The Ranger as a model needs to die for about 10-20 years. Instead, Ford should replace it one of two ways:

The first is a mini pickup, comparable to the GMC Canyon, Toyota Tacoma, or Chevy Colorado.

The second is a midsize pickup comparable to the Honda Ridgeline or the Dodge Dakota.

Ford's take really should be what makes the most money. Smaller pickups sell better in Europe. Larger ones sell better in the US and other regions. If the model is aimed at the US market, Ford likely would gain sales by making the Ranger replacement slightly bigger, with some decent horsepower.

The Ranger needs replacing, and with CAFE standards tightening up, it really is in Ford's interest to try to get something in that market segment.

My take (and I'm probably repeating myself):


Offer a midsize pickup with a V6, and an optional EB engine that does 300-350 horsepower. Enough to be a step ahead of Honda and Dodge, but not so much that it sacrifices the rated MPG. Give it AWD standard (Honda does this on the Ridgeline), some decent clearance, and 6000 or so pounds of tow capacity (so it can be advertised as towing more than a MDX/Pilot/Ridgeline). Unibody construction would be good. Perhaps offer a plug-in hybrid model as well, because this will help the CAFE average, so the bigger vehicles don't have to be butchered as much in future model years.

I'd call it the F-100, to make a break from the old Ranger line.

 

I farm in the summer, in the winter im not working much and on the computer alot, haha!

 

I went from older rangers in the past to a 2008 explorer sport trac when the money situation allowed for an upgrade to a new vehicle, loved the 4 doors but wished the box was a little bit bigger. However I think you could be right, the rangers were just a little bit too small with not enough offered options, bumping them up to the size of a dakota like you mention and giving them more options would be a very good idea in my opinion. Lots of people only need/want a midsize vehicle for around town driving. F150's are massive and rangers are too small for anyone other than a single person or perhaps a couple who are just tooling around town but want a box to haul stuff now and then. Having a kid or a dog takes them right out of the equation as a possible vehicle. I cant believe they got rid of the sport trac, that thing was awesome and I wish I couldve afforded to keep mine and still get the f150. I see hundreds of them around where ever I go.

 

the GMC Canyon, Toyota Tacoma, and Chevy Colorado are all midsize trucks, just like the Dakota (wont even count the ridgline, no competition there). the ranger is the only compact pickup left on the market and honestly i think that one of the reasons its stayed competitive dispite its out dated platform. the only small/ midsize truck that beats it in sales is the tacoma so it doesnt make sense to build a bigger truck to compete with the GM and dodge midsize when they dont even outsell the ranger as it is, in fact those trucks will probably be getting the ax as well before long. the fact of the matter is because of the out dated platform and the new emissions and safety standards it would cost ford millions to redesign and retool to build a new ranger for an already dying segment of the market. sure there are still plenty of people that want a mini truck but not enough for ford apparently. what i see happening is Ford making the global ranger up to USA emissions standards and selling them here. Untill then ford is banking on people moving up to the F-150 from the ranger.

 

The current ranger would be someewhat useful if it could tow more than a couple thousand pounds.

 

I would buy one if they built it. But perhaps therein lies the problem. The "New Ranger" or "New F100" might cut a chunk out of Ford's full size share with the F series.

A V6 in a smaller mid size (say 4/5 scale) truck would perform VERY well. Keep the weight around 4000 to 4200 lbs in 2WD and you'd have a hauler even with the base V6 and decent mpg too. (Many here I imagine don't tow more than 5000 lbs.) Let Ford keep the "EB" for their larger upscale products.

As stated, Ford will need better mpg figures for upcoming CAFE standards. I'm sure they have a global platform they could adapt and make it happen. The Aussie Ranger is way cool, but too big at 9/10 the F150's size.

Oh and kozal01, you need to tow with a Ridgline sometime (wife has one). The sure-footed nature of it would really surprise you. If that v6 with only 247 hp (weighing 4500 lbs) can tow 5,000 lbs, then a new Ranger wouldn't even feel it.

Bring it FORD!!!!