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Ford Ranger History: Where Did It Come From & Where Are We Now?

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Now that the hype behind the 2019 Ford Ranger is in the market, people are quickly realizing that it’s a pretty amazing little truck. This causes you to wonder about the Ford Ranger history – where it came from, whatever happened to it and how we got back to it.

We’ve put together a complete rundown of the Ford Ranger model years, but the history starts where you least expect it.

Ford Ranger history
Barrett-Jackson

Ford Ranger History – In the Beginning

Let’s take a look back at the Ranger compact pickup. This brings us to Mazda.

During the early 1970s, smaller trucks started to be a thing. Popularity grew as Toyota and Datsun both produced a small pickup. The American manufacturers wanted in on the action, but developing their own truck would cost money and precious time.

Since the Japanese already had success in making efficient and reliable pickups, Ford decided to work out a partnership with Mazda. That’s when the B-Series pickup came to be, otherwise known as the Ford Courier. Ford sold this from 1972 through 1982.

1983 Ford Ranger - left front view
Street Source

Ford Ranger History – Gas Crisis

Shortly after the Courier came to America, war broke out in the Middle East. OPEC didn’t want anyone supporting Israel so they placed an embargo on those countries. Gas prices went through the roof and lines were long. The gas stations began running out of fuel and people didn’t want gas-guzzling trucks anymore. Instead they looked for vehicle with better fuel economy.

To fight back, Ford decided to launch Project Yuma. This project developed the Ranger pickup truck which replaced the Courier. While the program began in 1973, it didn’t get rolling until closer to 1976.

To counteract some of the cost of imported materials, Ford used lightweight magnesium for the truck’s clutch housing, clutch support and brake brackets. It dropped the weight of the truck by 20 percent. Of course, the aerodynamics received plenty of attention. Then, they improved the engines to make them more fuel-efficient. Customers had access to a 2.0 or 2.3-liter inline-four plus an automatic transmission.

1990 Ford Ranger STX
Consumer Guide

Ford Ranger History – Early Trucks

These trucks featured four-wheel drive as an option and they could carry up to 1,600 pounds of payload. The trouble was, even with the 80 horsepower and 116 lb-ft of torque in the 2.3, it was still slow. That’s when Ford added an optional V6 or a Mazda-built diesel option. It was also when the Bronco II SUV came into play.

Toward the end of the 1970s, production took a nose dive and prices went through the roof with oil once again. Ford received an incredible hit and sales suffered. But that didn’t stop the Ranger from surviving. In fact, the first-generation Ranger went on through 1992. Seven million Rangers made it to production since 1982.

2019 Ford Ranger - left front view
Ford

History of the Ford Ranger – The End & New Beginning

Since the 1998 redesign of the Ranger, sales continued to go downhill. There were some minor tweaks, but overall it remained the same truck. Full-size trucks became more popular and quickly took over the segment. Ford also realized that they make more money putting a buyer into a low-end F-150 than selling the compact truck, so they ditched it altogether.

The B-Series truck continued to live on in other parts of the world. The trucks grew in popularity in areas such as Australia, New Zealand, South Africa and Asia. During the years, Ford continued to learn and grow. They worked closely with Ford of Australia to determine what went wrong and how to improve on it.

What we are left with now is the 2019 Ford Ranger which is attempting to compete with the Toyota Tacoma. While it only has a 2.3-liter EcoBoost turbo four-cylinder right now, it does feature the best-in-class towing ability. Overall, enthusiasts are happy to have the Ranger back in production and we will have to wait to see how this story ends.

2019 Ford Ranger MPG Numbers Released

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The EPA just released the 2019 Ford Ranger mpg numbers and it’s official – the Ranger has the best-in-class fuel economy of a gas-powered mid-size pickup. We are actively awaiting its arrival at dealerships. Before it starts selling like hotcakes, Ford gets to do a little bragging.

2019 Ford Ranger MPG
Ford

2019 Ford Ranger MPG Numbers

The EPA estimated the fuel economy for the 2019 Ranger and the results might just shock you. With a 2WD configuration and the 2.3-liter turbocharged EcoBoost four-cylinder engine combined with the ten-speed automatic transmission, drivers are looking at 21 mpg city and 26 mpg highway with 23 mpg combined.

That’s better than any of the other gas-powered mid-size trucks on the market. It even ties with the Chevrolet Colorado diesel truck for combined mileage numbers. As far as gas-powered options go, the 2WD Tacoma only gets 21 mpg combined while the GMC Canyon and Chevrolet Colorado are looking at 22 mpg combined.

Of course, most truck buyers aren’t looking for fuel-efficiency when picking out their latest pickup, but it’s an excellent marketing tool that Ford will use. Anywhere they can achieve a bragging point, they will surely use it.

If you want the 2019 Ford Ranger mpg numbers on the 4WD, we have that too! Expect this pickup to get 20 mpg city, 24 mpg highway and 22 mpg combined. Not too shabby – in fact, it’s better than any 4WD gas-powered mid-size truck.

Other Highlights of the 2019 Ford Ranger

Ford didn’t hesitate to also point out that the Ranger features the best-in-class torque with 310 pound-feet. It’s also ranked as the best-in-class towing and payload with 7,500 and 1,860 pounds.

Expect the Ranger to hit the dealerships sometime next month. It will feature a starting price of $25,395. Of course, the higher trims could take that bill up over $40,000, especially if you decide to add some of the 125 aftermarket parts that are available.

Stay connected to Car Blog Writers for the latest news regarding the 2019 Ford Ranger and everything Ford related. We are actively awaiting more news on the Baby Bronco and the Ford Mach-E.

Ford Ranger Raptor Isn’t Coming to North America

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Just last week we talked about all the accessories available on the 2019 Ford Ranger Pickup. What we didn’t know at the time was that the Ford Ranger Raptor wouldn’t be coming to North America. Many of us have spent a lot of time drooling about the Raptor, but we aren’t going to see it up close. So far, the Raptor is only available in Asia, Europe and Australia.

Ford Ranger Raptor
Ford

Issues with the Ford Ranger Raptor

According to Hermann Salenbauch, the line director, there are several issues with bringing the Ford Ranger Raptor home. The first concern boils down to the powertrain. It’s equipped with a 2.0-liter twin-turbocharged diesel engine. This motor isn’t used in the United States. While the Ranger itself is produced in Michigan, it won’t make sense to ship the diesel engines from Argentina for manufacturing. It also doesn’t make sense to adjust the Michigan plant to produce these engines.

The other reason it doesn’t make sense for the company is because the Raptor is offered in areas without the F-150. Because we have access to the Ford Ranger and the Ford F-150, they didn’t feel it made sense to give us the Raptor as well.

Financial Reasons

The F-150 Raptor sells for $53,000 in America. If we were to receive the Ford Ranger Raptor, it would suck the demand from the F-150. Not only that, but it’s smaller and would sell for less. For all practical reasons, it doesn’t make sense for Ford to offer a less profitable truck to us when we’re willing to spend more on the bigger alternative.

What they fail to notice is that the American people want trucks; big and small. They aren’t just looking for a mid-size, high-performance truck, but some people want a smaller option. That’s where Ford is going to lose out to the Chevrolet Colorado ZR2.

However, if the demand for the Ford Ranger Raptor increases, we may eventually get our wish. It just might come with a different engine. Of course, we feel there are plenty of great American engine options to power the Ranger Raptor, but only time will tell.

Would you purchase a Ford Ranger Raptor if it were available? Let us know.

Ford Ranger Pickup Offers More Than 75 Accessories

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The news is spreading like wildfire about all the accessories drivers can choose from when ordering a brand-new Ford Ranger pickup. According to the Ranger 5G Forum, dealer brochures show a multitude of accessory options. What a great way to completely customize your ride.

Ford Ranger pickup
Ford

Ford Ranger Pickup Accessories

While the list of options is long, we do have some of the highlights available for you. We also know that there will be some trim levels that include many of the items. The XL Ranger is the base model and it won’t come with many of them.

As far as bed options go, the Ford Ranger pickup offers a full list of liners, mats and bed covers. Prices aren’t too bad either. It looks like a bed liner for either the five or six-foot truck bed only runs about $324. The mat is priced at $140. The brochure doesn’t list the prices for soft, roll-up or hard tonneau covers, but we expect to see them as soon as the truck launches.

Electronic Options

The electronics are quite impressive as well. There’s an available Hitchscan rear sensor plus Hitch Step rear scanner. These are ideal for anyone looking to trailer and run $269. The rear seat entertainment system offers two screens, but the brochure lists two DVD players. We think they meant to say Blu-ray; at least we hope. That entertainment system costs almost $1,000.

You could also upgrade with a set of Bullfrog Bluetooth speakers that are portable. They come in two sizes and cost either $200 or $400. Of course, they are cheaper on Amazon, so we don’t recommend getting them through Ford.

Exterior Accessories

You’ll get lost in all the exterior accessories available for the new Ford Ranger pickup truck. There’s graphics, chrome exhaust tips, carriers, rim kits, window tinting, cargo racks and splash guards. Inside the truck, you’ll also find a roadside assistance kit, door sills and cargo organizers available. Perhaps our favorite accessory option is the tablet cradle that allows you to mount an iPad on the headrest. That runs $139.

We expect to see the release of the 2019 Ford Ranger pickup truck any day. Stay tuned for more news as it becomes available. In the meantime, make sure you check out the specs of the upcoming 2019 Ford Ranger.

2019 Ford Ranger is the Leader in its Class

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The latest specs have been released for the 2019 Ford Ranger and they are impressive. While it only comes with a 2.3-liter EcoBoost turbo four-cylinder, Ford still claims it beats all the other gasoline engines in its class in relation to torque. Does it stand up to the Chevy Colorado and other V6 competitors? To answer this, we’ve got the numbers you need. Let’s take a look at the new 2019 Ford Ranger.

2019 Ford Ranger
Ford

Best-in-Class Towing Capacity

Looking beyond the engine for a moment, we see that the 2019 Ford Ranger has a maximum payload of 1,860 pounds plus a maximum towing capacity of 7,500 pounds. To compare it yet again to the Chevy Colorado, you’re only looking at a maximum payload of 1,574 pounds and towing capacity of 7,000 pounds with the V6 gasoline engine.

Keep in mind that those numbers for the Ford do require the truck to be equipped with a tow package and trailer brake controller.

Let’s get back to the horsepower and torque, shall we? The 2018 Chevy Colorado comes with a 3.6-liter V6 that produces 38 more horsepower than the Ranger. Even still, Ford says that the EcoBoost provides more engine-turning power than the other midsize pickups with gasoline engines . It’s true considering the Ranger produces 35 more lb-ft of torque than the Chevy Colorado does at 275 lb-ft of torque. Keep in mind that the Colorado is also available as a 2.8-liter diesel which bumps that number to 369 lb-ft of torque.

Other Info on the 2019 Ford Ranger

The 2019 Ford Ranger’s four-cylinder engine pairs with a ten-speed automatic transmission. On top of that, they’ll begin production at the Wayne, Michigan plant later on this year.

The starting price will be higher than you’re used to seeing in a mid-size pickup truck. With that in mind, it’s clear that consumers are going to get more for their money.

Ranger vs. Other Competitors

We’ve taken a look at how the torque, towing capacity and payload capacity exceed the Colorado, but what about some of the alternatives out there? Let’s break it down for comparison.

Nissan Frontier – 4.0-liter V6 producing 261 horsepower and 281 lb-ft of torque. Hauls 1,502 pounds of payload and tows 6,710 pounds.

Toyota Tacoma – 3.5-liter V6 producing 278 horsepower and 265 lb-ft of torque. Hauls 1,620 pounds of payload and tows 6,400 pounds.

Only time will reveal whether the Ranger satisfies user’s needs they way they claim. Therefore, we’ll have to wait and see. Of course, Ford’s been standing up against the competition in more ways than one. Just check out their latest F-150 ad.

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