New Ford Ranger

Submitted: Wednesday, Aug 24, 2011 at 15:35

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GoneTroppo Member (FNQ)

Had a ride in the new Ford Ranger today, Terry aka tdv on here called in to let us have a look, see his thread here Ford Ranger

We had a drive round on some medium standard tracks on our place, I must say I was impressed it did everything with easy (admittedly it was totally dry) on road tyres with road pressures.

Axel articulation was a lot better than this type of vehicle usually has. One spot uphill across some drains was done unfussed where normally, Hilux, Rodeo, Navara get a fair bit of wheelspin and bouncing around.

The 3.2l 5 Cyl and six speed auto is a corker. The styling in the metal looks good too,much better than the photos.

Ford Australia have done a top job and I reckon if they can keep the cost for the mid spec model in the mid 40's or so it'll be an absolute winner.

My RA Rodeo is due for replacement within the next 6 months and the Ranger has gone to the top of the list of possibles.

Thanks Terry for the ride, much appreciated

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Reply By: Isuzumu - Wednesday, Aug 24, 2011 at 17:06

Wednesday, Aug 24, 2011 at 17:06

Good to hear another's point of view Troppo. Sounding like it could be a pretty good unit.
Just reading a test between the Hilux, Triton and Amarok in the latest Overlander mag and the Amarok wins hands down there. Will be a good test between the Ranger and the Amarok I would think.

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Follow Up By: AlbyNSW - Wednesday, Aug 24, 2011 at 20:54

Wednesday, Aug 24, 2011 at 20:54

My money is on the Ranger, the Amarok's motor it too small and with it's suspension geometry it it very difficult to get a decent suspension lift for off road use. I think it better suited to a black top style tourer

3.2 liters and a 6 speed box sound on the Ford sound very enticing, hope it goes well for an Aussie product

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Reply By: Notso - Thursday, Aug 25, 2011 at 07:58

Thursday, Aug 25, 2011 at 07:58

Like a lot of things these days, designed in Aus, built somewhere else!

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Reply By: GoneTroppo Member (FNQ) - Thursday, Aug 25, 2011 at 07:58

Thursday, Aug 25, 2011 at 07:58

It's an interesting thing since the last time a proper 4x4 was designed and then built in OZ was the XY Falcon waaaay back in late 60's.

I appreciate the Ranger will be built in Thailand however it was designed in OZ for a world market.

Seems to me this is what we should be doing more of here. Manufacturing is all but over, but we can use our heads. Ford Australia is a tiny little bit of FOMOCO but they got the go ahead, so Dearborn must have had the confidence. Well placed too by early indications.

I guess we'll get the usual "it's not as good as a Toyota" crowd having their rant, but I bet if you checked, these would be the same people who moan about having to buy Chinese rubbish and why can't we get Aussie made.

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Follow Up By: Notso - Thursday, Aug 25, 2011 at 08:05

Thursday, Aug 25, 2011 at 08:05

Yep, I'll have a look at the Ford next time I buy a tug for the Van. So far I haven't owned two vehicles of the same make, Morris Mini, Holden, VW, Volvo, Toyota Landcruiser, Nissan Patrol, Mitsubishi (Triton). So looks like Ford might have to be the next vehicle.

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Follow Up By: Axle - Thursday, Aug 25, 2011 at 20:43

Thursday, Aug 25, 2011 at 20:43

Lol Notso!, ..Your as bad as me. ..Holden, Chrysler, VW, Ford, Landrover, Mitsubishi, Toyota Landcruiser,.........Dunno whats next?..LOL...The Ranger is looking Good!!.

Cheers Axle.

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Follow Up By: GoneTroppo Member (FNQ) - Thursday, Aug 25, 2011 at 20:48

Thursday, Aug 25, 2011 at 20:48

Gees you blokes will run out of makes to get next if you're not careful.
You might have to get a Passwind or whatever they're called LOL

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Follow Up By: Notso - Thursday, Aug 25, 2011 at 22:18

Thursday, Aug 25, 2011 at 22:18

Yeah well it's a lot better than being married to a Yota or a Nissan I guess.

I was a fleet manager for a while and some of the blokes there regarded it as an insult if you made em drive a Ford when they were married to Holden or vice versa.

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Follow Up By: GoneTroppo Member (FNQ) - Friday, Aug 26, 2011 at 06:55

Friday, Aug 26, 2011 at 06:55

Know what you mean some do take it a bit seriously.

My tastes have always been pretty catholic too, I've had Holdens, Fiats, VWs, Ramblers, Studebakers, Chevvys, Pontiac, Buick, Rover, Jeep, Land Rovers, Toyotas, Datsuns, Bedfords, International, Dodge, Valiants, Fords, Mercury, Skoda, DKW.

Funny thing is, apart from a couple who were outright dogs, the others all had their good and bad points. I've never held with the argument "XYZ brand is best".

I have found the "XYZ is bes"t argument is often put forward by people who have no experience with anything else. Blind bias I guess you'd call it.

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Reply By: Member - tdv - Thursday, Aug 25, 2011 at 15:31

Thursday, Aug 25, 2011 at 15:31

Hi Chris

Glad you enjoyed the ride. I'll try to post a couple of video clips showing articulation over the next few days on you tube. There is a link in my blog.

I ran into a few Ergon guys at the Silkwood servo and they thought it was pretty good as well.

Cheers, Terry

AnswerID: 463503

Reply By: Member - Chris and Lindsay (VI - Thursday, Aug 25, 2011 at 22:03

Thursday, Aug 25, 2011 at 22:03

We love our Ford Ranger 2010 diesel duel cab, It took us down the Sandy Cape in Tassie last Christmas and into the high country in April. Only complaint is the brakes are not crash hot with a load on. Chris.

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