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Ford Ranger in new editions stands out among compact pickups
Bob Plunkett
Date Posted: 5/10/2005
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KANANASKIS RIVER, Alberta -- High in the Rocky Mountains of Canada, rivers from melting glaciers run fast and cold, while across slopes splashed with fir and birch the sporadic off-road trail climbs steeply over rounded rocks and slippery soil to reach high and scenic ground.
My 4-wheel-drive edition of Ford's reinvented Ranger compact pickup truck, supporting a bold new face and expanded passenger compartment, plunges through cold rivulets coursing down a creekbed, then effortlessly powers up a gravel bank on the opposite shore.
At the trailhead, Ranger continues in sure-footed stance, big tires gripping with assurance, big engine snorting an eagerness to climb the hill.
And so we go, bumping over rocks, bouncing over ruts, bounding up that slope.
In such action, Ranger reveals to driver a can-do confidence which indicates there's probably no vehicular task in the outback world this truck cannot accomplish.
For weekend warriors intent on attaining some rugged off-road spot on Saturdays or for those who need the practical workability of a pickup, this new edition of Ranger quickly demonstrates superior traits as early indication, perhaps, that Ford will safely maintain its position with the country's best-selling compact truck.
Anytime designers and engineers tamper with such a proven success, the move becomes at best a tricky one, although with improvements effected for Ranger a safe and conservative course was selected.
Essence of the remake primarily concerns various measures that strengthen Ranger's chassis and suspension system to create more control and smooth out the ride quality, then enhance quarters for passengers, both qualitatively and quantitatively.
Also, Ranger packs more power in three engine options.
The base 4-cylinder engine for Ranger, expanding from 2.3 to 2.5 liters due to the increased stroke, rises five percentage points in horsepower to reach 119, as torque output climbs by ten percent.
The previous Ranger added two optional V6 choices, one at 3.0 liters that becomes the standard for 4-wheel-drive editions, and a larger one at 4.0 liters.
For the revised Rangers of 1998, the 3.0-liter V6 also enriches torque output by ten percent as it pumps the muscle up to 147 hp.
A 4.0-liter V6, built in Germany and previously found in Ford's Explorer sport-utility wagon, supplies up to 160 hp, sparked with lots of low-end torque.
Ranger's base engine and the 3.0-liter V6 connect with either a 5-speed manual or smooth 4-speed automatic transmission, but the 4.0 V6 gets Ford's new 5-speed automatic option that first appeared with a new SOHC engine on the current Explorer.
These various engines and transmissions apply to new Rangers tested recently in the Canadian Rockies, where the truck covered off-road trails in the Kananaskis wilderness as well as more mundane venues like urban streets of sprawling Calgary and long stretches of rural highways, such as the Trans-Can route 1A from Calgary to Banff.
Through all experiences Ranger exhibited surprisingly car-like ride sensations which felt firm yet comfortable in a pattern that seemed more closely akin to one of Ford's sedans than a pickup.
Ranger's platform, reinforced with stiff boxing up front, combines with a new independent front double wishbone suspension system to produce those smooth ride sensations.
A chassis of ladder-like design forms a strong and rigid platform for Ranger, with full box bracing effected in the front section to further stiffen it. Ford's engineers say stiffness of the frame improves by more than 350 percent over the previous Ranger chassis.
The new independent front suspension, with front long-arm arrangement, mounts to this stiffer chassis.
On 4x2 Rangers, softer springs at front wheels create an easy ride quality, but all 4x4 Rangers earn torsion bars which allow wheels to travel greater vertical distances when negotiating off-road obstacles.
In the rear, a live axle combines with 2-stage leaf springs to generate smoother ride sensations on 4x2 Rangers, as a multi-leaf spring on the 4x4 strengthens the overall arrangement for rugged action.
Quick-acting power rack and pinion steering -- uncommon on a truck where the more cumbersome recirculating-ball device is usually found -- boosts Ranger's agility.
And to rein the Ranger, ventilated disc brakes show up in front of back drums abetted by rear anti-lock system. The top model, Ranger XLT, has a disc at every wheel plus 4-wheel ABS.
New safety systems have also been added, like dual airbags. A switch with locking key lets driver disconnect the passenger-side airbag when a child rides in that seat.
Optional 4-wheel-drive, offered with either V6 powertrain, makes a strong work truck with go-anywhere enthusiasm on pavement or dirt.
Ranger's new pulse vacuum hub-lock device sets front hubs quickly for push-button shifting into 4x4 mode -- and it engages while moving at speeds as high as 80 mph.
Besides the three engines and two traction options, Ford's new Ranger comes in both flat-sided Styleside and notchy Flareside body styles with several trim levels and a regular-size cabin or the stretched SuperCab interior plan.
The regular cab edition of Ranger will work with both short and long wheelbases.
The SuperCab moves the truck's rear cabin wall aft to form a storage bay with side-facing jump seat mounted behind driver's seat -- it flips out of the way when not needed.
A rear 6-foot truck bed creates more cargo room. Four hooks mount to inside rails and help corral a heady load, and the rear lift gate can be removed easily if necessary without needing special tools.
In the cabin, a standard layout installs a bench seat with 60/40 split in both XL and XLT trims. One SuperCab option arranges twin buckets flanking a floor console.
Also, special-edition Splash has sporty gear and bold exterior graphics. Then Ford rigs an electric edition, labeled Ranger EV, powered by lead-acid batteries.
1998 FORD RANGER TRUCK
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| Vehicle Specifications: |
| 1998 FORD RANGER Specs |
| Description: |
Compact pickup truck |
| Model Options: |
Compact pickup truck |
| Wheelbase: |
Regular Cab: 111.6 inches
SuperCab 4x2: 125.7 inches
SuperCab 4x4: 125.9 inches |
| Overall Length: |
Reg. Cab 4x2: 187.5 inches
Reg. Cab 4x4: 188.7 inches
SuperCab 4x2: 202.9 inches
SuperCab 4x4: 201.7 inches
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| Engine Size: |
OHC 2.5-L I4
OHV 3.0-L V6
OHV 4.0-L V6
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| Transmission: |
2.5-L: Manual/5, Auto/4
3.0-L: Manual/5, Auto/4
4.0-L: Manual/5, Auto/5 |
| Drive: |
4x2 rear, 4x4 |
| Braking: |
Power disc/drum, rear ABS
XLT: Power 4-disc/ABS |
| Airbags: |
2 |
| Gas Mileage: |
23/28 mpg |
| Price: |
$ 12,000 to $ 20,000 |
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