Maybe this will change Fords Ranger Plans

[LS2JSTS]

GM plans to offer next generation Colorado in NA

I hope this will prompt Ford to rethink their apparent decision to abandon the smaller truck market here in NA.

Something tells me that it might...time will tell. But I still cant believe Ford is willing to walk away from a viable and youth motivated segment.

Also, my cynical side, sees both the Colorado and the Ranger coming back as imports once the new UAW agreements are hammered out.

 

[SZR48207]

Everyone I know who has owned a Ranger has been satisfied with it. The trucks seem pretty much bullet proof. Yes, they are rather small, but they can clearly get you around and provide some hauling and towing capability.

 

[JHZR2]

Love my S-10 and if I was to do it again, footprint-wise, I'd go for an S10 again. Diesel preferably. Dont need a road mammoth to do most of my hauling, and the once in a while when I really do need an 8ft bed, I can still get by.

 

[Hokiefyd]

I agree that discontinuing the Ranger seems like a mistake. No matter how inexpensive/fuel efficient they can try to make an F-150, it's never going to be an option for someone looking for a small pickup frame. Myself, I'd have no desire for a full-size and my former Dodge Dakota is as large as I'd consider.

Ford's decision is especially puzzling given that the Ranger apparently held close to 25% of the U.S. market share.

Either way, GM needs its new Colorado here badly. The current Colorado is not competitive with the market leaders in this segment. We have three of them at work and each one has been rather unimpressive. The Rangers hold up much better here.

 

[oilboy123]

Yes Ford brought back the Taurus, but maybe should bring back the Ranger?

 

[meangreen01]

I loved my Ranger and intend on buying another one down the road(although probably used). Only down side for me was the rear jump-seats couldn't accomodate a baby seat so it had to go.

 

[willix]

Ford could buy back there Ranger plant here in the twin cities after the development projected for that site went belly up.

Its all still standing. I'm sure the value has dropped considerably.

 

[MNgopher]

The St. Paul assembly plant is still churning out Rangers, supposedly through the end of the year. Defintely not completely decomissioned yet.

I'm also of the camp that you can do a lot to an F150 to make it appealing to ranger buyers, but the one thing you can't do is change the size. The F150 is flat out too big for plenty of folks.

 

[Jim_Beverlin]

Originally Posted By: MNgopher
The St. Paul assembly plant is still churning out Rangers, supposedly through the end of the year. Defintely not completely decomissioned yet.

I'm also of the camp that you can do a lot to an F150 to make it appealing to ranger buyers, but the one thing you can't do is change the size. The F150 is flat out too big for plenty of folks.


+ 1 on being too large. My Sport Trac built on the Ranger chassis hauls everything that I need it for around my home along with 33 acres.

 

[HM12460]

I wish Ford would continue the Ranger but I just don't think they will. I'd love to have one with a turbocharged diesel engine.

 

[morris]

i have a dodge dakota 2001. i bought my son 21 a ranger 2001. of course he knows i like my chrysler products. so we both might be a little bias. after using my dakota he said, "the dakota is 10 times the machine the ranger ever thought of being ". i dont think the ranger is a bad truck. but i wish the hand pull on the in side of the door was bigger. please note I AM bias. but the ranger is NOT a bad truck. it breaks down VERY LITTLE. have had more trouble with tires than anything.

 

[oilboy123]

Originally Posted By: morris
i have a dodge dakota 2001. i bought my son 21 a ranger 2001. of course he knows i like my chrysler products. so we both might be a little bias. after using my dakota he said, "the dakota is 10 times the machine the ranger ever thought of being ". i dont think the ranger is a bad truck. but i wish the hand pull on the in side of the door was bigger. please note I AM bias. but the ranger is NOT a bad truck. it breaks down VERY LITTLE. have had more trouble with tires than anything.


Well I guess you could also say that a Silvarado, or F150 is ten times the truck a Dakota is. They are different sized beasts.

 

[Spazdog]

Originally Posted By: meangreen01
I loved my Ranger and intend on buying another one down the road(although probably used). Only down side for me was the rear jump-seats couldn't accomodate a baby seat so it had to go.

Ford had the solution for that for years:

They just never bothered to sell it in the US and Canada. Instead we got that odd looking Explorer Sport-Trac thing.

 

[Colt45ws]

Isnt that a Mexican variant?

 

[123Saab]

Originally Posted By: HM12460
I wish Ford would continue the Ranger but I just don't think they will. I'd love to have one with a turbocharged diesel engine.


+1, That would be great.

I love my Ranger, A very practical and tough little truck but the MPG's really are hurting me these days........

 

[kkreit01]

Originally Posted By: Spazdog
Originally Posted By: meangreen01
I loved my Ranger and intend on buying another one down the road(although probably used). Only down side for me was the rear jump-seats couldn't accomodate a baby seat so it had to go.

Ford had the solution for that for years:

They just never bothered to sell it in the US and Canada. Instead we got that odd looking Explorer Sport-Trac thing.


Why does that look less odd than a Sport Trac? Sport Trac is gone also. I liked them. Interior was as roomy as Explorer. Bed could haul 1200 lbs+. V8 could tow more than 7000lbs. I'd pick the Trac over Ranger any day.

 

[Spazdog]

Where the cab and the bed comes together looks odd on the Sport-Trac and you have to get the roof rack. You can take it off but then have to pay a body shop to fill and paint the mounting points.

If you are looking to tow, the Dakota is a better choice and doesn't force you to have that roof rack.