Ford Ranger To Be Discontinued

[Dotini]

I really would like to get a new Ranger, but I don't know if that would be a good choice. The truck hasn't gotten any bigger since my '91, but it's gotten heavier, with the same engine in it. And I hear that 4.0L V6 isn't a very good engine.

In my eyes, by making the Ranger bigger, they've ruined the integrity of the truck.

The Ranger is heavier because it's far stronger and safer. It now has a fully boxed frame.

The 2.3 DOHV 16 valve Duratec is by far the best engine in any small pickup today. Fabulous economy and durability, light weight and adequate power for what this truck is normally expected to do. For a bit more power, add performance chip and a cat-back.

 

[astrosdude91]

and Colorado/Canyon was a flop from the beginning. something about the 5 banger they borrowed?

5 Cylinder engine just doesn't sound right. That's probably a part of why it's a flop.

 

[niky]

Wonder when they'll replace that 2.3 with the 2.5? It's a good engine, with more torque (though people complain because the electronic throttle programming is a bit more laid back).

Niky: the SUV line a little over 10 years ago used to be Escape->explorer->expedition->excursion. if you think the F series is huge, you should see the Super Dutes and their Excusion SUV derivative! (if you haven't that is)

I've seen the Excursion. I don't think anyone short of a primary school bus service needs that much space! (and in that case, they might as well get an Econoline!

The difference betweeen then and now, though, is they had compact-midsize-large-extralarge. With the Escape/Edge/Flex/Explorer/Expedition, they have near-midsize-midsize-midsize-slightlyovermidsize-large. It's a mess.

Meh... whatever helps sales...

 

[Tornado]

So whats left in the Small American truck market? Dakota and Colorado. Ugh!, double ugh for the second one! Seriously, why would GM put Z71 on a 2-wheel drive truck? Disgusting!

Dakota is toast within the next two years, and the Colorado was worse in every way than the S10 that it replaced. In many ways the Ranger is the best of the domestic "compacts." Which is probably why Toyota ended up with all of the sales in the segment.

 

[Sniffs]

Astrodude: tell that to Volvo, who've been using 5 bangers for years. i think GM didn't execute it right

Niky: the Excursion wasn't exactly for "passenger" duties, it was for towing heavy weight Fifth Wheel types in the 5 ton range while providing full cover. that can now be accomplished with a lot smaller vehicles.

Dotini: the common man that buys a Ranger can't afford the kind of booster crap your talking about. these guys are the ones using a truck for it's utility alone.

Toronado: I'd rather spend three grand more for a Silverado quad cab. it probably gets a couple more miles per gallon, to boot *last time I looked, a taco ran about 35k, a silverado was 38k*

 

[YSSMAN]

Dakota is toast within the next two years, and the Colorado was worse in every way than the S10 that it replaced. In many ways the Ranger is the best of the domestic "compacts." Which is probably why Toyota ended up with all of the sales in the segment.

I can't see Fiat reviving the Dakota for any reason, especially if we're expecting an onslaught of Fiat vans in the future. There have been more than enough rumors as of late that GM wants to spend big-bucks on a Jimmy/Colorado replacement, in lieu of the death of the Ranger in the US market, to turn the small truck segment around. I'd be all for it, but i have no idea where they'd be sourcing the development from. Their South American and Asian markets would love to have a new truck, but lesson learned from the Colorado -- Don't let Isuzu design your truck.

I would have been happy with the G8 ST, but no, we couldn't have that.

 

[buickgnx88]

I think the problem with Chevy's I5 was the fact that it was supposed to have the power of a 6, and the mileage of a 4, but it didn't really do either real well.

 

[Tornado]

I think the problem with Chevy's I5 was the fact that it was supposed to have the power of a 6, and the mileage of a 4, but it didn't really do either real well.

What, the power of a 4 and the mileage of a 6 isn't a good enough compromise?

 

[buickgnx88]

Nah, they were thinking too far outside the box.

 

[homeforsummer]

What, the power of a 4 and the mileage of a 6 isn't a good enough compromise?

I bet it didn't even sound like a 1980s Audi Quattro either.

 

[Tornado]

No. It sounds like the transmission is getting in a bar brawl with a blender. A blender with chunks of metal and glass in it. And whenever you stomp on it to pass someone, it sounds like the blender exploded.

Though, fair enough, at speeds over 55 the wind buffeting is so loud you can't really hear the engine anymore.

 

[GT_Prologue5]

No. It sounds like the transmission is getting in a bar brawl with a blender. A blender with chunks of metal and glass in it. And whenever you stomp on it to pass someone, it sounds like the blender exploded.

Though, fair enough, at speeds over 55 the wind buffeting is so loud you can't really hear the engine anymore.

I'd actually buy a Ranger just after reading this thread.