New Ford Ranger

There is some good info on the ranger over at www.newfordranger.net I think that the new Ranger will definitely take off more so than some of the other utes that are on the market.

www.newfordranger.net even :-D

My thinking was that perhaps it might take 3 - 6 months depending on the popularity of the model to get all the accessories available. Obviously the more popular the quicker the development can be fast tracked. This time frame also give us potential buyers the opportunity to obtain feedback good and bad on the performance of the vehicle as a true off road tourer.

Will be watching this thread for reveiws.

Family friends are looking into purchasing x 2

Thoroughly agree, thats the $64000 question. How well will they stand up to the Aussie bush. The only thing we are quite sure of is the extra kw's and nm's over the hilux which is really significant. If the Ranger stands up, (Unlike the Navara), it could be a real threat!

Also forgot to metion the 3350KG Towing Capacity..! Thats more than a tonne over and above the Hilux. It's close to the 3500KG towing capacity of the 200 Series and Landrover etc.

Ranger vs Hilux

Interesting link to a comparison between the Ranger and the Hilux. It's worth a read , also has other direct comparisons.

I don't like that "developed by ford Australia" I have seen many Falcon engines with oil leaks but very few Japanese engines with oil leaks

Whats not to like about it ? The major positive is it has been developed and tested extensively in Australia including Aussie outback, unlike most other makes whereby they are just delivered to Oz and then cant cope with the rough Aussie Roads. i.e Navara which has had numerous issues including Chassis cracking, lack of underbody protection & suspension issues.

The motor was not developed in Australia, it has been used in the Ford Transit vans in Europe for the last three years.

I have a Ford Ranger but I only bought it as it was a Mazda with a Ford badge. I have had several Fords and they all leaked oil, my son has a Falcon ute currently 5 yrs old and it has been back for several engine and gearbox leaks. I'll stick to the Jap designed vehicles thanks.
And the Hilux haven't had cracking?
I have a mate who has had a Navara since 2006 and just bought on of the new ones and he has had it over a lot of rough roads and all that has happened to his is a clutch failure at 20,000 Klm so he just threw out the old dual mass flywheel and put in heavy duty aftermarket clutch.
I don't have much faith in the current 4 X 4's for toughness or long term reliability.

Meggs, no matter where they are designed they are mostly built in Thailand, Nissan in Spain and Amarok in Argentina. And I would wander if the last BT 50/ Ranger where all Mazda designed. And I do own two 4WDs that where built in Japan.

"And I do own two 4WDs that where built in Japan."

Well hang on to them my old Hilux 2000 vintage was made in Thailand and it was OK. I have a Mazda car made in Japan, the Ranger was Thailand built, I wonder when we will see one of the major manufacturers making in China like everything else

Only a fool would discount the Hilux's proven reliability and track record, I buy reliability ovet bells and whistles, read the above and consider the $60k question. We agree the Ford has the spec advantage but thats useless if it isnt as reliable

Agree, on paper the V6 Navara sounds like a better vehicle but in reality is no match for he Hilux.
The new Ranger is a different matter, I have not heard a bad word about them and think they will give Hilux a good run for their money if the reliability and customer support is there.

Mark my words.

The Ranger wont be $60k, more like $54ish.

Within a year they will be down around $50k. People have been paying more for Hilux and Triton for past 5 years.

I was always a Toyota man, until a drove the new Hilux, and then drove a BT50.