Ford Ranger
source: shutterstock
Although Ford’s F-100 was wildly successfully (if not the most successful truck in American history), the company saw an opportunity to introduce a smaller light-duty truck that appealed to a crowd who wanted that reliability but weren’t interested in big frames, long beds, and beefy V8s. Thus, the Ranger nameplate was upgraded from an available F-100 trim package and was born as its own production in 1983.
The Ranger was a direct competitor to the many small Japanese pickups being imported to American markets. The Ranger offered all the features truck owners wanted in a compact package: 4×4, a moderately sized 6-foot bed, and plenty of power relative to its size. Ford’s available 2.8-liter V6 pumped out 115 HP and allows the truck to haul up to 1,600 pounds. The Ranger also featured many options previously reserved for full-size trucks, like independent front suspension and 15-inch wheels that provided ground clearance similar to an F-150. The Ranger’s original drivetrain was nothing spectacular, but in 1985 Ford upgraded the transmission to a very reliable 5-speed manual, which became the standard from the factory. In 1986 the Ranger’s available 2.9L motor was upgraded and pushed out 140 HP, beating out Japanese import trucks by a healthy margin when it came to power, towing and general capability.
source: wikimedia
If there ever was an overbuilt frame holding together a truck that could do with something smaller, it was the Ranger. The compact truck’s frame was massive in comparison to its wheelbase, cab and bed, offering superior rigidity and a tough-as-nails chassis for extended 4×4 and offroad use. Ford offered the Ranger in 4 separate trims, each of which boasted plenty of creature comforts and upgrades normally only found on full-size trucks. The Ranger’s continually upgraded powerplant and available features helped it compete with import trucks sale for sale until it was discontinued in 2011. Demand for compact pickups is again rising and Ford plans to reintroduce the Ranger in 2019. Old-model Rangers retain their value and maintain a reputation for their reliability, more than any other pre owned
The Ranger’s continually upgraded powerplant and available features helped it compete with import trucks sale for sale until it was discontinued in 2011. Demand for compact pickups is again rising and Ford plans to reintroduce the Ranger in 2019. Old-model Rangers retain their value and maintain a reputation for their reliability, more than any other pre owned compact truck. Many 80’s-era Rangers can still be found with mid- to high- four-digit asking prices on their stickers.
