Ranger Outsells Mustang in April

[blue7.3]

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Originally Posted by Bugman

If I had any control at Ford this is what would happen. I would keep the 2x4 reg.cab pretty much as is with the 2.3L, maybe offer a diesel and or a slightly larger 4 banger 4x4 reg cab 7' bed. Scrap the 4.0L gas hog and the king cab. Offer a longer bed Sport Trac with a diesel or ecoboost or a power plant they already have the 4.6L 3 valve and 6 speed which should push the mpg to 23 or 24 mpg and call it the F100 . I think the currently offered 4.6L is a 2 valve? I think my ideas could be done in a very cost effective way. If Ford would only listen..

Not a bad plan. The 4.0 Cologne engine is maybe 20 yrs old. The 3.7 would be a much better choice. They also need to update the 4x4 drivetrain. Permanently locked front hubs keeping that whole front end spinning constantly sure isn't doing anything for efficiency...
-pete

[howam00]

Originally Posted by blue7.3

Not a bad plan. The 4.0 Cologne engine is maybe 20 yrs old. The 3.7 would be a much better choice. They also need to update the 4x4 drivetrain. Permanently locked front hubs keeping that whole front end spinning constantly sure isn't doing anything for efficiency...
-pete

agreed, a better V6 would do wonders as would an updated 4 cylinder adn tranny. I doubt the 4.6 V8 makes sense in this small of a truck. That is going back to the Dodge Dakota mentality.

I like the longer 7 foot bed idea and a true 4 door crew cab, preferably with a bed longer than 5 feet

[MahindraPlanet]

I agree with you guys. Ford needs an updated Ranger. Not only would they own the compact truck market, but I bet they would take sales from their competitors mid-size offerings. Even if they don't do a diesel, they have a fantastic line of EcoBoost engines ready to go. The new 2.0 liter I-4 puts out 230hp/240lb-ft. Lightweight and plenty of power for a little truck. Ford EcoBoost engine - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

[pee wee]

We used to joke about Ford getting a diesel Ranger here before Mahindra gets their truck here, now (except probably ecoboost instead of diesel) it's looking possible. If I could get a Ranger with ecoboost 4 cyl. and a seven foot bed, so long, see ya. If Ford announces firm plans to do so in the near future before the Mahindras hit the dealer lots, I'm waiting some more- and I doubt I'm alone in this feeling. The worst thing Mahindra could do is wait any longer to launch their trucks here, but maybe the best thing they could do for me is to wait. I'm kind of used to waiting now, anyway. My wife said she saw a Toyota Tundra the other day and it looked really nice. She would be okay with me buying one. Nope, I'm waiting for something better.

[sirmombo]

If Ford produced a ranger with the 2L ecoboost and it had all the capabilities of the V6 ranger and still got in the upper 20's mpg, I would be there tomorrow.

Ford did cancel the taurus, which was their best selling car at the time, so I wouldn't be surprised if they discontinue the second best selling compact/mid-size truck.

[pee wee]

I guess the biggest problem with the Ranger/ecoboost idea is that officially Ford has not announced any plans to bring that here, it's just rumor. Maybe if you were in the market for a truck in 2013 you'd be in luck. About those ecoboost engines- basically they are getting more work out of a smaller engine, I wonder if they need to be built extra sturdy like the diesel to last. I like the idea of them, but I wonder if it would be better to wait and see how that technology holds up in the real world.