New Rangers and cruisers at work

Sorry, I should have also said they are in talks with Japan as how to bring back the old 1HZ engined cruisers or an equivalent . How that goes I don't know we will find out I guess.

RA.

Interesting insight, the 3.2 diesel seems to be the pick over anything else the Ranger has. Certainly everyone I've spoken to with a new one (with the 3.2 of course) has raved about them. Apart from the towbar mounting arrangement.

I also heard a rumour about 3 months ago that there was a "mine spec" Ranger being worked on that was due in December but I have yet to get any concrete info on it.

Most people in Australia in the 4wd sector will be looking at buying the Big engined BT50 in 4wd configuration, not a 2.2 and with the Cruisers, most people won't be in a situation where someone or something is firing metal through the floor at the family jewels.
So I can't really work out the relevance of your comments to real life 4wding folk in Australia.
If it is directed at mine staff, yes. The outback traveller or long distance towing brigade, no.

Puzzled.

Hi Rockape,

I for one appreciate your comments and effort in placing a post. Nothing like a real-world test to see if the vehicle will last the distance.

The mines really do test vehicles to the extreme, so I think it's very relevent to readers considering a new vehicle for long-term outback travel. The previous model BT50/Ranger didn't cut-it in the long term, so we'll see if the new one is any better.

Cheers, Geoff

Rockape, you can add me to the list that will continue to read with interest your take
on vehicles used underground. So the 2.2 donk mightnt be the popular choice but
the durability of every other component is important info IMHO. Ignore the negative
theorists & keep the opinion coming..cheers....oldbaz.

Don't worry about the knockers, RA.

I'll be very interested to read further reports on how the Fords go. They do 2 years in the mine, then they'll last some EO member or similar, travelling around, at least 10 years.

Just imagine if Toyota(oh shit, did I mention the forbidden word??) still had the 30mm shackle bushes of 45 years ago, or the measly little king-pin studs, about 6mm in dia, that snapped off, if the king-pins weren't greased every oil change. Input from graziers, dealers and mining companies, back to Japan, over the early years helped them to gain a rep for reliability.

Stuff 'em, RA, keep 'em coming!!!

Bob.

Ok,
I will keep the info coming and tell it as it is.

It just hit a nerve it did.

As Bob Y said. Cruisers did and do have problems, many have been rectified and some haven't.

I really don't want to hear about Toyota, Nissan, VW, Holden, Isuzu, Mitsi, or any other vehicle in this world or any other big place. This is because I am reporting on the new Rangers with no bias at all.

I own a cruiser and I am buying a Ranger but I will tell it as it is. I actually have reservations about buying a new model so time will tell.

I will turn this into a blog so those who wish to look at what is lasting and what isn't can have a look. This will take a while until problems start showing up.

RA.

Just with regards the relevance of the laminated floor alone, I have seen at least three separate instances of timber or star pickets (or remains thereof) going through the front floor pans of vehicles. Each narrowly missed the occupants but was sheer luck only. Not suggesting reinforced floors should be compulsory or anythin of the sort but simply that there is relevance.

Interesting in what you had to say..... we have a new Ranger XLT 5 cylinder auto and love it, we upgrade vehicles every 2 to 3 years so I'm not making the "love it" statement because our last vehicle was 10 years old and anything modern would be good.

We were originally going to get the manual and by accident we drove an auto.... with in 10 minutes our minds we made up the auto was a better choice.

The manual we found to have a very rubbery feel especially going from second back first... and first gear was to short for general around town driving.... but would be great for towing or when loaded..... the Hilux and most others have a to longer first gear and when loaded or towing you have to be hard on the clutch to get it moving.

With the clutch I think Ford has taken the good approach to this by fitting a strong clutch but I may be wrong..... look at all the other crop of current 4x4 utes and the clutch problem they had.... our Hilux had a new clutch at 50k and one of our Hiace vans at 35k.. to lighter clutch for the intended work.

As for power... we drove a Amarok that has the 2lt engine and found it to be much as you described, it went well between 4350 - 5000rpm but below that it was sad..... I would think the 2.2lt in the Ranger would be much the same, you can't beat capacity.

I enjoy driving our Ranger more then our 200 series and the gearbox is better than the 200.... as for economy we did a trip last week up to the Flinders loaded with the dirt bike on a heavy bike trailers sitting on 115Kph we averaged 12.2lt per 100....