How would you spec your new Ranger? UPDATED with Colorado comparison

"shop-teacher" (shop-teacher)
12/18/2018 at 12:30 • Filed to: Back in my day pickup trucks only had one seat and we liked it!

Base model crew cab 4x4, in that beautiful blue. Add the package that gives me cruise control, plus a locking rear diff and the towing package.

I’m bummed that you can’t get the 6' bed with the crew cab though.

UPDATE:

I decided to spec a similar Colorado. They match up very closely. Even paying extra to get electric blue, the Colorado comes in a couple hundred cheaper. It also includes an inte grated trailer brake controller, which is nice. Personally, I think the Colorado looks nicer on the outside, while the Ranger looks nicer on the inside.

DISCUSSION (88)

farscythe - makin da cawfee! > shop-teacher
12/18/2018 at 11:53

how id spec a ranger.... hmmmmm

*heads over to mazdas site to buy a mazda 2*

MasterMario - Keeper of the V8s > farscythe - makin da cawfee!
12/18/2018 at 11:54

farscythe: “I don’t see the option box to add a Mazda 2 in the bed, what a waste of time”

gmctavish needs more space > shop-teacher
12/18/2018 at 11:59

Kinja'd!!!

Oof. It wouldn’t be so bad, but they’re forcing to buy an equipment package I don’t want in order to get this colour.

shop-teacher > farscythe - makin da cawfee!
12/18/2018 at 11:59

OK then, an exte nded cab long bed base model ranger is on its way to your door.

Nibby > shop-teacher
12/18/2018 at 12:00

Kinja'd!!!

wow at this price i’m just better off getting an F150

shop-teacher > gmctavish needs more space
12/18/2018 at 12:00

I hate when they do that! I was happy to see the blue I want available on the base model.

shop-teacher > Nibby
12/18/2018 at 12:02

Yeah, you don’t buy a mid sized truck to save money anymore. You buy one because you want a smaller truck.

Stapleface > shop-teacher
12/18/2018 at 12:02

Like this

Kinja'd!!!

But if you’re talking about the current Ranger, I guess similar to what you spec’d, but I’d do with the S upercab. Don’t really need four full sized doors.

RallyWrench > shop-teacher
12/18/2018 at 12:02

I’d spec mine, uh, just like you did. Mmm steel wheels and unpainted plastic, that’s a throwback.

farscythe - makin da cawfee! > shop-teacher
12/18/2018 at 12:03

welp.... still better than no car... i’ll take it

(but yeah.. i see rangers over here now and then... they’re pretty meh to look at in person... last gen was at least)

Bengal55 > shop-teacher
12/18/2018 at 12:06

Just went and built one, mid range with cloth, 4x4, and 402A package with a spray in bed liner. I think seeing this price I’d spec my Ranger in Frontier Pro-4x, Ram 1500 Bighorn or F150 STX. Hopefully dealer prices will be more in line with other trucks, taking big chunks off the MSRP.

Kinja'd!!!

HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles > shop-teacher
12/18/2018 at 12:09

First off it’s incredibly annoying that you cant get vinyl seats with the FX-4 package. This is because the STX package is added when you click FX-4, STX includes the upgrade to cloth seats. If I have the off road package on my truck I’m going to want the seats that clean off easily .

any way. I’d take a Saber colored XL, crew cab, 4x4, with the 101a, FX-4 , and Tow packages.

Kinja'd!!!

I would consider and XTL just for Red Pepper because it’s a much nicer color IMO . Also I’d a bit bummed Race Red isn’t an option.

shop-teacher > Bengal55
12/18/2018 at 12:10

Much like when the Colorado first dropped, dealers will likely hold the line while those who have to have THAT truck buy theirs, and then real world prices will come down in year two. The one I speced just shy of $34k, will probably go out the door for $30k in year 2 or 3.

shop-teacher > Stapleface
12/18/2018 at 12:11

I didn’t see an option for a time machine ;)

My truck is also my family hauler, hence the crew cab for me. If I didn’t need to fit the kid s in it, I’d go for a supercab with the 6' bed.

shop-teacher > RallyWrench
12/18/2018 at 12:12

I genuinely like the look of the poverty spec.

The outgoing Silverados looked fantastic with painted steelies and a black plastic grill, IMO.

vicali > shop-teacher
12/18/2018 at 12:12

Dude, your tent is on sideways..

Kinja'd!!!

WilliamsSW > shop-teacher
12/18/2018 at 12:12

Standard cab, long bed, 4x4 with the most powerful engine and 3 pedals. Basically what my brothers 1993 Ranger was, except his was 4x2.

And I bet that’s not even possible, right? ( On mobile and don’t have time to look at configurator right now).

Future next gen S2000 owner > shop-teacher
12/18/2018 at 12:14

This is crazy. Absolutely nuts. But so true.

shop-teacher > WilliamsSW
12/18/2018 at 12:15

Nope, no standard cab in the US. Only 2 pedals and 1 engine available as well.

HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles > gmctavish needs more space
12/18/2018 at 12:15

You can get that one on the XL as well but the the XTL. That makes sense. The Lariat is the only one that gets all three color options. Blue , gold, and red

HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles > gmctavish needs more space
12/18/2018 at 12:16

It’s even more anything thatknly the top trim Lariat can have remote start.

KingT- 60% of the time, it works every time > shop-teacher
12/18/2018 at 12:17

XLT 4wd SuperCrew in Orange with 302 ( Sport appearance pck included)

Kinja'd!!!

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > shop-teacher
12/18/2018 at 12:20

Kinja'd!!!

nermal > WilliamsSW
12/18/2018 at 12:24

If my math is correct, the only new pickup available in the US with that config is a Ram 2500/3500 diesel.

It’s slightly yuge-er in every dimension than a 1993 Ranger.

WilliamsSW > shop-teacher
12/18/2018 at 12:25

I’ll take my brothers old truck then. That thing was fun with the v6 and 5 speed, and no weight over the drive wheels.

nermal > shop-teacher
12/18/2018 at 12:26

I’ve decided to sit in the corner chugging Haterades with regards to this truck. The Aussie version is cool, the US one is meh.

Kinja'd!!!

WilliamsSW > nermal
12/18/2018 at 12:27

That sounds about right, unless you can get that in the 2005, erm... 2018 Frontier.

Yowen - not necessarily not spaghetti and meatballs > shop-teacher
12/18/2018 at 12:29

Like this me-thinks, XL with STX appearance pkg, cruise control, tow package, 4x4. Going for black blends in the plastic bumpers for me, I like that.

Aremmes > shop-teacher
12/18/2018 at 12:30

Base, white, steelies, and towing hitch. Work spec is best spec.

Kinja'd!!!

shop-teacher > WilliamsSW
12/18/2018 at 12:31

Nope, no standard cab Frontier. Or, before you ask, in the Tacoma either.

Maxima Speed > shop-teacher
12/18/2018 at 12:36

I looked at the configure tool and basically immediately left because of t he 10 speed auto. Also, how in the world does it only get 21-26 mpg with a four a TEN- SPEED AUTO and a 4 CYLINDER!!!!!???!?! If it weren’t for that I would grab a manual super base model with 4wd then immediately jump the engine up to mustang ecoboost level or higher for maximum lolz.

WilliamsSW > shop-teacher
12/18/2018 at 12:36

Yeah, I knew the Taco wouldn’t come that way. The prehistoric Frontier was my one shot.

Probenja > shop-teacher
12/18/2018 at 12:38

Not only in the US but in my country you can choose between a Ranger Limited with the 3.2l die sel or an F150 XLT 5.0 v8 both crew cabs 4x4 for the same price (US $40.000) . Difference is that our midsize trucks actually have better payload than the full size ones but less comfort. Same thing happens with Chevy (Colorado/Silverado) and Toyota (Hilux/Tundra) .

shop-teacher > WilliamsSW
12/18/2018 at 12:39

No dice. The only regular cabs available anymore are on the full size trucks.

Stapleface > Nibby
12/18/2018 at 12:40

You know, I kind of wonder about this. No, I don’t think Ford is intentionally trying to have a sales flop. But, when the price between this and a full size is so small, are they basically pricing it too high so in a few years they can come back and say “See, nobody wants a small truck”?

shop-teacher > Maxima Speed
12/18/2018 at 12:40

Because aerodynamics are a biatch.

shop-teacher > Probenja
12/18/2018 at 12:46

Interesting. What country is that?

Probenja > shop-teacher
12/18/2018 at 12:52

Chile, where pick ups are quite popular so we get almost every single model that sells worldwide.

https://www.ford.cl/pickups/ranger/comparar-modelos/

https://www.ford.cl/pickups/allnew-f150/comparar-modelos/

t0ast > shop-teacher
12/18/2018 at 12:56

For my future garage plans of Exocet + fun 4 seater daily + midsize truck, I’m thinking this:

Not picky about the color, but would probably lean towards Lightning Blue. SuperCab for the extra bed space, XLT trim for some basic niceties, FX4 to help deal with the nasty lake/county roads I occasionally traverse, Trailer package to tow the Exocet, spray bed liner and tonneau cover, and maybe 301A depending on how good SYNC3 is . T otal price in the neighborhood of 36-37k.

RallyWrench > shop-teacher
12/18/2018 at 13:00

Same here, the more basic the better. Says the guys with a roller-painted poverty spec old Nissan :)

Textured Soy Protein > Stapleface
12/18/2018 at 13:03

I moved from Wisconsin to the DC burbs this year. While full-size pickups are very much typical daily drivers in Wisconsin, and there are plentiful bro’d-out examples, I rarely see any full-size pickups around here, and they’re much more frequently used as work vehicles. 90% of the bro’d out vehicles are Wranglers.

I’d wager this is because even in the burbs , parking is much more of a challenge than somewhere like Wisconsin. The typical mall (strip mall, actual mall, whatever) parking lot here has much smaller spaces, because there’s limited available land and they try to squeeze in as many cars as possible. Plus there are plenty of places where you have to go in a garage, or parallel park, or you decide to go into DC, and a big full-size pickup would be a chore.

So in a place like this, if someone wants a pickup for pickup things, or they just like trucks, I can definitely see the appeal of a midsizer.

Textured Soy Protein > shop-teacher
12/18/2018 at 13:06

I would spec it as a Colorado or Canyon since I drive on road not off road and the Colorado/Canyon is the only midsize pickup that offers some kind of awd mode in its transfer case.

BigBlock440 > Stapleface
12/18/2018 at 13:08

There’s also CAFE requirements that could be a factor, adding the CAFE penalties to the cost.

HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles > Maxima Speed
12/18/2018 at 13:09

That’s still a good 25% better than an F-150. Especially on the highway. Good enough reason for some one who drives a lot to take one over the other

WiscoProud > Maxima Speed
12/18/2018 at 13:20

You’re complaining that it can only get up to 26mpg? What world do you live on that pickups can do better than that?

shop-teacher > Stapleface
12/18/2018 at 13:21

No. Ford didn’t believe these trucks would sell, but the Colorado proved them wrong.

shop-teacher > RallyWrench
12/18/2018 at 13:22

But you got that fawn-say ladder rack!

shop-teacher > t0ast
12/18/2018 at 13:23

I like it!

shop-teacher > Textured Soy Protein
12/18/2018 at 13:23

Good point!

Tripper > shop-teacher
12/18/2018 at 13:31

Same color, a few more options. I wish you could get the base wheels on the top trim as I’d be switching them out almost immediately.

Kinja'd!!!

WilliamsSW > shop-teacher
12/18/2018 at 13:37

I do see that you can get a V6 4x4 manual in the Frontier though - those are the important things to me, and I’d settle for the required crew cab (King Cab is only available in manual with the I4).

RallyWrench > shop-teacher
12/18/2018 at 13:52

It is pretty gucci ;)

WilliamsSW > shop-teacher
12/18/2018 at 13:53

Just built an XLT 4x4 Super Cab, in Lightning Blue, with the chrome appearance package - me likey!!!

Kinja'd!!!

shop-teacher > WilliamsSW
12/18/2018 at 13:55

That configuration is available in the Frontier and Tacoma.

shop-teacher > RallyWrench
12/18/2018 at 13:57

WERD!

I’m such a work truck nerd, that I immediately zoomed in on it, and got a little jealous of it :)

shop-teacher > WilliamsSW
12/18/2018 at 13:57

Nice!

jimz > shop-teacher
12/18/2018 at 14:21

Blue XLT 4x4 SuperCab with SYNC 3.

that’s all I need.

In fact I was planning to upgrade from my 2011, but since I now have to wait (bike to pay off, don’t ya know) I’m going to instead wait for something coming in the future.

shop-teacher > jimz
12/18/2018 at 14:27

Bronco?

shop-teacher > Tripper
12/18/2018 at 14:30

Gotta love the steelies!

jimz > shop-teacher
12/18/2018 at 14:43

Kinja'd!!!

Maxima Speed > WiscoProud
12/18/2018 at 14:49

The 2004 Ford Ranger is rated 24 city 29 highway. However that is a regular cab so that makes a difference I suppose. Also the Honda Ridgine gets only 26 highway. I guess I just miss the good old days of a lightweight truck with car like fuel economy.

RallyWrench > shop-teacher
12/18/2018 at 15:02

My old singlecab '93 Toyota had a custom welded aluminum rack that my fabricator/machinist buddy made when he owned the truck, all tig welded. It was so much better than the rest of the truck , haha

shop-teacher > RallyWrench
12/18/2018 at 15:05

*drool*

Svend > shop-teacher
12/18/2018 at 15:54

I’ll have a bog standard Ranger XL for pickup stuff.

Kinja'd!!!

and a tw in cab Ranger Edition 1 with M-Sport pack.

Kinja'd!!!

shop-teacher > Svend
12/18/2018 at 16:02

I like ‘em!

They won’t let us have a single cab mid sized truck in the US. None of them offer it here.

SnapUndersteer, Italian Spiderman > shop-teacher
12/18/2018 at 16:13

Mine was 33,600!

shop-teacher > SnapUndersteer, Italian Spiderman
12/18/2018 at 16:23

Just a shade under mine!

Svend > shop-teacher
12/18/2018 at 16:47

That’s annoying.

I’d say most of ours are single dabbed with a few twin dabbed and quite rarely the single with rear suicide doors, I can’t remember the name.

The tipper seems a good idea.

Kinja'd!!!

This is on the previous gen Ranger in the pic.

SilentButNotReallyDeadly...killed by G/O Media > shop-teacher
12/18/2018 at 16:49

Your pricing is not dissimilar to the Oz pricing then...cool.

Frankly though, having driven a couple in a company fleet, Ford would have to pay us to own a Ranger...

shop-teacher > Svend
12/18/2018 at 16:50

Ford calls that a Supercab. They're generally known as extended cabs, and are very popular in the US.

shop-teacher > SilentButNotReallyDeadly...killed by G/O Media
12/18/2018 at 16:51

Really? That bad?

Captain of the Enterprise > shop-teacher
12/18/2018 at 16:52

I love the Steelers but you can’t have them and the fx4 pack

shop-teacher > Captain of the Enterprise
12/18/2018 at 17:13

I don't go off-road. I'll take the base model with steelies.

SilentButNotReallyDeadly...killed by G/O Media > shop-teacher
12/18/2018 at 17:39

Honestly, they drive well, handle well and are very comfortable.

However, we all had trouble seeing out of them especially when off road due to the small windows, thick pillars and high beltline...and I’m 6'. We also had durability issues with trim and dust sealing (admittedly in an environment dominated by rough dirt roads) though Ford Oz has reportedly addressed this.

In the end , they performed okay but they were annoying & frustrating things so I wouldn’t want to own one...but they are the 2nd most popular new vehicle in Oz at the moment and the most popular private vehicle purchase (Hilux is no. 1 but fleets buy most) so my opinion is clearly an outlier.

Forrest > Svend
12/19/2018 at 02:06

Somehow I read that in a bit of an oz accent

the teepah seems a good oideah

I like how they talk in Australia.

pip bip - choose Corrour > shop-teacher
12/19/2018 at 03:57

no manual though

shop-teacher > pip bip - choose Corrour
12/19/2018 at 07:20

Yeah :(

Svend > Forrest
12/19/2018 at 07:36

Ye’, it’s what we call that type in the U.K.

Kinja'd!!!

So many different classes, Box Van, Chassis Cab, Combi Van, Curtain Side, Dropside, High Roof Van, Low Loader, Luton, Minibus, Panel Van, Pickup, Temperature Controlled, Tipper, Vehicle Transporter, Window Van, etc...

I like the aussie accent though some have such broad accents it’s hard to understand (just like some Brits , Yanks , Canucks , Kiwis, etc...).