Let’s go back to 1983, the Ford Bronco and the Chevy blazer are going at it, mano a mano. They are going full speed competing to be America’s SUV, the fights were getting heated between Chevy and Ford. However, a small area existed where imports dominated the market, these two giants wanted a piece of the action. The LUV (light utility vehicle or small truck) was dominated by Toyota, Nissan and Mazda, Chevy and Ford had small trucks, but they couldn’t compete with the low cost and reliability of these imports. Ford decided to make a change, a big one. The call for a new competitive and innovative design took form with the name Project Yuma. It took six years of research and development to come up with what we all know and love as the Ranger.
The truck was an instant success even though the Ranger almost never was, because of the fuel crisis of the 70’s but Ford stuck to its guns and gave it a western name just like the Bronco. The Ranger offered enough engine options that it could be fitted to fill almost any work range, compared to other trucks of the time, it had 5 lug nuts in the wheels, more leg and headroom and bigger ashtrays (yes this was important at the time). America loved the truck and soon it began selling around the world, it was perfect for Europe and Latin America where roads are smaller and more densely populated.
Many upgrades and changes have been made to the Ranger, from its body, interior, to the engine and the powertrain, five engine varieties have been available. The first three generations had been based on evolutionary design, meaning one led to another based on what worked or didn’t. The 4th and newest generation is making a revolutionary change, it is on track to standardize all LUV’s across the industry. Meaning when new designs are introduced, those designs will have to directly compete with the capabilities of the Ford Ranger. The new generation offers a 10-speed transmission with a 2.3l turbo charged EcoBoost engine that offers unmatched torque in its class. Skid plates made not of plastic but actual metal that are not bolted on to the parts they protect, yes this is a thing too, not to mention TMS (terrain management system) making it more versatile in changing driving conditions.
The Ranger is almost here and if you are looking to get one, go on to ford.com or holmestuttle.com and see for yourself the changes this truck is bringing to the auto industry. It is a tough truck available in three trim levels able to meet any demand in the snow or in the sand.
-Irving L.
