From the underground, but worth reading

[polarbear]

Pay close attention to the Ranger Max concept truck. I'm told the real thing will be very closely aligned to it. Global T6 architecture (not the current Thai-built Ranger), should hit showrooms MY 2013. Reason for the delay was a change in strategy. With the exception of the Tacoma, mid-sized pickups actually don't sell that well (Look at the Dakota and the Colorado), so Ford pulled the F100 project and is going with a smaller design. Should be approximately the same size as the current Ranger.

 

[O'Rattlecan]

They can still call it the F100 for crying out loud! Unless it's a total SUV with a bed rather than a truck.... Then a 'name' type of name would be more appropriate.

Ryan

 

[polarbear]

They can still call it the F100 for crying out loud! Unless it's a total SUV with a bed rather than a truck.... Then a 'name' type of name would be more appropriate.

Ryan

Actually, the Ranger has quite a bit of brand equity- that'll most likely be the name. That info came from someone close to the project, BTW.

 

[O'Rattlecan]

Are we talking similar drivetrains, or ecoboost madness?

Ryan

 

[polarbear]

NA 4 banger, ecoboost V6, and possibly a diesel.

 

[FordF-SuperDuty]

Hopefully it's body on frame.

 

[john112deere]

Just as long as they don't spoil the magic formula-

Affordable, dead reliable, and tough as nails. It's taken years to build up the reputation the Rangers have on the last two, but it'll only take a year or two to kill it. And based on the people I know, people on a budget are a very big fraction of the people who buy compact trucks...so coming in at a reasonable number for a reasonably-well-equipped truck will be important, too.

Smaller is better, too, I think- I test-drove a 2010 Tacoma a few weeks back- the useful space isn't that much better than a Ranger, but it feels enormous in parking lots, in comparision. (Admittedly, new-car lots are always nerve-wracking places to be behind the wheel of a vehicle you've never driven before...)

 

[TexasNomad]

A diesel would be awesome

 

[racsan]

reminds me of the F150 raptor. id want a diesel ranger if they built one.

 

[5.0Flareside]

reminds me of the F150 raptor. id want a diesel ranger if they built one.

x2 and it looks weird but really cool. and i love that color.

 

[LEB Ben]

Reminds me of Tacoma...but would definitely be cool to get a little diesel in that thing.

 

[O'Rattlecan]

Yeah I was about to say 'Tacoma' as well after looking at it.

I must say, I'm not fond of the 'pointy eyebrow' look of modern headlights on ALL automakers, especially toyota. I like more rigid crisp lines and curves. Is it me or are all mid-sized sedans beginning to look the same (especially in the Japanese market)?

Ryan

 

[LEB Ben]

Is it me or are all mid-sized sedans beginning to look the same (especially in the Japanese market)?

Ryan

Agreed on that. When I'm out hunting, I'm usually 3-500 yards from a road, and to pass the time I try identifying what car is going down the road. And for those 4-5 hours, there were countless times I had no clue what was passing because they all looked the same.

 

[5.0Flareside]

Agreed on that. When I'm out hunting, I'm usually 3-500 yards from a road, and to pass the time I try identifying what car is going down the road. And for those 4-5 hours, there were countless times I had no clue what was passing because they all looked the same.

the easiest way to tell is by the body lines and the taillights. i can get 99 percent of the cars right.

 

[5.0]

I'll take one with a diesel, 5.13 gears stuffed in a locked D60 type axle, and sitting on 38's. Thanks.

 

[Truckin4life]

I'll take one with a diesel, 5.13 gears stuffed in a locked D60 type axle, and sitting on 38's. Thanks.

I'll take the next one of those!

 

[LEB Ben]

the easiest way to tell is by the body lines and the taillights. i can get 99 percent of the cars right.

I think that holds true most of the time...but keep in mind, I was 3-500 yards away from those cars...so I didn't exactly get the best view.

 

[5.0Flareside]

I think that holds true most of the time...but keep in mind, I was 3-500 yards away from those cars...so I didn't exactly get the best view.

true. so i can understand at those distances.

 

[dixie_boysles]

i HATE that truck!