http://news.pickuptrucks.com/2009/05/spied-again-future-ford-ranger.html
It's too early to make any final judgments on these trucks, but these pics have me a little nervous.
For one, that front end looks very car-like with the integrated plastic bumper. I know the test mules are just mock ups, but I'd rather see a separate front bumper. You should be able to run a truck into something at low speeds without causing $1000+ in damage.
Also, I don't like what appears to be a spring under axle setup in the rear. Spring under setups hang down really low. A lot of other small trucks use that setup, but full sizes don't. I'd rather see them use the setup that South and Central American Rangers use...spring over with outboard shocks, like the 2004+ F-150.
The Ranger has always been a scaled down F-150 in terms of its frame and suspension design, and I'd like to see Ford continue with that personally.
Hopefully Ford of Australia knows what they are doing and will build a class leading truck, but these test mules make me wonder.
It's too early to make any final judgments on these trucks, but these pics have me a little nervous.
For one, that front end looks very car-like with the integrated plastic bumper. I know the test mules are just mock ups, but I'd rather see a separate front bumper. You should be able to run a truck into something at low speeds without causing $1000+ in damage.
Also, I don't like what appears to be a spring under axle setup in the rear. Spring under setups hang down really low. A lot of other small trucks use that setup, but full sizes don't. I'd rather see them use the setup that South and Central American Rangers use...spring over with outboard shocks, like the 2004+ F-150.
The Ranger has always been a scaled down F-150 in terms of its frame and suspension design, and I'd like to see Ford continue with that personally.
Hopefully Ford of Australia knows what they are doing and will build a class leading truck, but these test mules make me wonder.